The big day is fast approaching, and you’re brimming with anticipatory excitement (Yay!). You or your child has been living for several months (or even years) with metal in your mouth. Now, it’s almost time for all of it to be removed.
But, wait a minute, you might wonder… Is getting braces removed really all sunshine and rainbows? The good news is that compared to having braces put on, getting them taken off is pretty simple (and takes less time)!
That said, there are a few things you should know to prepare yourself for what to expect.
It’s with that in mind that we dive into some of your most pressing questions about teeth braces removal, including everything from “How long does it take to get braces off?” to “Do braces hurt when you get them off”.
Can I Get My Braces Off Early?
There are two ways to answer the question “Can I get my braces off early”. Let’s tackle each one separately.
Is There a Possibility That Treatment Time Will Be Less Than Estimated?
In short, yes, but don’t count on it. During regular orthodontic check-up appointments, especially towards the end of your estimated treatment window, your orthodontist should be able to tell you if there’s a chance that your braces could be removed sooner than initially expected.
When it comes to braces removal, it’s less about timing and more about ensuring that the job has been done right.
Here are some signs your orthodontist looks for to know that it’s time to remove your braces:
- Correct Alignment of Teeth: Orthodontists look for straight teeth and correct spacing, ensuring issues like overcrowding and gaps are resolved.
- Proper Bite Alignment: Checking that upper and lower teeth fit well together for optimal chewing and speaking, preventing tooth wear.
- Completed Growth: For adolescents, full jaw growth is awaited to ensure the treatment’s stability and effectiveness.
- X-Ray Verification: Uses X-rays to confirm teeth roots and bone have properly adjusted, indicating a successful treatment beneath the surface.
- Satisfactory Oral Hygiene: Evaluate gum and teeth health to ensure no delays in treatment completion due to poor oral hygiene.
- Completion of Growth Modifications: Ensures any treatments for jaw growth or alignment are complete and have achieved stable results.
- Patient Compliance: Considers patient adherence to care instructions and appliance use, such as rubber bands, as critical for timely and effective treatment.
Can You Get Your Braces Off Whenever You Want?
Technically yes, but it is not at all recommended.
We’ll tell you a secret: no orthodontist likes to hear this question because removing braces before treatment is complete essentially defeats the purpose of having braces in the first place, whether that’s closing gaps in your teeth, correcting an overbite or underbite, or straightening teeth. In the end, you’re the one that loses out.
Therefore, your braces really should be removed only after your orthodontist deems treatment to be complete, and that is what any good orthodontist will tell you.
Getting Teeth Braces Removed: Here’s What to Know
How to Prepare for Braces Removal
While braces removal prep isn’t too involved, there are a few things you should keep in mind:
- Maintain good oral hygiene. Brush and floss well before your appointment.
- Expect some pain/discomfort and scraping during the removal process. If this makes you flinch, talk to your orthodontist about taking an OTC pain medication beforehand.
- Set an appointment reminder on your smartphone or jot it down on your calendar if you’re prone to forgetfulness! 😉
What to Expect During Removal
The process of removing braces really isn’t all that involved.
- During removal, your orthodontist will use a special metal tool to squeeze and loosen the brackets of your braces. In most cases, your braces, which will have been engineered to be removed in this way, will just pop off section by section and tooth by tooth, wires, brackets, and all.
- After your orthodontist removes your braces, they will conduct a thorough teeth and mouth cleaning, since braces often trap food and plaque in your teeth, even with your best efforts to keep up good oral hygiene. Many people also want to know how to get braces glue off teeth (after all braces don’t affix themselves!) Simply put, your orthodontist will handle that with a special grinding or scraping tool.
- In many cases, your orthodontist will take an X-ray of your teeth or take a bite impression to ensure that they’ve done their job right. These images/impressions are often also used for crafting a retainer for you to wear to keep teeth in place over the long run.
- Depending on your or your kid’s age and stage of life, your orthodontist may inspect your wisdom teeth and recommend removal.
How Long Does Getting Braces Off Take?
The process of actually popping off your braces could take as little as a few minutes. But your teeth braces removal appointment is likely to last anywhere from 45 minutes to well over an hour due to the other items involved such as teeth cleaning, taking impressions, and of course, settling your account or paying any outstanding bills related to treatment.
Does It Hurt to Get Braces Off?
As we hinted at earlier, while getting braces off isn’t necessarily painful for most people, it could cause some discomfort. Most people would describe the feeling of having braces removed as a bit uncomfortable, involving slight pressure rather than acute pain.
Post Removal Considerations
Your braces are off. Hallelujah! Now what? Here’s what to expect.
- Adjustment Period: Your teeth will likely remain sensitive for at least a few days after your braces are removed. So, you might want to eat soft foods during that period of time. Also, having gotten used to wearing them, you might feel strange without them. This will pass, and eventually, you’ll admire your smile!
- Retainers: Your orthodontist will most likely recommend that you wear a retainer following braces. The specifics of how often and how long you’ll need to wear your retainer can vary greatly from person to person, based on individual treatment needs and the orthodontist’s recommendations.
- Oral Hygiene: As always, the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene habits is a must!
Ready for Braces? Looking for More Removal Advice? The Super Dentists Can Help!
Schedule an orthodontic consultation at The Super Dentists for more answers to all your teeth braces-related questions as well as medical advice tailored to your unique needs.
