What to Expect When Getting Your Braces Off

Congratulations! You have completed your orthodontic treatment and have now had your braces taken off. Now you can live happily ever after, right? Not exactly. In this post, Dr. Updike, an Irvine orthodontist, discusses what to expect after your last orthodontic appointment to ensure your new smile lasts.

1. Setting Up Your Appointment

   Something to consider is when you decide to schedule your final appointment to debond or remove your braces. Your teeth will feel different and some patients prefer to have some time to rest afterwards.

2. Have Realistic Expectations

   When patients set a date and time with the intentions of having their final appointment, there is a small chance it may not truly be the last appointment. For example, if a patient is told that they are on the right track of getting their braces removed the following month, this is assuming that the patient will upkeep their current routine of wearing elastics and other directions given by the orthodontist. If a patient does not follow the same routine, there is a higher chance that the teeth may move or the alignment of the bite may shift, delaying the process of having the braces removed.

   Another realistic expectation is to know the final appointment could last up to an hour to an hour and a half. It will not be a quick appointment, so plan accordingly. Although the process of removing the brackets is fairly quick, the cleaning process afterwards does take longer.

3. Maintain Proper Oral Hygiene

   Throughout orthodontic treatment, we encourage and hope that the patient has been maintaining the best oral hygiene to prevent “white spots” on the teeth. White spots appear on the teeth where the bracket used to be and is an indicator of poor oral hygiene during treatment. Bacteria from food left on the teeth can dissolve the enamel and create white scars or spots. The best method to prevent this? Brushing your teeth twice a day!

4. Expect Some New Sensations

   The process of removing brackets and the glue may feel odd on the teeth. You also might feel some pressure on the teeth from time to time, but this is completely normal! We want to ensure there is no leftover glue or debris on your teeth.

5. Retainer

   Once we have removed and cleaned your teeth, they are ready for your retainers! We ensure that the retainer fits as it should and give you instructions on how to take care of them and how long to wear them for. Follow all instructions given by the orthodontist to ensure your smile remains perfect! Your teeth are typically more vulnerable to shifting and “settling” once you remove your braces, so it is important to wear your retainers as instructed.

Finally, you are ready to show your new smile with the world! If you have any questions regarding orthodontic treatment or what the timeline is to conclude your orthodontic treatment, please reach out to us at (949) 870- 9713. We are now open with new safety measures to follow the CDC guidelines, and look forward to seeing your smile!