Is your time with braces coming to a close? Congratulations – you’re about to see your months of hard work pay off! Even though you’ve likely been looking forward to your braces removal appointment for a long time, you may be surprised to find that you’re a bit nervous now. What happens at the final appointment? Does taking the braces off hurt? What now? To learn the answers to each of these questions, read on!
What Happens at Your Final Appointment?
Naturally, each of the brackets and the archwire will be removed at your final appointment. From there, your orthodontist will polish your teeth, take the final records, snap a few photos, and design your retainer. This last step is crucial because this small, but important, orthodontic appliance will play a crucial role in preventing orthodontic relapse (the phenomenon in which your teeth begin to shift back into their previous positions).
Does Getting Your Braces Removed Hurt?
Fortunately, the answer is “no.” While your braces are durable, they are designed to come off quite easily with the use of a special instrument. Essentially, this tool allows your orthodontist to quickly locate the weakest point of your bracket and gently pop it off from there. The entire process will be so seamless that you won’t feel any discomfort at all!
What’s Life After Braces Like?
Life after braces is wonderful; you’ll have a gorgeous smile and be able to enjoy all of your favorite foods again! Just remember, while braces can guide your teeth into their properly aligned positions, only you can keep them there. To prevent your teeth from drifting out of position, you must wear your retainer. At first, you’ll wear it around the clock (about 20 hours a day). Then, around the six-month mark, you’ll be given the thumbs up to transition to wearing it solely at night.
Fortunately, you have nothing to worry about when it comes to your braces removal appointment – the entire process will be quick and easy. Before you know it, you’ll get to see your beautiful new smile without the brackets and wires!
About the Practice
Simply Orthodontics is filled with smile-enthusiasts who love helping our patients achieve the straight teeth and beautiful smiles they’ve been dreaming of. To ensure your results last a lifetime, we will provide you with a custom-made retainer. Plus, if you ever accidentally misplace it or it breaks, we can get you a replacement one easily. So, if you have a question about life after braces or would like to schedule an appointment, don’t hesitate to visit our website or call (508) 435-1200.