Brace yourself for an exciting milestone with Hamer & Glassick Orthodontics! What to expect when you get your braces off is more than just a moment of reveal; it’s a transition into a new, confident smile. As you prepare to say goodbye to your traditional metal or innovative clear braces, we’re here to guide you through this orthodontic rite of passage.
Your Debonding Appointment
Today’s the day! You’re getting your braces off…Wait, we need to reschedule because your teeth aren’t ready? What is happening?
The first thing to know about getting your braces off is that it might happen on a different day than we originally planned. If your braces need one final adjustment, we might need to postpone your debonding. We understand this can be frustrating or disappointing, but don’t worry! You’ll still be getting your braces off soon. We just want to ensure the alignment of your teeth is as perfect as possible before we end your active treatment.
On the debonding day, you should expect the process to take about one hour. To remove your braces, Dr. Hamer or Dr. Glassick will use special orthodontic tools to carefully detach your brackets and clean the glue residue off your teeth. You’ll be happy to know that while debonding braces might feel weird, it doesn’t hurt! There is nothing about which to be anxious.
When booking your removal appointment, we strongly encourage you to schedule it during one of your less busy weeks. Your teeth and gums will likely feel sore or sensitive, and you don’t want to add that to an already hectic week! If that is not possible, please keep in mind the time needed for the debonding process so that you’re not late for any appointments after ours.
The Week After You Get Your Braces Off
Before you run out of our office to show off your new smile, we need to give you reasonable expectations for the upcoming week!
- Your mouth just went through a little procedure. It’ll need time to adjust! As mentioned, we suggest planning a stress-free week so you can rest and relax.
- In addition to soreness, your teeth will likely feel sensitive to hot or cold temperatures. Your enamel is being re-exposed after being covered for so long. This sensitivity will fade over the following days.
- You might notice some looseness in your teeth after we have removed your braces. Don’t panic! That’s normal. The bones holding your teeth will solidify/regrow over time. We’ll cover this more in the retainer section (below).
Life After Braces
Now, let’s get into the part you’re probably most excited about! Your braces are gone, your mouth is used to them being gone, and your only focus is maintaining your incredible results.
Your Retainer
So, why might your teeth feel loose after getting your braces off? To answer that, we have to rewind a bit and discuss how braces actually move your teeth. Basically, the pressure we put on your teeth forces the bones around them to break down. New bone then forms to keep teeth in their new homes. This process, known as bone remodeling, allows your teeth to move and stay where you want them to. However, bone remodeling doesn’t happen overnight! That’s why the active treatment and retention (retainer wearing) phases take some time.
If you don’t wear your retainer, your teeth will take advantage of the available space to mess up their perfect alignment without a second thought! Wearing and caring for your retainer(s) as prescribed by your orthodontist is essential to preserving all your hard work!
Follow-Up Appointments
It’s crucial to continue seeing the Hamer & Glassick Orthodontic team for follow-up appointments. After all, you want your smile to stay as straight as the day your braces came off, right? Our orthodontists need to monitor your teeth as they become accustomed to their new homes so they can adjust your retainer or treatment program as necessary.
No Food Restrictions
Assuming your retainer is removable, your grocery list just got much bigger! You can now eat LaffyTaffy, beef jerky, popcorn, hard taco shells, crunchy cookies, toast, whole apples, and more! The concern of breaking your braces or getting food stuck in them is now a thing of the past!
Just don’t let your seemingly never-ending food options prevent you from having a well-balanced diet!
Maintaining Good Oral Health
Throughout your orthodontic journey, we’ve stressed the importance of brushing and flossing at least twice a day. Getting your braces off doesn’t make consistent oral hygiene any less influential on your oral health. You should still brush and floss daily to rid your mouth of bacteria and plaque. It’ll probably be more manageable without your braces, so that you can look forward to that!
You should also expect to maintain your relationship with your dentist. Just because your braces are no longer creating hard-to-clean nooks and crannies doesn’t make it impossible for your teeth and gums to get “sick.” Regular dental check-ups and cleanings allow your dentist to monitor your oral health by checking for cavities and providing professional cleanings to remove tartar build-up. They can also help you whiten your teeth for the most even, attractive results!
Remember, a beautiful smile is about straight, healthy teeth and gums. Keeping up with these simple practices ensures that your smile stays bright and healthy long after your braces are gone.
Schedule Your Smile Reveal At Hamer & Glassick Orthodontics!
Ready to unveil your stunning new smile to the world? At Hamer & Glassick Orthodontics, we share your excitement and are eager to see the beautiful results of your journey. Whether you’re in Charlottesville or Crozet, our team is here to support you every step of the way, even after your final retainer check-up. Schedule your debonding with us today, and let’s celebrate your incredible transformation together.