The Braces Removal Process at Our Philadelphia Area Orthodontic Centers

Getting braces is a great way to improve the look of your smile and your overall dental health as well. Many people don't realize it, but tooth misalignment and other issues with malocclusion can cause people to grind their teeth and experience many other issues with overall dental health and wellness. This is why it's so important to meet with a skilled orthodontist. After several months of wearing braces, you'll finally be ready to get them removed. Let's take a look at this process right now.

The Last Step of Braces Treatment

It's finally arrived. Before getting your braces removed, you'll have an orthodontic visit to monitor the overall progress of your treatment. Your orthodontist will set up the removal date once it appears that your teeth have achieved proper alignment.

Will braces removal hurt?

No. Whether you have traditional braces, ceramic braces, fast acting adult braces, or some other form of orthodontia in place, the process is free from pain and major discomfort. You may feel slight pressure on the teeth, but that is all.

Is the removal process easy?

Very easy. In fact, you'd be surprised just how simple it is to remove braces thanks to their wonderful design.

Step One - Removing the Brackets and Wires

Cutting the wire or using solvents to remove the brackets would be potentially dangerous and unhealthy for the patient. Instead, the brackets and wires are removed in one piece.

The orthodontist will use a special pair of dental pliers to apply pressure to each individual bracket in a row. This pressure loosens the bracket's hold on the tooth, setting it free. This is done on every bracket along the dental arch until it is able to removed with the wire intact.

Step Two - Removing the Dental Cement on the Teeth

With the brackets and wires gone, patients will notice a strange, slimy feeling to their teeth. That is the dental cement that held the brackets and wires in place. This needs to be removed.

Your orthodontist will carefully polish this dental cement away using a small metal tool. Extra care will be taken to ensure that only the dental cement is removed and not any tooth structure. As with the bracket removal, there is no pain during this.

Step Three - Getting a Retainer

In order to maintain the proper position of your teeth, your orthodontist will create a custom retainer. This will be worn to ensure proper alignment along the dental arch. A mold for this retainer is often taken once the dental cement is removed.

If the full retainer needs to be crafted and requires some time to finish, a temporary one may be provided until the final retainer is ready. Patients should follow their orthodontist's instructions regarding when to wear the retainer and for how long.

How long will the entire process take?

Overall, the braces removal process will only take about an hour, and as a whole, it's pretty convenient to get the process done.

Learn More About Advanced Orthodontics

For more information about advanced dental care treatments and what your orthodontist can do for you, be sure to contact our Philadelphia area orthodontic care centers today. The teams at our offices in Bala Cynwyd, Bensalem, and Montgomeryville look forward to meeting you in person and helping you achieve the straight and beautiful smile that you have always wanted.