After many months, and maybe even a few years, the day will come when it is time to remove your braces. Removing your braces will be done in a single appointment, and it is a relatively quick process. You will probably be pleasantly surprised by the release of the pressure on your teeth.
As tempted as you may be grab your phone and post a selfie, remember that you are not quite finished improving your smile. You may notice that you have spots on your teeth. That is normal since plaque has built up around the braces. Your dentist can clean your teeth after your braces have been removed, and whitening treatments can address any discoloration issues. You should make plans for a routine dental visit after your braces have been removed.
Your braces have moved your teeth into their new positions, but they need to settle into those places. Additionally, the ligaments in your jaw need to adjust to their new positions as well. In order to do that, your dentist will give you a retainer. This retainer will keep your teeth from drifting out of alignment and undoing the work done by your braces.
Every mouth is different, so people wear retainers for different lengths of time. But, it is important that you wear your retainer exactly as your dentist prescribes. A fixed retainer is placed behind your teeth and held in place with dental cement. A removable retainer can be taken out for sports, or at bedtime. No matter if it is fixed or removable, your retainer needs to be cleaned, just as your teeth. You should talk with your dentist about the best way to clean your retainer.
If you are thinking about straightening your teeth with braces, our dentist, Dr. John F. Lann will be happy to meet with you for an exam and consultation. If you live in the Round Rock, Texas area, you can make an appointment at John F. Lann, DDS - Round Rock TX Dentist by calling 512-255-1025. We look forward to seeing you soon.