Alas, the day you have been waiting for has finally arrived! It’s time to get those pesky braces off your teeth, once and for all. After enduring months — or even years — of pain, your teeth are finally ready to be shown off in a perfect smile.
But being so close to freedom can bring forth a lot of mixed emotions. Sure, there’s tons of happiness and excitement, but there’s also that sinking feeling of nervousness.
Perhaps that is why our patients often ask us, “How long does it take to get braces off?” Luckily, we have answered everything you need to know about braces and their removal time right here in this blog. So, make sure to keep on reading.
How Long Does It Take To Get Braces Off?
After tolerating the metal wire bound to your teeth for ages, you probably want the braces removal process to go by as fast as possible. And that is exactly what it’s like!
In most cases, getting your braces off merely takes an hour. The entire process is not only fast and effortless, but it’s also super comfortable. Despite staying on your teeth for a very long time, braces are quick to come off.
The procedure starts with your orthodontist removing the rubber bands on the braces so nothing is stretching against the bracket. Next, a special tool is used to pop off the brackets on the braces. This helps the brackets, as well as the wire to come apart in one go. Once no more equipment is attached to your teeth, the orthodontist will work on cleaning your teeth.
This can take a bit longer, depending on the condition of the teeth. From buffing to polishing to removing plaque, the overall time it takes to remove braces is typically within an hour.
Do Braces Hurt Getting Taken Off?
There is this innate fear of braces hurting, even when they’re being taken off. However, removing braces is a very simple procedure. It does not hurt in the slightest. If you feel any kind of discomfort or pain, let your orthodontist know immediately.
If something is wrong, your teeth may need to be examined again. Your dentist might even decide to schedule an X-ray for further evaluation. But typically, it does not hurt to get your braces removed.
Life After Braces: What To Expect
As refreshing as it feels to get your braces off, there are still certain things you need to take care of, such as:
- You will most likely have to wear a retainer after getting your braces removed.
- There may be slight swelling or bleeding in your gums for the first few days.
- Your teeth will feel extremely sensitive no matter what you eat or drink, so be careful.
- There may be odd patches of tooth discoloration on your teeth due to the placement of braces.
- Avoid eating anything too hard or crunchy for the first few months, as that could offset the position of your teeth.
Closing Word
If you were wondering how long it really takes to get braces off, hopefully, you have a faint idea of what to expect by now. Depending on the condition of your teeth and how long you’ve had your braces, the removal process ought to take only an hour or two at most.
Nevertheless, for more information on the matter, reach out to Texas Premier Dental at (281) 206-0100. You can also drop by our clinic at 13203 Fry Rd Ste 500, Cypress, TX 77433, located right next to Texas Children’s Pediatrics.