Removing braces
Safe for enamel and comfortable for you
Duration — 40 minutesRemoving braces
After the completion of orthodontic treatment comes the most exciting and long-awaited moment for the patient — removal of braces. However, many people are afraid of this process, as it is difficult to imagine how to separate from the teeth the construction, which has been one with them for more than a year.
Contrary to popular myths, braces removal is completely safe for enamel and teeth. To be sure, you need to understand the removal procedure and the tools used.
When are braces removed?
In an ideal situation, the braces are removed when the bite correction is complete (teeth are aligned correctly and evenly, there are no tremors, and the midline of the incisors is in the middle of the face). The period of bite correction is different for everyone and depends on the clinical case. Usually, visible uneven teeth are corrected during the first year of treatment, and then the orthodontist corrects the bite. This process is not very noticeable to the patient, so it seems that orthodontic treatment is delayed. In fact, it is very important to maintain not only the external evenness of the teeth, but also to create physiologic and stable contacts when clamping them together.
Sometimes braces are removed before the full correction is completed at the patient's request, but then the doctor can not guarantee the stability of the treatment result. If the bite is under-treated, there is an increased likelihood of relapse — re-curvature.
How to remove braces
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Before removal, the doctor prepares the patient for a comfortable process with the help of lip pads that prevent the mouth from closing.
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Next, it is necessary to release the arch from the grooves of the braces. If the braces are ligature braces, the rubber bands are removed from the lock, if Damon self-ligating braces, each cover is opened with Spintek tweezers. Once the ligatures are removed and the lids are open, the arch can be freely removed.
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The braces are removed from the teeth one by one with special forceps. Their wedges are placed on the base of the bracket, and the handles are compressed. Under pressure, the bracket deforms and breaks off from the adhesive composition. Metal braces break off easily and quickly. Difficulties may arise with the removal of sapphire braces, since sapphire is a very hard material and under mechanical pressure may not separate completely from the tooth, but crumble. It is not dangerous for the patient, but the process of removing the bracket piece by piece takes longer.
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After removing the locks, orthodontic adhesive remains on the surface of the teeth. This is removed by gently polishing the enamel.
СRemoval of the arch, locks and grinding of the enamel takes up to 30 minutes. Possibly a little longer with sapphire locks.
But the entire doctor's appointment on the day of removal can take up to 1.5 hours, as it is necessary to undergo additional preventive procedures, install the retainer, as well as receive recommendations on further actions from your doctor.
What to do after braces are removed?
After the orthodontist has removed the braces and polished the enamel, it is recommended that the patient undergoes hygienic cleaning and remineralizing therapy. Professional hygiene is necessary to clean plaque that was difficult to remove in hard-to-reach areas due to braces: in the gingival area, on contacts, under arches or around locks. Also, it will be safer to place a retainer on clean teeth — there will be no source of bacteria underneath it to further spread plaque.
Remineralizing therapy is necessary to strengthen enamel weakened by braces. Some patients have white spots on the enamel in the place of the brackets, so they especially need additional care for their teeth — remineralizing therapy, fluoridation, selected home care.
Retainer placement
After the preventive measures, the patient returns to the orthodontist for retainer placement.
A retainer is an orthodontic device for recording the results of treatment. It does not move the teeth, but keeps them in the correct position and does not allow them to separate. There are two types of retainers: removable and non-removable.
The non-removable retainer looks like a thin wire that is fixed to the inside of the teeth with a composite material. It is usually worn throughout life; it does not interfere with eating or talking, and after getting used to it, it is not felt in the mouth at all.
The only disadvantage of fixed retainers — is the need for thorough home hygiene and more frequent professional hygiene than without a retainer.
Removable retainers look like mouth guards. They must be worn 24 hours a day or only at night, depending on the orthodontist's recommendations.
Sometimes removable and non-removable techniques are used together.
Does it hurt to have braces removed?
Unhooking the bracket from the tooth requires some effort, so the patient may experience pulling or pressing sensations during the removal process. However, there is no need to worry that the removal process will be painful or traumatic because the removal tool only affects the bracket and not the enamel or crown of the tooth.
Removal of braces in the clinic «Konfidencia»
In the clinic «Konfidencia» for the removal of braces use special tools, so the process is fast and painless.
After removal before retainer placement, our patients undergo a professional hygiene regimen that includes remineralization to strengthen enamel, as well as the selection of individualized home care.
We invite all patients who have completed orthodontic treatment for preventive checkups to monitor stability and take timely action in case of relapse. In this way, we give our patients a guarantee of results after braces are removed.
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Cost of braces removal
For patients undergoing treatment at Konfidencia Clinic, the cost of braces removal is included in the cost of treatment on the bracket system.
For patients at other clinics, we can remove braces after a consultation if the doctor is satisfied that removal is safe and will not have negative consequences. We only remove braces in conjunction with professional hygiene and retainer fitting, so that you get a good and reliable result.
