Once the braces are removed, your teeth will be cleaned of bracket bonding material and band cement and you will receive your removable retainer. Retainers should be worn a minimum of five hours during the day and all night for the first 6 months. This is because your teeth are not completely settled in their new position until the bones, gums and muscles adapt to the change. Thereafter, nightly wear should suffice if you do not experience any discomfort when placing the retainer into position.

After your braces are taken off, your teeth will be thoroughly cleaned. Your orthodontist may want to take another set of x-rays and bite impressions to check how well the braces straightened your teeth and to see if any wisdom teeth have developed. If wisdom teeth are beginning to come in after your braces have been removed, your orthodontist may recommend the wisdom teeth be pulled to prevent your newly straightened teeth from shifting position in your mouth. See similar questions...

always, it's very important to practice good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing after every meal. Hard and sticky foods should be avoided since they can damage your braces. Be sure to keep all of your orthodontic appointments and follow the instructions and recommendations given by your orthodontist. See similar questions...

In spite of the careful attention given to informing the patients how important retainers are to prevent the teeth from returning to their crooked position, relapse occurs disconcertingly to the patient and the orthodontist too frequently. This occurs because teeth need time to "permanently set" or grow into their new positions like poured cement setting around a newly placed parking meter. See similar questions...

Discount dental plans offer savings of 10% to 60% on most dental procedures, and are an easy way for you to save money at the dentist or dental specialists like orthodontists. Many discount dental plans offer deep discounts on braces at participating orthodontists. The UNI-CARE 200 Discount Dental Plan is one of many plans that offer its members a 20% discount off participating orthodontists' usual fees. Join a discount dental plan today and start saving on your dental care. See similar questions...

A 12. That depends. If your teeth are very crowded and they are protruding far forward (stick out), removing teeth may be an excellent choice for you. Typically, most orthodontist choose to extract two upper back teeth (premolars) and two lower premolars to accomplish the goals of treatment. Other choices may include the removal of only two upper teeth while still other cases may require the removal of only one lower front tooth. When Dr. See similar questions...

Removing teeth is sometimes needed to achieve the desired orthodontic result. However, because of the state-of-the-art orthodontic treatments and technologies at Dr. Azar-Mehr's orthodontic office, the need to remove teeth has been greatly reduced. See similar questions...

No, most people do not experience any discomfort when removing the braces. Some people's teeth are sensitive to cold air during the removal procedures. See similar questions...

No. With proper retainer wear, your teeth should stay straight for a lifetime. Some harmful habits like biting on pens and pencils or muscle imbalances will cause the teeth to shift after braces or later in life if the retainers are not worn consistently. See similar questions...

The quantity of discomfort subsequently differs on the method used. If there is discomfort, it can be alleviated with prescribed pain medication. A scab will likely develop and then heal within a week or two. In addition, any redness that takes place will vanish within two to four weeks. Most scars that do appear slowly fade over time. See similar questions...

Braces (also called orthodontic appliances) can be as inconspicuous—or as noticeable—as you like. Brackets—the part of the braces that attach to each tooth—are smaller and can sometimes be attached to the back of the tooth, making the brackets less noticeable. Brackets may be made of metal, ceramic, plastic or a combination of these materials. Some brackets are clear or tooth-colored. See similar questions...

Tooth removal may be required in some cases to address severe crowding and provide a more stable final result. The trend in orthodontics has been to treat more cases without the extraction of permanent teeth, but we still have to consider it as the best option for some patients. Treatment plans are customized for each patient and a number of factors determine if permanent teeth need to be removed prior to start of treatment. See similar questions...

A 16. Yes. Your gums tend to become more easily swollen because the braces prevent your teeth from getting the stimulation they normally get from the food which contacts them. furthermore, food particles tend to get stuck in the braces and lodge more easily between the teeth. Dr. Rothstein guides his patients with the rule of "33". That is, you should brush your teeth 3 times every day for 3 minutes each time after breakfast, dinner and before bed time. See similar questions...

With braces, oral hygiene is more important than ever. Braces have tiny spaces where food particles and plaque get trapped. Brush carefully after every meal with fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Rinse thoroughly and check your teeth in the mirror to make sure they're clean. Take time to floss between braces and under wires with the help of a floss threader. Have your teeth cleaned every six months to keep your gums and teeth healthy. See similar questions...