Many adult patients i speak to have a similar set of concerns when considering teeth straightening. Apart from the concerns about how much braces will cost or how long braces take to straighten teeth which i have addressed in other posts, The most common concerns i hear are:

• Will braces affect the way that i talk?
• Will i be able to continue with my normal lifestyle?
• Will Braces affect my self confidence?

Naturally, the additional of any orthodontic equipment in your mouth will take some getting used to, but most people who have had braces will happily tell you that the addition of braces to their mouth was a change they got used to very quickly. The most likely change you’ll have to adapt to while you have your braces in an increase in saliva.

Will braces affect the way that i talk? - It is quite unlikely that you’ll experience any change in your voice, or develop any speech empediment that did not exist in some form prior to orthodontic treatment.

Will i be able to continue with my normal lifestyle? – Of course! You’ll still be able to socialize, eat at your favorite restaurant and drink your favorite drinks. I have spoken about best practices while undergoing treatment, what foods to avoid and how to keep  you braces clean and prevent damage to brackets and wires. As long as you follow this advice and use common sense, you shouldn’t find your social routine changing.

Will Braces affect my self confidence? -  to this i say, ABSOLUTELY! Once your teeth are straight, you’ll feel WAY more confident and be flashing that perfect smile everywhere you go. But before that? chances are no one will notice that you have had braces fitted, but if you are exceptionally concerned about how braces will look, there is always the option of Invisalign Invisible Braces.

Even though your braces are now off, there is probably still a bit more to do – wear your retainer! In most cases, the role of the retainer is to keep your newly straightened teeth set in their new position now that your braces are off.  When you first have your braces removed the bone around the teeth is still quite soft from the movements of your teeth and it needs some time to ‘harden’.

I am often asked, “will my teeth go back to how they were if i don’t wear my retainer”? Though it is quite unlikely that all the work the braces have done making your smile perfect will be undone by not wearing your retainer, it is almost certain that you will experience more shifting of the teeth than if you don’t

It is very tempting to now wear your retainers, but after all the hard work and expense of braces, i’m sure you want to keep your teeth as they are. Your almost at the finish line, don’t give up now.

What is Oral Myofunctional Thearpy?

Oral Myofunctional Thearpy is a type of physical therapy dealing with the oral facial muscles.  The tongue thrust is the most common orofacial myofunctional disorder.  The tongue is a very strong muscle.  Improper tongue position during swallowing can change the bite and potentially lead to TMJ and periodontal problems.

What Causes an Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder?

•    Improper oral habits such as thumb or finger sucking, cheek/nail biting, tooth clenching/griding, and incorrect sleep posture
•    Restricted nasal airway due to enlarged tonsils/adenoids, allergies, incorrect sleep posture, and injuries
•    Structural abnormalities such as a short lingual frenum
•    Neurological or developmental abnormalities

What Could Happen If This Problem is Left Untreated?

•    Orthodontic Relapse
•    TMJ problems
•    Digestive disorders
•    Periodontal Problems
•    Headaches

Once you have chosen what kind of Orthodontic treatment is best for you, have visited Dr. Walkow, started your treatment and have your braces fitted, your main concern will shift away from your concerns about beginning Orthodontic treatment and choosing which kind of braces to get,  to “What will happen when i take my braces off and what can i expect?”. Eventhough you may have just started you treatment, it doesn’t hurt to have an idea of what happens at the end.

Firstly, having your braces removed WILL NOT HURT. Yet i’m sure that at this point, having had braces fitted, and gone through your entire Orthodontic treatment, you will be confident that any of your concerns about pain are unfounded, right?

Upon having your braces removed, removing the braces will take between 45mins and 2 hours, the first thing to do is give your teeth a proper clean.

Dr Walkow will then take a set of X-rays and bite impressions to check how well the braces straightened your teeth and to take a final record of the alignment of your teeth.

It may be the case that your wisdom teeth have started to emerge DURING your treatment, if this is the case DON’T PANIC. Dr Walkow will recommend that your wisdom teeth now be removed. This will ensure your new, awesome smile does not get disrupted by the emergent wisdom teeth causing overcrowding and shifting your now perfectly aligned teeth.

So now your braces are off you are done, right? Nope. At this point a new word becomes part of your daily vocabulary. RETAINER.

What is a Retainer?

A retainer is a removable orthodontic appliance typically made of rubber or clear plastic and metal wire that cover the outside surface of the teeth and is custom made for your oral profile. You wear a retainer once your braces are removed to make sure that your teeth remain in their new position.

The use of a retainer is an exceptionally important part of post treatment and should be taken seriously. Your retainer will need to be worn most of the time during the first 6 months after having your braces removed. Then subsequently usually only during sleep, yet the needs and requirement for wearing a retainer will vary from patient to patient and be quite dependent on the type of treatment they have received.

Why is a retainer so important?

The reason why a retainer is important is that even though braces may appear to have successfully straightened your teeth, your teeth will still need to settle into their new position. The bones will still be relatively  soft and your gums, adapt to the change. Also, after long periods of time, teeth tend to shift.

Having your braces removed will definitely feel strange, take is easy with hard founds for a while and take some time to get used to being without them.