In the lead up to having your braces removed, please check the date of your last scale and clean with your regular dentist. If it was over 6 months ago, please book an appointment with them before you have your braces removed. Often our gums become inflamed during orthodontic treatment and any plaque under the gums needs to be removed to allow them to heal. Having healthy gums when your braces are removed makes the process more comfortable, quicker, ensures any bonded retainers are well fitted and your beautiful straight teeth will look even better!

What is next?

After your braces come off, we will take a digital scan of your teeth to make your retainers. Retainers are removable appliances which hold your teeth in their new, aligned position. Because teeth are held within a ligament in the bone, they have the potential to move back without retainers.

Dr Coburn will assess your case and advise you which option she thinks is best however, for some people, you can decide which option you prefer. In both cases, you will be required to wear a removable retainer as prescribed however some people enjoy the extra security of having the bonded wire.

Removable clear retainer.

Nothing is attached to your teeth, and you can take them out to eat and brush. Commonly we ask you to wear these retainers full-time for 3 months and then at night thereafter. If you don’t wear it, your teeth will shift out of place – guaranteed.

Bonded wire and removable retainer.

A bonded semi-permanent wire is bonded to the insider of your upper and/or lower teeth. It requires more maintenance in cleaning and long-term as it may need to be repaired. Think of it like your insurance policy, if you forget or lose your retainer, the front teeth won’t move out of place quickly. These wires are only offered if you have had great oral hygiene throughout treatment. If you have a bonded wire, we will ask you to wear your clear retainer approximately 12 hours a day.