Getting Braces Put On
Attaching braces to your teeth may cause some anxiety, however, rest assured that the process is straightforward and short-lived.
Once your metal braces are placed, it is normal for your lips, tongue, and cheeks to experience some irritation due to the hardware. This discomfort should subside within a few weeks as your mouth adjusts. If your child’s lips or cheeks are particularly sensitive, applying wax over any sharp surfaces can provide relief.
How Long Does It Take To Install Your Braces?
It’s an important milestone in your life if you want to make a significant change to your appearance and improve your self-confidence. If you have never had traditional braces before, it is totally natural to have tons of questions about how the process works since in the absence of experience teeth with braces, you may be uncertain of what to expect. There is no doubt that if you are contemplating getting braces, you may initially feel anxiety, however, once you know the exact details of the procedure, you will be much more comfortable with the whole process.
Having orthodontic braces applied typically takes between one and two hours. The amount of time can vary depending on the specifics of your teeth and type of braces being used, meaning that the preparation and installation may take place in one or two appointments.
In general, it takes approximately two hours for most patients to have braces applied. Braces placement typically follows these steps:
- Your orthodontist will perform a thorough cleaning and drying of your teeth.
- Your orthodontist will apply a specialized adhesive to your teeth to securely attach the brackets.
- The brackets are affixed to the teeth using bonding glue.
- The brackets are stabilized by attaching horizontal wires.
- Small rubber bands are utilized to affix the wires to the brackets.
Do braces hurt?
Every individual’s experience with braces may vary, yet the following serves as a general overview of what one might expect at each stage of the orthodontic treatment plan process.
Getting braces
Some individuals may require the use of spacers, or separators, for a period of one to two weeks prior to receiving braces.
It is possible to experience some tightness and soreness around the spacers for a few days, which may be similar to having bits of food particles caught between the teeth. However, this discomfort should resolve after a short period of time.
When a patient receives orthodontic braces, they typically will not experience any discomfort during the initial fitting.
An orthodontist may attach bands around the back molars, which can cause some temporary discomfort due to pressure and pinching. However, this process does not typically hurt.
Wearing braces
When braces are initially fitted, it is common that there is little to no pain or discomfort right away. After a few hours, however, the pressure applied to the teeth by the braces may be noticed.
The force of the braces gradually shifting teeth into alignment can cause pain and uneasiness, which could range from one or two days up to approximately a week.
During the first week, individuals can expect the following:
- Sore gums
- Patients may experience scrapes or sores on the inner cheeks due to metal brackets from braces rubbing against them.
- There is a potential risk of cuts on the tongue if an individual uses their tongue to feel the braces.
- It is possible that the teeth may experience soreness, particularly when consuming crunchy foods.
Removing braces
Braces typically remain in place for a period of 1 to 3 years. Upon removal, patients may experience some discomfort as the orthodontist takes them off.
Before cleaning the teeth, an orthodontist will remove the brackets, elastic bands and wires. This is to ensure any residual glue is removed.
An orthodontist will fit the person for a retainer to complete the process. The retainer is a device designed to help maintain teeth in their new position following orthodontic treatment with braces.
It is recommended that individuals wear a removable retainer for a designated period of time following the removal of their braces. This retainer can be worn either during the day or just at night, and should not cause any further discomfort.
Retainers may be fixed, requiring an orthodontist to adhere them to the teeth in a manner similar to braces.
It is not uncommon for individuals with braces or retainers to experience difficulty brushing their teeth effectively, which may result in tooth decay and cavities that can be painful.
Good oral hygiene practices, such as brushing and flossing regularly, and limiting intake of sugary, sticky foods can help protect against the development of cavities and tooth decay.