@Hanna_Brassheart Well, if you really want to know.......
Your Guide to Surviving Your Braces Removal:
1) First they break off the brackets attached to the wire (it doesn't hurt too much, they just pull on the wire and "crack" them off), then there is still glue stuck to your teeth.
2) They have to use a tiny drill to sand off the glue. For me, my mouth got really dry and my teeth felt cold and it caused terrible shivers to go through me. It took about a half an hour, maybe a little less to do the top and the bottom. You have to keep your mouth open even though you really REALLY want to close it and you can't get your tongue in the way of the drill. If you don't have very sensitive teeth (mine are sensitive) then you might not have too much of a problem. Just remember that you only have to endure this once and when you get through it, that's it! The pain/discomfort was worth it, and my teeth felt VERY VERY smooth afterward. I didn't like what my teeth looked like afterwards, but they grew on me and now I am happy I went through those fifteen months with braces.
3) Despite what some people say, the impressions for your removable retainer (s) (I got plastic ones that don't show when they're in) aren't too horrible, and it doesn't hurt. Most places have flavors you can choose. Mine were watermelon flavored. The "glue" or "paste" they use is thick and it hardens after about one minute. Then the lady helping me twisted it back and forth (again, this doesn't hurt) and pulled it out. There might be a little paste stuck to your mouth and teeth and lips, and they will have you wash it off.
4) You might get a permanent retainer. The permanent retainer is a retainer that gets stuck on your bottom teeth (as far as I know it is just the bottom teeth, and pretty much everyone gets one nowadays) and will last 20+ years or until you want it off (requiring sanding--ugh). It is a thin metal wire that you have to get impressions for, to keep your bottom teeth in place. They stick it on with glue (might be the same as the glue they stuck the brackets on with), and use an ultraviolet light to make sure it stays. You have to floss underneath it using a "threader" which goes through a little gap in your teeth. If you haven't been flossing too well (on account of your braces and all) then your gums might bleed, as mine did. Afterward, over time, my gums no longer bled when I flossed. You just have to make a regular habit of it and not worry when they bleed (if it persists for a long time, get a doctor). And yes, you will get used to the permanent retainer just like you got used to your braces--they felt weird at first, didn't they?
5) Getting more than one removable retainer? That's fine, and expected. I have one plastic one for the bottom (since I also have a permanent one on the bottom) and two for the top, one as backup I suppose.
6) Extra sanding. To survive any extra sanding (e.g. if the orthodontist wants to even out your teeth or remove any extra glue he missed the last time) you need to remember that this won't be as long or as torturous as before, lasting only about a minute or less (unless he is an inexperienced orthodontist and didn't do a good job getting the glue off last time). Just pray and concentrate on not squirming or closing your mouth.
7) Side effects. There is one side effect that I remember after the sanding. Though the nurse lady (don't know what they're called) held a sucking tube in my mouth to catch any glue dust that came off as the orthodontist sanded, I remember getting a lot in my mouth and breathing it in for two days afterwards. Seriously. It was in my lungs. And it kinda smells/tastes like smoke, but lighter than that.
8) Survival Tips.
Use the chapstick they offer, if they do. It will help, and put a lot on!
Pray. I can't say this enough, since I was praying mighty hard all through the sanding.
Try your hardest to do what the orthodontist and nurse say. If you don't, it will be harder and longer for you.
Don't worry! Everything will be ok! You'll be glad to have straight teeth afterward.
9) Disclaimer: I am not a health practitioner or expert. Take my advice at your own risk.
Any questions? or are you too terrified? I hope not....that's not what I meant to do.......
