Orthodontic info
Can braces come off early for a wedding or a special event?
No, not without your orthodontist’s agreement, so the first step is to raise the date with them: the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) tells patients to discuss early removal with their orthodontist and cautions that “premature removal of braces may not be in your best interests for a stable, functional result from orthodontic treatment.”
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Why braces stay on until the planned end point
Braces are a fixed appliance: the AAO’s comparison of braces and clear aligners describes braces as “Non-removable (affixed to teeth).” At each adjustment appointment your orthodontist tightens or replaces the archwires, which in the AAO’s words “reactivates the pressure needed to continue moving your teeth.” Taking braces off early ends that pressure wherever the teeth are on the event date.
What your orthodontist weighs before any change
The AAO’s answer on removing braces for a special event (opens in a new tab) opens with “Discuss this with your orthodontist.” Your orthodontist estimates the length of treatment after the exam, the AAO says, so what an early end would mean for your bite and your result is a judgment about your teeth. Raise the date at a check-in before the event.
Keeping treatment on schedule before the date
The AAO spells out the patient’s share of the schedule: “Wearing elastics or aligners as prescribed and keeping your appointments keeps treatment on schedule, while a lost aligner or a loose bracket can set things back.” Hard, sticky and chewy foods are the ones the AAO says to avoid so braces are not broken; the practice keeps its own list of foods to avoid with braces. Plaque causes cavities, white marks and gum disease, the AAO glossary says, and the routine for brushing and flossing with braces has its own page.
Pressure or tenderness for a few days after an adjustment is what most people notice, the AAO says, so mention the event date when booking a check-in close to it; the post on adult braces pain covers how that soreness can feel for adults.
If something breaks before the event
If a bracket or wire comes loose before an event, the AAO says to let your orthodontist know right away, because “Broken braces cannot deliver the right forces to move your teeth, and that could prolong treatment.” The office decides how soon the problem needs attention, the AAO says, and it cautions that even after an immediate call the orthodontist “may not be able to see you in person right away.” Calling the day something breaks gives the office more room before the date, and the page on orthodontic emergencies walks through home steps for a loose bracket or a poking wire.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What if the event comes before braces go on?
Mention the date at your first consultation. The AAO says the appointment to begin treatment may be scheduled once a treatment plan is agreed, and the practice’s first-visit page says the consultation covers the type of treatment and its length.
Can a broken bracket wait until the next visit?
Sometimes, and your orthodontist makes that call based on the extent of the damage. The AAO says your orthodontist may wait to repair a bracket that is not causing discomfort and is not interfering with treatment, fixing it at the next appointment. Tell the office about it either way, and mention the event date when you call.
What should I ask at the check-in?
Ask how far the plan has to go and what ending early would mean for your bite and your result. Your orthodontist can explain where your teeth stand against the estimate given after your exam.
Request a consultation
Tell us which office and who the visit is for, and we will call you back.