Do Orthodontists Recommend Teeth Filing After Braces?
By
Dr Shivam Jha
This blog post will address the topic,”do orthodontists recommend teeth filing after braces?” and cover topics like steps involved in the teeth filing process, if teeth filing after braces hurt, if there is any risk in getting your teeth filed after braces, if teeth filing can be done at home using a nail file and everything about braces including types of braces, how do braces help in making your teeth straighter and for how long will you have to wear braces, concerns of pain and soreness after braces, taking care of your teeth with braces and care after getting braces off.
Do Orthodontists Recommend Teeth Filing After Braces?
Yes! Once your braces are off and you have got what you desired, teeth filing is recommended by many orthodontists for a final touch and an enhanced look.
Teeth filing is contouring or reshaping the extra edges and correcting some other mishappens including removal of sticky adhesive left on teeth surface after removal of braces.
Teeth filing after braces do not require any numbing agent and can be done within an hour depending upon the amount of reshaping required.
Steps Involved In A Teeth Filing Process
Teeth filing is a very simple procedure and involves just 4 steps:
- Getting an X-ray done – Your orthodontist will take a X-ray to confirm if the teeth are healthy
- Teeth Preparation – Marking the teeth which requires contouring and the areas where contouring is needed
- Reshaping or Contouring – Using abrasion tools, your orthodontist will remove a part of enamel and reshape the teeth to normal, removing all the imperfections
- Polishing – Polishing is done to smoothen all the rough and sharp edges
Does Teeth Filing After Braces Hurt?
No, teeth filing after braces do not hurt. In fact, teeth filing done by an expert orthodontist doesn’t even require any numbing agent and can be done within an hour without causing you any pain or discomfort.
However, if done at home, can irreversibly damage the enamel and result in pain and sensitivity.
Is There Any Risk Involved With Teeth Filing After Braces?
Not really! Your orthodontist after proper X-ray and dental examination takes the final decision of whether you need a teeth filing or not.
However, if done on a fragile tooth, may cause it to damage or fall out.
If done at home without any expert supervision, results in damage of enamel that is irreversible and causes pain and sensitivity.
Can I Use A Nail File For Teeth Filing After Braces?
No! Teeth filing is recommended to be done only at your dentist’s or an orthodontist’s office.
Teeth filing should not be done at home as it may damage your teeth enamel permanently causing pain, sensitivity and darkening of the teeth.
Teeth filing at home may also weaken your teeth and expose it to cavities and injuries.
Everything You Need To Know About Braces
What Are Braces?
Braces are dental tools that help align your misaligned teeth. The misalignment may be presented as your teeth protruding too much to the outside or sloping inwards too much or crowded at one place.
Misalignment may make your smile look unaesthetic and also result in poor dental hygiene as misaligned teeth are difficult to clean with a higher risk of plaque deposition.
What Are The Different Types Of Braces?
Braces are of different types, made up of different materials and for different individuals’ requirements.
- Metal Braces – These are traditional braces made up of metal.
- Ceramic Braces – These are natural tooth coloured braces made up of ceramics or stainless steels.
- Lingual Braces – These are attached on the lingual surface (at the back of the teeth) and cannot be seen clearly.
- Invisible Braces – As the name suggests, these braces are almost invisible and we cannot see them until too much attention is given. They are made up of clear plastic and come in a tray form.
How Do Braces Help In Making My Teeth Straighter?
Braces actually make your teeth straighter or more aligned by applying pressure on them in a particular desired direction.
The pressure allows teeth to become loose and reposition themselves according to the direction of force.
Your orthodontist may call you once in a month for follow-up and check if the braces are applying enough pressure for necessary orthodontic movement.
Your Orthodontist may also tighten the wires or rubber bands to increase the amount of pressure applied to a required level for achieving a desired movement.
In some cases, headgears may be recommended to you for increased pressure along with braces.
What Is The Maximum Duration To Wear Braces?
One to three years is the average time up to which wearing braces may be required. However, it totally depends on the severity of misalignment, the space present in your mouth and also on the health of your jaw bones.
Pain And Soreness After Braces
For a few days or weeks, your mouth and teeth may hurt or feel sore. It is perfectly normal and should disappear.
However, if it remains and the discomfort does not reduce, consult your orthodontist immediately.
Rinsing your mouth with lukewarm salt-water mixture may reduce the discomfort and ease soreness.
You may also consider over the counter painkillers to relieve the pain caused after braces.
Taking Care Of My Teeth With Braces
Gentle Brushing after every meal with a fluoride toothpaste, fluoride mouthwash or any therapeutic mouthwash and air flossing are some of the ways to take care of your teeth with braces.
It is very much essential and important to take care of your teeth while you have braces as food particles stick very naturally on braces leading to quick deposition of plaque leading to staining and increased risk of cavities.
What After Braces Are Taken Off?
Once the orthodontist feels that the desired result has been achieved and your teeth are now aligned as desired, braces will be taken off.
After taking out the braces, a thorough examination of the teeth and oral cavity is done to make sure all the bites are normal and you don’t feel any discomfort.
X-ray may also reveal any wisdom tooth erupting. If that is the case, your orthodontist may recommend extraction of the wisdom tooth before letting it erupt and disturb the new alignment.
Once everything is checked, your orthodontist will give you a new appliance to wear. This new appliance is called retainer and is very important to wear after braces are taken off.
Retainer helps to retain and maintain the new alignment until all the jaw bones, gums and mouth structures are adjusted to the new alignment.
The time duration of wearing such retainers may vary from person to person.
Conclusion
This blog post addressed the topic,”teeth filing after braces”. We understood steps involved in the teeth filing process, if teeth filing after braces hurt, if there is any risk in getting your teeth filed after braces, if teeth filing can be done at home using a nail file and everything about braces including types of braces, how do braces help in making your teeth straighter and for how long will you have to wear braces. The article outlined concerns of pain and soreness after braces, taking care of your teeth with braces and care after getting braces off.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs): Teeth Filing After Braces
Why Do My Teeth Feel Loose After Braces?
Your teeth may feel loose after braces because of the repositioning that teeth gets involved in.
Once the braces are done, it shifts your teeth by applying significant force. In order to shift and reposition themselves, the teeth become loose.
It is completely normal and a part of orthodontic tooth movement after braces.
How Long Will My Teeth Feel Loose After Braces?
For the initial two to three days after braces, your teeth might feel loose.
You don’t have to panic about your teeth falling out. It is completely a normal process of orthodontic tooth movement that makes your teeth feel loose.
It is critical to know that braces must be applied to your teeth by an expert orthodontist. This ensures safety and reliability.
Is Playing Sports With Braces Safe?
Yes, you can play any sports with braces on your teeth. Just make sure to use a mouthguard to protect your teeth and the braces.
What Are The Foods To Avoid After Braces?
Foods that you must avoid after getting your new braces are :
- Foods that are hard and sticky
- Foods that require too much of biting and chewing
- Crunchy foods
What Are The Foods That I Can Have After Braces?
Foods that you can have after getting your new braces are soft foods like cheese, pancakes, soft cooked rice, mashed potatoes, fruit juices and fruits like bananas.
Does Age Play Any Role In Getting Braces?
Yes, age does play an important role in getting braces. It is recommended to get your orthodontic treatment done between age 9 to 14 years as the child is still growing and so is the jaw bone.
The treatment process becomes quick and results are achieved with lesser complications.
However, braces can be done even in adults but the complications may increase and so will the time of your orthodontic treatment as the jaw bone is no longer growing.
How Much Does Getting Braces Cost?
Braces are usually expensive. The price varies depending upon the type of brace ranging anywhere from 5000$ for a metal brace to 13000$ for a lingual brace.
The price also varies depending upon the brand and geographical area you are located in.
How can I make my teeth stronger after braces?
You can make your teeth stronger after braces by wearing a retainer, maintaining good oral hygiene by brushing after every meal and rinsing with a fluoride mouthwash occasionally.
You should also keep visiting your orthodontist for a follow-up and wear a mouthguard if you have teeth grinding problems.
Do teeth always move after braces?
Yes, teeth always move even after braces due to multiple factors such as changes in the jaw bone due to ageing, bad habits like teeth grinding, to fill the gap created by an extracted tooth or missing tooth except the wisdom tooth and also due to simple continuous pressure applied from biting or even talking.
How much does Enameloplasty cost?
Enameloplasty, also called teeth filing, can cost you anywhere around 50$ to 300$ per tooth. It is considered as the least expensive and least invasive dental procedure.
When Is Enameloplasty Or Tooth Filing mostly required?
Teeth filing is done in case of a chipped tooth or if there are sharp edges present on your tooth or to straighten teeth to perfection after braces are taken off or even to remove the sticky adhesive on your teeth surface after taking off the braces.
Other FAQs about Teeth braces that you may be interested in.
How Long Will My Teeth Feel Loose After Braces?
What Should I Do If My Tooth Fell Out But Attached To Braces?
Do Braces Make Your Teeth Fall Out Later In Life?
References:
Teeth Reshaping After Braces And Other Ways to Perfect Your Smile – Colgate
Teeth Shaving Benefits, Side Effects, and Who Might Need It. (2020)
Teeth Filing: Smile Makeover with Tooth Contouring
Life with Braces – Ahl and O’Connor Orthodontics
Dental Braces and Retainers – WebMD
Life with Braces – Edwards & Schaefer Orthodontics
Limitations of Orthodontics – Myobrace
Average Cost of Braces: Age, Type, Insurance, Other Factors
Teeth Shifting: Why This Occurs and How to Prevent – Healthline