Taking braces off early.

[Bracesx3]

Hi everyone. I've been in braces for about a year now. I have been quoted a treatment time of a maximum of 21 months. My teeth are generally straight, we are just working on my "deep" bite for now although my bite isn't even off, according to my dentist. I'm planning on going away to college next fall, and the college tour dates are scheduled for sometime near late winter/early spring. I know this may be superficial, but I don't want to be in college with braces. Hypothetically speaking, if I were to decide to take my braces off a few months from now because I am already happy with my teeth as of right now, my orthodontist couldn't refuse to take them off could he? I have my parents permission to take them off if I decide to.

Thanks everyone.

[Phantom Muse]

I suspect your ortho would begrudgingly take them off for you - even if your teeth were not yet ready for that. Honestly, in my opinion, it is not a good idea to decide this for yourself - unless of course you've had proper orthodontic training! Treatment is not just about straight teeth - I think Sunny has often mentioned that the bite is most important - and if you conclude treatment too early, your tooth roots could be unstable resulting in a myriad of problems down the road.

My daughter is fifteen, and we have started taking college tours and I swear, there are many students with braces on the tours! I am not certain what you are worried about. If you have been in braces already for a year, from the sounds of it, you'll be in retainers before the college term begins next September anyway.

Either way, it is your decision. Good luck!

[justjenn]

Hi, I thought I might could help ya a little. I'm 29, a senior in college, and have braces. Some of my friends know I have them and some don't. The ones that do, often forget about them. People may notice them for a few days, but then they'll forget all about them. It's really no big deal being in school with them on.

[livelavalive]

Taking them off for superficial reasons is daft. You might not get another chance for treatment again.

[Sunny]

If you really want to have your braces removed early, please tell your ortho well in advance, as some of the final parts of treatment are the most important to keep your bite stable. It would be dreadful to have gone through even part of your treatment and then have it 'come undone' because the roots of those teeth weren't in a good position for your bite to stabilise.

Plus make a commitment now to a life time of retainer wear, so that you'll keep your final results.

Good luck!

[josie]

I stopped wearing braces early when I was about 14 yrs old - now at 32, I am back, braced up again - I sure wish I had done it properly and thoroughly once, instead of going back again for Round 2. I really recommend you keep them on.

[MCOMarkhamOrthodontist]

If I'm doing my math correctly, your braces should be off by May/June next year, a few months before you start college. I wouldn't be concerned going on a tour and having people spot you with braces on...

That being said, you and your parents are in in charge of your treatment. Give your orthodontist as much notice as possible about your concerns and "deadline". While you may get your braces off early, you may still be responsible for your financial contract with the office. Good luck!

[Denise]

I, of course, agree with everyone else on here about this. I know it may seem like forever - and college is a big deal. But if your estimated treatment time ends before you go to college, then you're golden. About the tour: honestly, no one is going to remember you from the tour. The people who do those tours see hundreds of students a year. And 17/18 is so young - you'll be amazed at how many people in college have braces. I'm almost 32, and I'M amazed at how many adults have them and that was my biggest trepidation about getting them in the first place. Please just let the orthodontist make the call. And ALWAYS wear your retainer!! Braces are expensive and if you don't take care of your teeth, you'll be paying out of your own pocket in 10/12 years to fix them again.