Braces Removal & Fixed Retainer Removal | Elate Orthodontics
Moved from another state? Switched orthodontists? Still wearing hardware from a practice that no longer fits your life? Elate Orthodontics sees patients who need braces removed or fixed retainers removed even if you have never been our patient. We serve families across Frisco, The Colony, Prosper, Little Elm, and the surrounding communities.
You do not need to be an existing Elate patient to book this appointment. We will walk you through exactly what to expect, what it costs, and what we recommend doing after removal to protect the results you worked hard for.
Appointment fee required at booking. Three locations across Frisco and The Colony.
Braces Removal and Fixed Retainer Removal for Non-Patients
Appointment Length
45 to 60 minutes
Existing Patient Required?
No. Open to all.
Payment Policy
Appointment fee collected at booking
Phone
You Don’t Have to Be Our Patient to Get This Done
There are a lot of reasons someone ends up needing their braces or fixed retainer removed by an orthodontist who didn’t place them. We see this regularly, and we are straightforward about how we handle it.
You Moved to North Texas
You were mid-treatment or wearing a fixed retainer somewhere else, relocated to Frisco, Prosper, The Colony, or the surrounding area, and now need to continue or wrap up care locally.
Your Previous Orthodontist Closed or Moved
Practices close, orthodontists retire, and patients get left without a provider. If your practice is no longer accessible and you need hardware removed, we can help.
Treatment Is Complete but Removal Was Never Scheduled
Sometimes patients complete treatment but life gets busy. If your braces or a wire bonded behind your teeth have been in place longer than planned, it is time to get them properly removed.
Why We Collect the Fee at Booking
We want to be upfront about this because we think honesty about costs is the right way to do business.
Braces removal and retainer removal take 45 to 60 minutes of clinical time with a doctor and assistant.
This is a clinical procedure. It requires a doctor, a clinical assistant, a dedicated chair, bonding adhesive removal, instrument setup, and cleanup time. When you were a patient at your original orthodontist, this work was included in your overall treatment fee. Since we did not receive that fee, we charge for the appointment directly.
The appointment fee is collected at the time of booking to hold your time slot. We will confirm the amount when you call or contact us, as it depends on what is being removed. Call 972-538-4343 or use the form below and we will give you a clear number before you commit to anything.
The Removal Appointment, Step by Step
Most patients are pleasantly surprised by how smooth the process is. Here is what a typical appointment looks like from start to finish.
Brief Clinical Assessment
Dr. Baharvand or Dr. Kang will take a look at your teeth and hardware before starting. This takes just a few minutes and gives us what we need to proceed safely and efficiently. If you have records from your previous orthodontist, bring them, though it is not required.
Bracket and Wire Removal (Braces Patients)
Each bracket is carefully debonded using a specialized instrument that squeezes the bracket off the tooth surface. The archwires come out first, then each bracket individually. This is not painful for most patients. Some people feel slight pressure on individual teeth, which passes quickly. The full removal typically takes 20 to 30 minutes.
Fixed Retainer Removal (If Applicable)
A fixed retainer is a thin wire bonded to the back of your upper or lower front teeth. Removing it requires carefully debonding each attachment point without damaging the enamel. This process requires precision and takes additional chair time, which is why it adds to the length of the appointment if performed alongside braces removal or as a standalone procedure.
Residual Adhesive Polishing
After brackets are removed, residual bonding adhesive remains on your teeth. We carefully polish this off using a slow-speed handpiece. Your teeth will feel smooth and clean afterward. This step is included in the appointment and is not optional, as leaving adhesive on the enamel surface causes problems over time.
Retainer Recommendation and Next Steps
Before you leave, one of our doctors will talk with you about what comes next. In most cases, we strongly recommend a retainer to protect the position of your teeth going forward. We will explain your options, the cost, and the timeline. There is no pressure, but we want you to have the information you need to make a good decision for your smile.
Your Teeth Will Try to Move. Here Is What to Do About It.
This is the part that most patients don’t hear enough about, and it is the part that matters most for keeping your results long term.
Teeth do not stay in place on their own after orthodontic treatment.
The bone and tissue around your teeth take time to fully stabilize after treatment. During that window, and for years afterward, natural forces including your tongue, lips, bite pressure, and the elastic tissue that once held your teeth in their pre-treatment position will gradually push your teeth back toward where they started. This process is called relapse, and it is one of the most common reasons people seek retreatment as adults.
The Risk Is Highest in the First Year
The period right after hardware is removed is when teeth are most vulnerable to shifting. Wearing a retainer consistently during this time is the most important thing you can do to protect your investment.
Retainers Are a Lifelong Commitment
We tell every patient the same thing: if you want straight teeth, you wear a retainer for life. Full-time wear transitions to nights-only wear over time, but stopping altogether almost always leads to some degree of shift.
We Strongly Recommend Getting a Retainer the Same Day
If you are having braces removed here, we can take impressions or a scan and begin the process of getting you into a retainer right away. The sooner you have one, the better your outcome. We can discuss options and pricing at your appointment with no obligation.
We Offer Clear Essix Retainers After Your Removal
For patients having braces removed at Elate, we offer custom clear Essix retainers to protect your results from day one. All Elate retainers come with our Retainer Assurance Program, which covers replacements.
Clear Essix Retainer
A thin, nearly invisible tray custom-made from a scan or impression of your teeth. Worn at night after an initial full-time period, it holds your teeth in their corrected position without anyone knowing you have it in. This is what we recommend for the vast majority of patients coming out of braces.
Retainer Assurance Program
All Elate retainers include our Retainer Assurance Program. If your retainer is lost, broken, or no longer fits, replacement retainers are available quickly at our three locations.
Learn more on our retainers page, or ask about retainer pricing when you book your removal appointment.
Still Have Mild Crowding or Spacing? We Have Affordable Options.
Some patients finish treatment at another practice and come to us for removal feeling like the result was close, but not quite there. A little lingering crowding in the front teeth, spacing that never fully closed, or minor bite issues that did not fully resolve. You are not alone, and you do not need to commit to full treatment to address it.
Elate offers limited treatment packages for mild corrections.
If your concerns are minor, a short course of clear aligner therapy with Angel Aligners or Invisalign can often address what is bothering you at a fraction of the cost of starting over with full treatment. These limited packages are designed specifically for patients whose teeth are mostly in good shape but need a small refinement. Dr. Baharvand or Dr. Kang will be direct with you about whether your concerns fall into this category or require something more involved.
What Counts as a Mild Case
Minor crowding or relapse, a gap that did not fully close, slight midline shift, or one or two teeth that are just slightly out of position. If you are not sure whether your concern qualifies, describe it when you call and we can give you a rough answer before you even come in.
Angel Aligners at Braces Prices
Elate is among the largest Angel Aligner providers in Texas. For limited treatment, Angel Aligners and Invisalign are both options, and we price them the same as braces, with no upcharge for clear aligner treatment.
Honest Assessment, No Upsell
If what you are describing genuinely needs full treatment rather than a limited package, we will tell you that. We do not fit patients into limited treatment when it is not actually the right tool for their situation. You get an honest answer either way.
Frequently Asked Questions: Braces and Retainer Removal
Does it hurt to have braces removed?
For most patients, no. There is some pressure during the debonding process and the polish afterward can feel sensitive on certain teeth, but the appointment is not painful for the vast majority of people. If you have known sensitivity or concerns, let us know when you book and we can discuss.
Does it hurt to have a fixed retainer removed?
The removal itself is generally painless. The bonding material is carefully broken at each attachment point and the wire is lifted free. Some patients feel mild pressure at individual tooth contact points, but this passes quickly. The greater concern is not pain, but doing it safely to protect your enamel, which is why you want a qualified orthodontist rather than attempting removal at home.
Can I remove my own braces or fixed retainer at home?
Please do not. The bond between a bracket and your tooth enamel is strong by design. Attempting to pry brackets off at home risks cracking or chipping enamel, which is not something that grows back. The same applies to fixed retainers. The tools and technique used by an orthodontist protect your teeth while removing the hardware cleanly and safely.
Do I need records or X-rays from my previous orthodontist?
It is helpful but not required. Bring what you have. If your previous practice is still accessible, asking for a copy of your records is always a good idea for your own file. We can proceed without prior records for a straightforward removal, though if there are complex bite issues we may recommend X-rays before removing anything.
How quickly will my teeth shift after braces are removed?
It varies by person, but movement can begin within days of removal for some patients, particularly in the lower front teeth. The longer you go without a retainer after removal, the greater the risk of noticeable relapse. This is not meant to alarm you, but it is the honest answer. Getting into a retainer as quickly as possible after removal is the single most effective thing you can do.
Is the appointment fee covered by insurance?
This depends on your specific plan. Some dental and orthodontic insurance plans cover debanding or retainer-related procedures under certain conditions. We recommend calling your insurance provider before your appointment to ask whether a braces removal or retainer removal by a new provider is covered. We are happy to provide you with any procedure codes you may need. Call us at 972-538-4343 and we will give you that information.
Can I become an Elate patient for ongoing care after this appointment?
Yes. Many patients who come to us for removal end up becoming full Elate patients for retainer care, limited touch-up treatment, or care for other family members. If at your appointment we see something minor that could be improved with a limited aligner package, we will mention it, but there is never any pressure. You are welcome to use us for this one appointment and nothing more.
What if I need dental work done before or after my braces are removed?
Orthodontics and general dentistry are separate specialties, so if we spot anything at your appointment that looks like it needs a dentist’s attention, such as a cavity, a crown, or gum concerns, we will let you know and refer you to a trusted provider. Our sister practice, Tribute Family Dentistry, is located in Frisco and shares our commitment to honest, family-centered care. We are happy to make that connection for you.
Ready to Get Your Braces or Retainer Removed?
Three locations across Frisco and The Colony. Open to all patients, not just Elate patients. Board-certified orthodontists. Appointment fee collected at booking. We will give you a clear number before you commit.
Or call us directly: 972-538-4343