In order to have a molding of the teeth at an orthodontist, do the braces have to be removed?

No : The alginate material is designed to make a mold of your teeth without taking your braces off....Don't worry.

No: No, impressions can be easily taken with braces on. Often the wire will be removed first, but, even if it is not, the mold can still be usable.

Not necessarily: An orthodontist or orthodontic assistant is able to take a mold of the teeth if there are braces present. Whether the braces must be removed or not depends on where you are in treatment. If you are ready for removal, then the braces are removed first, and an impression is taken from which a retainer may be made to be sure that the teeth do not try to relapse into their prior positions.

NO: This is a very common thing for an orthodontist. The braces may cause a very small amount of distortion, but for the purpose (usually a retainer in a younger patient), it is just fine. It will make it easier if the wire is removed and then replaced, but it is not a necessity. Never have had to remove braces for an impression for my purposes in 30 years of orthodontic practice. Good luck!

No: Orthodontic impressions can be made with braces on the teeth. Accuracy of the surfaces with the braces attached is compromised, but for checking a surgical case set up or making transfer records, they work just fine with the braces on.

No: I do it all the time, others may disagree.

No, but: Impressions for molds of your teeth are made for a variety of reasons. Braces can be in place for many types of impressions, but not in others. Your orthodontist will let you know what is required in your case.

Not at all: Impressions can be taken with braces in place.

No: Not "neccessary" but typically, depending on what the mold is required for, we ususally only take them on patients without braces. On rare occation, there is a need to take them with braces on.

In most cases, no: In most cases a molding can be made with the appliance in place.

Ortho impressions: You do not have to remove the braces to take orthodontic study model impressions. However it will be advisable to have the arch wires connecting those braces removed before the impressions are taken.

That's one thing you don't have to worry about. The braces can stay in place and we can still get the mold done.