Braces Removed - How Long Until I Can Get Veneers?

While one COULD start sooner, the requirements to keep teeth in place during veneer fabrication run the risk of non compliance.  You are wise to be concerned about shifting after the braces come off.  In your case, it is likely that any shifting would be minimal, but ANY might be too much for you.

Three months is a normal conservative approach.  Even after the veneers are complete, wearing something for retention (a clear retainer or something similar) will help keep everything in place.

Veneers can be done soon afer braces because in your case it sounds as tho they were put on to stabilize your bite during surgery to open your palate and correct your cross bite. If your 6 front teeth were not moved much during your braces then there is no need to wait for veneers. A good perio cleaning of the gums and pocket probings are needed to make sure the gums are healthy and the gum line stable...Dr Thomas

I usually like to wait about 3 months after orthodontic movement to let the teeth "settle" as well and let the gums recover after all that metal is removed and you can clean your teeth much better!  Once your veneers are completed, I would recommend wearing some sort of retainer or mouth guard at night  (I'm assuming you'd already have one for the opposing teeth).  While you're waiting, you can always bleach first if that's been recommended as well.  Congrats on your commitment to your dental health and smile!

Congratulations on your major accomplishment!  You have a done a lot for your smile already.  Get out of your braces and let things settle. 

Get some good Invisalign type retainers.  I like my patients to wait at least 3 months to let their gums improve and then we evaluate how everything  looks to come up with our final dental treatment plan. 

You can even whiten while you are taking a breather and see how things look.  If you have one ugly crown or a couple, you can always have your dentist do a temporary restoration(s) so you look good but are waiting for your treatment of choice.

Have fun-Enjoy!! 

How long do you need to wait after having your braces removed, before you have porcelain veneers? The answer is you CAN start right away as long as you have the right retainers. It's very important whether you have veneers right away or not, to wear your retainers faithfully especially for the first few months. 

You can have porcelain veneers prepared right away. If time allows, I would prefer to wait even a month for the gum lines to stabilize though. If the teeth are prone to shift or settle slightly, then the gum line can change slightly as well. That can affect the look of the final results.

The temporary veneers can act as an initial retainer. Once the final porcelain veneers are placed, you may need a new temporary retainer immediately, while a new long-term retainer is being made.

Like other cosmetic dentistry procedures, having the right cosmetic dentist will make all the difference in the final results. A great cosmetic dentist will coordinate what type of retainer you need with your orthodontist, so that everything works seamlessly!

Thanks for your question, Scott Greenhalgh, DDS.