“How do they fix tooth decay with braces?”
I wear braces and have tooth decay. What should I do? How do they fix tooth decay with braces?
6 Answers
Either brackets need to be taken off in the decayed teeth or the dentist can leave the brackets on if they are not in the way. If the cavities are small, then waiting till braces are off is another option.
Some tooth decay may be done without removing the wire but some decay may require the ortho wire to be removed and later replaced.
Typically, you take the bracket off, repair the decay and then put the bracket back on. Not really too difficult.
There is no mystery. If your dentist has clear access to the decay, it can be cleaned out with the filling placed into your tooth. If your braces are in the way for a needed filling, your orthodontist can remove that section of wire or brackets before the filling is done. Afterwards, the hardware goes back on. Simple!
The answer to this question depends on the location of your cavity or tooth decay. If the tooth decay to be treated is on a biting/chewing surface, or a surface toward your cheek or tongue (outer and inner surfaces, respectively) then your Family Dentist might be able to repair the decay without need for altering your braces.
Where tooth decay exists in the spaces between teeth, you'll need to have the arch wire removed to enable proper treatment.
With Invisalign, there are no arch wires, so cavity repair is generally possible without altering anything. If post-treatment, your aligners no longer fit adequately, your Orthodontist may need to make a new set of aligners to accommodate then new shape of your tooth/teeth, post-filling(s).
Where tooth decay exists in the spaces between teeth, you'll need to have the arch wire removed to enable proper treatment.
With Invisalign, there are no arch wires, so cavity repair is generally possible without altering anything. If post-treatment, your aligners no longer fit adequately, your Orthodontist may need to make a new set of aligners to accommodate then new shape of your tooth/teeth, post-filling(s).
It is common for tooth decay to occur while a patient is in braces. Once your cavities are diagnosed by your general dentist, ask him or her if our wire needs to be removed for him or her to have access to fixing the cavities. If they need the wire off, call your orthodontist and schedule an appointment to get your wire off the same day as your filling appointment. Once the filling is done, you can return to the orthodontist to have the wire put back on. If the general dentist says he or she can access the cavities without removing the wire, there is no need to contact your orthodontist, and you can schedule an appointment for the cavities to be fixed.
