What Dental Work Can You Get While Getting Braces?

Braces have long been used to fix bite problems and straighten teeth and are considered beneficial both functionally and cosmetically. One of the most common questions from patients with braces is, can I get other dental work done while wearing my braces? The answer is a resounding yes! Several dental treatments can be performed while you have braces on your teeth. We discuss some of the main things to take care of when considering dental work with braces and what type of dentistry can be done.

In order to straighten misaligned teeth, braces are the most famous and practical solution you can ever find. There are many different approaches offered by orthodontists designed for different needs and preferences. These treatments can address minor problems to the most severe cases of jaw and teeth misalignment.

Our team of skilled experts at U Smile Dentistry, Dentistry in Orangeville has aided many patients in achieving a dreamy smile with a set of perfectly straight teeth. After determining whether bracers are suitable for you or not, your dentist performs a comprehensive oral examination to start the treatment. They adhere metal brackets to your teeth and connect them to each other using wires. These brackets put a proper amount of pressure on your teeth to shift them into their right positions. These procedures can take months or even years to complete, and the question is, can you get other dental works with braces? This treatment doesn’t stop you from getting other dental services, and you can receive those procedures under the supervision of your dentist.

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Understanding Braces and Orthodontic Treatment

Braces include brackets that your orthodontist glues to each tooth and wires they use to connect the brackets. Invisalign aligners are firm but flexible and gently apply continuous pressure to your teeth, shifting over time into the desired location. The process can last from a few months to years, depending on the extent of misalignment. Good oral hygiene is essential during this time, and regular dental visits are critical to overall dental health as well as the success of the orthodontic treatment.

Dental Procedures Compatible with Braces

Many patients are curious about how various dental procedures exist during treatment with braces. Remember that when you have braces, it does not mean you are forbidden from having your general or cosmetic treatments improved, from teeth whitening, fillings, and root canal therapy to extractions and regular cleanings. Almost any dental work can be easily incorporated into your orthodontic journey. This section details these compatible procedures to guide you through the best options for your case and help keep those pearly white teeth safe during and after your braces treatment.

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1. Teeth Whitening

Can You Whiten Your Teeth with Braces?

There are limits to how you can whiten your teeth while wearing braces. Effective whitening treatment is limited to the exposed surfaces of your teeth. You will also require an additional whitening session after the braces come off to ensure color uniformity. While whitening can ease some self-conscious feelings, knowing the expectations of a final result is crucial until the braces are off.

Types of Whitening:

• In-office Whitening: This is done by a dentist and gives immediate and visible results. It ensures that the whitening agents used are administered professionally and in detail.
• At-home Whitening Kits: While these provide flexibility for at-home whitening, they may require more time and patience than in-office treatments and may be less accurate.

Considerations:

Bleaching may be less effective with braces still in place, and post-treatment bleaching touch-ups are usually needed to achieve the desired color. So, the most consistent result is to talk with your dentists about when and how to whiten once you have done orthodontic treatment.

Can I Whiten My Teeth While Wearing Braces?

The answer is yes! As mentioned, orthodontic treatments can take a long period to get done. During this time, you may feel your teeth aren’t as shiny as before and have gotten discolored over time. If you notice your teeth are stained and discolored, it’s time to consult your orthodontist. Although they can’t access the surfaces under brackets, they can whiten the area around them perfectly. Our clinic provides patients with the most elevated quality teeth whitening in Orangeville, even if the patient has braces. Consult our Orangeville cosmetic dentist or orthodontists now for more information.

2. Dental Implants

Can You Get Implants with Braces?

Braces are used to move teeth, and implants require stability, so usually, you cannot place an implant while braces. Ideally, your braces treatment will be finished before getting implants. Dental implants are a long-term solution for missing teeth, but their timing is such that they make your best biological alignment and function through them. The implantation strategy should be carefully planned.

Procedure:

• Pre-Braces: If possible, get implants before braces. This helps allow the area of the implant to heal and fit correctly.
• Post-Braces: Finish your orthodontic treatment, then revert to the implants. This is one way to accurately place the implant for optimal positioning.

It would help if you considered that placing implants before having braces done can be possible sometimes, but it is not the best plan most of the time. On the other hand, implants are fixed and do not move or adjust to the same extent as natural teeth during orthodontic therapy. This technique would be considered far less common but could more realistically be used if the potential implant site is in an area that does not need to move orthodontically. 

But more generally, after the teeth are fixed in the correct position, the dentist will implant them in the best positions. This technique guarantees that the implants do not influence the motion of other teeth and can be set in the most functional and aesthetic position.

3. Dental Fillings and Cavities

Can Cavities Be Treated with Braces?

You can also get dental cavities while wearing braces. Cavities must be filled immediately to prevent the decay from spreading. Each tooth with a cavity will soon develop more complex dental needs, extending treatment time with your orthodontist.

Procedure:

• Accessing Teeth: Dentists can access cavities using a brush and filling material. They stream these into the affected areas using special tools and techniques without damaging your orthodontic appliances.
• Preventive Care: Use brushes designed for people wearing braces to keep teeth clean while minimizing your risk of cavities. This means daily brushing and flossing, and there are limitations on eating sugary snacks.

4. Root Canal Therapy

Can You Have a Root Canal with Braces?

Of course, they can have root canal therapy. This is just part of saving infected or damaged teeth, and it can be done without interrupting any orthodontic treatment you might have. Early intervention can stop the infection in its tracks and save your tooth.

Procedure:

• Access: Braces do not prevent access to the root of a tooth for dentists. Specific tools are needed to move between the brackets.
• Post-Treatment: Make sure that the tooth is restored correctly. A crown might be necessary. This approach preserves the tooth’s original root and crown, avoiding the need for an artificial replacement.

5. Tooth Extraction

Can Teeth Be Extracted with Braces?

That said, tooth extraction may be required as part of orthodontic treatment in some cases, most commonly to deal with overcrowding or impacted teeth. Removing a few teeth may help make space for proper alignment.

Procedure:

• Orthodontist Coordination: Consult your orthodontist first to plan any necessary extractions. This aligns the use of extractions to complement and drive forward an orthodontic treatment plan.
• Healing: You have to follow the post-extraction care. Remember, good care helps with speedy recovery and less pain.

6. Dental Cleanings

Can You Get Regular Cleanings with Braces?

You need to visit regularly for cleaning while you are getting braces because your teeth must straighten and remain healthy throughout the treatment, with no gum diseases or cavities. This prevents plaque and tartar buildup from forming around braces.

Procedure:

• Special Tools: Hygienists are specially trained to clean around braces best. They are sufficient for scrubbing parts of your dental arch that you cannot reach and can be done fast.
• Frequency: They might recommend more frequent cleanings for the best oral health. Seeing your dentist regularly helps to allow for any possible issues before they increase and require extensive treatment.

Maintaining Oral Health with Braces

Use good brushing with special orthodontic brushes and threaders to floss through braces. This helps prevent plaque buildup so that tooth decay doesn’t occur. Consume fewer hard, sticky, and sugary foods that can damage braces; a well-balanced diet maintains general oral health. If you have any appliances, aligners, or retainers, you must visit your dentist or orthodontist regularly for check-ups and adjustments. Regular consultations help follow up on treatment, ensuring your braces function properly and preventing many potential problems.

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Conclusion

If you need orthodontic treatment with braces, that doesn’t mean the rest of your dental work stops. While wearing braces, teeth whitening, fillings, root canals, and extractions can still be performed. Good oral hygiene and regular dental visits are critical to your overall dental health and the success of your orthodontic treatment. As with all aspects of your oral health, always work closely with your orthodontist and dentist to ensure that your care is coordinated to provide the best outcomes. You can come out of your brace’s treatment with a gorgeous and healthy smile with the proper technique.