Invisalign and Cavities: What You Need to Know
If you’re unhappy with your smile, it’s important to remember that there are many steps that you can take to turn things around. For example, if you feel as though your teeth are not straight enough, you can look into Invisalign treatment.
Invisalign is a clear aligner system designed to straighten and align teeth in order to improve your smile, alongside improving other dental issues. Invisalign is pursued predominantly by teenagers and adults but can be utilized by people of all ages, including younger children.
However, before you can start with Invisalign, your dentist may suggest that you deal with other dental issues first, such as cavities.
Can You Get Invisalign with Cavities?
The good news is that you can still get Invisalign if you’ve had or are currently dealing with cavities. However, it is recommended that you treat them before you start wearing your Invisalign. This is because it can help to prevent further decay or complications.
Dealing with Cavities During Invisalign Treatment
At Dunegan & Cole Orthodontics, we love Invisalign and find that one of the primary benefits over traditional fixed braces is that the teeth remain remarkably cleaner with patients who use Invisalign. With any sort of orthodontic treatment, a person’s risk of developing cavities is going to increase, but it is dramatically lower with Invisalign than with braces. In fact, you may even be able to reduce your proclivity for cavities by wearing an aligner, as this often means that you can reduce crowing and wear and tear caused by dysfunctional bite patterns through this treatment.
However, as treatment can take upwards of 12 months, this is an issue that you may encounter at some point during your treatment.
In these cases, you must seek treatment as soon as possible. Otherwise, this could lead to numerous issues. For example, cavities can start small, even looking like chalky white spots, but they can quickly worsen and cause significant damage, tooth pain, or even infections.
Fortunately, since your Invisalign can be removed without issue, your dentist can simply fill or treat the cavity as necessary without interrupting your long-term treatment plan.
Preventing Cavities While Wearing Invisalign
According to a recent study, nearly 90% of adults in the US have had a cavity at some stage in their lives. While there are many causes for this, from a high-sugar diet to plaque build-up, there are plenty of steps that you can take to prevent cavities when wearing Invisalign. These include:
- Maintaining good dental hygiene. The easiest way to prevent cavities is through maintaining good dental hygiene. While the ADA (American Dental Association) recommends that you brush your teeth twice a day, our orthodontists often encourage Invisalign patients to brush their teeth three times daily.
- Clean your aligner. You should also clean your aligner between uses to prevent bacteria from building up on the surface.
- Limit your sugar intake. While you do not have to go without sugar entirely to prevent tooth decay, avoiding overly sugary food and drinks can prove useful. For example, you may want to avoid soda while wearing Invisalign.
- Attend regular dental appointments. Visiting the dentist regularly can also help to prevent cavities. This is often because they can provide you with specific advice that enables you to deal with any issues you may be facing.
Getting Fillings During Invisalign: What to Expect
Getting a filling (or fillings) when undergoing Invisalign treatment is no different from getting fillings without wearing an Invisalign. The only difference is that you will remove your Invisalign before the treatment so the dentist can deal with the cavity. However, the rest of the procedure will remain the same. Once the treatment is complete, you’ll most likely be able to continue using your Invisalign as usual. Sometimes, if the cavity and filling are extensive, then the Invisalign aligner may not fit properly, and you will need to be refit for a new set of aligners – this is included in your treatment at Dunegan & Cole and in most orthodontic offices.
Invisalign and Cavities: Tips for Oral Care
As mentioned above, there are many steps that you can take to prevent cavities during the course of your Invisalign treatment. Ideally, you should:
- Cut down on your consumption of sugary or overly processed food and drink
- Brush your teeth three times a day
- Floss or use a Waterpik
- Use a dentist-recommended toothpaste and mouthwash
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol, or limit your intake where possible
- Clean your aligner regularly
Wearing Clear Teeth Aligners with Cavities: Is It Possible?
If you want to start your clear aligner treatment as soon as possible, you may not want to wait until your cavities are filled. While wearing Invisalign while having cavities is possible, this is not the best course of action and could lead to significant issues. Neglecting to treat the cavity means that it will only get worse, which could lead to further dental complications.
Invisalign and Cavities: Common Concerns Addressed
If you have dealt with or are currently dealing with cavities and are concerned that this will impact your eligibility for Invisalign or other forms of orthodontic treatment, do not worry. While cavities can seem like a big deal, they are relatively simple to deal with when under the care of a skilled dentist. Furthermore, once treated, you can begin your Invisalign treatment right away – bringing you one step closer to your dream smile.
Furthermore, no evidence suggests that getting an Invisalign will increase your chances of dealing with cavities. In fact, it may even lower your chances as dental hygiene becomes more of a priority during this time.
Final thoughts
There’s no shame in dealing with cavities. In fact, most of us experience them at some point in our lives. Furthermore, you can still get Invisalign after dealing with cavities, both of which can help you improve your confidence and your smile simultaneously.
If you’d like to find out more about Invisalign treatments, please do not hesitate to get in touch today! We’d be happy to answer any questions you may have at a complimentary consultation with one of our board-certified orthodontists.
