I love that my family dentist is tech-savvy. It's so easy to book a dentist on his smartphone app if I have a tooth problem or if anyone in my family needs emergency problems (I can choose either my normal dentist or another dentist in his practise depending on availability). He also has some great cameras so that we can see exactly what is going on during treatment. I prefer not to see this, but my kids love to be able to see the dentist using his specialised tools to clean and repair their teeth. This blog has some tips on finding a tech-savvy dentist to help give your family the best possible dental care.
The average course of Invisalign treatment is generally about 12 months. This is more than enough time for a cavity to develop. When a cavity develops during a course of Invisalign, if it is minor and you only have a short time left before you complete your treatment, it might be better to wait before having the cavity treated.
However, if you still have at least a few months to go with your Invisalign treatment, you should probably get your cavity filled before it worsens. Before you do anything, make sure you inform your orthodontist as not doing so could result in extra fees should midcourse adjustment be required.
Take Your Aligner with You to the Dentist
When you visit your dentist to have a cavity or cavities filled, take your aligner with you. This way, your dentist can gradually fill each cavity before checking to make sure your aligner still fits. Invisalign aligners can also be used by your dentist to shape the fillings so that they do not compromise the efficiency of your aligner.
Go for Regular Checkups if a Tooth Cannot be Filled
Whether or not a dentist can fill a tooth during Invisalign treatment depends on the location of the cavity. For example, if a cavity is between two teeth, placing a filling there could compromise tooth movement. In this case, you will have to wait until you complete your course of Invisalign to have the cavity filled.
During your Invisalign treatment, make sure you regularly visit your dentist to check on the status of the cavity.
Take Care of Your Teeth During Invisalign
Although Invisalign trays themselves do not cause cavities, if you do not practice good oral hygiene while wearing them, you may develop cavities. For instance, you should always remove your aligners before eating a meal. You should also brush your teeth before replacing the aligners as otherwise, food particles will become trapped between the aligner and your teeth. This will contribute to cavity formation.
Ensure too, that you do not drink anything other than water while wearing your aligners. Drinking sugary drinks will leave a layer of sugary residue sitting on your teeth that could lead to cavities. One further thing you can do to prevent cavities while wearing Invisalign trays is to keep your mouth well hydrated by drinking lots of water. Water stimulates saliva production and saliva combats acid and kills tooth decay-causing bacteria.
If you get a cavity during your Invisalign treatment, inform your orthodontist before going to your dentist to get the cavity filled.
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