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Can I Get a Cavity Filled with Braces on My Teeth?

Braces are an important part of our oral and dental health. Braces help to make our teeth look better, fix their positions, and strengthen them. But what if your teeth develop cavities while you have the braces on? Then you might wonder: Can I get a cavity filled with braces? Do braces affect fillings, and is there a single treatment for both problems? If you ask yourself these questions, you are in the right place.

You can get a cavity filled with braces. While it might seem like an unlikely treatment for tooth decay, getting a cavity filled with braces is one of the most common procedures performed by dentists. However, your dentist might recommend taking out your braces if too many of your teeth have cavities.

This article you’re about to read answers the question about getting your tooth cavity filled while having your braces on. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the answer.

Can You Get a Cavity Filled with Braces?

You can get your cavity filled with braces, but it’s not always recommended. The reason is that the material of the braces has a tendency to fracture, which makes it more likely that you’ll have a problem with the cavity filling. It’s also more likely that you’ll have an infection after the procedure because of this.

You should definitely take off your braces before having your cavity filled. But if it’s an emergency and you need to get one done quickly, make sure to check in with your dentist first, so they know what you’re planning on doing.

Is it Bad to Have a Cavity with Braces?

It is not bad to have cavities while having braces. A cavity developing while wearing braces is inconvenient, but it is not uncommon. Braces also increase the risk of developing cavities, according to experts. If you get cavities, you have to have your braces tightened more frequently. It will as be an issue when you’re eating certain foods or drinking certain liquids.

Do I Need to Get My Cavities Filled Before Braces?

Orthodontists recommend treating and filling the cavities first before getting braces on. The reason to get your cavities filled before having braces on is that it will prevent the need for you to have more extensive dental work done in the future. You will not want to end up with a toothache or suffer from any other dental problems, and that is why getting cavities filled before braces are one of the best ways to avoid dental complications.

If you do not have any cavities, then there is no need for your dentist or hygienist to be concerned about fillings in that area. So they will not have to do extensive work on it. This means that you can get your braces without having any additional work done, which can save time and money for both parties involved.

Can You Get Fillings and Braces at the Same Time?

The two procedures are very different; opting for a single treatment for both problems is not a good idea. If you want to get fillings and braces at the same time or at once, it’s best to have one procedure done first (like fillings), then wait 1 – 2 weeks before doing the other (like braces).

While fillings can be done at the same time as braces, they don’t necessarily mesh well with each other. They aren’t even meant to be done simultaneously-the purpose of fillings is to repair damage or decay in teeth, and brace work is meant to correct crooked bites.

Why Should You Have Your Cavities Filled Before Brace Treatment?

There are a few reasons why getting your cavities filled before having braces is important.

First, if you end up having braces and your teeth are crooked, you could end up with gaps between your teeth or even missing teeth! It’s better to fix the problem with fillings before it gets worse and causes more damage.

Second, it can be difficult to get braces on when there are any problems with your teeth or gums because they need to be able to slide over each other without hitting anything. If there is already a problem with one of your teeth or gums, it will be harder for them to move over each other without causing damage. Fixing the problem before getting braces should help make everything easier!

Third, if you’re going to get braces, it means that you’ll be taking it easy for the next few months or years. So if you want to go back to work after getting braces, it’s a good idea to get the cavities filled while you wait for your teeth to settle in. This will help with the healing process so that when you start wearing braces again, you don’t have any problems with jaw movement or alignment because of the extra space caused by the missing teeth.

Can I Get Braces Right After Cavity Fillings?

Yes! When you have cavities filled, your dentist will probably recommend that you wait for a week or two before getting braces. This is because your teeth are still healing, and the braces won’t fit quite right for at least a few days. Your dentist can tell you how long to wait for your braces to be properly adjusted and sized if you have any questions about this process.

How To Get a Cavity Filled with Braces On?

Your dentist can place a filling without adjusting the wires on your braces. But that will depend on the size and location of the cavity. However, your braces and brackets may need to be removed to apply a filling.

If this occurs, your orthodontist will remove the braces in one appointment and reinstall them after your dentist places the filling. Your dentist will try to schedule these appointments so that you don’t lose time due to your braces.

In some rare cases, leaving the cavity alone may be the best option. For example, if you only have a few weeks before your braces are permanently removed, your orthodontist may advise you to postpone filling the cavity.

How to Treat Cavities with Braces On?

You may be looking forward to the day you finally get your teeth fixed and thinking about the exciting changes before you begin bracing treatment! As you go through your braces preparatory checklist, you’ll discover that maintaining good oral hygiene throughout your treatment is the best way to achieve the best results.

Cavities can form after you begin orthodontic treatment. In such cases, acting quickly to avoid complications with your ongoing treatment is critical. If you are predisposed to cavities, it may be prudent to consider Invisalign as a substitute to avoid greater complications.

  • At least twice a day to brush your teeth at least twice a day to avoid cavities! If you want to be extra cautious, repeat them after every meal!
  • Floss! Take out any plaque trapped between your teeth and under your gums.
  • Drink plenty of water and eat an oral health-friendly diet.
  • Visit your dentist regularly for check-ups and cleanings!

The Types of Braces and How Braces Affect Fillings

Today’s patients have several options for orthodontic treatments that suit their lifestyles. They discover that orthodontics can help them improve their overall dental health by reducing tooth decay, tooth loss, and gum disease.

Treatment can greatly improve or eliminate improper tooth positioning. Choosing the right technique and appliance can reduce the time it takes to see improvement in misaligned teeth.

Here we want to elaborate on the types of braces available right now so that our readers can make the best choice for themselves. The list of the types of available braces is as follows:

  • Braces made of metal: Metal braces are commonly worn by children and some adults. They are usually connected to the teeth with small rubber bands or wires. Even if fillings are present, these braces can be attached. That said, filling materials (BPA-free composite resin, ceramic and fluoride-free) don’t harm metal brace installation.
  • Braces made of ceramic are chosen because they match the color of the natural teeth. They are secured with fillings but do not last as long as metal braces.
  • Invisalign: These clear aligners help to align the teeth by gradually moving them. Invisalign is effective for correcting overbites and closing gaps between teeth. After a few months, there are noticeable improvements.

Wrapping Up

Finally, getting a cavity is never pleasant, but it’s even worse if you get one or more cavities while wearing braces! But don’t be too concerned if you get the short end of the dental health stick. Even if you have braces, your dentist will be able to treat any cavities and get you back to your orthodontic treatment as soon as possible.

This is why it is critical that you first understand everything about getting braces and how it will affect your dental and oral health. Then you must decide what type of braces you require. However, if you have no control over the prescribed braces, you should learn everything you can about the type of braces your dentist gives you.

Of course, you can reduce your chances of getting a cavity while wearing braces by practicing good oral hygiene and using healthy dental products like Steel Bite Pro and Anti-Plaque Toothpaste. Following a good oral hygiene regimen and only using high-quality products, such as electric toothbrushes and fluoride-infused toothpaste, can help you avoid needing dental work.

Resources:

  1. https://321orthodontics.com/can-i-get-fillings-for-a-cavity-if-i-have-braces/#:~:text=Can%20you%20get%20fillings%20and,identified%20and%20resolved%20fairly%20quickly
  2. https://diamondbraces.com/video-faqs/can-i-get-a-filling-while-wearing-braces/
  3. https://fryorthodontics.com/blog/cavities-and-braces/
  4. https://dentalorangecounty.com/blog/can-you-get-braces-with-cavities/
  5. https://www.drgluck.com/can-you-still-get-braces-if-you-have-fillings/#Types_of_braces_available
  6. https://teamdemas.com/can-you-still-get-braces-if-you-have-fillings/
  7. https://localorthodontics.com/can-i-get-fillings-for-a-cavity-if-i-have-braces/
  8. https://www.melbourneorthodontics.com/blog/cavity-and-braces/
  9. https://bakerranchdentistry.com/can-you-get-a-filling-while-you-have-braces/
Marzia Khan
Marzia Khan

Marzia Khan, editor-in-chief and research manager of the HealthyRex platform, is a board-certified Physician Assistant whose practice locations include West U.S. She brings her years of experience in healthcare technology and clinical expertise, helping the team create high-quality, top-notch, and engaging contents that uphold the highest medical integrity. She began her journey with HealthyRex as the Senior Medical Writer since its launch in 2019. Before joining HealthyRex, she was a Medical Transcriptionist specializing in orthopedics, cardiology, IMEs, and record reviews. After years of practice, Marzia Khan transitioned from healthcare technology via her work at Augmedix, where she helped EHR system, secure messaging products, and clinical decision support tools for the healthcare system, to The U.S. Oncology Network overseeing areas of contents based on her medical expertise. She is now expanding her editorial oversight to the entire website and responsible for ensuring the accuracy of health information on HealthyRex. She also writes new articles, reviews and oversees the national network of doctors complying with the materials. Of note, she loves to travel and takes photos of the most colorful pockets.

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