Dentistry: It's More Than Drilling and Filling

Adults who want straight teeth have more options now than they have ever had, including the use of Invisalign. While Invisalign is easy with very few appointments needed, there are some treatments that you may need to invest in to ensure the success of the orthodontic treatment. 

Dental Extractions

Dental extractions are often completed before most types of orthodontic treatments, especially since overcrowding is the main cause of crooked and misaligned teeth. And, you can expect to have as many as eight teeth extracted in extreme cases. This includes the four wisdom teeth as well as the four premolars. 

Dental extractions can all be completed at once or you can spread them out over two to three visits. This may depend on your age since teeth are harder to extract as you get older. 

Keep in mind that you will need to see an oral surgeon or a general dentist for the extraction procedure. And, you will need to go through the healing process before you start wearing your Invisalign aligners. Most orthodontists will wait two weeks before giving you your first set of aligners. This allows for healing and a reduction in your infection risks. The two-week timeframe is also not so long that the teeth start to migrate into the free and open spaces in the mouth.

Filling Treatments

Cavities are a common issue for individuals who have crooked teeth due to the way the teeth overlap and touch one another. It is difficult to clean the crowded teeth and cavities are a result of this. Cavities must be removed and filled in before Invisalign aligners can be used. If they are not attended to, then the decay will worsen, leading to brittle teeth. Brittle teeth may crack when they are shifted around. 

Also, you will trap bacteria underneath your aligners and this can exacerbate the issue. Trapped bacteria can proliferate and spread to nearby teeth.

Since you are investing in the aesthetic beauty of your teeth, think about speaking with your dentist about the use of resin composites during the filling process. Also, understand that the fillings may need to be adjusted at a later date as your bite changes. 

Once your cavities are removed, speak with your orthodontist about the best cleaning methods to prevent future cavities. This will help to keep you on track with your tooth straightening plan.

To learn more about adult orthodontic treatments, speak with an orthodontist in your area.