With Invisalign, the aligners can be removed for brushing. Poor tooth brushing causes cavities. Most orthodontists monitor tooth brushing carefully and reward good brushing. The good brushing habits formed during braces last a lifetime.
A person seeing an observant orthodontist once every month or two is less likely to have new cavities undetected than a person who only sees the dentist once or twice a year.
Orthodontic patients get their brushing graded at every appointment, and they are provided brushes and other cleaning supplies. They also get instruction on diet, fluoride rinses, etc.
In the old days with bands wrapped around the front teeth, sometimes loose bands were hard to detect and would decay underneath. Nowadays, with bonded brackets, it is easier to tell.
Today's orthodontic cements have fluoride in them and the teeth are sealed for protection before gluing the braces on.
If an orthodontist realized that a patient was not brushing adequately after many lessons, he would just remove the braces and discontinue treatment, before any serious cavities developed.
©2011 James E. Eckhart, D.D.S., Inc.
1101 N. Sepulveda Blvd, Suite 202,
Manhattan Beach, Ca. 90266 (310) 546-4724
21210 Anza Ave., Torrance, CA 90503 (310) 540-5911
No comments:
Post a Comment