You’ve decided to begin orthodontic treatment at last. Surprise! Your orthodontist informs you during your initial visit that you must first go through one or more dental procedures before you can begin wearing braces or aligners. We shall describe these therapies and why they are frequently required in this post. Before you begin the process of straightening your teeth with orthodontics, you may need to undergo several common dental procedures, which we have listed below.
Types of pre-orthodontic dental treatment
Although various dental procedures may be required before beginning orthodontics, these are the most frequent:
Hygiene appointments for a scale and polish
Your dentist could suggest scheduling a cleaning visit to start your pre-orthodontic oral care plan after getting your orthodontic diagnosis. At least twice daily brushing and flossing are advised by dentists. However, this is insufficient to maintain healthy teeth. There are still certain places that are tough to get to, and this is where plaque and germs can accumulate. Tartar is finally formed when this accumulation mineralizes.
Scaling and polishing are typically advised every 6 to 12 months. The procedure is brief and lasts 30 to 40 minutes. The dangers of skipping cleanings are numerous; in addition to foul breath, tartar can result in more severe gum issues that need more involved care. Before you begin your orthodontic treatment, your orthodontist should always advise getting your teeth cleaned.
Tooth decay treatment
If not treated promptly, tooth decay, an illness that affects the enamel of the teeth, can also harm the pulp. Before beginning to wear braces, tooth fillings are one of the most popular dental procedures. Fillings come in two varieties and are used to treat cavities:
- Simple fillings: A simple filling is one in which the occlusal surface of the teeth is affected by caries, or tooth decay (the part of the teeth used for chewing).
- Fillings made of composite material are placed on the proximal face of teeth (the part where the teeth touch).
If a cavity is not treated right away, it might develop into a deeper issue that requires the tooth to be devitalized and a crown to be placed. For this reason, your orthodontist will frequently advise treating any cavities before beginning your orthodontic treatment.
Periodontal chart
During your initial appointment, if your orthodontist finds periodontal disease, they will need to treat it before starting orthodontic therapy. To determine whether periodontitis and orthodontic treatment are compatible, they will make a periodontal chart.
The depth of the periodontal pockets is recorded on the periodontal chart. Before beginning any orthodontic treatment, it is crucial to get this checked, especially if the patient exhibits periodontitis symptoms. Periodontal charting enables the detection of the patient’s gum health condition and guards against the failure of orthodontic therapy.
Gingival curettage
In a gingival curettage, tartar that has built up between the gums and teeth is removed. It involves multiple steps of cleaning the tooth, is more intrusive and time-consuming than a basic scale, and needs routine dental checkups.
Dental extractions
Another of the most popular dental procedures is a dental extraction. Your orthodontist may need to prepare your dentition by asking for the extraction of one or more teeth if you have significant crowding. You can obtain room to correctly align the complete dentition by removing a tooth. A dental surgeon uses general anesthesia to execute the surgery in the operating room.
Two different kinds of extractions exist. Simple extractions come first; as they are the easiest to remove, they are the simpler of the treatments. Then there are the intricate extractions, which call for a trickier removal method. Additionally, an X-ray should be taken to identify the location of the wisdom teeth if they are not visible to the naked eye.
X-rays: orthopantomography, periapical and TLRx
A series of X-rays may also be required before beginning any pre-orthodontic therapy to determine the location of the teeth and identify cavities or other diseases. There are several X-rays, such as:
- A general x-ray of the whole mouth is taken at the initial consultation known as an orthopantomography (OPG). This is the only procedure out of the three that is applied to every patient without exception. It is crucial to identify issues that could impact how orthodontics is used.
- X-rays obtained of just one or two teeth are referred to as periapical X-rays. They primarily function to find cavities and caries.
- TLRx, also known as Lateral Skull Teleradiography, is a procedure used to examine how persons having orthodontic treatment are developing their faces. Instead of aligners, this kind of X-ray is increasingly frequently used for pre-braces therapy.
Root canals
Endodontics, sometimes referred to as a root canal, is a dental procedure that eliminates the dental nerve when it has been injured or is harmed by deep cavities. Depending on how many roots are damaged, there are many forms of endodontic treatment.
Fiber post placement
When an endodontic operation has been completed, fiber posts must be placed to help in tooth repair. The pieces are supported and made firmer by the posts, which are inserted within the root tubes.
Crown placement
The placement of crowns, which may be prompted by several circumstances, is another therapeutic option that is often used in dentistry.
- On the one hand, when a cavity leaves a tooth with a too-large crater and a dental filling is insufficient, we can turn to the implantation of a crown.
- However, following a root canal, it is typical for the teeth to be weaker, necessitating the placement of a crown.
- Last but not least, a crown might be positioned following trauma to restore the tooth’s natural crown.
What are pretreatments?
Before beginning orthodontic treatment, individuals may need pre-orthodontic dental procedures. Your orthodontist will be in charge of determining what treatments you’ll require following your consultation and diagnosis.
Why are pre-orthodontic dental treatments so important?
Your doctor requires a healthy oral structure to start therapy, as was already discussed. Therefore, a correct diagnosis is necessary before beginning orthodontic treatment. It is advisable to visit an expert who can direct and advise you before beginning orthodontic treatment because it is a lengthy process and should not be left up to just anybody.
Following your orthodontist’s recommendations for dental care not only assures that you get the 3D simulation’s predicted outcomes, but also that your teeth will stay strong and healthy during the whole procedure.
Regardless of the recommended dental treatment type, outcomes might be affected by not adhering to expert advice. Alternately, you could just see a transient improvement or none at all, which might result in tooth shifting.
What is the Best Age for Early Orthodontic Treatment?
Phase I Orthodontics may be required for kids between the ages of 7 and 12, even though it is more typical for kids to obtain braces after losing their baby teeth. This implies that these early orthodontic appointments are crucial to ensuring that your child receives braces at the ideal age, whether that is 7, 8, 9, or even 14. When your child needs braces, we can determine by how their teeth and jaw are developing rather than by how old they are.
The primary goals of phase I braces and appliances are to treat severe crowding or spacing abnormalities, biting problems, and any social anxieties your kid may be experiencing. Phase I therapy typically lasts one to two.
Related: What are the Benefits of Orthodontics?
Final Verdict
Many issues that impair your smile can now be improved with orthodontic treatment. However, there are some circumstances when surgical intervention is necessary for orthodontic therapy to start or continue.
Before proceeding with your orthodontic treatment, you could be sent to a specialist if there are any signs of trauma, illness, or development problems. Dr. Broess, an oral surgeon who practices in the Rhode Island region, is qualified to provide pre-orthodontic care.
