How Does a Root Canal Affect Orthodontic Treatment With Braces?
Orthodontic treatment can offer numerous benefits, but like any medical procedure, there are potential complications that can arise. It is important to be aware of these risks when considering orthodontics.
For instance, it is common to experience temporary discomfort and soreness after braces or aligners. This discomfort may occur when the teeth are adjusting to the pressure.
Nothing over-the-counter pain relievers and orthodontic wax can help alleviate the discomfort.
What they say about braces causing irritations in the mouth is true, though not terrible. Braces or wires can sometimes cause irritation or sores on the cheeks, lips, or tongue. Orthodontic wax can provide a protective barrier and minimize irritation.
Of course, it’s also important to maintain good oral hygiene to reduce the risk of inflammation or infection. Dental hygiene is everything.
Poor oral hygiene and difficulty in cleaning around braces or aligners can lead to decalcification of tooth enamel and tooth decay. It is crucial to maintain diligent oral hygiene practices, including regular brushing and flossing. Periodical professional cleanings are essential as well.
Other rather unusual complications are allergic reactions and root resorption. In rare cases, some individuals may experience an allergic reaction to components of orthodontic appliances, such as the braces’ metal.
Now, root resorption is a condition where the tooth roots shorten or dissolve as a result of orthodontic treatment. This complication is more common in cases where there is excessive or prolonged force applied to the teeth.
The last point highlights the importance of finding a licensed and experienced orthodontist to oversee and conduct your treatment.
You Can Treat a Root Canal Even With Braces?
Patients with braces can undergo endodontic treatment, such as a root canal, without any significant issues. The presence of braces does not typically pose a barrier to receiving necessary dental procedures.
However, orthodontists and endodontists need to collaborate and communicate effectively to ensure the best outcome for the patient.
The endodontist, who specializes in root canal treatment, can work in coordination with the orthodontist to address the tooth requiring the root canal. They will consider the positioning of the braces and the orthodontic wires to navigate the treatment area properly.
During the root canal procedure, the endodontist will carefully access the tooth, remove the infected area or damaged pulp, clean the root canals, and seal them. So, the presence of braces does not significantly impact these steps.
However, the patient may experience temporary discomfort or soreness due to the pressure exerted on the teeth during the procedure.
After the root canal treatment, the orthodontist can adjust the braces as needed to ensure proper alignment and positioning.
Close communication between the endodontist and orthodontist is essential to coordinate the treatment plan effectively and achieve optimal results.
Orthodontic patients need to know that dental decay can compromise the success of orthodontic treatment. So, again, your oral hygiene routine must be strict.
Do Root Canals Affect Braces?
Your orthodontist probably warned you that exerting pressure on a deeply decayed tooth can result in tooth loss, and that’s why you have to avoid cavities.
While the root canal procedure may involve removing some tooth structure, it does not weaken the tooth to the extent that it becomes unsuitable for orthodontic treatment.
The remaining tooth structure, including the root, is generally strong enough to withstand the forces and adjustments that come with braces.
How Does a Root Canal Affect Invisalign?
Braces and clear aligners follow the same principles since they are both orthodontic appliances that correct teeth misalignment.
This means a root canal procedure generally does not pose significant concerns or obstacles when it comes to undergoing Invisalign treatment with clear aligners. Invisalign treatment also focuses on gradually shifting the teeth into proper alignment.
After a root canal, the affected tooth may require a dental crown or filling to restore its structure and protect it. These restorations can be seamless to the Invisalign treatment plan, ensuring proper fit and function of the aligners.
One minor consideration that does not occur with traditional braces treatment is that the temporary restoration placed after the root canal may slightly alter the shape of the tooth. This could affect the fit of the aligners at that specific tooth location.
But, again, working closely with the orthodontist, who can modify the aligners accordingly or provide alternative solutions to ensure proper tooth movement.
What Is a Root Canal?
What dentists call a root canal is a dental procedure to treat and save a tooth that has become infected or severely damaged. It involves the removal of the infected or damaged pulp from within the tooth and the subsequent cleaning, disinfection, and sealing of the root canals.
1. Diagnosis
This is the first step before starting any intervention. The dentist examines the tooth, evaluates symptoms, and takes X-rays to determine the extent of infection or damage.
The X-rays are to identify and locate the root canals. The number of root canals varies depending on which tooth needs treatment.
Only when the tooth’s pulp is compromised will your dentist indicate a root canal.
2. Local Anesthesia
The endodontist will numb the tooth and surrounding area using a local anesthetic to ensure a pain-free procedure.
Why anesthesia? While dealing with the tooth’s root and pulp, the endodontist is treating an area with nerves. Local anesthesia is important to ensure that the patient remains comfortable.
It only temporarily blocks the nerve signals in the specific area where the procedure will take place. It does require an injection that dentists apply using a small needle.
3. Accessing the Tooth
The endodontist will create a small opening in the tooth’s crown to access the decayed pulp. In the case of a molar, the access point may be through the chewing surface.
If there is any decay or existing dental restoration preset, the dentist will remove any remaining enamel or dentin before accessing the pulp chamber.
4. Removing the Tooth’s Pulp
Special dental instruments, such as files and rotary tools, are what your dentist uses to carefully remove the infected pulp from the pulp chamber and root canals.
The dentist takes care to clean and shape the canals to prepare them for filling. And what is a dental filling? It’s a mixture of composite material and can have the same color as your teeth.
5. Cleaning and Disinfection
The dentist cleans the root canals using irrigation solutions to flush out any remaining debris and bacteria. These steps help ensure the elimination of infection and reduce the risk of reinfection.
6. Filling the Tooth’s Canal’s
After the canals are thoroughly cleaned and dried, the endodontist will fill them with a biocompatible material.
The filling goes in a rubber-like form into the canals and acts as a sealant to prevent recontamination.
7. Temporary or Permanent Restoration of the Tooth
In most cases, the endodontist will only place a temporary filling in the access opening to protect the tooth until they can place a permanent restoration, such as a dental crown.
Dental crowns help strengthen and protect the tooth from future damage.
8. Follow-Up Visits
After the root canal, the patient usually returns for one or more follow-up visits, depending on each case.
During these visits, the dentist will assess the tooth’s healing and may take additional X-rays. Once the tooth is stable, it’s time to place a permanent restoration.
Root Canal and Braces – Fairfield, Orthodontist
After reading this article, you know root canals and braces are not incompatible, so what are you waiting for to solve your issue?
Set an appointment and have an examination with Dr. Cagliostro or Dr. Gary Romero.
You can find traditional braces treatment, Invisalign, and clear aligner therapy at Westwalk Orthodontic Group.