Can I Get Invisalign With Cavities? (Let’s Explore)
Can I Get Invisalign With Cavities? Getting aligners with an open cavity is technically possible, but not recommended. Cavities are bad news. Cavities with Invisalign are worse. If you are investigating Invisalign as a future treatment, your oral health matters. will determine whether you start or not. Read on to find out about starting Invisalign treatment when you have to deal with cavities. First, let’s compare Invisalign treatment to traditional treatment.
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Does Invisalign Cause Cavities?
Many stories have been written about Invisalign aligners causing cavity problems. Those aligners were not the issue, but wearers were the culprits. If that sounds harsh, then it is essential that we understand the alignment process as it happens.
Invisalign aligners hold the tooth while movement occurs. They can trap food particles beneath aligners which cause decaying bacteria. Because the aligners are worn throughout the day, there can be significant damage to the teeth during usage.
Three Cs:
- Care
- Compliance
- Cleanliness
These three C’s are the basic compliance you need to follow when wearing aligners. This is only the basics during treatment. New aligners will mean a proper care routine will need to occur. You need to UP YOUR GAME and be ready to last the duration of treatment.
Does Invisalign Make Cavities Worse?
Invisalign treatment does not increase cavities. Bad oral hygiene during treatment will cause cavities.
Good Oral Health Helps Avoid Cavities
Good oral health is the same as good oral hygiene. Your mouth needs to be clean and free of food particles that create harmful bacteria. The American Dental Association recommends flossing and brushing twice a day. There are plenty of ways to practice good oral hygiene while undergoing Invisalign treatment.
- Clean aligner trays regularly.
- Reduce sugar consumption
- Visit the dentist regularly
- Brushing twice a day
- Remember to floss
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What if a Cavity Develops During Invisalign Treatment?
Invisalign patients are venerable to cavities during Invisalign treatment. The tooth should be cleaned before putting on aligners, but the need of replacing old ones should also be addressed immediately if the problem arises.
Your orthodontist can take this problem and help to formulate a proper hygiene treatment plan that reflects the issues before treatment.
In the meantime, the decision is made to fill the void or look for alternative ways to get the cavity filled. Sometimes a trained dentist can recreate tooth shapes using the aligners for a more complete filling. This means there will be no additional alignment requirements.
Invisalign Trays vs. Other Brace Types
It is often preferred to have aligners made of durable plastic. It is customized to the patient’s teeth and is virtually invisible compared to traditional braces. Overall appointments at dental offices are often shorter.
These aligners are essential for ensuring optimum teeth hygiene. Traditional braces enable more saliva to enter the mouth although they are non-removable and can make brushing and flossing difficult. Overall, Invisalign treatment is preferred by teens and adults.
Conclusion
A good oral expert will know how to deal with any cavities issue you may have. If you maintain good oral health techniques, it’s likely that your smile will become perfect during treatment and beyond.
Whether you want to get full orthodontic perfection or to address issues, we can advise you. Get in touch with our orthodontic office today to schedule your first appointment with Dr. McDermott.

Dr. Michael McDermott earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in both Chemistry and Biology from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. He followed his undergraduate degrees with a doctorate in dental surgery at the University of Minnesota, where he graduated with highest distinction.
Dr. Mike then furthered his dental education by earning a masters and certificate in Orthodontics at the University of St. Louis in Missouri.