Braces and cavities?

Hi! I'm going to get my braces off soon, and I really hope that I won't have any cavities, which I think I might have a few, but my family members don't think I will. Anyways, I just have a few questions about cavities under braces.


1. Can you always tell if you have a cavity under a bracket?


2. What color would the cavity be?


3. Do a lot of people have cavities under braces?


4. How much does it cost to fill a cavity that was once under a bracket?





Thank you very much.

Braces and cavities?
Cavities under a bracket are highly unlikely. The bracket is cemented on with a bonded resin. There will be no decay under it if bonding was done correctly. The issue with braces is that people tend to be unable to clean all areas of the teeth as well as when they didn't have the braces. Also, flossing is definitely much more difficult. While wearing the braces, cavities/decay may develop between the teeth or on the outer surfaces because of the inability and difficulty associated with brushing/flossing with wires and brackets in the mouth.


After removal of the brackets and all of the underlying resin, you'll get a thorough exam and cleaning. New xrays will show any new areas of concern. Also, with the brackets and wires removed, the dentist will have direct visualization of all areas for a complete evaluation.


So, to answer your questions:


1. No. You will not have any cavities under the bracket itself. Sometimes brackets can leave a decalcified zone around it after removal. this would look like a faint white ring around the area where the brackets once were...


2. Cavities are usually brown, yellow, or black. Sometimes, cavities can appear as a white spot as well.


3. No--not directly under the bracket. But, a lot of people do end up with cavities that developed during their orthodontic treatment from a lack of brushing and flossing daily and a high-sugar diet.


4. The cost of such treatment is highly variable. A simple cavity is a minimum of $75-$100. Larger ones can go for upwards of $300. Of course if a root canal or a crown is need, the fees are in the thousands.





Don't worry. If you did a decent job of cleaning your teeth and flossing while wearing the braces, you'll be fine.





Also, REMEMBER THAT YOU WILL HAVE TO WEAR YOUR RETAINERS FOREVER OTHERWISE YOUR TEETH WILL ATTEMPT TO RETURN TO SOMETHING CLOSE TO THEIR ORIGINAL POSITIONS!!!