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Can You Get Braces If You Have Fillings?

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Teeth are extremely strong, and as a result, braces have to provide a certain level of tension and torque on teeth in order to move them. If you know this and are worried about whether or not having fillings will impact your ability to get braces, there's good news ahead. Here's what you should know about fillings and braces.

Get Work Done Beforehand

If you need fillings but haven't had them done already, you may be limited when it comes to your options for braces. When teeth are in poor shape because of cavities or other dental problems, it's a necessity to get that damage repaired first. Your general dentist can help you with this. Most orthodontists won't begin the process of straightening teeth if one's teeth aren't healthy, so don't plan on skipping this step.

Metal Braces

From there, you might be wondering if metal braces are a possibility. After all, metal braces are adhered to teeth and pull and push on them in order to move them to where they belong. The good news is that yes, you can absolutely get metal braces even if you have fillings.

Fillings aren't some kind of subpar material that can easily break out of your teeth. They're designed to put up with the same kind of abuse and force that your teeth undergo on a daily basis, just like the remaining portion of your tooth. Once the filling is in place and fully hardened, you should be ready to get metal braces at any time. Of course, you'll want to consult with your orthodontist about this, but you shouldn't expect to have any problems.

Invisible Braces

Another concern some people have is whether or not they can get invisible braces. Unlike metal braces, these don't stick to your teeth, but rather wrap around them. This means that there's no danger of a filling being damaged at all, but what about the fit?

For some people, dental fillings slightly change the shape of their teeth. There's no need to worry, though. Invisible braces are designed based on a mold of your mouth. If your filling is already in place, even if the shape or curve of your tooth is different than a normal intact tooth, the invisible braces will take this into account. You can be sure that they will fit properly and will be able to straighten your teeth effectively without any damage being done to your teeth.

An orthodontist can advise you if you're unsure about getting braces with your fillings. For more information, reach out to a local orthodontic office.


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