You must continue seeing your general dentist for regular checkups and professional cleanings throughout orthodontic treatment. General dental care is a separate and necessary component of your overall oral health management. While your orthodontist focuses on the movement and alignment of your teeth, they do not provide the regular maintenance and restorative care that only a dentist offers. Failing to maintain these routine appointments can lead to serious oral health issues that may compromise the success and timeline of your smile correction.
Defining the Separate Roles in Dental Health
A general dentist acts as your primary care provider for all aspects of oral health. Their scope of practice includes diagnosing and treating conditions of the teeth, gums, and soft tissues. Dentists routinely perform restorative treatments such as fillings, root canals, and extractions. They also monitor for non-orthodontic diseases, like oral cancer or gum disease, which are not the focus of an orthodontist.
The orthodontist is a specialist who has completed additional training focused exclusively on correcting misaligned teeth, jaws, and bite issues. Their practice is dedicated to the mechanics of tooth movement using appliances such as braces, aligners, and retainers. Orthodontists manage the forces and adjustments required to straighten your smile. They do not perform professional cleanings, place fillings, or treat general decay, which necessitates continued dental visits.
Mandatory Hygiene and Maintenance Requirements
Orthodontic appliances, whether fixed braces or clear aligners, create additional surfaces where food particles and plaque accumulate easily. This increased plaque retention raises the risk of developing oral health complications. Brackets and wires make effective brushing and flossing challenging, leading to rapid bacterial growth and tartar formation. Professional cleanings are necessary to remove hardened tartar and dense plaque buildup from these difficult-to-reach areas.
A common risk during treatment is decalcification, which appears as permanent white spots on the enamel surface after appliances are removed. This loss of mineral content is an early sign of enamel breakdown caused by prolonged acid exposure from plaque buildup. Untreated decalcification can progress into cavities. If a cavity requires a filling, the orthodontist may need to temporarily remove the appliance, significantly delaying treatment.
Inflammation of the gums, known as gingivitis, is common due to the difficulty of cleaning along the gum line. If not controlled by professional cleanings and diligent home care, this inflammation can advance to periodontitis, which damages the bone supporting the teeth. Successful tooth movement depends on healthy bone and gum tissue, so periodontal disease can jeopardize the entire orthodontic process. The general dentist and hygienist monitor gum health, provide deep cleanings, and apply preventive measures like fluoride treatments.
Coordinating Appointments and Communication
Maintaining a consistent schedule of dental checkups is important during active orthodontic care. While the standard frequency for cleanings is every six months, many patients with appliances benefit from more frequent visits, often every three to four months. This adjusted timeline allows the hygienist to proactively manage plaque and inflammation before they cause lasting damage. Increased frequency is recommended for individuals with a history of cavities or those whose appliances make home care challenging.
Logistical coordination is necessary between the patient, the dentist, and the orthodontist to ensure smooth treatment progress. If the dentist identifies a need for a filling or restorative procedure, they must communicate with the orthodontist to determine the best time for the work, which may involve temporarily removing a wire. Conversely, the orthodontist may share diagnostic information, such as X-rays, with the dentist to aid in monitoring the patient’s oral structures. Both practitioners must cooperate to ensure both the alignment and the health of the teeth are maintained.