Can a Root Canal Be Performed While the Person is Wearing Braces?

Question

After a bad experience having invisalign done by a dentist, I decided to have braces. Tooth 9 got really sensitive with invisalign. After 2 months, it has gotten better but still a little sensitive. The orthodontic took x rays, it shows a shadow aroung the nerve area. She said she is going to monitor the tooth during treatment since symptoms are getting better.I am a little nervous.If the tooth starts to hurt again,can I get root canal while having the braces on? can the nerve still get better?

Clark L. Jones, DDS, MSD · Answer

You should be able to get the root canal done while wearing braces.  The orthodontist will usually take off any braces that might be in the way.  You might need to wait a little while before starting back into orthodontic treatment to allow a little healing time after the root canal is done.  I always try to help make anything like this as simple as we can for our patients.  I am sorry your Invisalign experience was not so good, it is a more limited appliance than some of the advertising would lead you to believe especially when used by a non orthodontist who is less familiar with the many problems that can arise.  The orthodontist you have chosen will have more training on moving teeth and what will work and what won't work. The additional experience and training is the benefit of a full two or three year program of graduate training in orthodontics beyond dental school.   Really good orthodontic treatment is a lot more difficult to do than it looks like.  Proper orthodontic treatment is the result of a lot of really careful planning and picking the right appliances and mechanics for the problem that each individual patient needs to have resolved.  It really does not lend itself to a one way fits all approach .   Learning to be a good orthodontist is also really difficult, I have studied continuously for over 35 years as my colleagues do also even after we have 5000 to 6000 hours of graduate  training and we still have plenty of problems that give us lots of trouble.  Orthodontics is a constantly changing and continuously evolving science and we have made fabulous advances during my career.  I have been absolutely blessed to be a part of it.

Greg Jorgensen, DMD, MS · Answer

The key to orthodontic tooth movement is found in the periodontal ligaments AROUND the teeth being moved and not inside the tooth where a root canal is performed. Root canal therapy (also known as endodontic therapy) should not affect the ligaments around the tooth and should therefore not interfere with orthodontic treatment. It is safe to have a root canal before, during, or after braces or Invisalign. Good luck!

Kent Lauson, DDS, MS · Answer

I am sorry that you had the bad experience, but rest assured, direct bonded braces can allow for some dental work including root canal treatments.  This is because the bracket (brace) is placed on the front surface of the teeth, leaving the other surfaces clear.  If dental work is needed that includes the front surfaces then the brace in that area can be removed and replaced.  I hope this answers your question.

Robert Waxler, DMD, MS · Answer

It is very easy to get a root canal treatment with braces as the access is on the tongue side of the front teeth.

	Anytime a tooth is traumatized it can eventually go bad and require a root canal...even 10 or 20 years after.,  As the front teeth are the most common teeth to get banged as a kid it is no suprise that you might need tx....but it was not the orthodontic treatment that caused the tooth to go bad.

Can a Root Canal Be Performed While the Person is Wearing Braces?

Answers (4)

Answer: Root canal with braces

Answer: Root canal with braces

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Can a Root Canal Be Performed While the Person is Wearing Braces?

Answers (4)

Answer: Root canal with braces

Answer: Root canal with braces

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Everything you need to know about Braces

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