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If you're getting braces or Invisalign or you area parent managing a kid's ortho treatment on top of regular dental visits you have probably wondered: can my orthodontist handle a cavity while I'm already in the chair? It's one of the most common questions we hear from patients across Wyomissing, Reading, and the greater Berks County area, so let's clear it up.
Orthodontists, like Dr. Molly Hottenstein, are dental specialists who focus on correcting teeth and jaw alignment issues. They undergo additional years of training beyond dental school to master the complexities of braces, clear aligners, and other orthodontic appliances. While they are capable of identifying cavities during routine check-ups, treating them is not their primary focus.
Orthodontists like Dr. Molly Hottenstein are dental specialists. After dental school, they complete an additional two to three years of specialty training focused entirely on teeth and jaw alignment, braces, clear aligners, palate expanders, bite correction, and jaw development.
That specialized focus is exactly what you want when you're straightening your smile. But it also means cavities, fillings, and cleanings fall outside the day-to-day scope of an orthodontic office.
Think of your general dentist as your teeth's primary care provider. They handle routine cleanings, exams, fillings, crowns, and general oral health. Many families in the area see practices throughout Wyomissing, West Reading, and Sinking Spring for this everyday care.
Your orthodontist, on the other hand, is the specialist you see for a specific job: correcting crooked teeth, crowding, overbites, underbites, and other alignment issues. You'll visit our Wyomissing office regularly during treatment, but those visits are focused on moving your teeth, not filling them.
Technically, orthodontists have the dental training to identify cavities and Dr. Hottenstein absolutely will flag anything concerning she spots during your adjustment visits. But for the actual filling, you'll be referred back to your general dentist, who has the equipment, materials, and workflow to treat decay properly.
The good news? This isn't an inconvenience. it's how you get the best care. Your dentist and your orthodontist each do what they do best.
During orthodontic treatment, your dentist and orthodontist function as a team. If a cavity develops mid-treatment, Dr. Hottenstein can coordinate with your dentist in some cases temporarily adjusting your appliance so the filling can be placed, then getting your treatment right back on track.
And here's the long-term payoff: orthodontic treatment actually helps prevent cavities. Straight, properly aligned teeth are significantly easier to brush and floss, which means fewer places for plaque and bacteria to hide for the rest of your life.
This surprises some patients: you should keep your regular dental cleanings throughout orthodontic treatment every six months, or as your dentist recommends. Braces brackets and wires create extra nooks where plaque builds up, so professional cleanings matter more during treatment, not less.
A few tips for staying cavity-free with braces or aligners:
Whether you're starting braces, considering Invisalign, or just sorting out who to call for what, our team is happy to help. Molly Hottenstein Orthodontics is located at 1250 Broadcasting Road in Wyomissing, just off Route 222, convenient for patients throughout Reading, West Reading, Shillington, Sinking Spring, and the surrounding Berks County communities.
Call us today at (484) 258-2299 or request an appointment online. Your smile and your dentist will thank you!
@ Molly Hottenstein Orthodontics 2020
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