Question: Why do you check for cavities at every orthodontic appointment? How do you determine if a tooth has a cavity?

Dr. Herman's Answer: I check for cavities at every orthodontic appointment because healthy teeth and gums are necessary for successful orthodontic treatments. I want my patients to have great results—that’s why I take the extra time to check for cavities. I use the "International Caries Detection and Assessment System." This system is based on visual inspection of a tooth and involves checking color, translucency, and dental hardness. When doing a 6 month dental exam, I also use X-ray images to assess for cavities. If a patient does have a cavity we discuss treatment options as well as ways to improve at home care to prevent future cavities.