Achieving a straighter smile with braces is still possible even if you already have dental implants or other restorations. Our orthodontists in Surrey explain why you might need braces after getting a dental implant and what to expect.
Braces & Dental Implants
Dental implants are designed to replace teeth lost due to injury or decay. They consist of a titanium post that the dentist inserts into the jaw to replace the missing tooth. The dentist or dental surgeon will then attach a prosthetic crown – the visible part of the tooth – which functions like a regular tooth.
Braces are made of metal or ceramic, wires, and bonding material that attaches them to your teeth. They are used to correct crowded or crooked teeth or a misaligned jaw, known as malocclusion.
You may be considering getting orthodontic treatment after a dental implant is placed, and this can lead you to wonder if you can get braces with a false tooth.
Can I get braces with dental implants?
The simple answer is yes. It's important to recognize that, unlike natural teeth that are anchored by the periodontal ligament (a piece of connective tissue), implants are fused directly to the jawbone and can't be adjusted with braces. So, while the implant cannot be moved with braces, you can still straighten the natural teeth around it.
Treatment Planning for Braces With Dental Implants
If you have a dental implant, the treatment plan for your braces will depend on several factors, including the location of the implant, the condition of your teeth, and your overall oral health. If you do not yet have a dental implant but one is planned, your dentist may recommend using braces before placing the implant to ensure proper alignment.
If your implant is already in place, braces can still be effective with careful planning and coordination between your orthodontist and the surgeon who placed the dental implant. This collaboration helps maintain the safety and integrity of your implant throughout the process. With expert guidance, you can achieve a straighter smile without compromising the success of your implant.
Orthodontic treatment with a dental implant is similar to treatment with all natural teeth. Braces will be attached to your teeth, and you'll need to visit your orthodontist for regular checkups and adjustments. Depending on the location of your implant, a bracket may or may not be attached to it. If a bracket is attached, your orthodontist may use your implant as an anchor point to help move the other teeth effectively.
Getting Braces Before Implants
If you are considering both orthodontics and dental implants, it’s often recommended to get braces first. This approach is ideal because once an implant is placed, it becomes fixed in the jaw and doesn’t have the flexibility of a natural tooth.
Starting with orthodontic treatment can also help create the necessary space for the new implant and ensure that the surrounding teeth are properly aligned. This may lead to better results and a smoother transition to dental implants.
Getting Braces After Implants
In some cases, placing a dental implant before starting orthodontic treatment may be acceptable. If the teeth surrounding the implant are not to be treated with braces, placing the implant ahead of time is generally fine.
Our teeth can shift as we age, making the dental implant appear out of place over time. As long as the implant is positioned correctly, braces can be used to move the surrounding teeth as needed in these situations. However, if your implant is not positioned correctly, it may look misaligned once your other teeth are straightened.
In this case, your orthodontist will need to work with you to make a decision. You will either need to have the implant removed, undergo orthodontic treatment, and then replace the implant after the braces are taken off, which can be costly, or you will undergo orthodontic treatment with the understanding that the dental implant will remain in the same position.
Considerations When Getting Braces After Dental Implants
Orthodontists consider several factors before placing braces on teeth adjacent to dental implants. One key aspect is whether the orthodontic treatment targets teeth that are located near the implants or not. For instance, it is possible to straighten the front teeth with braces while having implants in the back.
It’s important to remember that dental implants are not natural teeth. They are securely fixed into the jawbone, so they do not move like natural teeth, which have a ligament that allows for movement. In some situations, a dental implant may be used as an anchor to help control the movement of specific teeth. In this scenario, the implant acts as a post, working with the braces to reposition natural teeth by pulling them toward or away from the implanted tooth.