Kate's Fear of TMJ

Can You Get Braces If You Have Dental Implants?

Teeth can continue to shift as you age, so the teeth that were straight when you were a teen are now out of alignment. If you have implants, these will stay in place while the natural teeth around them shift. It's possible to get braces if you have implants. This guide will help you know what to expect.

Causes of Shifting

You maybe wondering why your previously straight teeth are now crooked. Common causes of shifting teeth are having teeth pulled, such as wisdom teeth, gum disease, or injury. Even if you had orthodontics as a youth, shifting can continue to occur as you age. This is especially true if you have any gaps between your teeth. Once the underlying cause of the shift is treated, such as healing the gums, braces may be recommended to straighten the teeth.

Implant Basics

Implants are metal rods that are inserted into the jawbone, where they can then support a crown or false tooth. The rod is the actual implant, not the visible tooth. Unlike your natural teeth, implants are fixed in place so they cannot be moved with orthodontics.

Implants and Braces

Your implants will likely pose no challenge to your orthodontist if your teeth were previously in alignment when the implants were placed. In fact, they may use your implant placement as anchor points for the braces, since the implants were placed in the most optimum place and they are immune to further shifting.

There may be a concern if the implants were placed when your teeth were out of alignment, though. Your orthodontist may need to remove the implants and reposition them. Usually, alignment is done first, and then the implants are replaced once you have the braces removed.

Other Options

Another concern of many adults when it comes to braces and implants is the appearance of their mouth during treatment. The good news is that invisible orthodontic treatments, like Invisalign, are still a viable option with implants. Much like traditional braces, your orthodontist will decide whether they can work around your implant or if it will need to be moved, and then they will act accordingly.

Before making the final decision, meet with a local orthodontist so they can make a full assessment of your teeth and the existing implants. They will then be able to develop a treatment plan that specifically matches your dental needs and preferences and that is likely to yield the most successful results.


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