Can I Get Orthodontic Treatment if I Have Dental Implants?

If you’d like to straighten your smile with the help of orthodontics, the good news is that there’s no such thing as being “too old” to align your bite. But as we age, we may have undergone dental work that could make braces or Invisalign a bit more complicated. If you’ve had dental implants, it may seem like changing the alignment is impossible, but the good news is that contrary to what you might think, you can still get orthodontic treatment with dental implants. Here’s what you need to know.

The Unique Positioning of Dental Implants

Unlike dental crowns, dental implants are different because they affect the root structure of your teeth. Using a titanium post inserted directly into the jawbone, dental implants completely replace the missing tooth’s structure. A crown is then secured to the top of the titanium post to mimic the appearance of the missing natural tooth.

This can complicate braces, however, as the post in your jaw is not moveable. But this doesn’t mean you simply cannot get braces. There are several options that your orthodontist can try to ensure that            you are able to align your smile even if you have one or more dental implants.

Dental Implant Options

One of the easiest ways to align your smile if you need dental implants is to begin orthodontic treatment before your implant is placed. Your orthodontist can rearrange your surrounding teeth and leave an open space for your implant once your orthodontic treatment is complete.

For implants that are already in place, there are still options for that, too. If the implant is not in the surrounding area, the implant itself can sometimes be avoided entirely.

In some cases, your orthodontist can use the dental implant as an anchor point to provide the necessary force to move your surrounding teeth or simply focus on other areas, so your teeth aren’t moved to be aligned with the dental implant.

Finally, as a last resort, your orthodontist can remove the implant, realign your teeth, and then replace the implant once your braces come off.

If you have dental implants, don’t automatically resign yourself to believing there’s simply no way to undergo orthodontic treatment. Schedule a consultation with your orthodontist today to learn more about your options.

About Our Practice

At Serenity Orthodontics, we are proud to help improve the smiles of patients of all ages. Whether you’re a child just starting out, or an adult needing repeat treatment or even treatment for the first time but with dental work such as dental implants, we’re here to assist you.

To learn more about how we can help align your smile no matter your age or stage of life, please schedule a consultation on our website!