Dental implants are the gold standard of tooth replacement. If you lost a tooth in the past and now have a dental implant, you can be confident that you made a wise decision! However, you might wonder how your prosthetic tooth will affect your candidacy for other treatments, such as orthodontia. Can you still get braces if you have a dental implant? This blog post explains how these two treatments may affect each other.
Dental Implants Cannot Move
Natural teeth are attached to the jawbone via tiny ligaments. Those ligaments are stretchy, so they give your teeth a slight capacity for movement. Braces leverage that capacity. They gently apply pressure to the teeth, causing them to shift over time. The jawbone remodels around them as they move.
Dental implants, on the other hand, are fused directly to the surrounding bone tissue, meaning that they do not have the natural ability to move like natural teeth do. Attempting to move them with braces could damage the implants and/or the surrounding tissue.
That might sound a bit alarming, but there is no need to be disheartened! In fact, it is likely that you can get braces, even if you have a dental implant!
Planning Orthodontic Treatment Around Your Implant
During your orthodontic consultation, your dentist will likely order some X-rays. They will learn exactly where your implant is and gather other important information about the state of your teeth. Then, they can start planning the details of your treatment. Dentists and orthodontists frequently provide braces for patients with dental implants and other immovable restorations, such as bridges, so you can be confident that you are in good hands.
Your orthodontic team may simply not place a bracket on your implant tooth so your braces will not place any pressure on it. They will also be careful when shifting the surrounding teeth so as not to harm the implant or the surrounding tissue. Even though the implant cannot move, it is very likely that your other teeth can be repositioned in a way that helps you achieve an improved bite and enhanced aesthetics.
Learn More at a Consultation
Your dental implant is just one factor that will have a bearing on whether or not you can receive orthodontic treatment. During your consultation, your orthodontist or dentist will carefully analyze your unique situation before they make any recommendations. Hopefully, you will soon be on your way to a healthier and straighter smile!
Meet the Practice
All Dental is proud to provide comprehensive oral health services for members of our community, including dental implants, braces, and clear orthodontic aligners. If you are interested in straightening your teeth, we will do all we can to help you reach your goals. To learn more about how we may be able to assist you, contact our Westborough office at 508-217-7265.