Dental implants are rightly regarded as the best form of tooth replacement. If you previously lost a tooth and now have an implant, you can feel good about your decision to get one! However, you might be curious about how your prosthetic tooth will impact your ability to undergo other treatments, such as orthodontic care. Can you still get braces with a dental implant? Continue reading to learn more about how these treatments might affect one another.
Dental Implants Cannot Move
Natural teeth are not embedded directly into the jawbone. Rather, they are attached to it via small, stretchy pieces of tissue known as periodontal ligaments. The ligaments give your teeth the capacity to move. With the help of braces, your teeth can be shifted into their ideal positions. The jawbone remodels around them as they slowly make their way toward their places.
In contrast, dental implants are prosthetic tooth roots that fuse with the jawbone. Therefore, they do not have the same capacity for movement as natural teeth. Attempting to shift them with braces could harm the implants or the nearby tissues.
That information might sound a bit disheartening, but there is reason to be optimistic! In fact, most people with a dental implant can undergo successful orthodontic treatment.
Planning Orthodontic Treatment Around Your Implant
Before you start treatment with braces or clear aligners, your care team will take some X-rays of your teeth. That will allow them, not just to understand the positioning of each member of your smile, but also to identify the exact location of your dental implant. With that information, they will be able to start planning the details of your treatment. Dentists and orthodontists frequently help patients with dental implants and other types of prosthetic teeth, so you can be confident that the future is bright for your smile!
Your orthodontic care provider may simply choose not to place a bracket on your implant tooth, which will prevent your braces from placing pressure on it. They will also be cautious when planning the movements of nearby teeth in order to minimize the risk of damage to your implant. Even though the implant itself is not able to move, it is likely that the rest of your smile can be shifted in a way that leads to an improved bite and better facial aesthetics.
Learn More During Your Consultation
Your prosthetic tooth is just one factor that will affect whether or not orthodontic treatment is right for you. Trust your care team to provide information and recommendations that will allow you to enjoy the healthiest smile possible.
Meet the Practice
The experienced and skilled team at Wellesley Dental Group is proud to provide comprehensive oral health services for our community, including dental implants and several types of orthodontic treatment. If you would like to replace a lost tooth or straighten your teeth, we are ready to answer your questions. Get in touch with our office at 781-691-4914.