Can I get braces with an existing dental implant?

Doctor's Answers 1

If the implant has not been done, it’s always better to do the braces first because once the implant goes in it cannot be moved. What we like to do is to align the teeth first to get the perfect biting position then we put the implant in.

However, if the implant has already been placed, your child can still get braces. What the orthodontist has to do is to shift the teeth around the implant. It’s like having to move everything around the implant so it’s actually harder for them to do it.

So yes, it can still be done but it’s better to do the braces first then put the implant in.

For example, let’s say I fell and broke my front tooth and I need braces to correct my alignment. What happens is that, rather than locking an implant in, the orthodontist will shift the teeth while leaving a gap in preparation for an implant.

But of course, you wouldn’t walk around with a hole right? If you’re using Invisalign, what the orthodontist might do is to colour it in on the retainers to fake a tooth. If you’re getting metal braces, they will paste a fake tooth on the metal and just hook it up.

Similar Questions

What are the main considerations in getting braces treatment after dental implants?

Dental implants are osseointegrated, meaning they are fused directing to bone and hence cannot be altered in position. Braces treatment involves moving teeth towards a final aesthetic and functional outcome.

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Should I get dental implants or braces for a front lower teeth gap due to removing baby teeth in my adulthood?

Losing a baby tooth later in life always presents as a dilemma for patients. Certainly a missing front tooth affects our confidence as it is in a visible region. This is often a multidisciplinary problem and best assessed by an orthodontist who work closely with a restorative dentist.

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