Can I Get Braces if I Have Dental Implants?

Thinking about making some big, life-changing investments in your smile, like restoring your missing teeth with dental implants and aligning and beautifying your grin with orthodontic treatment? If you haven’t already gotten dental implants, it may be a good time to consider undergoing orthodontic treatment first. Read on to learn why getting braces after you get dental implants isn’t ideal and how it could impact your future plans for your smile.

What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants aren’t like other traditional restorative treatments. They restore the entire structure of a tooth, including the roots that are hidden below the surface of the gums. Implants themselves are made of a biocompatible metal, called titanium, that’s able to naturally fuse with the jawbone through a process called osseointegration, which can take between three and six months.

Once this occurs and your gums have healed from the surgery, your periodontist will be able to attach a small, metal connector piece to your implant, and sometime later, your free-standing replacement teeth. The type of restoration you receive will depend on how many teeth you’re missing, but it can be a crown, bridge, full denture, or a combination of these.

Is it Possible to Get Braces After Dental Implants?

Unlike the roots of your natural teeth that are connected to the bone by fleshy ligament and tissue, the implants are fused and unmovable within the bone. Because of this, your braces will shift everything except for your replacement teeth. This could ultimately impact the process of bringing your teeth into alignment with each other. For this reason, it’s recommended that you undergo orthodontic treatment before getting dental implants, so your periodontist can place your new teeth in their aligned positions.

The Benefits of Undergoing Orthodontic Treatment Before Dental Implants

By getting braces or Invisalign treatment before dental implants, you’ll be able to enjoy a variety of benefits, including a straighter smile after your tooth replacement procedure and improved oral health with a reduced risk of common dental problems. Although it means you have to wait a little longer to enjoy a complete smile again, it’ll be well worth the end results!

About the Author

Dr. Justin Braga has over 15 years of experience as a Board-Certified Periodontist. In addition to spending much of his dental rotations treating complex cases, he has also attained countless hours and training on dental implant surgery. As a specialist, he focuses on start-to-finish dental implant treatment to restore and rejuvenate smiles affected by tooth loss. To schedule a consultation or learn more, visit Huntington Beach Periodontics & Dental Implants’ website or call 714-587-9094.