Can You Get Braces with Implants?

Orthodontic treatment is highly effective for improving the appearance of your smile but also boosting your dental health. If you are considering orthodontic treatment, but you have dental implants for missing teeth, then you’ll be pleased to know that you may still be eligible for braces. Although there are many factors to take into consideration, braces can work together with dental implants.

Dental implants are the gold standard for tooth replacement and offer a permanent, fixed solution for missing teeth. Braces are used to correct misalignment issues of the teeth and bite disorders to improve the aesthetics of your smile and reduce dental health issues. Together, braces and implants can significantly improve your dental health and well-being. 

Implants can act as anchor points as they are fixed into the jaw and cannot move. This makes them a stable foundation for moving natural teeth into a neater formation. This can shorten treatment duration and enhance results. Additionally, implants keep your smile complete and aesthetically pleasing during treatment.

However, there are many factors to consider when combining braces and implants, and not all patients may be eligible. Your orthodontist will carry out a thorough evaluation to assess your eligibility and put together an alternative treatment plan if necessary.  

In this article we will explore how dental implants interact with braces, factors which affect eligibility and the benefits and the limitations of getting braces with implants. 

Understanding Dental Implants

Dental implants provide a fixed and permanent solution for replacing missing teeth. They can be used to replace a single tooth or multiple teeth depending on your individual requirements. They are strong and resilient and consist of three main parts. The implant itself is surgically inserted into the bone socket of your missing tooth. An abutment is attached to the implant once it is fixed in place and this acts as a connector to the crown itself which replaces your missing tooth. Dental implants look and feel like your natural teeth. With good oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist, they can last for the rest of your life. 

How Braces Work

There are many different types of braces. Fixed or metal braces are the most common and can be used to treat a full range of orthodontic issues. They consist of metal brackets and an archwire which are attached to the front surface of your teeth and provide constant pressure to push the teeth into a neater formation. The wire itself requires regular adjustment or tightening to continue to apply pressure to the teeth until they are aligned correctly. As the teeth move, the periodontal ligaments surrounding them stretch or compress, and new bone forms to support the teeth in their new positions. This is done to improve the appearance of your smile but also to encourage better dental health.

Dental Implants and the Orthodontic Movement

Dental implants can interact with orthodontic treatment in various ways. Implants are fixed directly into the jawbone which means they are immobile unlike natural teeth. This can be beneficial but also a challenge.

The implant can act as a stable anchor for applying forces to the surrounding natural teeth, until they are neatly aligned. However, the implant itself cannot be moved by braces, which must be considered during orthodontic treatment planning. The position of the implant will stay the same, which may affect the overall alignment of your teeth. Excessive force can compromise the implant so this will need to be considered beforehand.

Strategic Orthodontic Planning

The orthodontist and implantologist need to collaborate to determine whether or not braces are suitable with implants on a case by case basis. There should be no risk of damage to the implant itself. Also it should be evaluated whether the position of the implant will affect the desired result for which braces are being considered in the first place. 

Partial Treatment Options

In certain cases, patients may not need full orthodontic treatment but can still benefit from combining braces and dental implants. Partial treatment options, such as clear aligners or limited orthodontic appliances, can focus on moving specific teeth without affecting the implants. The implants can serve as stable anchors, helping facilitate the process effectively.

Recent Advances in Orthodontic Techniques

Advances in orthodontics have improved the possibility of combining braces with dental implants. For example, the use of temporary skeletal anchorage devices (TSADs). TSADs provide extra anchors for precise and controlled tooth movement, even with dental implants. This helps address complex orthodontic issues while ensuring seamless integration of dental implants into the overall treatment plan without compromising orthodontic outcomes.

Limitations in Movement

Dental implants have been designed to be fixed in place. This means they cannot be moved by orthodontic forces. they will remain in their fixed position even when the teeth around them are moved. This may affect the overall aesthetics of the teeth and should be noted at the onset of the treatment. 

Assessment and Planning by Professionals

As with all dental treatments and procedures, your orthodontist will need to carry out a thorough examination of your teeth and gums to begin with. Any dental health issues should be treated beforehand. The health of your implant will also need to be considered. A healthy implant is more likely to withstand the forces exerted by braces. If you are eligible then the orthodontist will decide what type of braces are most suitable for you, how long the process will take and give you an idea of the predicted results. 

Risks and Patient Considerations

There are many factors to consider when combining braces with implants. For example the implant itself should be well integrated. Excessive forces can affect the integrity of the implant or the health of the surrounding bone and tissue. This can cause implant failure.

If possible orthodontic treatment should be carried out before dental implants surgery so that your teeth are neatly aligned to begin with. Once the implant is in place it will help maintain the new formation of your teeth further. If the implant is already in place then where possible alternative orthodontic appliances should be considered rather than a full set of braces which place pressure on the implants. 

Navigating Your Options

There are many factors to consider if you would like to undergo orthodontic treatment after dental implant surgery. Orthodontic treatment has many benefits including improving the aesthetics of your smile and promoting better dental health, however having braces after dental implants can affect the integrity of your implant. It can even cause implant failure. Dental implants have been designed to last for the rest of your life so together with your orthodontist you will need to consider the benefits and the limitations before you proceed.

A thorough dental examination will help your orthodontist put together the best treatment plan for you. When successful, the combination of braces with implants can significantly improve the appearance of your smile and also improve your oral health and well-being so speak to your orthodontist to find out more.