Can Teeth Be Straightened After Implants: What You Need to Know

Dental implants have revolutionized the field of dentistry, offering a durable solution for missing teeth. However, if you’ve undergone implant surgery but still have misaligned teeth, you might wonder if they can be straightened. The good news is that teeth can be straightened after implants in many cases.

The good news is that having dental implants doesn’t necessarily prevent you from straightening your other teeth. Implants act as artificial tooth roots, surgically placed in your jawbone. Unlike natural teeth, implants are fixed and cannot be moved by orthodontic treatments like braces or clear aligners. However, this doesn’t mean your smile makeover is off the table.

Here’s why straightening teeth after implants is possible:

Implant Stability

Implants are incredibly stable due to osseointegration, a process where the jawbone fuses with the titanium post. This stability allows orthodontists to use your implants as anchor points to move your surrounding teeth into their ideal positions.

Orthodontic Techniques

Modern orthodontic techniques like braces and clear aligners (Invisalign) can precisely control the movement of your natural teeth. By strategically placing brackets or attachments on your teeth, orthodontists can carefully shift them without affecting the implants.

Implant Placement (if needed)

If you haven’t already received implants for missing teeth, this will be the first step. The implant surgery involves placing the titanium posts in your jawbone and allowing them to heal and integrate over several months.

Orthodontic Treatment

Once the implants are fully integrated, you’ll begin your orthodontic treatment. Braces or clear aligners will be placed on your natural teeth, applying gentle pressure to move them gradually into their desired positions.

Monitoring and Adjustments

Throughout treatment, your dentist or orthodontist will closely monitor your progress and make adjustments to the braces or aligners as needed. This ensures optimal tooth movement and alignment.

Completion and Refinement

Once your teeth have reached their ideal positions, the braces or aligners will be removed. You might need to wear a retainer for some time to maintain the alignment.

The optimal treatment order – implants first or braces first – depends on your specific situation. Here’s a breakdown of the two approaches:

Implants First

This approach is suitable if you have missing teeth and require implants for aesthetic and functional reasons. Once the implants are integrated, you can proceed with orthodontic treatment to straighten the surrounding teeth.

Braces First

This approach might be preferable if you have mild to moderate misalignment and want to address crowding before implant placement. Straightening your existing teeth can sometimes create space for implant placement, eliminating the need for additional procedures to move teeth afterward.

If you have a dental implant and are considering teeth straightening to enhance your smile, the dental team of Ammons Dental is here to assist you. Don’t delay achieving your ideal smile; reach out to us today. We’re eager to guide you toward the smile you’ve always wanted, even if you have dental implants.

Fizzing drinks like sodas and energy beverages contain high levels of sugar and acids, which can wear away enamel and harm the health of dental implants. Moreover, consuming these sugary beverages heightens the likelihood of experiencing a dental infection or inflammation in the area surrounding the implant.

Typically, it takes approximately 3 to 4 weeks for dental implants to heal sufficiently for normal eating habits to resume.

Despite having comprehensive dental insurance, your coverage may only extend to 50% of your treatment expenses. For instance, if the total cost of an implant amounts to $4,000, your insurance plan would contribute $2,000 (following the payment of your deductible), leaving you responsible for the remaining $2,000.