Braces for adults have become increasingly popular in recent years, meaning many orthodontic patients have already had – or would like to have – other dental treatments. Some adults wonder if braces are compatible with the crowns, dental implants, and fillings they have gotten over the years or may want to get in the future. That’s where we can help! As your braces experts in Palmetto Bay, our office aims to answer adults’ dental questions and find the best orthodontic solution for their smiles. Although every patient’s situation is unique, here are some of the basics about getting braces with crowns, implants, and fillings.
Can I Have Braces with Crowns?
If you already have crowns from previous dental treatment and have now decided that you want your teeth straightened, you can still have braces. With traditional metal braces, brackets will just adhere to the crowns with a different kind of adhesive than with natural teeth. Invisalign is another great option for orthodontic patients who have crowns. This innovative system consists of a series of clear, removable plastic retainers that don’t require an adhesive.
Crowns can also be used at the end of orthodontic treatment to give your teeth a total smile transformation. For instance, once the teeth have been straightened with braces, crowns can be applied to mask the color or shape of the teeth themselves. With braces and crowns, the teeth can be straight enough to properly chew food for digestion, while also displaying a bright, straightened appearance.
Do Braces and Fillings Work Together?
It’s more common than you might think for people with fillings to seek orthodontic treatment. In fact, crooked teeth might have been part of the reason you were prone to cavities in the first place since food accumulates in gaps between the teeth. Crowded teeth are also difficult to clean thoroughly, which contributes to cavities and other oral issues.
Your orthodontist will start by assessing your whole mouth to determine how to proceed with braces and fillings. The material of your fillings shouldn’t affect your treatment, but bigger fillings may require spacers, which are rubber bands placed around the tooth to provide space for a bracket and bands. That being said, any cavities that you have currently will need to be filled before beginning your orthodontic treatment.
We hope that you won’t acquire cavities while wearing braces, but if you do, you can still get a filling during orthodontic treatment. However, braces are difficult to maneuver around, and occasionally a bracket will need to be removed to get the job done. Really cavities during orthodontic treatment should be avoided at all costs. If you need advice on how to clean your teeth with braces, please feel free to ask us any questions you might have!
Can I Have Dental Implants and Braces?
While pre-existing dental implants can’t be moved with braces, people who have missing teeth can have new dental implants placed once their orthodontic treatment is completed. That way, the other teeth are already in position, so the dental implant can be positioned correctly in the space that is left between the newly-straightened teeth. Dental implants and braces are an option that your orthodontist can discuss with you based on your individual needs.
Straighten Your Smile with the Experts at Smiles of Palmetto Bay
We love to see adults who are excited to make an investment in their oral health with orthodontics! Our Palmetto Bay office is well prepared to accommodate previous and future dental work with our variety of treatments. If you have more questions about braces with crowns, braces, and fillings or dental implants and braces, we are more than happy to talk you through them. Schedule a free consultation to learn more about braces today!