You only have one set of adult teeth, and they need to last until you are 80, 90, or beyond. The actions you take towards your teeth today will either benefit you or harm you in the future. Of course, good dental care starts with seeing a dentist regularly. You should go in for cleanings and checkups, and any other time you think something might be amiss with your teeth. Education is important when it comes to any aspect of your health, so start reading the articles on this website to educate yourself about dentists and dental care. We promise that when you're 80 and you still have your teeth, you won't regret the time spent.
The Tooth of the Matter: A Dental Blog
Dental Implants Before And After Orthodontics
Sofia Curtis
If you want a dental implant but also want to have your teeth straightened, then you may be trying to decide on whether you should work with your dentist to have the implant secured before or after the orthodontic treatment. Well, there are cases where it is wise to get implants beforehand, while other situations should involve implant treatments after teeth straightening.
After Orthodontics
If your missing tooth is an obvious one that sits in the front of the mouth, then you may want to have it replaced as soon as possible. However, if the surrounding teeth are crooked, then these teeth may take up some of the gap space. Also, the gap may be moved a small amount, especially if the tooth was not positioned correctly before you lost it.
While it may seem like an easy choice to just have the implant placed and then shifted around, this is not something that you can do. The natural teeth are moved through pressure by stretching out the ligaments that attach the teeth to the jaw bone. This keeps the tooth from loosening as it is moved around the mouth. Unfortunately, dental implants do not have any ligaments. They attach directly to the jaw bone and they are solidified in place. In essence, the implant root merges with the jaw, kind of like an anchor in a piece of concrete.
So, you want to schedule your implant placement after your orthodontic work. And, you should speak with your orthodontist and implant dentist to make sure that a space-saving device is inserted so there is more than enough space for the implant tooth when you are ready.
Before Orthodontics
As previously mentioned, the dental implant is an immovable device that is inserted directly into the bone. This can serve as an advantage if the other teeth in the mouth must be shifted around, but not the implant tooth. Specifically, the implant can serve as an anchor to attach appliances and wires to. The anchor will withstand appliance pressure and the natural teeth will be forced to move in response to the stress.
Keep in mind that a dental implant can only be an anchor once the entirety of the healing process is over. This means securing the implant and waiting for several months until the orthodontics can begin.
In addition to the implant tooth, other anchors can also be inserted into the jaw to help with orthodontic movements. The anchors can be secured at the same time as the implant device, so speak with your surgeon to see if they suggest this.
Share