Some patients wonder if Invisalign will still be an option for them if they have existing dental work including implants, crowns and veneers. We explain how this might be possible.
Do you have complex bite issues, mild crowding or sleep apnea? Your dentist might recommend that you consider Invisalign as a treatment option to help straighten your teeth and resolve orthodontic issues. With many adults deciding to straighten their smile later in life, it's more likely that many of these individuals will have advanced dental work including crowns, implants and veneers.
Fortunately, you might still be a candidate for Invisalign if one of these additional treatments are already in place.
How can missing teeth impact my smile?
While missing teeth are a fairly common problem, this serious issue can have a significant negative impact on your oral health. Beyond leaving a gap in your mouth, missing teeth can also lead to misalignment in your remaining teeth and bite, and even gradual bone loss.
You might not also notice that wrinkles are becoming more pronounced. Fortunately, even if you've had dental treatments such as dental implants or others to replace missing teeth, you might still be able to use Invisalign.
Invisalign After Veneers
If you'd like to change the shape, size or colour of a tooth, your dentist might recommend porcelain veneers. These cosmetic, custom-fit dental restorations can make your teeth appear more even.
However, if you also have misalignment and other oral health issues Invisalign may also be recommended to help straighten your teeth, or correct misalignment issues or bite problems and other oral health issues that you may be dealing with after dental veneers have been placed.
Invisalign After Crowns
If you are wearing bridges or crowns, you and your dentist will likely encounter a few potential issues if you are also considering Invisalign. For Invisalign to be right for you, your teeth should be well-rooted and your crowns should be attached and firmly sealed to your teeth.
If you decide to use Invisalign with a crown, you won't need to have brackets attached to your teeth, which will help avoid the issue of the crown detaching from your teeth or becoming loose. Your dentist might also use a clear attachment on your teeth to protect the crown.
Invisalign After Dental Implants
Depending on the nature of your dental issue, Invisalign may be recommended before dental implants are placed as part of your custom treatment plan. That said, you and your dentist might need to think about other options if he or she suspects you need more bone support in your jaw or your jawbone may deteriorate by the time you receive your implant.
If required, the dentist can place dental implants during your Invisalign treatment. Your dentist will need to determine the proper sequence based on your needs. Keep in mind that the dental implant will be permanent.
It might also be possible to start Invisalign treatment after dental implants. If your dentist determines this is an option, a treatment plan will be created for you to address the teeth surrounding the implant to help you achieve a straighter smile overall.
Each case is unique and each individual patient will have special needs and circumstances. Whichever restorations or other dental work you may have, talk to your dentist about your best options for repairing your bite problems or other issues with your dentist.