Can You Get Braces if You Have Crowns or Veneers?

More adults are looking to get their teeth straightened to perfect their smiles but wonder if braces are compatible with past dental procedures, like crowns and veneers. After all, time and money has been spent on past procedures and you don’t want to ruin the work. Fortunately, you can have braces with crowns or veneers.

Both traditional braces and Invisalign are available to patients with past dental work; your orthodontist will assess you for which orthodontic treatment is better.

Why You Should Get Braces

You can get braces regardless of your age. Some of the reasons you would considering having your teeth straightened include:

• Correcting an overbite or underbite to have a more natural smile
• Helping with eating and chewing
• To improve the appearance of your smile and fix crooked teeth
• To relieve pressure on TMJ (temporomandibular joint) by improving the bite/occlusion, which possibly provides relief to one’s TMD, or temporomandibular disorder.

What Type of Braces Work with Crown?

All types of braces work with existing and future dental work. The type that is best will be determined by your orthodontist based on the course of treatment that is needed. There are two main choices for braces: clear plastic liners or traditional metal braces. While adults may prefer to have the clear liners that blend in more, metal braces may be needed in some cases.

Invisalign, the leading brand in plastic aligners, can be custom fitted over an existing crown or bridge. Orthodontists can design the aligners to fit over existing dental work, making them more comfortable for the patient. Many patients prefer this style, especially adults, as they are less noticeable than traditional braces.

Metal braces are fitted to crowns and veneers the same way they are fitted with natural teeth in most cases, but a different adhesive is used for the brackets to adhere to the artificial tooth. However, depending on the existing dental work, the type of brackets and adhesive will need to be altered. (e.g., instead of using brackets, bands may need to be used.)

Do Braces Damage Crowns or Veneers?

Braces do not damage previous dental work. Your orthodontist will make sure your mouth is ready; if there is any other dental work needed, it will be required to be completed before braces. Any dental conditions, such as cavities or gum disease, should be addressed before starting any major dental work like braces.

There is no risk of complications when getting braces as long as your diagnosis is correct and treatment is determined while incorporating the needs of the patient. You might need to get new crowns or veneers after braces if there is a recession after you have had your braces. Recession can occur if you have poor oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment and if the crowns or veneers are improperly fabricated (e.g., margins of the crowns are impinging on the gingiva).

If your crowns or veneers do get damaged, it would be superficial at the surface. Depending on the location of the crown or veneer, you may want to have them replaced or leave them as is once the braces are removed.

When you have braces, it is very important to maintain a high standard of oral health. This includes going to all orthodontist appointments, following your orthodontist’s instructions,  proper home hygiene care, and regular checkups to your family dentist.

Braces and Dental Implants

Unlike veneers or crowns that are placed over the existing teeth, an implant replaces the whole tooth. They are directly inserted into the jaw bone with a titanium rod then a crown is attached to it on top.

While implants cannot be moved once placed, you can still get braces if you have an implant. Your orthodontist will develop a treatment plan around the implant. The implant may be used as an anchor, depending on your treatment.

Ideally, if you haven’t received the implant yet but need one, your orthodontist will evaluate the situation and create a course of treatment to position the existing dentition in the right location before the implant is placed. The orthodontic treatment plan will be determined by coordinating with your family dentist. As with any course of treatment, It’s best to speak to your orthodontist first and discuss options.

Conclusion

Anyone can get braces, even those with previous dental work. Whether you have crowns, veneers, or even an implant, you can straighten your teeth and improve your overall oral health. Using a board certified orthodontist like Dr. Park ensures that every question and need will be addressed leaving you with a confident smile.