Losing a tooth is never fun. And you may be worried that it could also stop you from getting braces! Whether you’ve lost teeth due to injury, decay, or anything else, you may wonder: Can you get braces with missing teeth?
Rest assured: yes, you can!
We’re no strangers to treating patients with missing teeth. By using braces, we can improve alignment, prevent shifting, and prepare you for future dental work. It’s not just about straightening your teeth. Braces play a crucial role in your oral health to ensure your jaw functions in a healthy way.
If you’re considering orthodontic treatment but have missing teeth, here’s what you need to know.
What Types of Braces Can I Use with Missing Teeth?
Traditional Braces
Traditional metal braces. You’ve definitely seen these! They’ve been around for a while (and for good reason.)
They’re just as good for someone with missing teeth as they are for any orthodontic candidate. These braces use brackets and wires to guide teeth into proper alignment. If you suffer from a missing tooth, metal braces are often a great place to start.
Invisalign
Invisalign is a clear aligner system that can work for some people with missing teeth. The aligners are custom-made and designed to shift teeth gradually.
Keep in mind that Invisalign might not be ideal for all cases. This true for anyone – but when you’re missing a tooth, the excessive spacing or bite issues could make Invisalign less effective than another option.
Lingual Braces
Imagine traditional braces, but they’re behind the teeth instead of in front. It makes them nearly invisible. That’s lingual braces! They work just like metal braces, but are helpful if you’re worried about the cosmetic side of orthodontic treatment.
They can work well for patients with missing teeth. They’ll align your remaining teeth while keeping the aesthetic appeal.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces work similarly to traditional braces but use clear or tooth-colored brackets. Similar to lingual braces, they provide a less noticeable treatment option. Of course, they’re still very effective for alignment issues and can be used for those with a missing tooth.
Benefits of Braces with Missing Teeth
It’s easy to focus on the aesthetic concerns of missing teeth. But they do a lot more than just alter the look of your smile… they can also impact your overall oral health!
Fortunately, braces offer a solution that goes beyond aesthetics. They hold your teeth in place, prevent them from shifting in undesired ways, and even clear the path for future dental work. Here’s how braces can truly make a difference if you have missing teeth.
Closing Gaps
When you’re missing a tooth, there’s an open space that can make your smile look uneven. But the problem is more than cosmetic – those gaps prompt nearby teeth to shift out of position, creating misalignment over time.
A big part of orthodontic treatment is to close up those gaps!
If there is a large gap that cannot be fully closed, braces can at least make some adjustments to enhance the way your teeth come together.
The outcome? A healthier bite and a smile that gives you confidence!
Preventing Tooth Drift
Your teeth are constantly under pressure. When one is missing, the surrounding teeth shift into the empty space. This shifting leads to crooked teeth, bite problems, and even problems with chewing. It’s also likely to complicate future dental work like an implant or bridge.
Braces work like tiny guides to keep your other teeth in their proper positions and prevent them from drifting into areas where they don’t belong.
Improving Oral Function and Health
When your teeth are properly aligned, they spread the chewing force evenly, so there is less wear and tear on some teeth. And having them lined up makes it easy to brush and floss, which keeps gum disease and cavities away.
A good bite can even relax the stress on your jaw! This will reduce the possibility of TMJ issues and discomfort.
Ultimately, you’ll be creating a healthier basis for your entire mouth.
Preparing for Future Dental Work
If you’re thinking of having a partial denture, bridge, or implant inserted to fill that gap where the missing tooth was, spacing is crucial. Braces will prevent the neighboring teeth from pushing in or tilting into the empty space, allowing your dentist to just pop a new tooth in its place, exactly where it needs to go.
If you have treatment done initially, you can completely enhance the long-term success of any subsequent dental procedure. In essence, braces position you for a fantastic future smile.
Strategies to Deal with Missing Teeth during Orthodontic Treatment
Tooth loss does not need to ruin your smile. With the proper strategy using orthodontics, you can close those gaps, leave some room available, and allow future corrections to fit right in. Here’s the way braces can assist with missing teeth during treatment.
Just Letting Braces Handle It
When the space created by a missing tooth is minor, braces typically can shift the teeth surrounding it to completely close it off. This is the ideal situation when there is no need for a replacement tooth and the surrounding teeth can naturally fill in. By gradually shifting the neighboring teeth together, braces seal the gap without impacting the balance and function of the bite.
Creating Space for Future Repairs
Not every gap needs to be filled in. If you’re thinking of getting an implant, bridge, or whatever in the future, it’s absolutely important to leave space so it will fit.
Braces can align the teeth around it while leaving that empty space just so for whatever you’re going to put in later. In a few situations, orthodontists will use space maintainers to keep teeth from moving around but still get everything aligned nicely.
Combo Treatment Options: The Best of Both Worlds
For some, the best answer is… why not both! Braces can move teeth into their ideal position, setting the stage for an implant or bridge to complete the smile. It guarantees that replacement teeth fit and work well in a healthy, properly aligned bite.
The combo of orthodontics with restorative dentistry often means better outcomes.
Can You Get Braces with Dental Implants?
Braces and dental implants can work together, but the treatment approach depends on whether the implant is already in place or planned for the future. Since implants are fixed in the jawbone (meaning they aren’t supposed to move), orthodontic adjustments must be carefully planned to ensure proper alignment without affecting the implant.
1. If Working with Existing Dental Implants
Braces have the ability to straighten neighboring natural teeth even if an implant is already in place. Since orthodontists are not able to move an implant, they use strategies like segmental braces or specially designed aligners to maneuver other teeth into more desirable positions with the implant safeguarded.
In some cases, the implant can even help move neighboring teeth. To achieve the best results, orthodontists work together with implant specialists to plan the treatment.
2. If Preparing for Future Dental Implants
If an implant is part of the plan, braces can create the ideal space and alignment in advance. This allows for an accurate, natural-looking fit and well-balanced bite. When crowding is present around the area of the missing tooth, orthodontic treatment can open the space, eliminating difficulties with implant placement.
Straightening teeth beforehand allows patients to enjoy better long-term function and aesthetics after the implant is placed.
Frequently Asked Questions About Braces for Missing Teeth
Can you get braces with bad teeth?
Yes, but dental issues like cavities or gum disease must be treated first.
What types of braces are good for missing teeth?
Traditional braces, ceramic braces, lingual braces, and even Invisalign can be used, depending on the case.
Do braces hurt more if you have missing teeth?
Braces might cause some discomfort, but missing teeth do not necessarily make treatment more painful.
Can braces move a tooth into a missing tooth space?
Yes, braces can shift teeth to close gaps or make room for a replacement tooth.
Will I still need a dental implant after braces?
It depends on your treatment plan. If your orthodontist maintains space for an implant, you will still need one.
How long does it take for braces to close a missing tooth gap?
The timeframe varies based on the size of the gap and the individual case, but it typically takes several months to a year.
Schedule a Free Consultation
Is your son or daughter still getting used to braces? We can help you understand how to help them adjust – schedule a free consultation! Contact us online or call 440-842-8015
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About Dr. Andy Skorobatckyj
Dr. Andrew W. Skorobatckyj, or just Dr. Andy to his patients, is an experienced orthodontist serving the Parma, Ohio area. He earned his dental degree from Case Western Reserve University and completed his orthodontic training at Nova Southeastern University in Florida. When he’s not creating confident smiles, he teaches as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Orthodontics at Case Western and was even named Clinical Professor of the Year in 2023.
Over the years, he’s been recognized as one of Greater Cleveland’s “Top Dentists” by Cleveland Magazine.
