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Invisalign is a discreet clear aligner orthodontic treatment that enables you to correct misaligned teeth without the embarrassing and uncomfortable metal brackets and wires. The aligners are removable so you can enjoy more freedom and flexibility throughout your treatment.
Overall, Invisalign is the preferred orthodontic treatment over braces, especially for adults. However, patients with missing teeth might wonder if they can undergo Invisalign with missing teeth. The good news is that you can! Read on in this blog from Salt & Light Orthodontics to find out how Invisalign works with tooth loss.
When to Undergo Invisalign If You Have Tooth Loss
A patient can undergo Invisalign treatment if they have missing teeth, but it is recommended that you straighten your teeth with Invisalign before replacing missing teeth. This is because when you lose a tooth, you suffer from bone loss and this causes the teeth to drift.
If you lost a tooth a while ago, this could be causing severe orthodontic problems like crooked teeth or blocking the space where your old tooth used to be. If this is the case, then there won’t be enough space to place a tooth replacement.
By correcting your tooth and bite alignment first, we can create the optimal alignment to place a tooth restoration, we’ll be sure there’s enough space, and if you’re receiving dental implants, this implant will not move. This is why implants are also not recommended until after Invisalign treatment.
The Problem With Gum Disease & Invisalign
If you can undergo Invisalign with tooth loss, you might wonder if that’s still the case if you lost teeth from gum disease. Tooth loss due to gum disease is the exception to the rule because you must have healthy gums and bone tissue when undergoing orthodontic treatment.
If you have active gum disease, this will be a problem, because all oral health problems need to be treated before we can correct your alignment. If you had gum disease in the past that resulted in tooth loss, this can still be a problem because this can cause lasting and irreversible damage to your soft tissues as well as bone loss.
As we shift the teeth, the soft tissues and jawbone need to rebuild, which can be done easily with healthy tissues. However, when gum and bone support is insufficient, it can worsen bone resorption. You may be a candidate if you undergo gum and bone grafting procedures first.
Replacing Missing Teeth
Once you have finished Invisalign treatment, you can replace missing teeth with dental implants, bridges, or dentures. You will still need to wear a retainer to prevent your teeth from reverting to their old alignment. After correcting orthodontic issues and replacing missing teeth, you can enjoy a much more aesthetic and hygienic smile.
Schedule Your Invisalign Consultation in Irvine Today
Whether you have missing teeth or not, Invisalign can still be the right orthodontic treatment for you. Contact us at Salt & Light Orthodontics in Irvine to schedule a consultation with Dr. Stephanie Purnomo and find out if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign.
We can advise you on whether or not a history of gum disease will rule you out as a candidate and whether you should replace missing teeth before or after Invisalign treatment depending on your case.
