Implant or orthodontics first? Which is the priority?

orthodontic articles

One of the most common questions among people who intend to undergo dental treatments is whether they should do implants or orthodontics first? The answer to this question is not simple, because the order of performing these treatments depends on the dental condition, gum health, patient's age and the location of the remaining teeth; These concerns exist not only for adults, but also for parents who are looking for the best pediatric orthodontic specialist in Mashhad. In this article, we will fully examine in what situations the implant is the priority and when orthodontics should be done sooner.

What is the difference between implant and orthodontics?

Before examining the order of treatment, it is better to briefly familiarize ourselves with the nature of each:

A dental implant is a titanium base that is inserted into the jawbone to replace a missing tooth. After the implant fuses with the bone (osseointegration process), an artificial crown is installed on it to restore the function and beauty of the tooth.
Orthodontics is a dental treatment that corrects the position of the teeth by using brackets or removable plates so that the teeth are in the right place and problems such as misalignment, forward or backward jaw, and inappropriate distances are resolved.
Since the implant is a fixed structure and does not move after placement, the order of performing these two treatments is very important.

Read more: The difference between orthodontics and dental laminates; Which method is more suitable for the beauty of your smile?

Should orthodontics always be done first?

In most cases, the answer is yes.

If a person has misaligned teeth, disproportionate jaw or irregular space in the mouth, orthodontic treatment should be done first. The reason is simple:

During orthodontic treatment, teeth are moved in the jawbone and their position changes. If the implant is done before orthodontics, it will no longer be possible to move it, because the implant does not have a ligament like a natural tooth and is fixed in the bone. As a result, at the end of orthodontics, the implant may remain in the wrong place and the balance of the smile will be disturbed.

Therefore, in people who need to straighten their teeth, the priority is orthodontics, and then the implant is done.

Read more: Why do they use elastics in orthodontics?

When should the implant be done before orthodontics?

In some special circumstances, the dentist may decide to do the implant first. This usually happens when:

Lack of jaw end teeth (molar teeth) prevents proper support for the movement of other teeth in orthodontics. be.
In this case, the molar implant is placed first to be used as a support for orthodontic forces.
The jaw bone is degenerating and the delay in planting the implant causes the loss of bone density.
In such a situation, the dentist may first place the implant to preserve the bone and then perform orthodontics.
The lack of one or more teeth has caused the position of other teeth to change, and the orthodontist wants to use the implant as an anchor to move the teeth.
In these cases, there is usually a close coordination between the implant specialist and the orthodontist so that the treatments can be combined and performed with high precision.

Why is the order of treatment important?

The wrong choice in the order of treatment can cause serious problems. For example:

If the implant is done first and then orthodontics is started, the final position of the teeth may be misaligned.
In such a situation, either the implant must be removed again (which is expensive and difficult) or the person's smile remains heterogeneous.
On the other hand, if orthodontics takes too long, the bone may degenerate in the place of the missing tooth and the conditions for implant placement will become more difficult.
For this reason, careful planning and a complete examination of the condition of the mouth and teeth is necessary before starting any treatment.

How to decide implant or orthodontics first?

For an accurate answer to this question, several key factors must be examined:

The state of the jaw bone

If the jaw bone is degenerating in the area of the missing tooth, implant placement may be prioritized to prevent further degeneracy.

Number and location of missing teeth

If several teeth have fallen and the empty space has affected the arrangement of other teeth, orthodontics is usually performed first to correct the position of the teeth and then the implant is placed in the right place.

Age of the patient

In young patients whose jaw growth is not yet complete, the implant is not recommended until the end of growth, so orthodontics or temporary treatments are performed first, and after the growth is complete, the implant is implanted.

Treatment goal

If the goal is only to fill the space of the missing tooth and the order of the other teeth is suitable, you can go directly to the implant. But if the goal is to correct the smile design and align all the teeth, then orthodontics should come first.

Conclusion

The order of implant and orthodontics completely depends on the individual's condition, but in most cases orthodontics is done first and then the implant. Because the implant is fixed and cannot be moved, while the position of the teeth changes in orthodontics. However, in certain situations, such as the need to preserve bone or use an implant as a support, the treatment may be combined or even preferred by the implant. It is best for the patient to be examined by both an implant and orthodontic specialist before making any decisions in order to receive a comprehensive and personalized treatment plan.

Frequently asked questions about the priority of implants and orthodontics

Does the implant move during orthodontics?

No. The implant is fixed in the bone and unlike a natural tooth, it cannot be moved, so its place must be determined exactly at the end of the orthodontic treatment.

If I already have implants, can I do orthodontics?

In some cases, yes, but orthodontics must be designed so that no force is applied to the implant. Some movements may be limited or only other teeth may be moved.

What should be the interval between the end of orthodontics and implant placement?

It usually takes a few weeks to a few months, depending on the condition of the gums and bones, for the tissues to stabilize, then the implant is implanted.

About the author:

In 1379, I was accepted in the national entrance exam of universities with a distinguished rank (5th rank) in the experimental field and started studying at Mashhad Dental School. During my academic period, I was one of the distinguished students of this faculty and I received many academic awards. And finally, in 2018, by defending my thesis on "The effect of bone growth factor on jaw problems", I managed to obtain a doctorate degree in dentistry and became a member of the country's medical system organization and the World Association of Orthodontic Specialists.