Dental restorations, like bridges and crowns, as well as cosmetic treatments, like veneers, are more common than ever. But if you want to straighten your smile with Invisalign, does having old dental work mean you’re out of luck? Not necessarily, but your options going forward are mostly dependent on your smile. Continue reading to see how clear aligners and common dental restorations can work together.
How Invisalign Works
Invisalign uses a series of clear plastic trays to gently move your teeth over time. The trays fit snugly over your arches and apply controlled pressure in specific directions. This means that as the aligners do their job, your teeth will slowly be pushed, rotated, or pulled until they arrive at their planned positions. So, your dentist has to be very careful when designing your trays to ensure your teeth move and your dental work stays put.
Invisalign and Dental Crowns
In many cases, dental crowns won’t interfere with Invisalign. The aligners can easily fit over crowns as long as they’re sturdy. Sometimes, small tooth-colored “attachments” are used to help the trays grip better. These can often be placed on crowns, but your dentist will decide if that is safe for your specific restoration.
Invisalign and Veneers
Veneers cover the front surfaces of your teeth to improve their appearance. If your teeth are healthy and the shells are securely bonded, Invisalign may still be an option. However, dentists are usually more cautious about teeth with veneers, as too much movement can affect their appearance and even throw off their alignment.
In some cases, your dentist may be able to design your Invisalign plan to move other teeth more and veneered teeth less. However, a careful examination and a digital scan will be necessary to determine what is possible.
Invisalign and Dental Bridges
Dental bridges are the most complicated case on this list. These restorations are made of two or more crowns joined with a replacement tooth in the middle. Because all these teeth are connected, they can’t move independently.
This means Invisalign may not be able to shift the teeth that support a bridge very much, if at all. However, Invisalign can sometimes be used to move other teeth around the bridge to improve your bite or alignment.
Every smile is unique, especially when past dental work is involved. The best way to know if Invisalign is right for you is to schedule a consultation. With the right planning, many patients with existing dental work can still enjoy the benefits of a straighter, more confident smile.
About the Practice
At Belmont Family Dentistry, our team is dedicated to helping you enjoy a confident, comfortable smile at every stage of life. From custom restorations to modern Invisalign treatment, we personalize care to fit your needs. If you’re wondering what’s possible for your smile, we’re happy to help you explore your options. Call (503) 234-1218 to schedule an Invisalign consultation or visit our website to request an appointment online.