Yes! If you have crowns you can get orthodontics! This is a common question that pops up with many adult clients. There have been multiple advancements in technology that make bonding orthodontic appliances to crowns possible! So, if you are someone that has had previous dental work done on your teeth, the journey to straighten your teeth is still very possible! Read below for some more information about how this works.
What is a Crown?
A crown is a prosthetic and protective covering that fits onto a damaged, decayed, or weakened tooth. Before receiving a crown, a dentist may remove the unhealthy part before adding on the prosthetic. Under the crown will be some remaining healthy parts of a tooth. Crowns can be made of porcelain, metal, composite, or a combination of metal and porcelain. On average, crowns can last around 10 years before they need to be replaced or have additional work done on them.
What Should I Do Before Receiving Orthodontics?
If you have a crown, before you proceed with orthodontic treatment, you should always book a consultation with an orthodontist. Additionally, it would be best to consider the condition your crown is in. If your crown needs work completed that can impact orthodontic treatment, it would be better to have that done prior to seeing your orthodontist. An example of this can be a loose crown. Attaching a bracket to a loose crown may make it fully fall off. But don’t worry! This is something that will be discussed during your initial consultation. We would never set you up with orthodontic care without looking at your existing dental care before! If there are any concerns, we will openly communicate with you on what steps we can take to make sure the entire orthodontic treatment is comfortable and safe. Like with any other tooth or gum concern, it’s best to solve these before orthodontics are added to ensure there will be no issues later.
Sometimes, it may also be better to have your crown adjusted to your new bite following your smile straightening journey. Your orthodontist can help you determine which is best for you.
How will Braces Work with My Crown?
Braces will work just fine with a crown! The only difference is that a different type of adhesive will be added to a bracket to ensure that it stays soundly on the crown. Sometimes if you have a metal crown, there may need to be some additional work done, such as roughing up the side surface to make sure the glue stays on the crown. This is because your crown is made up of a different material than your natural tooth. Think of it like how a glue stick won’t hold fabric together well, but it will work much better on paper.
The presence of a crown may make the process a little different, but that’s okay! Your orthodontist will want to make sure that the crown won’t be compromised at any point in the procedure. We will make sure that you are aware of everything involving your treatment each step of the way. As long as the rules of braces are being followed, the process should be smooth sailing and crowns won’t prevent effective treatment.
How will Invisalign Work with My Crown?
Invisalign is a great option to use when you have a crown! Invisalign requires far less attachments to your teeth than braces does. Usually there are a few small attachments that are added to your back teeth to help hold the aligners in place through the course of your treatment. Like with braces, if your crown is on a tooth that requires an attachment, there is a different type of glue that will be used to secure your Invisalign attachments in place. Generally, Invisalign is a better option for individuals who have had crowns or other similar work.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there is little to worry about when it comes to straightening your teeth if you already have a crown. The best course of action is to always consult with an orthodontist first to make sure that everything is in order. This includes proper upkeep of your crown and next steps to get you on to your smile straightening journey!