Can You Get Invisalign With Missing Teeth?

If you’re hoping to fix bite issues or misaligned teeth using clear aligners, you may be asking, can you get Invisalign with missing teeth? Invisalign is a popular method for correcting teeth, as these aligners are less noticeable than traditional braces. However, if you are missing teeth, there are things to keep in mind before going ahead with the procedure.  

Can You Use Invisalign if You’re Missing Teeth?

Yes, in many situations, Invisalign can be effective with patients missing a tooth.

One factor considered when determining if Invisalign is a good choice is the reason for the missing teeth. If the tooth loss is due to gum disease or poor hygiene, Invisalign may not be an option. Untreated gum disease leads to jawbone loss, which makes it challenging to properly move the surrounding teeth.

However, if your gums are healthy and you are missing teeth due to an accident, Invisalign could be an effective choice.

Can You Straighten Teeth With Missing Teeth?

It’s possible to straighten the remaining teeth even if you are missing some.

Invisalign uses a system of slowly changing aligners to apply pressure to move teeth into a desired position. We at Peterson Family Orthodontics can design a plan to straighten the teeth around your missing ones. This creates an optimal mouth structure in the event you choose to replace the missing teeth.

For example, if you’re missing teeth in the front, Invisalign can be a great option. A prosthetic, tooth-colored wax, or tooth-colored polish can be placed in the aligner to “replace” the missing tooth.

Can Invisalign Close a Large Gap Caused by a Missing Tooth?

In general, closing a large gap requires more advanced orthodontics than Invisalign provides.

Sometimes an orthodontist will remove one or more teeth in the mouth to make more room if there is severe overcrowding. If this is the case for you, you may wonder whether using Invisalign with missing teeth will close the associated gaps.

Invisalign works in a slow and steady manner to move the teeth. Although it can be effective for closing smaller, natural gaps, it is usually unable to move teeth in complex situations, such as to cover large gaps formed by missing teeth.

Should You Get Invisalign Before or After You Replace the Missing Tooth With an Implant?

If you are planning to get an implant to replace a missing tooth, it’s better to wait until after you get Invisalign.

A dental implant can support its associated artificial tooth because of its sturdy placement in the jaw. As a result, it is not possible to move an implant with orthodontic methods such as Invisalign. In most situations, patients should wait until completing alignment treatment to get implants. Fortunately, Invisalign can straighten the teeth around the missing tooth space, prepping the area for the implant and new tooth.

Who Should You Talk to About Getting Invisalign With Missing Teeth?

Now that you know you can get Invisalign with missing teeth, schedule an appointment with Peterson Family Orthodontics in San Tan Valley. We can examine your teeth and jaws to determine if you are a good candidate for Invisalign or another orthodontic procedure. Contact us today to set up your free consultation and get you closer to achieving your desired smile.