We hear this question often: “Can I get Invisalign if I have missing teeth?” You may think Invisalign^® treatment is a deal-breaker when you have one or more missing teeth. However, this is not necessarily the case! It’s important to have a full orthodontic consultation before we can determine if Invisalign is right for you — yet it can often work well even if you have one or more missing teeth.

Causes of Missing Teeth

Per the American College of Prosthodontists, almost 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth. So if you’re missing a tooth, you’re definitely not alone!

Causes of tooth loss include:

• injuries
• gum disease
• tooth decay
• genetic factors

Plus, you may have had one or more teeth extracted due to crowding and alignment issues.

Invisalign and Missing Teeth

If you have a missing tooth, you may have spoken to your dentist about getting a dental implant or other options. This is vital, as leaving the gap from a missing tooth can cause more issues, such as:

• difficulty speaking or eating
• other teeth shifting into the empty space, causing misalignment
• bone loss, as there’s no tooth activity to stimulate the jawbone
• gum disease, which can lead to further health issues

The good news is that treatment with Invisalign can help — and it’s best done before any tooth restoration procedures.

However, it’s important to have a full consultation about your tooth restoration options before moving forward with any tooth-straightening procedure. These treatments work in tandem so you can have the healthiest, most beautiful smile possible!

With that being said, Invisalign can help shift your natural teeth back into their correct position, which then leaves space for your implant or other restorative dental procedure.

Invisalign and Dental Implants for Missing Teeth

If you’re considering an implant to replace a missing tooth, it’s often preferable to have Invisalign treatment before receiving the implant. 

That’s because, unlike your regular teeth, an implant is fixed to the bone. Because of this, an implant can’t move into another position on your jaw like the rest of your teeth can.

However, it may be possible to still receive Invisalign treatment if you have an implant or crown. The best way to know is to come in for a free consultation.

Free Invisalign Consultation at Our McAllen, Texas, Clinic

Our free consultation begins with a thorough examination by our Board Certified Orthodontic Specialist, Dr. David Taylor, who also completes a precise assessment of your overall health.

During your consultation, we always take the time to explain your treatment options, answer your questions, and make sure you’re comfortable with your care.

Dr. Taylor diagnoses and completes all treatments, which ensures superior results and continuity of care. We can also work with your dentist to ensure you receive the ideal treatment for your missing tooth.

Our free orthodontic consultation will help you find your best and most affordable braces option, whether it’s Invisalign or another of our many available options.

By working together, we’ll discover just how straight and beautiful your smile can be!