Orthodontics and implant therapy
Tips to optimize results.
Many patients about to start orthodontic treatment and have dental implants express doubts about whether the two treatments are compatible.
The fact that they have dental implants can create certain reluctance, but the reality is that it is not an impediment.
Orthodontics and implants are compatible, and there are times when complete dental restorations include both treatments in their planning. In addition, although dental implants are anchored in the bone, which prevents their displacement, this is not an absolute limitation. In any case, the truth is that orthodontic treatment poses a series of particularities in people who have dental implants or are starting this type of therapy.
It is compatible to start dental implant therapy with different orthodontic techniques. Still, we should postpone the placement of the implants to the end of orthodontic treatment, either with brackets or aligners.
The efficacy of orthodontic treatment with the available techniques may be limited in patients with implants. The osseointegration of dental implants prevents their movement; therefore, achieving harmony between both arches, especially transversally in these patients, can be difficult.
To overcome these obstacles and achieve the best possible results, some changes are required in the treatment plan for these cases. In general, it is advisable that treatment planning be done by an interdisciplinary team to determine the space needed for future implant placement and the final position of adjacent teeth. In this team, it is essential to have an orthodontist who is an expert in his field and should actively participate in drawing up a plan and applying it accurately, resolving any doubts, and making a specific diagnosis.
Regarding the use and care of aligners for dental implants, the most important thing to remember is that no particular care needs to be taken in these cases. There are no differences in patients' care and maintenance of aligners depending on whether they have dental implants. However, correct daily cleaning of the aligner and proper alignment of the aligner, both at the level of the teeth and implants, are indispensable to guarantee the optimal movement of the teeth required by orthodontic therapy.
In these cases, aligners offer some differential advantages over conventional orthodontic resources. However, the main advantage of aligners over other orthodontic techniques is aesthetics and the convenience of removing them from the mouth for proper oral hygiene.
