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Can I have braces if I have crowns or veneers on my teeth?

This is a very common question that patients will ask.

It is the common misconception that you cannot have braces if your teeth have restorations such as crowns or veneers or even fillings. However this is not the case, it is entirely possibly to fit braces onto teeth with crowns or veneers. There are generally three overall options for orthodontic treatments:

• Fixed braces on the fronts of your teeth
• Fixed braces on the backs of your teeth
• Braces that are removable

What is the best type of orthodontic treatment (brace) to have with crowns and/or veneers?

Ideally we would not like to place a fixed brace on a crown or veneer if we can avoid it. The ideal choice would be a removable brace such as Invisalign. However Invisalign, on the whole, is not as precise as a fixed brace, therefore if a fixed brace is recommended, we do have methods of attaching the fixed brackets to the crown, veneer or filling.

Will my crown, veneer or filling get damaged with braces?

If a crown, veneer or filling is healthy and sound, then having orthodontic treatment will not damage the crown or veneer. We use precise techniques for attaching the brace to the crown or veneer and after treatment the brace will be removed carefully to prevent any untoward damage to the restoration.

Will I need my crown, veneer or filling changed after orthodontic treatment?

Generally if the restoration is healthy and aesthetically sound then it will not require replacing after having braces. We tend to find that most patients who have orthodontic treatment will have crowns or veneers that are not particularly aesthetic and therefore will want them changed as well. As we include free teeth whitening with all of our orthodontic treatments we advise that the natural teeth should be whitened first and then the crowns or veneers can be replaced to match the new whiter shade. Good smile design and diagnostic wax ups are essential when replacing existing crowns and veneers for a natural beautiful smile.

Case Study – 6 Month Smiles on a patient with a crown

This patient has a crown on the lower incisor tooth which is essentially healthy. We bonded the fixed bracket to the porcelain on the crown using a porcelain bonding kit. This bracket was then successfully removed following orthodontic treatment and no damage occurred to the existing crown.

If you are unhappy with your teeth and you live in the Hereford or Worcester area, please do not hesitate to call us or fill out the short form to the right to book your free consultation today!