In this article
Having existing dental work does not automatically disqualify you from clear aligner treatment. However, crowns, bridges, implants, and veneers all interact with aligner treatment in specific ways that are important to understand before you start.
Crowns and Clear Aligners
A crown is a cap placed over a damaged or treated tooth. Clear aligners can generally move crowned teeth in the same way they move natural teeth. The aligner fits over the crown and applies force in the same manner. The key practical issue is that attachments, which are small composite bumps that help the aligner grip the tooth, may not bond as reliably to the smooth porcelain or ceramic surface of a crown as they do to natural enamel.
In some cases, the treatment plan can be designed to avoid placing attachments on crowned teeth, or alternative bonding strategies can be used. This is worth discussing with the clinical team when your treatment is being planned.
Bridges and Clear Aligners
A dental bridge is a fixed restoration that spans a gap left by a missing tooth, anchored to the teeth on either side. This is where clear aligner treatment becomes more complicated. The teeth anchored to a bridge are not independent of each other. Moving one means moving the whole bridge, and the bridge is designed to hold the position of the anchor teeth fixed relative to each other.
In most cases, the teeth connected by a bridge cannot be moved independently with aligners. The treatment plan must account for the bridge as a fixed unit. This limits what movements are achievable in that area of the arch and may affect what outcomes are possible. The clinical team will assess this as part of your treatment planning.
Implants and Clear Aligners
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root fused directly into the jaw bone. Unlike natural teeth, implants do not have a periodontal ligament and cannot be moved by orthodontic forces. An implant will not shift in response to aligner pressure, regardless of how well the aligner fits over it.
This means that if an implant is in a position that is not ideal, clear aligner treatment cannot correct that. However, aligners can move the surrounding natural teeth around a fixed implant, which can sometimes be used to improve the overall result. The implant position must be factored into the treatment plan from the outset.
Veneers and Clear Aligners
Veneers are thin porcelain or composite shells bonded to the front surface of teeth. As with crowns, attachment bonding to veneer surfaces can be less reliable than to natural enamel. The treatment plan may need to be designed to minimise or avoid attachments on veneered teeth.
There is also a risk that aligner forces, if not carefully planned, could place stress on the bond between the veneer and the tooth. This is manageable with careful treatment planning but is worth discussing explicitly before treatment begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get clear aligners if I have a crown?
Yes. Crowned teeth can generally be moved with clear aligners. The main consideration is whether attachments are needed on the crown and how reliably they will bond. The treatment plan can often be designed to work around this.
Can clear aligners move teeth connected by a bridge?
Not independently. Teeth connected by a bridge are a fixed unit and cannot be moved separately. The bridge must be treated as a fixed reference point in the treatment plan, which may limit the movements achievable in that area.
Can clear aligners move an implant?
No. Implants are fused to the jaw bone and have no periodontal ligament. They cannot be moved by orthodontic forces. The surrounding natural teeth can be moved around a fixed implant, but the implant itself will not shift.
Do I need to tell Jawology about my crowns or implants before starting?
Yes, absolutely. Existing dental work must be disclosed during the assessment process. Crowns, bridges, implants, veneers, and any other restorations are important factors in treatment planning and affect what movements are possible and how the plan is designed.
Ready to Straighten Your Teeth?
Take our free 2-minute assessment and find out if Jawology's clear aligners are right for you. Treatment from $1,945.
Take the Free Assessment
