Medically Reviewed by Dr. Jeana Harmon-Taylor, Board-Certified Orthodontist on September 11, 2026
Yes, you can get braces even if you have crowns or implants. Having existing dental work does not disqualify you from orthodontic treatment. The process simply requires a more thoughtful approach, one that accounts for your restorations while still working toward real alignment results.
At House of Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics in Cypress, TX, our orthodontic services are designed for patients at every stage of dental health. Dr. Harmon Taylor, our board-certified orthodontist, takes a highly personalized approach when evaluating patients who have crowns, implants, bridges, veneers, or other restorations. Every treatment plan is built around your mouth specifically, not a one-size-fits-all formula.
How Crowns Affect Orthodontic Treatment
Dental crowns are some of the most common restorations orthodontists encounter when treating adults. The good news is that braces can work alongside them in most cases. The main difference is in how brackets attach. Natural tooth enamel bonds well with standard orthodontic adhesives, but porcelain or metal crowns require a different bonding technique so the bracket holds securely without damaging the restoration.
The crowned tooth itself can still move with the rest of your teeth. The surrounding periodontal ligament, the tissue connecting a tooth root to the jawbone, remains intact underneath a crown, and that ligament is what allows a tooth to shift under orthodontic pressure. Your orthodontist simply adjusts the adhesive and may monitor that particular tooth more closely throughout treatment. In most cases, this adjustment is minor and does not add meaningful time to your overall treatment plan.
What About Older or Worn Crowns?
If a crown is older or showing signs of wear, your orthodontist may recommend evaluating or replacing it before beginning treatment. Starting orthodontics on a stable foundation is always the priority, and addressing any compromised restorations beforehand protects your investment in both your dental health and your future smile.
One other consideration is the type of braces you choose. Clear aligners can be a comfortable option for patients with crowns, since the trays do not require direct bonding to crowned surfaces. Your treatment type ultimately depends on your case complexity and what produces the most predictable outcome for your specific mix of natural teeth and restorations.
What About Veneers and Bridges?
Veneers and bridges bring their own considerations, and many adults weighing orthodontic treatment have one or both. Porcelain veneers are thin shells bonded to the front of a tooth, so brackets attach to them using the same adjusted adhesive approach used for crowns. The tooth beneath a veneer still has its natural root and ligament, so it moves normally during treatment.
A dental bridge is a different situation, since it replaces one or more missing teeth by anchoring artificial teeth to the crowns on either side. The anchored teeth can typically still move as a connected unit, though the specific plan depends on how many teeth the bridge spans and where it sits in your bite. Sharing any existing bridgework with your orthodontist during your evaluation allows the treatment plan to be built around it from the start, rather than discovered partway through treatment.
How Implants Change the Equation
Dental implants introduce a different variable. Unlike natural teeth, implants are fused directly to the jawbone through a process called osseointegration. This means an implant cannot be moved by orthodontic forces the way a natural tooth can. The implant stays fixed while the surrounding natural teeth are repositioned around it.
This does not prevent orthodontic treatment. It does mean your treatment plan must account for the implant as a stationary anchor point. In many cases, the implant’s location has little to no impact on the overall treatment. When it does factor in, Dr. Harmon can adjust the sequence of tooth movement to work toward strong alignment results while leaving the implant undisturbed. The American Association of Orthodontists notes that adults with prior restorations can still pursue orthodontic care with proper planning and coordination between their orthodontist and restorative dentist.
Should Orthodontic Treatment Come Before Implant Placement?
When possible, completing orthodontic treatment before placing an implant is often the preferred sequence. This allows all natural teeth to move into their ideal positions first, creating the precise spacing needed for the implant to be placed correctly. Once the implant is placed, it becomes a fixed point, so getting the alignment right beforehand tends to support better long-term outcomes for both your bite and the longevity of the implant itself.
If you already have an implant in place, that does not close the door on treatment. It simply shapes how the plan is built. Patients pursuing adult orthodontics with existing implants can still achieve meaningful improvements in alignment and bite function, even with a fixed tooth in the arch.
Choosing the Right Type of Braces for Restored Teeth
Not every bracket-and-wire system interacts with restorations the same way, and this is one of the more common questions patients with dental work bring to their first visit. Metal and ceramic braces both rely on bonded brackets, so the adhesive adjustment described above applies to either option. Adult clear aligners avoid bonding to restored teeth altogether, which is why many orthodontists suggest them as a comfortable first option for patients whose mouths include several crowns, veneers, or a bridge.
The right choice still comes down to what your bite needs, not simply what is most convenient for your restorations. A patient with mild crowding and a few crowns might do very well in clear aligners, while a patient with a more complex bite and an implant might need the additional control that fixed braces provide. Comparing braces and clear aligners in more detail can help you understand which factors matter most for your situation before your consultation.
What Happens at Your Consultation
The first step is always a thorough evaluation. During your consultation, Dr. Harmon reviews your dental history, assesses the condition of any existing restorations, and takes X-rays to get a complete picture of your oral health beneath the surface. This full-picture view is what makes it possible to develop a treatment plan that works toward your goals without compromising your existing dental work.
Patients are encouraged to share any prior dental records or information about their restorations when they come in, including when a crown, implant, or bridge was placed and by which provider. The more your orthodontist knows going in, the more precisely your treatment can be planned, and the fewer surprises come up once treatment is underway.
Frequently Asked Questions About Braces With Crowns or Implants
Can I get Invisalign or clear aligners if I have a dental crown?
In most cases, yes. Clear aligner trays do not need to bond directly to a crown, which makes them a comfortable option for many patients with existing restorations. Your orthodontist reviews the condition and placement of each crown during your consultation to confirm that aligners are the right fit for your specific case.
Do veneers need to be removed before starting orthodontic treatment?
Veneers do not need to be removed before treatment begins. Brackets can be bonded to a veneer using an adjusted adhesive technique, and the natural tooth beneath the veneer still has an intact root and ligament, so it moves normally under orthodontic pressure, the same as any other tooth.
Will a dental implant move during orthodontic treatment?
No. A dental implant is fused directly to the jawbone and cannot be repositioned by braces or aligners. Your orthodontist treats the implant as a fixed anchor point and moves the surrounding natural teeth around it, which can still deliver meaningful improvements in your overall alignment and bite.
Does having crowns or implants make treatment take longer?
Treatment time depends mainly on the complexity of your bite rather than the number of restorations you have. Minor adjustments for bonding to a crown or working around an implant typically add little to no extra time, though your orthodontist can give you a specific estimate at your consultation.
What should I bring to my consultation if I have existing dental work?
Bringing any records related to your crowns, implants, veneers, or bridges, including when the work was completed and which provider performed it, helps your orthodontist plan around your existing dental work more precisely. If you do not have these records, our team can still evaluate everything in person.
Get Started at House of Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
Past dental work is not a reason to put off the smile you want. Whether you have crowns, implants, veneers, or a combination of restorations, there is likely a clear path to straighter teeth and better alignment. The key is working with an orthodontist who takes the time to understand your full dental picture and build a plan around it.
Dr. Harmon Taylor is a board-certified orthodontist with the training and experience to treat complex cases involving existing restorations, and our team is proud to offer flexible payment options and a welcoming environment where adults feel confident pursuing the care they want. Orthodontic consultations at our practice are completely free, so there is nothing to lose by taking the first step. Request your free consultation today and let us show you what may be possible for your smile.
About the Author
Board-Certified Orthodontist
Dr. Harmon-Taylor is the board-certified orthodontist at House of Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics in Cypress, TX, where she treats children, teens, and adults with personalized braces and clear aligner treatment plans.