Having a dental crown might make you wonder if braces are still an option for straightening your teeth. If you’ve been searching for “braces near me” and worry that your crown might be a deal-breaker, you can breathe easy. The good news is that yes, you can get braces even if you have a crown on one or more teeth. It’s a common concern, but modern orthodontic techniques and materials let orthodontists attach braces to crowns and other dental work without damaging them.
Can Braces Be Applied to a Tooth with a Crown?
In short, yes, braces can be applied to a tooth with a crown. Orthodontists treat patients with crowns all the time. Dr. Boris Pinhasov reassures patients on this point, saying:
“Yes, we have special materials that allow us to cement braces on crowns and veneers, so it’s definitely possible.” – Dr. Boris Pinhasov, DDS
This means that even if you have a crown (or a porcelain veneer) on a tooth, your orthodontist has the tools and know-how to attach a bracket securely. The process might be slightly different from that on a natural tooth, but an experienced orthodontist will make it work. Many people in need of braces have crowns or fillings from past dental work, and it doesn’t prevent them from getting a straight, beautiful smile.
How Do Orthodontists Put Braces on Crowns?
Attaching a bracket to a crown requires a special approach. Porcelain and metal surfaces (common crown materials) are smoother and less porous than natural teeth, so the regular bonding adhesive might not hold as well. To solve this, orthodontists use special adhesives and techniques designed for crowns:
- Surface preparation: They may gently roughen or etch the surface of the crown. Don’t worry – this is minimal and won’t ruin the crown’s appearance. It just creates a better grip for the glue.
- Special bonding agent: A different kind of dental cement or bonding agent is used, one that’s made to stick to porcelain or metal. This “special glue” helps the bracket stay firmly attached to your crown.
- Careful placement: Orthodontists take their time to position the bracket correctly on the crown, since the tooth’s shape might differ slightly from a natural tooth.
With these steps, the bracket on your crowned tooth stays securely in place throughout your treatment. Patients with crowns often go through braces treatment just like anyone else – the main difference is simply the type of adhesive used on those teeth.
Will Braces Damage My Crown?
It’s natural to worry whether putting braces on a crown could harm it. Generally, braces will not damage your crown as long as everything is done properly. Crowns are designed to be strong and withstand normal biting forces, and the pressure braces applied are carefully controlled. Here are a few reassuring points:
- Secure restoration: If your crown is well-made and firmly cemented by your dentist, it should stay put during orthodontic movement. Orthodontists will check that crowns and fillings are secure before applying braces.
- Gentle removal: When your braces treatment is finished, the brackets are removed carefully. Your orthodontist will take extra care when taking a bracket off a crown so as not to pull the crown off. They also clean the bonding cement off the crown’s surface gently.
- Minimal risk: In rare cases, a bit of the crown’s polished surface might get scuffed when the bracket comes off, especially on porcelain. This is usually a minor cosmetic issue and can often be polished by your dentist afterward. However, such damage is uncommon and largely avoidable with proper technique.
Orthodontic professionals are trained to treat teeth with crowns, veneers, and other restorations. Dr. Pinhasov and other experts will plan your braces treatment so that both your natural teeth and any dental work remain safe and intact.
Do Crowns Affect Tooth Movement?
A crown covers the visible part of a tooth, but underneath the crown is your natural tooth root. Teeth with crowns move just like other teeth during braces, because the movement comes from the root and jawbone, not the tooth’s outer surface. Even a tooth that’s had a root canal (and no longer has a nerve) can be moved with braces, although it may require gentle force. On the other hand, if a “crown” is actually on a dental implant (with no natural root), that implant tooth won’t move – in those cases, braces adjust the neighboring teeth instead.
Your orthodontist will monitor all your teeth during treatment, including any with crowns, to ensure they’re moving as expected.
Are There Any Special Considerations?
For the most part, having a crown doesn’t change the braces experience very much. But here are a couple of things to keep in mind: brackets on crowns occasionally may not adhere as easily as on natural teeth, so a bracket might come loose and need a quick reattachment visit. You’ll also want to maintain excellent oral hygiene around the crown and brackets to keep your gums healthy. If a crown is older or not secure, your orthodontist might work with your dentist to address it before or during braces. These steps ensure a smooth treatment despite the crown.
What About Veneers or Fillings?
Likewise, having porcelain veneers or large fillings won’t prevent you from getting braces. Orthodontists use similar bonding techniques for veneers as they do for crowns. If a veneer is very delicate, they might avoid placing a bracket on that tooth and use an alternative method, but usually, braces (or clear aligners) can accommodate veneers just fine. Typical fillings pose no trouble at all for orthodontic brackets.
Considering Invisalign® as an Alternative
Another option for straightening teeth with crowns is Invisalign® or clear aligners. Since aligners are removable trays and not glued to your teeth, you don’t have to worry about brackets or adhesives on your crowns at all. Many adults with multiple crowns choose Invisalign for this reason. (Even with Invisalign, small attachments are sometimes placed on teeth, but they can be bonded to crowns with special techniques similar to brackets.) Overall, clear aligners provide a braces-free way to straighten your smile if you prefer.
Trust an Experienced Orthodontist
When getting braces with a crown (or any other restoration), one of the most important factors is choosing an experienced orthodontist. Expertise matters in these nuanced situations. Dr. Boris Pinhasov has treated many patients who had crowns, bridges, or veneers. He will create a customized plan to straighten your teeth while preserving your dental work. If you’re looking for a provider of braces in Queens, it helps to find someone familiar with cases like yours.
Remember, orthodontics is not one-size-fits-all. A skilled doctor will examine your crowns and overall dental health before starting. They might even coordinate with your general dentist to make sure any crowns are secure and healthy. This team approach adds an extra layer of safety and success to your treatment.
Conclusion: Enjoy a Straighter Smile, Crown and All
Don’t let a crown on your tooth hold you back from achieving a straighter smile. Orthodontic technology has come a long way – special adhesives and careful techniques make it perfectly feasible to put braces on crowned teeth. Many patients with crowns get braces without any issues, ending up with beautifully aligned teeth and their crowns intact.
If you have concerns about braces because of a crown, the best step is to consult with an orthodontist. They’ll answer your questions and explain the plan for your specific case. In Queens, you can reach out to Dr. Boris Pinhasov at BP Smiles Orthodontics for expert advice and treatment. We’re here to ensure that everyone, even those with crowns or other dental work, can confidently pursue the smile of their dreams.
