Can You Get Braces With a Crown?

If you have a dental crown and are considering braces, you might be wondering if the two can work together. The good news is that having a crown doesn’t mean you have to give up on your dreams of a straighter smile! While getting braces with a crown requires some special considerations, it’s absolutely possible and quite common. Let’s explore what you need to know about combining dental crowns with orthodontic treatment.

Understanding Dental Crowns

Think of a dental crown as a protective helmet for your tooth. When a tooth is damaged or decayed beyond what a simple filling can fix, dentists turn to crowns as their go-to solution. These custom-made caps fit snugly over your natural tooth, restoring its shape, size, and strength while helping it look as good as new. You’ll often see crowns used after root canal treatments or when a tooth is too broken down for other repairs.

When it comes to crown materials, you’ve got several options:

• Porcelain or Ceramic: Porcelain and ceramic crowns are super popular because they’re basically chameleons – they blend right in with your natural teeth while being tough enough to handle daily wear and tear.

• Metal Alloys: If you’re more interested in strength than looks (especially for those hard-working back teeth), metal alloys like gold, nickel, or chromium might be your best bet.

• Porcelain Fused to Metal: Want the best of both worlds? Consider porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns, which give you that natural tooth look while having the strength of metal underneath – pretty clever, right?

When you’re ready to chat with your orthodontist about braces, knowing these details will help you have a more informed conversation about what might work best for your smile.

How Do Braces Work?

Braces are designed to tackle all sorts of dental situations, from crooked teeth and overcrowding to gaps and bite issues that need fixing. While it might look complicated, the science behind braces is actually pretty straightforward: they simply apply gentle, constant pressure to guide your teeth into better positions over time.

Traditional braces come with three main players working together to transform your smile:

• Brackets: These little squares are like tiny anchors that get bonded to the front of each tooth. Think of them as the home base for your braces system.
• Archwire: This thin metal wire is the real MVP – it connects all your brackets and does the heavy lifting when it comes to moving your teeth. It’s like a dental conductor, orchestrating the whole movement process.
• Elastics (Rubber Bands): These are the helpful assistants that join in when needed, adding extra pressure in specific directions to help align your jaw and fix bite issues. They’re small but mighty!

Think of your orthodontic journey like a carefully choreographed dance. Every few weeks (usually between six and eight), you’ll visit us for adjustments. During these check-ins, we’ll fine-tune your braces by tweaking the wires or switching out bands.

Pretty fascinating stuff happens during this process – the archwire actually “remembers” its original shape and constantly tries to return to it, gently nudging your teeth along the way. As your teeth feel this gentle pressure, your body responds by naturally rebuilding the bone around your tooth roots.

On one side, the bone breaks down a tiny bit (don’t worry, that’s totally normal!), while new bone builds up on the other side. This tag-team action is what allows your teeth to gradually shift into their new positions. It’s like your body’s very own construction crew working behind the scenes to give you that perfect smile!

Special Considerations for Braces with Crowns

Getting braces when you have a crown isn’t exactly like getting them on natural teeth – it’s kind of like parking a car in a spot with special rules. You’ll need to keep a few important things in mind:

• Attachment Methods: While brackets stick pretty easily to natural teeth, crowns (especially those smooth porcelain ones) need a different approach. Think of it like trying to stick a magnet to different surfaces – what works on your fridge might not work on your wooden cabinet! That’s why we use special adhesives designed specifically for crown surfaces.
• Risk of Damage: There is a slight risk that your crown may get dinged up during the process. Don’t worry, though – your orthodontist will handle your crown with kid gloves! We’ll keep a close eye on it throughout your treatment to make sure everything’s going smoothly.
• Adjustment Limitations: Crowns don’t exactly play by the same rules as natural teeth when it comes to moving around. Since they’re artificial caps, they can be a bit stubborn about changing positions compared to your natural teeth. It’s like trying to rearrange furniture – some pieces move more easily than others!
• Collaboration with Dentist: Teamwork is super important too. We will collaborate with your dentist, kind of like co-pilots navigating your smile journey together. If anything happens to your crown during treatment, we’ll work as a team to keep your smile makeover on track.
• Treatment Timeline: Having crowns might make your braces journey a bit longer than normal. We’ll need to create a treatment plan that’s as unique as you are and take a creative detour to reach your perfect smile destination.
• Cleaning Challenges: Keeping those teeth squeaky clean becomes extra important with braces and crowns. Braces trap food around crowns, so you’ll need to be extra thorough with your brushing and flossing routine. Regular dental cleanings will be your best friend during this time.

The good news? Even with these special considerations, getting braces with crowns is totally doable! Plenty of people with crowns achieve their dream smiles through orthodontic treatment.

Types of Braces Compatible with Crowns

When it comes to straightening your smile with crowns, you’ve got several exciting options to choose from. Let’s break down each type and see what might work best for you:

• Traditional Metal Braces: Good old reliable metal braces are like the Swiss Army knife of orthodontics – they can handle pretty much anything! These tried-and-true braces are super strong and can apply consistent pressure to both natural teeth and crowns. Their highly adjustable nature gives orthodontists precise control over tooth movement, making them particularly effective for complex cases. As an added bonus, they’re typically the most cost-effective option available, which is why they remain such a popular choice among patients with crowns.
• Ceramic Braces: Think of them as metal braces’ more subtle cousin. They work just like traditional braces but come with clear or tooth-colored brackets that blend in better with your natural smile. While they’re slightly more expensive than their metal counterparts, ceramic braces work well with most crown materials and offer a more discreet treatment option. If you’re self-conscious about wearing braces but still want effective treatment, ceramic braces could be the perfect solution for you. Their less noticeable appearance makes them particularly popular among adults and teens who want to maintain a more natural look during their orthodontic journey.
• Clear Aligners (Invisalign): These removable trays are like the ninja warriors of orthodontics – powerful but virtually invisible! However, there are some special considerations when using clear aligners with crowns. While they work best for mild to moderate corrections and are particularly suitable for people with front-tooth crowns, they may require special “attachments” to be placed on crowned teeth to achieve the desired movement. One major advantage of clear aligners is that they make maintaining oral hygiene much easier since you can remove them for brushing and flossing. However, it’s important to note that they’re not always suitable for complex cases, especially when significant tooth movement is required. We will need to carefully evaluate your specific situation to determine if clear aligners are the right choice for your crowned teeth.

The best choice really depends on several key factors. We will carefully consider where your crowned teeth are located, what materials your crowns are made from, and the specific orthodontic issues you need to address. We’ll also take into account your lifestyle, personal preferences, and budget constraints before recommending the best treatment option.

Think of us as your personal smile stylist who understands all these nuances and can guide you toward the perfect solution for your unique situation. We’ll work with you to create a treatment plan that not only respects your existing dental work but also helps you achieve the beautiful smile you’ve always wanted.

Caring for Your Crown During Orthodontic Treatment

Taking care of your crown while wearing braces isn’t rocket science, but it does require a bit more attention than usual. Think of it as giving your smile some VIP treatment! Here’s your game plan for keeping both your crown and braces in tip-top shape:

• Brush Like You Mean It: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and spend extra time cleaning around your crowned tooth. Those brackets and wires love to trap food particles, so be thorough but gentle!
• Floss Like a Boss: Yes, it’s trickier with braces but super important. Use floss threaders or orthodontic flossers to get under the wires, especially around your crown. Think of it as dental ninja training! Consider investing in a water flosser – it’s like a pressure washer for your teeth, perfect for blasting away debris around crowns and brackets.
• Avoid Hard and Sticky Foods: Your crown might be tough, but it’s not invincible. Avoid chomping on ice, hard candies, or nuts that could damage both your braces and crown. Stay away from super sticky foods like caramel or taffy – they’re like kryptonite for both braces and crowns!
• Regular Check-Ups Are Key: Stay on top of your scheduled visits with both your orthodontist and dentist throughout your treatment. These check-ups are more crucial than ever when you have both braces and crowns! Your dental team will thoroughly clean those hard-to-reach spots and catch any potential issues early. And remember – if something feels different about your crown or doesn’t seem quite right, don’t hesitate to speak up. Better safe than sorry when it comes to protecting your smile investment!
  If you notice any of these warning signs, give us a call:
  • Unusual sensitivity around your crowned tooth
  • Crown clicking or shifting
  • Loose-feeling brackets on the crown
  • Changes in how your bite feels

Remember: A little extra TLC goes a long way in protecting your investment in both your crown and your braces. Your future self will thank you for being such a dedicated smile caretaker!

Ready to start your journey to a perfect smile, even with dental crowns? At Kelson Orthodontics, we specialize in creating customized treatment plans that work with your existing dental work. Our experienced team uses the latest orthodontic techniques to ensure you get the best possible results, crown or no crown!

Schedule your consultation today, and let’s work together to give you the confident smile you deserve!