Can you request to keep a gap between your two front teeth during/after using braces?

I want braces as I have spacing only on my top row of teeth. This is because one of my teeth on the right side, (the "lateral incisor), never grew in for an unknown reason. He suggests braces, and then having a fake tooth installed in place of the missing one. If I went through with this procedure, could I still keep a small gap, or would it cause issues with the fake tooth?