Fix Missing Molar Before Invisalign?

Question

I am missing one molar, I had it pulled instead of doing a root canal, I regret it now. But I want to get invisalign and don't know if I have to get an implant or bridge or something there first? I was told when I needed braces that i would need to do that first. What are the "pre op" procedures for invisalign? Thank you!

Peter Tomaselli, DDS · Answer

Great news!  With over 1,000,000 patients treated with Invisalign, you are nearly guaranteed to be able to treat your adult orthodontic issue with Invisalign aligners.  The versatility of Invisalign allows you to plan and control the movement of the teeth immediately adjacent to the future implant site. If there is no tooth movement in the area, feel free to place the implant in good quality bone at any time before, during or after the Invisalign treatment without event.  If the teeth immediately adjacent to the implant site are being moved, your dentist may advise you to wait for that phase of treatment to be completed prior to placing the implant. 
The removability of the aligners is a clear advantage over braces during multi-disciplinary dental treatment of this type in that they allow for more varied treatment staging to better accommodate the specific needs of each patient.  Once the implant is healed, about 14 to 16 weeks, it may be restored and integrated into the next stage of Invisalign treatment.  It may also be possible to find a dentist who is experienced and proficient in both Invisalign treatment and dental implant placement, simplifying your treatment further. As with any type of health care treatment, be your own advocate and do your due dilligence whan choosing a provider for this type of treatment.

Michael J. Thomas, DDS · Answer

The GREAT thing about doing invisalign for this treatment is that we can now place a nice fake tooth in your aligners where the molar used to be so that when you're wearing your aligners 22 hours a day nobody can see the gap or hole anymore. 
Make sure your invisalign doctor knows how to place these "Pontics." My patients love them.

Susan Goode Estep, DMD · Answer

I prefer to treat with Invisalign first, so that I can idealize the space in which the implant will be dropped.  
My implant specialist will place the implant before the Invisalign treatment is complete.  That way, as you finish Invisalign, you will be ready to restore the implant with an implant crown -- thus, you will have all of your teeth back.

Gabriela Hricko, DDS · Answer

It is best to do Invisalign first and then restore the missing molar. You may need to use some of the space from the missing molar to relieve your crowding and thus waiting until your teeth are straight and in a good bite is best. 
Before restoring the missing molar, it is important that the teeth and roots adjacent to the missing molar are parallel and invisalign can help with this as well.

Michael Ayzin, DDS · Answer

Good news! You can wait to replace that molar until after you are done with Invisalign. As a matter of fact, it might be better to align teeth into the proper place, and then replace your molar. Hope this helps.

Fix Missing Molar Before Invisalign?

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