Should I Get A Dental Implant Before Or After Braces?

When It Makes Sense

• Good fit: Getting braces before a dental implant often makes sense when the missing tooth’s neighbors need to move, or when the orthodontist must create, close, or redistribute space before the final restoration can be placed. Because a dental implant fuses to the jawbone and cannot be moved like a natural tooth, positioning the surrounding teeth first helps ensure the implant is placed in the ideal final location.
• Good fit: Placing the implant first may be reasonable when the missing tooth is in a stable area that orthodontics will not affect, when bone preservation is urgent after extraction, or when the implant can serve as an anchor to help guide orthodontic movement. In these cases, the implant site is essentially finalized before braces begin, so the order does not conflict with tooth positioning.

When You Should Avoid It

• Warning sign: Avoid placing an implant before braces if the surrounding teeth still need to shift into or around the implant site. Once an implant integrates with the bone, it acts like a fixed post and cannot be repositioned with braces, which could force a compromise in the final bite or smile alignment.
• Warning sign: Be cautious about starting braces before an implant if there has been substantial bone loss in the area and delaying grafting or implant placement would allow further deterioration. In some situations, preliminary bone work or early implant planning should happen alongside orthodontic care rather than strictly after it.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Planning the sequence with both specialists lets the orthodontist finish tooth movement before the implant is locked into place, improving the odds of ideal spacing, bite, and appearance.
• When an implant is placed at the right time, it can preserve bone, fill the gap during or after treatment, and reduce the need for additional procedures later.

Cons

• Choosing braces first can extend the overall treatment timeline and may require a temporary replacement tooth during orthodontic work, adding cost and inconvenience.
• Placing an implant too early can commit you to a position that becomes undesirable once braces shift the surrounding teeth, potentially leading to restorative complications or replacement work.

Decision Checklist

• Have my orthodontist and oral surgeon or periodontist reviewed my case together and agreed on whether the implant site will be affected by tooth movement?
• Do I have adequate bone at the implant site now, or will I need grafting or healing time that changes the optimal order?
• Am I prepared for the total timeline, cost, and any temporary tooth replacement needed if braces come before the implant?

Alternatives to Consider

If the timing is uncertain, a removable partial denture or temporary bridge can fill the gap while braces move the surrounding teeth. A space maintainer may help younger patients preserve room until growth and orthodontic treatment are complete. In some cases, a dental bridge or leaving the space managed with orthodontic retainers may be discussed, though these options carry their own long-term trade-offs. Your dental team can compare these against an implant-based plan.

Final Recommendation

For most patients whose missing tooth is near teeth that need orthodontic movement, braces before the implant is the safer sequence because it lets the final positions of the natural teeth guide implant placement. If the implant site is isolated and stable, or if bone preservation is the priority, placing the implant first may be appropriate. The best path depends on your specific bite, bone condition, age, and treatment goals, so coordinate closely with both an orthodontist and an implant specialist before committing to an order.