I’m annoyed at my dentist. He had me get dental implants because I lost two teeth, but NOW he tells me we could have made it easier to save those teeth had I gotten orthodontics. That would have put those teeth in the correct position, making them easier to treat. Why didn’t he tell me that before, when there was actually a chance to save them? Isn’t that his job? I still have more back teeth scrunched up like the teeth I lost. I’d like to try to save them by getting ortho done, but don’t know if I need to have the implants removed to do that. Any advice?

Melanie B. – Kansas

Melanie,

I can understand your frustration. It sounds like your dentist left out some important communication to you. Yes, it’s his job if he sees a potential problem and solution to let you know. His job to give you options, pros, and cons, then let you decide. He didn’t seem to fulfill that. So, now you’re in a bit of a quandary.

Yes, you can remove your dental implants then get braces, but it’s not an easy procedure. For the implants to succeed, your jawbone had to integrate with the root form. Removing them will be difficult. Then, after your braces procedure is completed, you won’t be able to just put the implants back. You’ll need bone grafting and then have to start the implant procedure over again from the beginning.

I’d like to recommend you see a couple of different orthodontists in the area and get their recommendations, then weigh your options. Feel free to write back if their advice is confusing or contradictory. Even good dentists and orthodontists can disagree with each other occasionally.

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