Can You Get Invisalign with Dental Bridges? What You Need to Know
Adult patients at Des Moines Cosmetic Dentistry Center, the office of Stephen Forrest, DDS, often wonder if they can still straighten their teeth with Invisalign when they already have a dental bridge. The good news is that in most cases, Invisalign clear aligners can work even if you have a fixed bridge.
The aligners are designed to fit snugly over all your teeth, including any dental restorations. Since the aligners aren’t attached to your teeth, they won’t pull on or shift the bridge itself. In practice, your bridge stays in place while the natural teeth around it can move. Invisalign can be an excellent choice for adults with dental bridges to straighten teeth because the system simply adapts to your existing work.
Aligners Fit Around Your Bridge
Invisalign trays are clear plastic shells that cover each tooth. When you put them on, they will cover the crowns that hold your bridge and the artificial tooth in between, but they won’t change the bridge itself. Your dentist will scan your mouth and have the aligner trays made to fit over your smile exactly as it is. During treatment, you wear these aligners most of the day. They put gentle, targeted pressure on each movable tooth to shift it into place, but because a bridge is cemented on, the bridge won’t budge.
Your bridge simply “rides along” with your mouth. The aligner trays will cover its crowns and pontic (false tooth) the same as they cover other teeth, but they won’t push or pull on it. The treatment mainly affects the teeth that can move because nothing in the Invisalign process attaches to the bridge. In fact, many dentists say that a bridge in place often doesn’t stop Invisalign from working at all.
Working Around Your Bridge
Even though Invisalign typically works with bridges, you might face some challenges if you need to move teeth that support the bridge. By design, a dental bridge is anchored by crowns on nearby teeth, and the fake tooth in the middle is not rooted in bone. Because that middle tooth is fixed in place, it can’t move independently, traditional braces would be risky. Braces attach to teeth and could strain or damage the bridge. That’s why many dentists prefer aligners for patients with bridges.
If your treatment goals involve repositioning one of the teeth under the bridge, your dentist may recommend specific solutions. For example, the bridge could be sectioned or removed temporarily so those teeth can move. Some dentists even split a multi-unit bridge into pieces during orthodontic treatment. In cases with crowding or gaps, your dentist may split the bridge into sections so your teeth can be guided into the right position.
This would allow the involved teeth to move more freely under Invisalign, with the plan to fit you with a new bridge after treatment. If moving a bridged tooth is necessary, the bridge might need to be taken out or modified so the aligners can do their job.
Here are some typical approaches your dentist might consider if your Invisalign treatment involves a bridge:
- Keep the bridge in place and move other teeth first. In many cases the bridge can stay, and the aligners will focus on adjusting the surrounding teeth.
- Adjust the bridge for treatment. Your dentist might section the bridge or temporarily remove it to reposition its support teeth.
- Replace the bridge afterward. If the bridge is removed or altered, you’ll usually get a new bridge once Invisalign is done.
Every case is unique, so your dentist will guide you toward the best option. The key point is this: Invisalign can work around a bridge, but moving the bridged tooth itself often requires a special plan.
Planning Your Invisalign Treatment
Before starting Invisalign, your dentist will do a thorough evaluation. In your consultation, Dr. Forrest will examine your bridge, take X-rays or scans of your mouth, and discuss what you hope to achieve. This step is important for tailoring the treatment. For example, if one tooth has a crown or bridge, small tooth-colored attachments might not stick to it as well as to natural enamel. In that case, your dentist can attach them to a nearby tooth instead. Advanced 3D scans and models of your mouth help create a precise plan so the aligners fit perfectly around your bridge.
Your dentist may adjust your treatment schedule because a fixed bridge has no give. You might notice tooth movement is a bit slower on the side with the bridge. That’s normal. You can expect slower tooth movements if you have a bridge or veneers, since the dentist will preserve your restorations while still aligning the other teeth. This might slightly lengthen the overall timeline, but it protects your bridge from damage. Your doctor will explain how long treatment may take in your specific case.
It’s also worth mentioning that Invisalign aligners have advantages for restored teeth. Since you remove the trays to eat and clean, there’s less risk of decay or gum problems under the bridge during orthodontics. You can brush and floss around your bridge each day. Overall, most dental professionals agree that with proper planning, Invisalign can safely improve an adult’s smile with bridges.
What to Expect During Treatment
Once treatment begins, you’ll wear each set of aligners for about one to two weeks, as directed. You should continue routine dental check-ups and let Dr. Forrest know of any concerns. You may feel some pressure or soreness as your teeth adjust, but that’s typical and usually short-lived. If a tooth under the bridge needs shifting, your dentist might ask you to switch to wearing one aligner a little longer until movement is complete, or they may give you a course of refinements at the end.
Keep in mind that if Invisalign is chosen, the bridge simply remains part of your smile without getting in the way. The aligners slide over it each day. The process is very similar to treating a mouth with crowns or veneers. The key difference is the presence of the bridge. Invisalign offers a comfortable, less restrictive solution and nothing is affixed to your teeth, making it especially friendly for people with restorations. Just remember to take good care of your hygiene habits, and wear the trays as instructed.
If at any point you feel unsure about your bridge’s stability during treatment, talk to your dentist. They will check that the crowns holding the bridge remain solid. Your dentist will make sure the bridge is firmly in place so it won’t loosen under the aligners’ pressure.
Why Invisalign Can Be a Great Choice
You might still ask: why not go with braces instead? For adults with bridges, clear aligners often have the edge. Traditional braces are glued to your teeth and connected by wires, which can pull on everything equally. With a bridge, braces could put stress on the fixed unit.
Many dentists say braces aren’t usually recommended with bridges because they can even damage dental bridges if not managed carefully. Aligners, on the other hand, are removable and apply force more gently to individual teeth. They are virtually invisible and can be easier to manage with existing dental work.
Also, you may have heard that Invisalign can treat almost all types of misalignments, from mild spacing to moderate crowding. If your misalignment isn’t extreme, Invisalign can often correct it without disturbing your bridge. Even if you have moderate problems, an experienced Invisalign provider can often still help, sometimes with the minor bridge adjustments described above. Hundreds of patients with bridges and crowns have successfully used Invisalign to achieve straighter teeth.
Invisalign offers a way to straighten your teeth comfortably and discreetly, even when you have a dental bridge. The system’s flexibility and the expertise of your dentist make it possible to improve your smile without sacrificing the dental work you already have.
Take the Next Step with Invisalign
If you have a bridge and are considering Invisalign, the best move is to discuss it with a qualified dentist. Dr. Forrest at Des Moines Cosmetic Dentistry Center has helped many adults get straighter smiles, even with bridges and crowns. Dr. Forrest will review your dental history and goals, examine your bridge, and explain what the treatment will involve for you. He’ll outline whether we need to make any adjustments to your bridge and what the timeline might look like.
At Des Moines Cosmetic Dentistry Center, we can work with your current restorations and craft a treatment plan that fits your needs. You’re in control of your smile, and Invisalign could be the gentle, effective option to make it even better.
Ready to explore your options? Contact Des Moines Cosmetic Dentistry Center to schedule a consultation with Dr. Stephen Forrest. He and his team will answer your questions about Invisalign with bridges and help you decide the best way forward for a healthy, confident smile.
