Ask Dentist Rohnert Park: Can You Get Clear Aligner Orthodontic Treatment After Restorations?

Clear aligner orthodontic treatment has transformed the way people straighten their teeth. Gone are the days of bulky metal braces; today, patients can enjoy a discreet, comfortable, and effective path to a straighter smile. But if you’ve had dental restorations such as fillings, crowns, bridges, or implants, you might be wondering: can you still get aligners?

At Sonoma Smiles, we’re all about finding solutions, and we believe no smile is a lost cause. Below, our dentist in Rohnert Park explains how restorations interact with aligners and what you need to know before starting treatment.

How Clear Aligners Work

Clear aligners are custom-made, removable trays that gently move teeth into proper alignment over time. Like traditional braces, they rely on pressure to guide teeth into position, only with trays instead of wires and brackets. Each set of aligners makes incremental adjustments, is typically worn for 20-22 hours per day, and is switched out every one to two weeks.

Can You Get Clear Aligners with Dental Fillings?

Tooth fillings are usually compatible with clear aligners. Since fillings restore the shape of a tooth without significantly changing its position or mobility, the aligners can still fit snugly and apply proper pressure to move the tooth.

Our dentist in Rohnert Park may need to check that the filling edges are smooth and flush with the tooth surface. Any rough spots could interfere with the aligner fit or cause minor discomfort. In most cases, if you have a filling, you can safely pursue clear aligner orthodontic treatment.

Crowns: Proceed with Caution

Dental crowns can be a different story. Several factors matter:

• Crown Condition: We have to check that your crown is in top condition before shifting your alignment. 
• Fit and Stability: If a crown is slightly loose or older, we may need to make adjustments or replacements before starting aligner therapy. 
• Number of Crowns: Multiple crowns, especially on adjacent teeth, can limit movement because the aligners cannot apply uniform pressure.
  

Tooth caps can sometimes mean that progress is a little slower. However, clear aligner orthodontic treatment moves each tooth from the root, which means the crown should move along with the tooth. Our dentist in Rohnert Park can evaluate your crowns carefully to determine if clear aligners can be safely used without compromising the restoration.

Bridges and When They Can Be a Problem

Dental bridges, which replace one or more missing teeth by anchoring artificial teeth to natural teeth or implants, can pose a significant challenge for clear aligners. Unlike individual teeth, bridges are fixed and cannot move independently. Clear aligners require individual tooth movement, so a bridge can prevent proper alignment of the surrounding teeth.

If you have a bridge and want clear aligner orthodontic treatment, the team at Sonoma Smiles may recommend alternative options, such as traditional braces or partial aligner treatments, to accommodate the restoration.

Implants: The Short Answer Is, “It Depends!”

Dental implants are designed to replace missing teeth permanently. Because implants are fused to the jawbone, they cannot shift like natural teeth. While aligners can move the neighboring natural teeth around the implant, the implant itself remains stationary.

That doesn’t necessarily mean that clear aligner orthodontic treatment is out of the question for you. In some cases, our dentist in Rohnert Park can make certain adjustments or combine aligners with other orthodontic solutions to achieve a balanced, functional bite.

What About Porcelain Veneers and Aligners?

While cosmetic instead of restorative, porcelain veneers are still attached to your teeth. These thin shells are bonded to the front of teeth and can sometimes be compatible with clear aligners if they are well-bonded and intact. However, too much pressure or movement could cause chipping or detachment. 

We might be able to fix some minor misalignment problems with the veneers themselves rather than clear aligners. We can cover up unevenness and tooth gaps with custom facades. Our team will go over all your options when you come for a consultation. 

How Does a Rohnert Park Dentist Decide if Aligners Will Work?

Before beginning any kind of treatment, we conduct a comprehensive dental evaluation.

1. Review: We get a good look at all your past dental work, including fillings, crowns, bridges, implants, and veneers.
2. Scans: We’ll take digital scans or impressions to design your precise aligners, accounting for all the little idiosyncrasies of your smile.
3. Adjustments: Our team will identify if you have any teeth or restorations that may require minor pre-treatment adjustments to ensure they can move with orthodontics.
4. Planning: We’ll make sure to set realistic expectations, including which restorations may limit certain movements.

Think Clear Aligners Aren’t Possible? Let’s Talk!

Many people assume that dental restorations automatically disqualify them from clear aligner orthodontic treatment, but that’s not always the case. The key is to partner with a knowledgeable dentist in Rohnert Park who understands both orthodontics and restorative dentistry. With a personalized approach, it’s often possible to enjoy the benefits of clear aligners without compromising the longevity of your restorations.
Sonoma Smiles is that dentist. If you’re considering clear aligners and have existing dental work, don’t guess or assume anything. Instead, book a visit to our office today. Our team will evaluate your teeth, discuss your options, and create a treatment plan designed to give you a straight, healthy, and beautiful smile—restorations and all.

Dr. Wayne Sutton

Connect with Dr. Wayne Sutton on Linkedin

A renowned cosmetic dentist in Sonoma County, Dr. Sutton has over 20 years of experience and maintains a standard of excellence at his implant center using the strongest dental implant bridge currently available to provide predictable full mouth dental implant reconstructions.

Dr. Sutton received his postgraduate at The Pacific Aesthetic Continuum in San Francisco and his doctorate and three years of experience as a clinical instructor from UCSF School of Dentistry in 1997, where he was the only one to receive the “Clinical Excellence Award”. He also studied Advanced Occlusion at the Hornbrook Group and earned his Fellowship in the Academy of Comprehensive Esthetics.

Today, Dr. Sutton takes over 4 times the annual continuing education requirements to maintain his license. He is a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation (awarded his Fellowship), the Academy of General Dentistry (Fellowships status), the American Dental Implant Association (Diplomat status), the American Dental Association, the American Academy for Dental Sleep Medicine, and is a select cosmetic dentist recognized as an Official Dentist of the Mrs. Globe – Mrs. USA Pageants.