Updated on February 22, 2024
3 min read

Can You Get Invisalign With a Missing Tooth?

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Key Takeaways

  • Invisalign treats a variety of orthodontic problems, including gapped, crooked, and misaligned teeth
  • It’s possible to get Invisalign with a missing tooth
  • If you need a dental implant, you can get it before, during, or after Invisalign treatment (but most dental professionals recommend after) 
  • A missing tooth due to gum disease can complicate Invisalign treatment

Can You Get Invisalign With a Missing Tooth?

Invisalign is a convenient, discreet, and effective way to straighten your teeth. Treatment consists of using clear trays to transform your smile without the need for metal braces.

The custom aligner trays are created from digital impressions of your lower and upper arches. The trays apply pressure to your teeth, slowly moving them in small increments.

hand holding Invisalign aligners

In most cases, Invisalign provides the same results as conventional orthodontic methods like traditional metal braces. However, Invisalign comes without the appearance, discomfort, or hygiene challenges of metal braces. 

If you have one or more missing teeth, you can still opt for Invisalign. But it’s essential to have a plan to replace your missing tooth once you’re finished with treatment.

Dental professionals usually recommend orthodontic treatments like Invisalign before seeking tooth replacements. This allows the neighboring teeth to shift back into their proper position, making room for the implant. 

3d illustration of dental implant procedure

However, getting an implant before, during, or after Invisalign treatment is possible, depending on the case. Invisalign trays and dental implants work well together during all stages of treatment.

Straighten your teeth at a fraction of the cost. Learn about clear aligners.

Can You Get Invisalign With an Implant?

Many people opt for a dental implant to replace a missing tooth during Invisalign. Here’s how the treatments work together:

Invisalign Before Implants

Most dentists will recommend Invisalign before dental implants. This gives the orthodontist more flexibility to create a perfect smile before adding a permanent implant. 

There may be exceptions. This is especially true if your dentist thinks you don’t have enough bone support, or it might decay by the time you get the implant.

Implants During Invisalign

If necessary, you can get a dental implant during Invisalign. Your dentist will have to take the implant’s positioning into account when designing the aligner treatment plan. 

Invisalign After Implants

If you already have dental implants, or are about to get them, Invisalign treatment can begin after the procedure. 

Here’s how it works: 

During a consultation, your dentist determines the type of implant you need. Then an incision is made into your gums, and a titanium pole is screwed into your jawbone. 

After the procedure, it takes about 3 to 4 weeks to heal completely. You’ll return to the office to have an artificial tooth (crown) implanted. 

Once the site heals, you can set up an appointment with a certified Invisalign doctor to begin treatment. The dental professional will take impressions of your teeth, including the implanted tooth. 

Next, the impressions are sent to a dental lab. Here, lab technicians make your custom aligners and send them back to your Invisalign provider.

You’ll wear each aligner set for two weeks and visit your Invisalign doctor every 6 to 8 weeks to check progress. 

Other Considerations

If a tooth is missing because of gum disease, the gum and bone tissue surrounding the teeth aren’t healthy.

For Invisalign to succeed, gums and teeth need to be as healthy as possible. Teeth also require time to rebuild themselves so they don’t move. 

Additionally, if you have cavities or other oral health conditions, they need to be addressed before Invisalign. 

Continue to wear your retainers after Invisalign treatment. These devices prevent your teeth from moving back to their original positions.

Find the best at-home clear aligners for mild misalignment. See our expert recommendations.

Other Teeth Misalignments Invisalign Fixes

Invisalign treats a wide range of other orthodontic problems, including:7

What’s Next?

Discover the best fit for your smile.

Explore top at-home clear aligner brands.

Last updated on February 22, 2024
8 Sources Cited
Last updated on February 22, 2024
All NewMouth content is medically reviewed and fact-checked by a licensed dentist or orthodontist to ensure the information is factual, current, and relevant.

We have strict sourcing guidelines and only cite from current scientific research, such as scholarly articles, dentistry textbooks, government agencies, and medical journals. This also includes information provided by the American Dental Association (ADA), the American Association of Orthodontics (AAO), and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
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  2. Papadimitriou, Aikaterini et al. “Clinical effectiveness of Invisalign® orthodontic treatment: a systematic review.” Progress in orthodontics vol. 19,1 37. 28 Sep. 2018
  3. Gu, Jiafeng et al. “Evaluation of Invisalign treatment effectiveness and efficiency compared with conventional fixed appliances using the Peer Assessment Rating index.” American journal of orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics : official publication of the American Association of Orthodontists, its constituent societies, and the American Board of Orthodontics vol. 151,2 : 259-266
  4. Figueiredo, Marcio Antonio de et al. “Effectiveness of Invisalign® aligners in the treatment of severe gingival recession: A case report.” Korean journal of orthodontics vol. 51,4 : 293-300
  5. Lagravère, Manuel O, and Carlos Flores-Mir. “The treatment effects of Invisalign orthodontic aligners: a systematic review.” Journal of the American Dental Association vol. 136,12 : 1724-9
  6. Adobes-Martin, Milagros et al. “Invisalign treatment from the patient perspective: A Twitter content analyses.” Journal of clinical and experimental dentistry vol. 13,4 e376-e382. 1 Apr. 2021
  7. Treatable cases, Invisalign
  8. How Invisalign works, Invisalign
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