Missing permanent teeth including congenitally missing teeth can be replaced with implants during or after orthodontic treatment. Oftentimes, having the implant and a temporary crown in place (if the patient is age-appropriate) prior to removing braces will help with stability and may prevent adjacent teeth from shifting into space.

It is important that the roots of adjacent teeth are properly diverged to facilitate placement of the dental implant. It is also important that that bite is correct in an anterior/posterior relationship because once the implant is placed, the teeth on either side cannot be moved a significant amount because the implant does not move! For example, a Class II malocclusion where the upper teeth are ahead of the lower needs to be corredcted prior to implant placement.

In addition, if a front tooth needs to be replaced, having the front teeth in a correct bite (ideal overbite/overjet relationship) allows for superior placement and greatly enhances esthetics.

Before Braces - congenitally missing fight lateral incisor.
After Braces - with implant replacement of right lateral incisor.
Before Implants
Before Braces
After Braces
Adult Malocclusion using implants to replace missing teeth and braces to close space.