Getting Crowns, Bridges, or Implants After Braces: UK Timing Guide

Why does the sequence between orthodontics and restorations matter?

A crown, bridge, or implant is a fixed restoration — once placed it cannot be moved orthodontically. If restorations are placed before orthodontic treatment, they must either be accepted in whatever position they end up in post-treatment or replaced at additional cost and time. The general principle is therefore to complete any necessary orthodontic tooth movement first, then restore. There are exceptions — such as temporary or provisional restorations during treatment — but the default approach in combined orthodontic and restorative cases is orthodontics first, restorations second.

Why should you wait 3 to 6 months before getting a crown or veneer?

When orthodontic appliances are removed, teeth are not immediately in their final stable positions. Small amounts of residual movement occur in the weeks and months following debond as the periodontal ligament reorganises. Placing a permanent crown or veneer immediately after braces risks producing a restoration that does not fit perfectly once the tooth settles. Waiting a minimum of 3 months — and ideally 6 months after significant tooth movement — allows position to stabilise. This period should be spent wearing retainers consistently to hold the achieved result.

When are provisional crowns used during orthodontic treatment?

Teeth that already have failing restorations or significant structural damage cannot always wait until orthodontics is complete before being covered. In these cases, provisional (temporary) crowns are placed to protect the tooth during treatment. A provisional crown is made from composite or acrylic and can have brackets bonded directly to it if needed. At the end of orthodontic treatment, the provisional is removed and a definitive crown is made to fit the final tooth position.

When should you place a dental implant after orthodontics?

Implants must be placed only after: the patient has stopped growing; orthodontic treatment is complete and tooth positions are stable; and any space has been precisely opened or closed to the correct dimension to receive the implant. An implant placed before orthodontics is locked in bone and cannot be moved if adjacent teeth need adjusting around it. Your orthodontist will create the correct space, and your implant surgeon will then plan implant dimensions accordingly.

How does orthodontics open space for implants?

Many patients missing a tooth — most commonly a congenitally missing upper lateral incisor — present with insufficient space for an implant of the correct diameter. Orthodontic treatment can precisely redistribute space so that the implant will fit, look symmetrical, and have the correct gingival height relative to adjacent teeth. Your orthodontist will often close treatment with a removable retainer that includes a prosthetic tooth in the implant space, preserving the space and aesthetics until the implant is placed.

Why should your orthodontist and restorative dentist communicate?

Combined orthodontic and restorative treatment works best when both clinicians communicate before, during, and after orthodontics. A pre-treatment joint consultation — or at minimum exchange of records and a shared written treatment plan — avoids mismatched expectations about final tooth positions, implant space dimensions, and restoration timing. If your two clinicians are in different practices, raise this yourself and ask both to agree the plan in writing.

Useful related pages

This guide is for general information only. It is not a diagnosis, treatment plan, or substitute for advice from a registered dentist or orthodontist.