Having a dental implant does not mean you cannot get braces.
However, an implant behaves very differently from natural teeth. Natural tooth roots are surrounded by the periodontal ligament in the bone. Implants lack this tendinous support and are instead directly in contact with the bone.
When an orthodontic force is applied to a natural tooth, inflammation develops in the surrounding bone. This triggers a cascade of biochemical signals that result in bone remodeling as the tooth is moved with braces.
An implant behaves more like an ankylosed tooth (a tooth which lacks a periodontal ligament and is fused with the bone). This means that the implant cannot be moved orthodontically.
If the orthodontic plan does not involve significant movement of the other teeth:
If the orthodontic plan does not involve significant movement of the other teeth, then it may still be feasible even with an implant present. However, if the orthodontic plan involves extractions with space closure and other significant movements, the implant may need to be surgically removed and repositioned. At the very minimum, the implant crown may need to be changed to give a proper contact.
