Is a chronic condition an obstacle to orthodontics?
Having a chronic condition or taking regular medication does not, in most cases, mean you cannot have orthodontic treatment. However, some conditions and medicines can affect gum health, bone remodelling and healing. For this reason, your orthodontist takes your general health into account when planning treatment and, when necessary, asks you to get in touch with the doctor who follows you. This page gives general information; decisions about diagnosis and medication belong to the relevant doctor.
What your orthodontist needs to know
At the first examination, you are asked about your medical history. Sharing the following information in full helps make a safe plan:
- Your diagnosed chronic conditions and how long they have been followed
- All medicines you take regularly, including bone medicines you took in the past and stopped
- Herbal products and supplements
- Your allergies (e.g. nickel or latex)
- Operations you have had and bone-related treatments
- Details of the doctors who follow you
To find out what is discussed at the examination, see our first orthodontic examination page, and to prepare in advance, see our examination question list.
Diabetes
Diabetes, especially when blood sugar is not well controlled, can increase susceptibility to gum disease and slow tissue healing. During orthodontic treatment, gum health may be monitored more closely. In general:
- It is important to stay in regular contact with the doctor who manages your diabetes.
- Taking care with oral hygiene and attending check-ups regularly is recommended so that gum inflammation is noticed early.
- If you have a dry mouth, tell your orthodontist; it can affect the risk of decay.
- For long appointments, timing can be planned with your blood sugar routine and mealtimes in mind.
Osteoporosis and bone medicines
Orthodontic tooth movement depends on bone remodelling. Some medicines used to treat osteoporosis (e.g. the bisphosphonate group) can affect the process of bone formation and breakdown. This may slow tooth movement or call for extra care with some procedures. For this reason:
- Tell your orthodontist about the bone medicines you take or have taken, how they were given (by mouth or into a vein) and for how long.
- If surgical procedures such as an extraction or a mini-screw are planned, views may be exchanged with the relevant doctor.
- Do not stop or change your medicine on your own for orthodontics; this decision belongs only to the doctor who prescribed it.
Blood thinners
For people taking blood thinners, the routine stages of orthodontic treatment (such as bonding brackets, changing wires or handing over aligners) usually do not involve bleeding. However, when an extraction, mini-screw placement or gum procedure is planned, the bleeding risk is assessed. In that case your orthodontist may ask you to get in touch with the doctor who manages your medicine. Remember that you should not stop your medicine on your own; only the relevant doctor decides on the dose and use. For information on mini-screws, see our article what is an orthodontic mini-screw.
Other points for people on regular medication
- Dry mouth: Some medicines can reduce saliva flow. When saliva decreases, the risk of decay and gum problems can increase; for aligner wearers, drinking water and hygiene become even more important.
- Gum overgrowth: Some medicines can cause the gums to grow; this can make cleaning around brackets harder.
- Treatments affecting immunity: Communication with the relevant doctor may be needed regarding healing and infection risk.
Things to watch during treatment
If there is a change in your health while treatment is under way, if you start a new medicine or if the dose of your current medicine changes, tell your orthodontist. A hospital stay, an operation or a new diagnosis are also among the things that may affect the plan. If you notice gum bleeding, swelling, sores that take a long time to heal or unexpected looseness of the teeth, contact the clinic without waiting for your check-up appointment. For clear aligner wearers, regular cleaning of the aligners and teeth is especially important for people with a dry mouth or gum sensitivity; see our wear and care guide.
Communication with the relevant doctor
When necessary, your orthodontist may ask the doctor who follows you for information or an opinion. This is a routine step in planning treatment safely. To make communication easier, you can bring your medication list and any recent test results or reports to the examination. Assessing your general oral health before treatment is also important; see preparing for orthodontics. For orthodontic options in adults, you can also see our page on orthodontics without braces for adults.
Frequently asked questions
I have diabetes. Can I use clear aligners?
In most cases, orthodontic treatment can be planned if the condition is followed regularly and gum health is suitable. Your orthodontist assesses suitability after the examination.
I take an osteoporosis medicine. Will my teeth move?
Some bone medicines can slow tooth movement. The type of medicine and how long it has been used matter; when you share this information, your orthodontist assesses the plan accordingly.
I take a blood thinner. Should I pause it?
No, do not pause it on your own. Routine orthodontic procedures mostly do not involve bleeding; if a surgical procedure is planned, the decision is made together with the doctor who manages your medicine.
For questions, you can call 0312 911 60 36 or use the form on the contact page.
This page is for general information only; diagnosis and the treatment plan are determined by an examination and your orthodontist's assessment.