Can You Get Braces Just on Your Bottom Teeth?

Braces are an orthodontic treatment that straightens your teeth and aligns your bite. There are a wide range of orthodontic issues that vary from person to person, and braces can treat most of them. It is common to have crowded or crooked teeth on the bottom, but not on the top. 

Does this mean you only need braces on your bottom teeth? Can you get braces on just your bottom teeth and not the top? Here’s what orthodontists recommend.  

What Are Braces? 

Braces are an orthodontic treatment consisting of metal or ceramic brackets that attach to the front side of your teeth. The brackets are small and square-shaped with spaces to attach to an archwire. The archwire connects all of the brackets on each row of teeth and shifts them into proper alignment. Rubber bands are sometimes used to correct bite misalignment by connecting brackets on the top row to brackets on the bottom row. 

Am I a Candidate for Single Arch Braces?

In rare cases someone may only need braces on the top or the bottom and not both. This is more common in early orthodontic treatment and will often require you to get braces on all of your teeth later on to complete your treatment. An orthodontic evaluation will determine what corrections need to be made and the best way to treat them. 

What Problems May Occur With Just Bottom Row Braces? 

One of the main purposes of orthodontic treatment is bite alignment. The potential problem with getting braces on just the bottom or just the top teeth, is that the teeth may not meet together properly when you bite down once treatment is complete. 

For example, straightening out the bottom teeth to relieve crowding could cause the bottom row of teeth to extend out further than the top row of teeth, resulting in an underbite. Straightening out the top teeth could have the opposite effect, creating a severe overbite. 

Without braces on both the top and bottom teeth, it is difficult to ensure that the bite aligns properly, which is one of the most important aspects of orthodontic treatment. Proper bite alignment keeps the teeth and jaw healthy, helping you avoid damage to your teeth and TMJ symptoms. 

Looking For a Less Noticeable Treatment Option? 

In many cases the reason patients consider bottom braces only is that they are less noticeable on the bottom. If the main concern is appearance, there are other orthodontic treatment options that are more discreet. Clear aligner systems are designed to be discreet, using clear plastic trays that fit over the teeth and are virtually invisible. The aligners gently shift the teeth into proper alignment, also helping the top and bottom teeth meet together as they should. 

Ask an Orthodontist

If you want to find the right orthodontic treatment for you, Embrace Orthodontics can perform an evaluation to assess your needs. We provide a wide variety of orthodontic services including metal braces, clear braces, Invisalign, and other clear aligner systems. During your initial consultation you will have the opportunity to ask questions and find out everything you need to know before starting treatment. 

Call 518-439-9339 or contact us today to learn more and schedule an appointment.