Are your bottom teeth looking picture-perfect, but the rest of your smile could use some serious straightening? You might be wondering, “Can I get Invisalign on just my top teeth?” You can indeed, but the process is more complicated than it appears. Several factors come into play regarding single-arch treatments. With that in mind, keep reading to learn from your dentist in West Orange about getting Invisalign only on your upper teeth.
What Does Single-Arch Invisalign Treatment Entail?
Do you know what a dental arch is? It’s the U-shaped arrangement of bone, tissue, and teeth on both the upper and lower jaw. If you’re only getting dental care on the bottom or top teeth, it’s referred to as single-arch treatment.
With Invisalign, you’ll wear a clear aligner just on your top teeth and change it out as directed (usually every week) to shift teeth into their ideal positions. However, a dentist will only recommend single-arch treatment after thoroughly examining your mouth since changing just one will affect your overall bite.
What Are the Risks of Straightening Only My Top Teeth?
It may not seem obvious but treating only the top arch with Invisalign has many potential challenges. Although it can make the teeth appear straighter, this approach can also shift your bite and cause jaw misalignment. It can change the pressure points and make it so that certain teeth hit higher or harder than others. When that happens, it can lead to issues like toothaches, tooth wear, and TMJ pain if not done correctly.
Because of this, it’s crucial to carefully monitor the bite throughout every case. Moving just the top or bottom arch independently affects the entire system of your mouth.
How Do I Know If I’m a Candidate for Single-Arch Invisalign Treatment?
It’s worth noting not everyone is eligible for single-arch treatment. Your dentist will conduct a thorough oral examination to determine whether you’re able to get Invisalign for only your top teeth. It varies on a case-by-case basis, depending largely on your bite and specific smile goals.
“So, can I get Invisalign on just my top teeth?” You can, but the final answer comes down to whether you should. That will be determined during a consultation with your dentist. After an examination, they can recommend this treatment if it makes sense for you.
About the Practice
At D&G Dental of West Orange, we care about our patients like a small business, but state-of-the-art technology helps ensure that our quality of care is elite. We’re here to help smiles of all ages, as Saturday and evening appointments allow us to work with your busy schedule. We are proud to have been voted “Best of Essex” three times. If you are interested in Invisalign, we are a preferred provider and welcome dental insurance, plus flexible financing is available. During a consultation, we can evaluate if single-arch treatment makes sense for your needs. You can schedule one on our website or by calling (973) 731-2200.