Can You Get Braces on Your Lower or Upper Teeth Only?

Dentist Blog

Crowded, spaced, or misaligned teeth can make someone feel self-conscious and lose their confidence. Luckily, braces allow one to get straight and perfectly spaced teeth and restore their self-esteem as a result. If you have teeth on the lower or upper jaw that require you to wear braces, you may be wondering whether it is possible to get these restorations on only one jaw. Can an orthodontist make braces for the teeth in one jaw? The answer to this question is yes. However, it is not always possible, and this article will address some of the factors that will determine whether you can get braces for the lower or upper jaw only.

The nature of the bite

One of the primary factors that your orthodontist will consider is the current state of the bite and how moving only one jaw will affect it. If the upper teeth are widely spaced, and you have an overbite, but the lower teeth are okay, moving the top jaw would be effective in fixing the overbite. Similarly, if you have crowded lower teeth and straight upper teeth, straightening the lower teeth would restore the bite without causing problems. However, if the bite at the back is okay and just the front teeth are crowded or spaced, moving teeth on one jaw can cause an overbite which will lead to more dental problems. 

Positioning of the teeth

Braces work by slowly moving teeth in a specific predetermined direction to fix crowding, spacing, and an overbite. Teeth have a natural way that they move when you wear braces; therefore, your orthodontist has to consider this movement before recommending braces for one jaw only. For instance, crowded teeth will move forward when you wear braces, and spaced teeth will move backward to fill the spaces in the mouth. Therefore, if you wear braces to fix a crowded lower jaw, the teeth may pop forward and lead to an overbite. Also, if you try to fix spaced upper teeth, the teeth could move backward and cause an underbite. Both of these scenarios can lead to significant jaw problems if not corrected immediately.

Jaw balance

Your upper and lower jaw should be balanced for you to be able to bite and talk properly. Wearing braces on the lower or upper teeth only can affect jaw balance and cause one to be larger than the other. This will alter how your teeth fit together in the mouth. If your teeth touch too hard, this will cause them to break or wear in the long run. If they don't touch at all, this may cause jaw pain and tension. The effect of the treatment on the jaws will determine your candidacy for the braces.

An orthodontist will assess your teeth, jaws, and the underlying problem before determining whether you are a suitable candidate for getting braces on one jaw only.

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12 December 2017

Dental Care and Seniors: Helping to Maintain Your Smile

As you age, it can become harder to take care of your teeth. Motor challenges can make it hard to floss, while memory issues may make it easy to overlook brushing. Whether you are a senior looking for solutions to some of the common dental problems or a senior with specific questions about cavities or oral surgery, you have come to the right place. In this blog, I am going to touch on a range of topics related to seniors and oral health. This is the type of resource I wish my mum would have had access to in her senior years, and I hope you enjoy having access to it during yours. I appreciate you reading my posts.