December 27, 2020
Is only part of your smile crooked? Have you been wondering “can I get Invisalign on just my top teeth in Allen?” The good news is that this modern orthodontic treatment can help a wide variety of patients, including those who are just looking to correct their top or bottom teeth. This is known as single-arch Invisalign treatment, and it can cut down on the cost of correcting minor dental misalignment. However, there are several important aspects and risks you need to keep in mind before choosing this method. Read on as your Allen cosmetic dentist breaks down everything you need to know about getting Invisalign for just your top or bottom teeth.
How Does Invisalign Work?
In most cases, an Invisalign treatment will start off with your dentist creating a series of clear plastic alignment trays that are worn over the teeth, called aligners. Each set of aligners takes you one step closer to your ideal smile as it gradually and carefully shifts your teeth into their ideal positions. You’ll wear a set for about two or three weeks before moving onto the next until all your pearly whites are perfectly aligned.
There isn’t a significant change in process for single-arch Invisalign treatment. Of course, you’ll only need to wear one aligner (either on your top or bottom teeth). Typically, you’ll switch sets a little sooner than you would normally. However, not everyone is a good candidate for this treatment
Who Can Get Single-Arch Invisalign Treatment?
Single-arch Invisalign treatment can’t correct all the same kinds of issues a full treatment can. For example, bite issues like overbite or underbite require aligners on both top and bottom teeth in nearly every case. The only way to know for sure if single-arch treatment is right for you is to visit your dentist for a consultation. In many cases, single-arch treatment can correct:
- Minor gaps between teeth
- Front teeth that are slightly crooked
- One or two teeth that have tipped out of alignment
- Relapse of previous orthodontic treatments
What Are the Risks Associated with Single-Arch Invisalign Treatment?
While moving just your top teeth can straighten them, it can have a negative impact on your occlusion, or the way your top and bottom teeth come together. Since you’re only moving a single arch of teeth, your highly trained Allen cosmetic dentist needs to take careful consideration of how your teeth will eventually come together. Doing so carelessly can lead to malocclusion (bite issues like overbite, underbite, or crossbite), which can in turn cause toothaches, worn down teeth, TMJ disorder, and difficulty eating and speaking in day-to-day life. However, if you’re only correcting minor orthodontic issues in a single arch, it should be much easier for your dentist to monitor and protect the balance in your mouth.
Invisalign on just the top or bottom teeth may be able to help you reach your smile goals, but it’s not a good choice for everyone. Visit your dentist today for a consultation to see which type of orthodontic treatment is right for you.
About the Author
If you’re looking to correct your pearly whites with Invisalign, Dr. Christina Blacher of P.A. Dental Arts can help. She’s completed hours of continuing education in a wide variety of advanced topics and is considered an Invisalign Preferred Provider, which means she’s helped countless patients achieve their smile goals with Invisalign. She can thoroughly evaluate your teeth and help you determine which orthodontic treatment is best for your unique needs. To learn more about single-arch Invisalign treatment, she can be reached via her website or at (214) 383-5511.
