New Haven Dental Group is a 42 North Dental Care, PLLC practice and is owned and operated by dentists Dr. Samuel Shames, DDM. and Dr. Ronald Weissman, DDM. Gentle Dental is supported by 42 North Dental, LLC, a dental support organization that provides non-clinical administrative and business support services to the practice. 42 North Dental, LLC does not own or operate the dental practice or employ dentists to provide dental services. Find more information about 42 North Dental, LLC and the dental practices it supports at 42northdental.com.
If you know you need to straighten your teeth, you might be tempted to ask your orthodontist or dentist if you can get braces on just your top or bottom teeth, instead of undergoing full-mouth treatment. But is that a wise idea? This blog post delves into why many people are interested in single-arch treatment and why it is usually better to get full-mouth braces.
Motivations for Single-Arch Treatment
The majority of patients who ask for single-arch treatment are ones whose dental misalignment causes noticeable aesthetic issues. For example, their top teeth might be significantly crowded while their bottom teeth look perfectly fine. In other cases, the bottom teeth are somewhat unattractive but the top teeth look perfect.
In some instances, the desire for single-arch treatment boils down to a desire to save time and/or money.
It is worth acknowledging that rarely, single-arch orthodontic treatment is possible. This is more common among individuals whose dental misalignment is relatively mild. In most cases, though, full-mouth care is the better option, even when one row of teeth appears to be straight already.
Why Is Double-Arch Treatment Necessary?
Full-arch orthodontic care is usually necessary because, in most cases, shifting only one row of teeth could worsen or cause bite problems. For example, if it is necessary to move the top teeth forward, it could worsen an overbite if the bottom teeth are not also adjusted. If the top teeth are moved backward, an underbite might be the result.
A misaligned bite can be a serious problem. It can lead to a number of issues, including TMJ disorder, chewing difficulty, poor facial aesthetics, headaches, and more.
Even though double-arch treatment is usually necessary, that does not mean you will get your top and bottom braces at the same time. Often, the top braces are placed a few months before the bottom ones.
Benefits of Full-Mouth Braces
Although you might be a little disappointed to learn that you cannot get single-arch orthodontic treatment, you can be confident that following your dentist’s or orthodontist’s recommendation will ultimately turn out well for your smile.
Successful, well-planned orthodontic treatment can enhance your facial aesthetics, improve your oral health, make it easier for you to chew various foods, and more.
Braces can be great for your whole smile — from top to bottom! Remain open-minded toward your care provider’s treatment plan so you can enjoy the best results possible.
Meet the Practice
New Haven Dental Group has been proudly serving our community for more than four decades. Braces and clear aligners are both available in our practice. If you have questions about what to expect with orthodontic treatment, we would love to speak with you. Contact our team at 203-712-4068.