Braces Bottom Teeth Only: Cost, Benefits, and Treatment Options
If I want to cure my misaligned teeth, are full mouth braces the only option? Can I get braces for only my front teeth? Or braces bottom teeth only?” Do these questions cross your mind? The answer is you can go for braces for the bottom teeth only. Or brace your front six teeth. This helps solve alignment issues while staying visually appealing. Also, you can get over having a perfect smile with minimal effort in a short time.
But having said that, bracing bottom teeth only can lead to myriad risks and may not be as effective as full braces. So before you dive headlong into partial braces orthodontic treatment, you need to understand the following:
- What are braces for bottom teeth only?
- When and why do you need bottom braces?
- What are the benefits of bottom teeth braces?
- What are the risks of bottom teeth braces?
This blog will explore all these answers in detail and dig deeper into the nuances of bottom braces. Let’s have a look.
Contents
Are Braces For The Bottom Teeth Only Possible?
Braces solve innumerable problems in one go. They guarantee exceptional results for bite issues, overcrowding, teeth gaping, etc.
But full mouth braces are not aesthetically appealing to some, so many patients prefer just getting their front set of teeth treated to get the perfect shape. That’s where braces for the bottom teeth only come into play.
What Are Partial Braces?
If you want to straighten your teeth just to make your smile visually appealing, partial braces should be one of your first choices. You can apply braces to just six of your front teeth or just at the bottom. Your orthodontist will attach brackets to your most visible front teeth, connected by a shorter archwire. However, they won’t be able to solve dental problems like bad bites or jaw alignment problems.
Why Do You Need Bottom Braces?
Numerous factors are responsible for applying braces for the bottom teeth only. It can include:
- How many of your teeth need straightening?
- Do you have any missing teeth?
- Your last orthodontic treatment
- Are your teeth severely misaligned?
One of the major reasons to get braces for the bottom teeth only is for visual appearance. Attaching braces to your bottom arch or just a few teeth in the front will be enough to correct minor alignment issues and straighten your smile. Many orthodontists also term this process as minor tooth movement or short-term ortho.
If your teeth need correction in bite movements, your orthodontist may connect both upper and lower arches with elastics. These extra bonds in teeth will give room for predictable and accurate teeth movement.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Correct specific issues | Longer appointments due to precise adjustments |
| Cost-effective option | Discomfort due to proximity to the tongue |
| Less noticeable during smiling | Tongue ulcerations can be common initially |
| Address visible bottom teeth concerns | Harder to clean due to position in the mouth |
When Do You Need Bottom Teeth Braces?
As you get older, you may notice myriad issues like crooked bottom teeth, especially for the front set of teeth. Teeth tend to shift forward, overlap one another or bunch up as time passes.
Also, bottom teeth moving can indicate signs of orthodontic relapse. This can be due to the fact you have yet to have any retainers to straighten your teeth. Even if you had full braces, your teeth might drift into the previous position. To prevent your teeth from moving into the opposite arch, bottom/partial braces can be the perfect short-term perfect.
How Long Do Braces For The Bottom Teeth Only Take To Show Results?
One of the main reasons why people like going for braces for the bottom teeth only is the faster and just required results. With bottom braces, you can get your primarily appearing teeth in perfect shape in reduced time and cost.
These quick and short-term orthos take anywhere between three to nine months. However, it relies on your jaw configuration and your teeth misalignment. Bottom braces usually take half the time needed by full braces treatment. Remember that the duration will always depend on how crowded your teeth are.
Risks Of Bottom Teeth Braces
Unfortunately, braces for the bottom teeth only bring more trouble than benefits. First, these partial bottom teeth braces don’t resolve any bite movement issues. Adding to this, you may face myriad side effects owing to incomplete treatments. These often include jaw pain, untimely wear and tear or orthodontic relapse. Moreover, straightening only your bottom teeth can result in incorrect bite patterns.
The main benefit of braces is to correct the bite and adjust the top and bottom arches. Correcting alignments only on one side will make your teeth rows not meet each other, which means overbites, crossbites, open bites, or underbites.
Conclusion
In this blog, you have learned everything about braces for the bottom teeth only. We have also covered nuances like:
- What partial braces and single arch treatments are
- When and why you would need bottom braces
- How long it takes to get results
- Risks associated and so on
Long story short, bottom braces are a temporary solution to minor alignment or appearance issues. But they can’t solve severe dental concerns like overcrowding or excessive gapping between teeth. Moreover, it can lead to extreme bite problems. So, before you dive headlong into applying bottom teeth braces, it’s extremely important to consult your orthodontist. They examine the conditions of your teeth and jaws and suggest treatments that will best suit your dental needs.
Dr. Michael McDermott earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in both Chemistry and Biology from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. He followed his undergraduate degrees with a doctorate in dental surgery at the University of Minnesota, where he graduated with highest distinction.
Dr. Mike then furthered his dental education by earning a masters and certificate in Orthodontics at the University of St. Louis in Missouri.
