Clear Aligners are an excellent solution for people looking to straighten their teeth and achieve a perfect smile. However, in some cases, you might feel you only require partial treatment, meaning having clear aligners fitted on one row of teeth rather than both.
If this sounds familiar, you might be wondering whether it is possible to have clear aligners fitted to one row of teeth or if you must do all your teeth at once. In short, you can do them individually, which is referred to as single arch treatment. While it is possible, only straightening your top or bottom teeth is typically not done as it isn’t without its issues.
Find out why you may want only to adjust one row of teeth and whether you’re eligible for clear aligner treatment today!
When are clear aligners on just your top or bottom teeth suitable?
In cases where you only require slight cosmetic dentistry treatments to improve the visual appearance of your smile, clear aligners on one row of teeth may be advised. This includes issues such as:
- Minor spacing or gaps
- Slightly crooked front or bottom teeth
- A tooth tipped out of alignment
- Relapse after previous orthodontic therapy
If you’re looking to fix more complex dental issues, such as crossbites or open bites that are more severe and require movement from both rows of teeth to effectively align the jaw, clear aligners on one row of teeth will not be sufficient.
Are clear aligners on one row of teeth cheaper?
Single arch clear aligner treatment works very similarly to traditional clear aligner treatment, with sets of removable aligner trays provided at set intervals to gradually move your teeth through the alignment process in a subtle way so life can carry on as normal.
When it comes to the cost of clear aligner treatment, you might assume that only having one row of teeth straightened would cost half as much as standard clear aligners. While it is a more affordable investment, you’d be surprised that one set of clear aligners does not equate to half the price of the standard two because the procedure, materials and clinical expertise needed are still very similar between the two.
What are the risks of only using clear aligners on one row of teeth?
Your top and bottom teeth have an intimate relationship when it comes to your bite. Only straightening one row of teeth can have risks, as it may result in the opposing teeth not properly aligning when you bite down. They need to work in tandem to meet properly and moving one without considering how it might affect the other can result in complications.
If the bite is not precise, it could lead to issues such as tooth wear and tooth and jaw aches. These problems may require further treatment to fix, which can be costly and mean even more time until you have your dream smile.
Expert orthodontists use specialist technology to determine what work needs to be done to move your teeth into a straight alignment. It is highly advised that you seek a consultation to confirm whether or not you’d be suitable for using clear aligners on one row of teeth, as only a trained professional will have the expertise to advise the best treatment for you.
If you’d like to find out if you’re a good fit for clear aligners and whether you’d be a good candidate for single arch treatment or will require both – get in touch, and a team member will be able to assist you.
