La Habra/Chino Hills, CA – Some people may be perfectly content with part of their smile but may be self-conscious about another part. If you fall into that category, is it possible to get braces on only part of your teeth, such as just the top or just the bottom?

“This is a common question,” says Dr. Robert Gire of Gire Orthodontics. “It may seem logical that if you are only self-conscious about your bottom teeth, you should only get braces on them, rather than your entire mouth. Unfortunately, the smile is a bit more complicated than that.”

So, why can’t you only get braces on part of your smile?

For the majority of patients, having braces on only the top or the bottom teeth isn’t an ideal solution. That’s because braces do much more than just align the teeth. They also ensure the bite is correct and that the top coordinates with the bottom. Having braces placed on only your bottom teeth may correct the cosmetic issue you were concerned with, but it may cause more harm than good to your overall smile. 

The Importance of a Harmonious Bite

“Correcting only one part of your mouth may lead to more severe problems in the future,” says Dr. Gire. “Your upper and lower arches have to work in harmony to create a stable bite. If we focus on only one of these arches, rather than the mouth as a whole, it could lead to problems. Your teeth could chip, crack, or break because of an uneven bite.”

If you are unhappy with any part of your bite, Dr. Gire recommends beginning by scheduling a consultation with a board-certified orthodontist. This ensures that you are receiving treatment from the very best, with a host of treatment options at your disposal. A well-trained orthodontist will know exactly what treatment method is best to correct your specific issue.

If you are concerned about the cost of orthodontic treatment and think having braces on only one arch will be a cost saver, Dr. Gire encourages thinking through the potential future costs of a misaligned bite. 

Costs and Benefits of Full Orthodontic Treatment

“I know that the cost of orthodontic treatment can seem high at first glance,” says Dr. Gire. “But, when you take into consideration all of the benefits orthodontic treatment brings, the cost seems much more palatable. Braces set your smile up for a lifetime of good oral health and a properly aligned bite can help ensure your smile doesn’t crack or break.”

It’s important to remember that orthodontic treatment is much more than just cosmetic. While a beautiful smile is certainly one of the most rewarding parts of treatment, knowing you have a properly aligned smile that is easier to keep clean should also be at the top of your list. Crooked, crowded, and misaligned teeth are harder to clean properly, which makes them more prone to decay and gum disease. And a misaligned bite means there is an imbalance of pressure placed when you bite down. This can cause teeth to chip, crack, or break, leading to expensive restorations. 

Dr. Gire is a board-certified orthodontist who knows firsthand what it is like to have a smile you aren’t proud of. He has dedicated his career to improving the smiles and self-esteem of his patients, and works hard to create beautiful, properly functioning smiles for patients of all ages. 

If you’re concerned about your smile, or even just part of your smile, call Gire Orthodontics today at 562-690-1199 (La Habra) or 909-393-9911 (Chino Hills).