Braces Only on Top Teeth

It’s not unusual for adults and children to request braces on top teeth only. It makes sense: if you’re happy with the way your bottom teeth look, or can’t be bothered to straighten them since they’re not as visible, it’s easier to just focus on the top teeth, right?

Well, it is a little more complicated than that and several factors come into play with just treating one row of teeth.

Top Braces Only

Depending on what your issues are, you can get braces on just your upper teeth. This treatment is called single arch orthodontic treatment. When that happens, the orthodontist carefully assesses your bite and the relationship between your top and bottom teeth, since changing just one set of teeth can affect your bite.

Some orthodontists will put braces on just the top teeth before concentrating on your bottom teeth. This might be because the top teeth need a little more work than the bottom, and the treatment is timed so both top and bottom braces are finished together.

Braces on Top Teeth – Factors to Consider

Your smile doesn’t just depend on the position of your teeth in one jaw only. A stable, healthy smile is influenced by the way your upper and lower teeth bite together. If your bite isn’t balanced, that can affect the appearance and longevity of your orthodontic results. In addition, achieving bite correction will to help distribute even forces on your teeth and prevent wearing and trauma.

In fact, when an orthodontist receives a request for single arch treatment, they need to consider the possibility that it could leave you with a worse bite. A worsening bite can also impact aesthetics, no matter how straight that one row of corrected teeth becomes. For example, if you straighten crowded top teeth only, you may make a overbite look more pronounced, as once no longer ”bunched up” you top teeth may increase your “overjet”, i.e., the horizontal gap between upp and lower teeth.

In the case of both rows of teeth needing treatment, it is also worth considering the fact that as we age, we show more and more of our bottom teeth! Straightening just the top of aesthetics won’t cut it in the long-term (usually).

That being said, there are some cases where we can consider braces for top teeth only. A common example is where there has been some relapse only (perhaps retainers weren’t worn well), and a short case of top teeth braces will bring everything back where it should be.

You may also find that if most of the work to be done is in the top jaw, that your lower braces will only be on for a very short time at the end of treatment, just to make sure the bite is fine-tuned correctly at the end of treatment.

Finally, if it is important to you to avoid braces as much as possible, you might want to consider skipping them altogether, and finding out if you’re a candidate for clear aligners like Invisalign.

Top Teeth Braces – What to Expect

Once your braces are on, you’ll need to stick to soft, easy-to-eat foods in the early days. You will also be expected to continue practicing good oral hygiene and visit your orthodontist regularly for check-ups and adjustments. You’ll also need to keep seeing your general dentist for check-ups and cleanings. And if you are travelling with braces, make sure you are prepared to care for them.

Top Teeth Braces Only – Summary

While some people do opt for braces on their upper teeth only, in the majority of cases, it will be better to address your bite as a whole to create a beautiful, symmetrical smile. Your own situation is unique. Book a Free* Assessment with an orthodontist to find out the best option for you.

Start a conservation with Fine Orthodontist Sydney about the perfect treatment for your smile.

Learn more about braces:

Exposing the reality behind 17 prevalent myths about braces.
Explore factors affecting braces cost in Sydney.
Find out what to eat when you first get braces.

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Written by Danielle Long, Writer

Danielle Long

Danielle Long is a writer at Fine Orthodontist Sydney. She holds graduate qualifications in English and Education and is an integral part of the team at Fine Orthodontist Sydney. Danielle Long has been assisting in the orthodontic care process at Fine Orthodontist Sydney for over fifteen years, working closely with the team to provide exceptional patient support, communication and coordination of treatment plans. As a writer and an orthodontic treatment coordinator, Danielle Long’s primary responsibilities include facilitating exceptional patient education and communication, ensuring seamless coordination of treatment plans, and providing support to the clinical orthodontic team at Fine Orthodontist Sydney.

Specialist Orthodontist Input by Dr Martin Fine BDS, MSc (Orthodontics)

Dr Martin Fine

Specialist Orthodontist Dr Martin Fine, BDS, MSc (Orthodontics), is based in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs. With over 30 years’ experience in private practice, Dr Fine has expertise working with a wide variety of orthodontic appliances, including braces and Invisalign. He has presented at orthodontic conferences globally, and has taught postgraduate orthodontic students at the University of Sydney. Dr Fine is a member of both the AAO (American Association of Orthodontists) and the ASO (Australian Society of Orthodontists), and is a former president of the Alpha-Omega Dental Society’s Sydney Chapter.

In the past, Dr Fine’s research has been featured in the Angle Orthodontist journal. Dr Fine is committed to providing outstanding patient care using the latest and most effective techniques.

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Braces Only on Top Teeth

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