Can I Get Clear Aligners for Top Teeth Only?

The idea of having the perfect smile has different definitions for different people. For some, having an ideal smile means getting rid of the crowding that affects their smiles. Others will claim it is getting the spacing or bite misalignment fixed.

Regardless of your concerns, whether mild or moderate, you can always get clear aligners to fix your smile and give you the one that you always wanted.

But what if you only wanted to fix your top teeth? Does it mean that you will still have to wear the aligners on your bottom set of teeth? Is it possible to get good results from top teeth aligners only?

Read on to find the answers to these and other questions that you may have.

What is a Single-Arch Treatment?

A single-arch treatment means that only one set of your teeth receives orthodontic care through braces or aligners. In this case, you can choose to have only your upper or lower teeth receive orthodontic treatment.

Arches are the u-shaped arrangement of teeth that make up your dentition. This means that your upper and lower teeth have a single arch each. During clear aligner orthodontic treatment, the patient gets a pair of aligners from their dentist or manufacturer that they put on both their upper and lower teeth.

But, can you get aligners for just top teeth? The short answer is yes, the long answer – it depends.

A single-arch clear aligner treatment means that you wear the aligners on your top teeth only (or only your lower teeth), depending on your needs. Like your traditional clear aligner treatment, your single-arch aligners are regularly changed or as directed by your dentist.

Nevertheless, you should note that not everyone qualifies for a single-arch treatment with clear aligners. This is something that only your orthodontist would be able to help determine, as much of your candidacy for single-arch treatments depends on your occlusion and the overall needs of your smile.

When Are Single-Arch Treatments Effective?

Single-arch treatments can only be effective if you have been approved for the treatment by your dentist. Your orthodontist or clear aligner manufacturer will consider a number of factors to prove your candidacy for this type of treatment.

One of the factors that they consider is your occlusion. If there is a chance that your occlusion will be affected, you may not be a good candidate otherwise, if you take the treatment regardless, it will not be effective.

Your main issues are also taken into consideration. Single-arch treatments are only effective for mild to moderate dental flaws.

Are There Any Risks to Having Single Arch Treatment?

The main risk associated with single-arch treatment is malocclusion. Your upper and lower arch of teeth have a precise bitting relationship. Adjusting the position of one arch will possibly change the pressure points. This makes certain teeth appear higher and hit harder while resting on others.

Such an occurrence may lead to tooth wear, TMJ, and constant headaches. Should you be approved as a candidate for single-arch treatment, your dentist will have to monitor how your mouth bites at every step of the orthodontic treatment.

Can I Get Aligners Just On the Upper Teeth?

You can get top teeth aligners if medically cleared by your dentist. Although this happens on rare occasions, it is still something that can be done even at your dentist’s office.

Assuming you’ve had orthodontic treatment in the past but your teeth have moved slightly out of place, you may only require a single-arch treatment to resolve the issue.

It would be prudent to note that you can only get aligners on the upper teeth alone if you have minor issues, like small gaps or little crowding. Depending on your condition, your dentist will be the best person to tell you if you can benefit from aligners for top teeth only. It will also help if you only choose the best clear aligners to maximize your results.

Who Can Be a Candidate for Single Arch Treatment?

If you’re seeking to use clear aligners only to straighten your upper teeth, you will first have to consult with a dentist. After that, they will be able to advise if a single-arch treatment would be ideal for you.

Ideally, single arch orthodontic treatments are suitable for subsequent patients that are treating minor superficial concerns, such as:

Mild crookednessMisaligned smile zone teethA tooth tipped out of alignmentRelapse after a previous orthodontic treatmentMild to moderate gapping and spacing

If you have more severe bites issues like crossbite and overbite, a single-arch treatment may not suit you.

How Much Does Invisalign Cost for Top Teeth Only?

The average cost of Invisalign for top teeth only ranges between $1,800 and $3,500. The exact cost depends on a number of factors, including the severity of the condition, the location, the doctor, and whether you’ll get a financial boost from your insurer.

It is evident enough that there is some difference in the cost of Invisalign for upper teeth only and when you were to get the whole set. If you want to reduce the overall cost of your treatment, you can consider some of the best cheap clear teeth aligners for 2022.

Why Consider Clear Aligners for Top Teeth?

There are many reasons why you may have to consider aligners only for your top teeth. The most basic reason is that you probably want to save on cost. Of course, there won’t be a massive difference in cost, but it won’t hurt to save on some bucks.

If you previously went through orthodontic treatment and simply looked to correct a minor problem on your top teeth, then there’s no point in having a full-arch treatment.

Potential Challenges of Single-Arch Treatment

Treating a single arch has many potential challenges. Even though the treatment will make the teeth on that set appear straighter, there’s a chance it might also throw off the bite.

Such treatment can disrupt the harmony of your occlusion. When your bite becomes misaligned, you may experience difficulty chewing, speaking, and constant pain in the head, neck, and jaw.

Dentists are also concerned about uneven wear due to single-arch orthodontic treatment.

Which Clear Aligner Services Allow Single-Arch Treatment?

Almost every major clear aligner service allows for a single-arch treatment to some capacity. If your dentist is involved, you’ll first have to go through a consultation with them so that they can determine if you are fit for the treatment.

For most other brands that offer teledentistry services, you’ll first have to create impressions or get a teeth scan at a recommended physical location. This will also help the provider determine if you are a good candidate for a single-arch treatment.

Some brands like Byte will require you to have a full-mouth scan or impressions before determining if aligners for top teeth only will be helpful you can read the Byte review for more information on the product.

Some of the clear aligner services that allow for a single-arch treatment include:

InvisalignClearCorrectSmileDirectClubNewSmileByteAlignerCo

FAQ

Can single-arch treatment cause bite problems?

The biggest risk with single-arch treatment is to disrupt the harmony of your occlusion. This further leads to bite problems.

Do really single-arch aligners save money?

Single-arch aligners only cover one set of your teeth. This means that you do not necessarily have to pay for the lower set. However, the total cost is not often significantly different from getting a full-arch aligner treatment.

Is the treatment time shorter with single-arch aligners?

Single-arch aligners are used to correct results from previous orthodontic treatment or to correct minor dental flaws. In the long run, such concerns usually take a shorter period to resolve.