Why Do We Treat The Top And Bottom Teeth?

Braces remain the most commonly prescribed orthodontic treatment, delivering healthy, beautiful smiles for nearly four million people in the U.S., with one out of four of them adults. Our orthodontist at Carroll Gardens Orthodontics offers not only traditional metal braces, but also their tooth-colored ceramic cousins, and lingual braces that hide discreetly behind the teeth.

One of the common questions patients ask us when preparing for treatment is, “Why can’t I just get braces on my top (or bottom) teeth if they are the only ones that are crooked?”

Let’s explore the reasons why we recommend treatment on both the top and bottom teeth, which we refer to as the arches.

• It’s important to understand that your teeth work together to create a balanced bite, with the upper and lower teeth meeting correctly. Straightening only one arch can potentially cause discomfort, make it difficult to chew, and increase the amount of wear and tear on your teeth.
• In order to correct jaw alignment issues, which might be contributing to facial asymmetry or sleep apnea, treating both arches is essential.
• By aligning both the top and bottom teeth, we’re ensuring a better long-term result. If the two arches are not properly aligned, there’s more of a chance your teeth will shift after our treatment ends.
• If only the top teeth are straightened, even slight crowding among the bottom teeth can affect the overall alignment.
• Keep in mind that our treatment is geared toward not only achieving an aesthetically pleasing smile, but a bite that will be comfortable when you speak and eat. 

Our orthodontist at Carroll Gardens Orthodontics provides optimal oral health to patients of all ages, with a practice that combines state-of-the-art treatment options with friendly, attentive service that has made us the No. 1 choice for generations of families. Let us deliver “top to bottom” results for you! Please contact us to schedule a consultation.

By Carroll Gardens Orthodontics

May 30, 2024