One of the things that makes Invisalign so effective is its versatility. Every clear aligner you receive will be modeled to perfectly suit your teeth, allowing them to comfortably and efficiently move your teeth into place.
Given that Invisalign treatment can be customized to fit your needs, you might wonder whether it’s possible to get clear aligners on just one set of teeth, either your top or your bottom. As it turns out, the answer is complicated. Here’s what you should know.
Problems With Invisalign on One Set of Teeth
When most people visit a dentist for orthodontic treatment, they’re primarily interested in making their teeth less crooked or in closing the gaps in their smile. However, dentists look at a lot more than that when checking whether your smile is aligned, like whether your top and bottom teeth fit together nicely.
This of course has to do with the natural position of your jaw, but the position of your teeth is also a factor.
When you align teeth, the position of the teeth is also affected; bringing gapped teeth together causes the teeth to move inward, and straightening crooked teeth moves them out.
This is why it can be a problem to straighten just one ridge of the teeth. This can cause the top and bottom teeth to move much farther apart, causing an overbite or underbite.
When It’s Possible to Get Just One Set of Aligners
That said, it’s not unheard of for people to get just one set of aligners. Of course, the only way to know for sure that this is possible is to talk to a dentist who has a strong understanding of your particular situation, and who can give you a sense of what is possible for you.
If you really only have alignment issues on a single ridge, and if those problems are rather mild, it may be possible. However, this is rather rare; most people should expect to need both top and bottom trays in order to fix their teeth.
That said, Invisalign aligners are comfortable and convenient. Even if you’re wearing two of them, you should still expect to have an easy time straightening your smile!
About the Author
Dr. Derek Funk’s favorite thing about being a dentist is the people he’s met along the way. Whether it’s the opportunity to meet new patients or to spend time with his incredible dental team, he loves being surrounded with friendly faces every single day. These relationships allow him to make patients more comfortable for the duration of their stay with him, which is perfect for longer treatments like Invisalign.
If you have any questions about Invisalign, he can be reached at his website or by phone at (979) 548-2184.