Invisalign for Bottom Teeth Only?

Question

Can I get Invisalign just for the bottom teeth for overcrowding? How much will it cost (I live in NYC)?

Steven Davidowitz, DDS · Answer

I have treated many single arch cases (only lowers or Only uppers).  The bite needs to be ideal to allow for single arch invisalign therapy.  In addition, the opposite arch should have decent alignment to begin with.   An Invislaign Consult  exam is all that is needed to see if you are a candidate.

Jessica Wyatt, DDS · Answer

While it is technically possible to treat only the lower arch with Invisalign, generally it's not recommended except in specific cases. For example, if a patient has a fixed retainer on one arch, but a removable retainer on the other arch, but did not wear it, those teeth would shift. In that case, you may want to just treat the arch that has relapsed to that it fits back with the other arch that is still retained. Our upper and lower teeth fit together like a puzzle so that our bite is even on all teeth. So, if you treat only one arch, it could end up that that arch no longer fits the bite of the opposite arch. A good majority of cases will need both arches to be treated.

Michael Ayzin, DDS · Answer

Donna, thank you for a wonderful question. I wish you would provide a picture of the crowding.If it is a slight crowding, yes you can. In case it is a moderate to severe crowding I would not advise doing only lower teeth. Doctor, who will be doing your treatment, will have the same overhead cost and will need to spend the same amount of time whether he will treat one arch or both. Besides,  the best results can be achieved treating both arches at the same time.

Smriti Malhotra Nanda, MDS · Answer

Invisalign just for bottom teeth is possible but not recommended. Teeth, both upper and lower should be in harmony with each other so they are stable and don't relapse and cause an imbalance. Since overcrowded teeth also affect the bite its important that you get the treatment for both upper and lower teeth.
Theres also no difference in the cost if you only get the lower teeth so may as well get both arches. The cost for Invisalign at our practice is $4000.
Hope this answers your question. All the best. 
Warm Regards.

Zach Casagrande, DDS, MS · Answer

We usually do not isolate treatment to one
arch only. The bite will change periodically throughout treatment and if both
the upper and lower aligners are not being worn, it is possible that the bite
will be affected in an adverse way.

Amanda Canto, DDS · Answer

So many times patients will ask if they can just treat one
arch with invisalign and see if they can save some money and have half the
cost. The reality is that if your moving
bottom teeth you should be moving the top teeth also.It is not recommended to just do one arch,
unless it’s a special circumstance. As
far as the fee invisalign is invisalign they’re going to charge for both trays
because we should be moving both arhes.

Janet H. Stoess-Allen, DMD · Answer

In my orthodontic practice I am very particular and careful to make sure the upper and lower teeth are always aligned and also fit together properly, upper to lower when biting. Therefore, I do not use Invisalign for one dental arch only. The cost for aligning one dental arch is the same for aligning both dental arches in tandem. Logically, think about changing the positions of your teeth on just the bottom arch only. Once those positions are changed, if the opposing dental arch is not changed, the two will no longer fit together accurately. It could be detrimental to your jaw alignment to undergo the treatment of one dental arch only without affecting the other and there is no difference in cost.

Sylvan Fain, DDS · Answer

If your top teeth are not interfering with the bottom ones then yes you can only do treatment on the bottom.

	If once the lower teeth are moved to undo the crowding and they start hitting the top ones, then you would have to move the upper teeth as well if you not you will not be able to bit properly.

	The cost is not 50% of full treatment. Invisalign still charges the dentist the same price whether one arch or both arches are treated. The price might be a little bit lower because there is less dentist time involved in the case. Expect to pay almost the same as a full case so $5000-$8000 on average in New York City.

James J. Awbrey IV, DMD · Answer

I do not have your records at this time, but assuming your bite is ideal and the only problem is some minor misalignment across the lower front teeth, than absolutely you can treat just  the lower arch. Those teeth can be slenderized to create space and aligned with either invisalign or braces.  
As an orthodontist I would highly recommend utilizing braces rather than Invisalign. You will find the cost and cooperation required to align those teeth will be less with braces. Also, if the teeth do require some root angulation to achieve proper alignment this is very difficult to achieve with Invisalign.
On the other hand, if your bite is not ideal and your upper teeth are not coordinated exactly with your lower teeth than I would highly recommend treating both arches. I can tell you as a practicing orthodontist it is very difficult to align the bite with Invisalign. I would, again, highly recommend braces.  
Please seek a consultation with an experienced orthodontist in your area for your best opinion.

Michael J. Thomas, DDS · Answer

As an Advantage Invisalign provider, I don't do single arch cases and here's why. 
If you fix the lower arch and not the upper one, you are having to rely on the position of the upper teeth to dictate the position of the lower teeth. If you are paying good money to straighten your teeth, you need to do both arches so that you will have a successful treatment. 
To you, the patient, the upper teeth may look fine to you, but to a trained eye who understands tooth movement, you have to trust us on this one. You can wear a lower retainer all you want, but if the upper teeth are too far in or out, the lowers will NEVER stay lined up.

Invisalign for Bottom Teeth Only?

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