Partial orthodonticsFront-teeth orthodontics · Anterior orthodontics
- Range
- A few front teeth
- Appliance
- Front surface of teeth
- Removable
- No
- Wear
- All day
- After treatment
- Retainer
- Cost
- Explained after your exam
Partial orthodontics moves only a few front teeth to line them up. Braces are not placed on all your teeth, and nothing is drilled — your own teeth are used as they are.
It is used when your jawline is fine and only the front teeth are tilted or spaced apart. Treatment takes a few months, and because it moves teeth, you need to wear a retainer after it ends.
If front teeth look like they stick out because of their length or a difference from the teeth beside them, we do not move them. If the jawbone itself sticks out, this treatment cannot solve it either. The causes are covered in the guides on gaps between front teeth and protruding front teeth. Here we only explain what appliance we place once we decide to move the teeth.
Why partial orthodontics
No drillingInstead of covering teeth to change their shape, we pull the teeth you have into place. After treatment, your own teeth remain as they are.
Only the front teeth moveIf a few front teeth can solve it, braces go on those teeth only. If your bite or jaw goes beyond that range, we will not stop at partial orthodontics and will tell you right away.
Your own teeth, as they areAdding or covering with material leaves behind its thickness and edges. Partial orthodontics moves teeth, so no material is added.
How partial orthodontics is done
No teeth are drilled. We start by deciding how many teeth to move and how far.
- 01
We decide the range to move
First we judge whether the front teeth alone can solve it. If your jaw or bite goes beyond this range, we do not stop at partial orthodontics.
- 02
We place braces on the teeth to move
Braces go only on the teeth that will move. The other teeth are left as they are. The braces are visible, so if you want them hidden, we also consider clear aligners.
- 03
We pull them in little by little
The teeth are not lined up all at once. At each visit, we pull them in a little more. This is also why treatment takes a few months.
- 04
You wear a retainer
Teeth that have been moved tend to go back. Care after treatment is part of orthodontics. If you leave the retainer out, the same gap opens again.
How much to move
For front teeth, how much is moved depends on what you want to change. We start with the cases where nothing needs to move.
Nothing moved
This is when the teeth look like they stick out because of their length or a difference from the teeth next to them. The position is fine, and moving them would make them tilt back or look shorter. In this case we first suggest shaping the corners and length, or a treatment that adds on top without removing anything.
Only a few front teeth moved
This is when the jawline looks natural but only the front teeth are tilted or spread apart. Instead of putting appliances on every tooth, we pull just the few teeth involved. Your own teeth are kept as they are, with nothing removed. But it takes a few months, and you will need to wear a retainer after it is done.
Moved with a removable appliance
The way the teeth are moved is the same; only the appliance differs. You wear clear trays and switch to the next one in a set order. They are hard to notice, and you can take them out to brush, so care is easy. But you need to wear them close to 22 hours a day, and treatment is delayed by however long they are out.
The jaw needs to move
This is when it is hard to close your lips comfortably and the whole mouth area sits forward. Pushing only the teeth back leaves the bone where it is, so the teeth tilt back unnaturally. This is beyond what moving teeth alone can solve, so rather than stopping at partial orthodontics or clear aligners, we tell you right away.
Does it hurt?
It is a treatment that pulls, not one that drills. For a few days after the braces go on, your teeth feel heavy and achy. That does not mean you have to put up with it — if it is bad, let us know.
How long does it take?
It takes a few months. It depends on how many teeth move and how far. If you have a set date, we plan backward from it. For something like a wedding, we may allow six months.
Will people notice?
Yes, it shows. The braces go on the front surface of your front teeth, so they are visible. If you want them hidden, we recommend clear aligners.
Don’t I need full orthodontics?
If the problem with your bite or jaw goes beyond a few front teeth, full orthodontics is needed. In that case, we will not finish with partial orthodontics and will tell you right away.
Why do I need a retainer?
Teeth that have been moved tend to go back. If you leave the retainer out after treatment, the same spot opens up again. This is also why front teeth that were brought together can drift apart again.
