Braces Ask The Dentist Questions about wearing braces for correcting problems Dental Health Directory

Dentist Finder

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
WashingtonDC
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

Dental Health Directory Library

FAQ: Braces

Orthodontist Directory Underbite Overbite Adult Ortho Crossbite Childrens Ortho	Foods to Avoid Invisalign Candidates Six Month Ortho Retainers Failed Orthodontics Become a Research Subject Participate in a Bite Occlusion Poll Extraction Orthodontics
Videos Orthognathic Surgery Success - A Testimonial Avoid Headgear and Extraction Ortho 3M Unitek Self Ligating Braces Tooth Enamel White Spot Treatment Lingual Braces Myobrace: Non Metallic Ortho Braces Orthodontic Treatment Procedures SureSmile

Braces and Overbite Ask The Orthodontist Ara Nazarian

Question:
Lower braces causing spaces in upper teeth? I am in my 40's. I just got metal braces on my bottom teeth just to straighten them. My top teeth and bite were fine.

After just 3 weeks my bite is bad and I have a space on my top teeth. I assume my bite will be put back to normal in the next year, but I am not sure why I am getting a space on my top.

Should I have gotten braces on my top too? I didn't think they could move if I didn't have braces on them. I am very concerned about my top teeth. I am now wearing a nite guard. ...Visitor from NJ

Answer:
It appears from your description that your top teeth were straight and only the bottom needed straightening.

Without seeing a picture or image of your smile it is difficult to say, however, I'm assuming your lower teeth were crowded and not spaced.

If so, many times when we straighten these teeth the arch space widens. If the arch space on the lower arch widens then this can cause some spacing of the upper teeth.

For many of my patients that present with similar circumstances I usually bracket both upper and lower arhes to avoid any spacing.

I'm sure you may still be in a transitional period so definitely speak to your dentist who is straightening your teeth. However, spaced teeth will not go back on their own and may need some type of appliance or bracket system to put back into place.

Ara Nazarian, D.D.S.
Michigan Reconstructive Implant Dentistry
1857 East Big Beaver Road
Troy, Michigan MI 48083
(248) 457-0500

Return to Braces Part C FAQ

Ask a Question

Return to FAQ Index

You also have the option of using Google search technology to conduct a specific search within our databases to find more specific information. Use key words or short phrases:

[Home] [Ask The Dentist] [FAQ's] [Polls] [Consultants] [Directories] [Employment] [Articles]
Contact the Editor

Dental Health Directory
Ask The Dentist
Featured in

Dental Pros and Cons

Videos
Pictures Photos
New Products
Bad Teeth Gums Gallery