Some patients may not have severe malocclusions, but they could still have minor bite issues that warrant correction. Sometimes, it’s just a single problem tooth, or a few crowded and crooked problem teeth, that are holding the patient back from achieving their full smile potential.
In these cases, mild gaps or isolated alignment issues could be intercepted using only partial (or sometimes known as limited) braces. Unlike conventional braces that are worn over the entire dental arch, partial braces usually just cover a few of the upper or lower front teeth and are used to resolve the isolated issue(s). Keep reading to learn more about this type of orthodontic treatment, how it works, how much it costs to use, and how often it can be used.
Since partial braces only cover a few front teeth, back brackets (called molar tubes) will often be placed on the molars to keep the archwire, and subsequently, the front brackets, in place. Like any other type of braces, the wire will gradually straighten and align the misaligned teeth over time.
Since it’s only treating a few teeth, this treatment duration is usually shorter, lasting at least a year at most max, and applicable for patients of all ages. Partial braces can also be used on just a single dental arch exclusively, instead of both the upper and lower arches.
With child patients, these types of orthodontic appliances may sometimes be used as a supplemental treatment to streamline the orthodontic treatment process when they’re older, which is why they’re sometimes known as “Phase One Treatment”. Some of these specific issues these particular braces may be used to treat include:
Even though they only encompass a few teeth, it’s still extremely important to take diligent care of your partial braces, as you would with full braces. If anything, your wire will be more at risk and breakage-prone, as it’s not supported by your entire dental arch. To practice adequate due diligence with your partial braces, it’s important to adhere to the following:
Partial braces look like any other set of front-facing braces, with the only difference being that they just cover a few front teeth or only one dental arch. So, subsequently, they are marginally less noticeable and prominent than full sets of braces, but it’s still a given that they’ll likely be noticed.
If you or your child are concerned about appearance insecurity, clear brackets are close (though not alike) to the color of the teeth may be a viable option for minimizing the prominence of the metal partial braces. Alternatively, if the patient is old enough, they may be a candidate for limited Invisalign clear aligner use.
As partial braces encompass fewer teeth, it’s logical to assume that they would cost less than traditional braces, and at many practices, that is often the case. However, you should still expect to pay a few thousand out of pocket; cost estimates can vary widely, from $2500-3500 on average.
Given that these costs can vary so widely, it’s important to consult your orthodontic care provider and get a quote from them directly. Likewise, consider the other variables that could affect the cost, including:
If any of the above isolated occlusal issues from the first section apply to you, then you could potentially need partial braces.
For the best next steps, we recommend finding a licensed, experienced orthodontist and arranging a consultation. They can determine the best specific, personalized care for you or your child’s personal oral health needs, and set you on the right path today toward having a beautiful smile tomorrow.