How Do You Fix Misaligned Midline Teeth?
Quite honestly, the body is a marvelous example of symmetry. Yet still, not everyone is perfect. You might have noticed that one ear is a bit higher than the other. You might wear one shoe a half-size larger on one foot. Or one shirtsleeve seems longer.
Might your smile seem off-center. This dental asymmetry may be caused by a common condition known as midline misalignment, and you can have it corrected.
The center of your teeth, upper and lower, is called your midline. If you were to draw an imaginary line down the middle of your face, from your forehead down your nose to the middle of your chin, that line should pass right between your front teeth. When it does not, because your teeth have shifted, it is often from a condition called midline misalignment.
Treatment Options for Midline Misalignment
Your dentist will know the best treatment for your specific situation. Here are some common treatment solutions they could suggest:
- Braces- Braces can treat almost all types of misalignments. They are quite effective for treating misaligned midline teeth, even more so if you have an abnormal bite. They will correct the issue at a skeletal level. Along with correcting the midlines, the braces can also improve other issues that are affecting your healthy smile.
- Invisalign- This is a popular solution to your midline misalignment without using visible metal braces. Invisalign aligners are translucent and practically invisible. They are becoming increasingly popular. They are also removable. Your dentist can evaluate whether Invisalign is appropriate for your misaligned midline.
- Veneers- Veneers can hide a variety of imperfections with your teeth, including misaligned midline teeth. They are fabricated of durable porcelain and look like your natural teeth. Veneers are adhered to the front surface of your teeth making it difficult to identify the difference between the veneers and your natural teeth.
- Hyrax expander- A Hyrax expander is an appliance to repair a teeth midline shift. The expander is affixed to your teeth and then positioned on the roof of your mouth to expand your upper jaw. The expander will hold this position, so your teeth have the opportunity to adjust to their correct position. The expander can usually be worn from three to nine months.
- Extraction- A strategic tooth extraction may correct the teeth midline shift. When space opens from an extraction, the neighboring teeth will shift to fill the gap. This can be used in combination with the other treatments for even better results.
In a severe case, surgery may be required to correct your dental midline shift, when your midline shift happened after all your teeth were in, and the primary cause is structural rather than movement through the soft tissue. Your dentist will always research every possible nonsurgical treatment for midline shift correction before suggesting surgery.
Following your treatment for misalignment midline shift, you will indeed notice an improvement in the symmetry of your healthy smile. Your dentist will suggest you continue the use of a retainer or other treatments to maintain your new symmetry. Follow your dentist’s recommendations to maintain your properly aligned teeth after your corrective treatment.