Is Midline Misalignment a Problem
The midline of our face is an imaginary line from top of the forehead to the bottom of the chin, bisecting the face. The dental midline should line up right between the two front, center teeth on the upper and lower arch. When the dental midline is out of alignment, the space between the two center teeth on the top does not line up with the space between the center teeth on the bottom.
Midline misalignment is a common occurrence in adult patients and while it is most often a cosmetic concern, there are a number of factors that can cause misalignment in the midline. It is important to see your dentist when you notice so they can determine the cause and address the problem if needed.
Causes
There are several potential causes of midline misalignment, the most common reason is that the adult teeth just came in crooked. Other causes may include:
Crowding
When the teeth are crowded, alignment issues are likely to arise. This is why it is ideal for children to undergo orthodontic treatment once all of their adult teeth have developed, to prevent dental issues later in life.
Missing Teeth
When a tooth is extracted because of decay or trauma, or if it is congenitally missing, the remaining teeth tend to shift in an effort to fill the space. If a tooth is extracted and is going to be replaced, your dentist will give you an appliance to maintain the space so that surrounding teeth do not try to close it.
Malocclusion
Malocclusion is the term for a bad bite. This can be an overbite, an underbite, or a crossbite. When you have a crossbite, the upper do not sit straight in the lower teeth as they should. Instead, the upper and lower teeth slant inward. If the upper and lower teeth do not come together properly, the teeth can shift and cause misalignment.
Baby Teeth
Baby teeth reserve space for the adult teeth to erupt as well as promoting healthy eating in speech development. If a baby tooth is lost too early, the underlying permanent teeth might drift over to the empty space, causing the midline to shift.
Thumb Sucking
Children that self soothe with thumbsucking for too long can cause orthodontic problems as they continue to grow. The continuous pressure caused by aggressive thumbsucking can cause the midline to deviate from center.
Midline misalignment is not always just a cosmetic issue. It can cause more severe problems down the road. Malocclusion, headaches, uneven wear, and chips or cracked teeth can all result from misalignment. Correcting the midline is usually simple with orthodontic treatment or porcelain veneers.
If you have noticed that your upper and lower teeth do not line up properly, speak with your dentist to see what steps you should take to correct alignment issues (possibly including Invisalign treatment) before they get worse or lead to other problems.