What Causes Misaligned Midline Teeth
A misaligned midline is a when one or both dental arches are asymmetrical in the center and is relatively simple to fix. The top and bottom rows should match up at the center, bisecting the nose and line up with the center of the space between the eyebrows.
Some medical conditions and lifestyle habits can lead to a misaligned midline, though more often than not, is simply the way the adult teeth erupted in childhood. When a patient's teeth grow abnormally and do not follow the spacing between teeth, the teeth can be crowded and result in a misaligned midline. Additionally, bad childhood habits such as prolonged thumb sucking or pacifier use can create orthodontic issues later in life, one of which is the misalignment of the midline.
Missing teeth and jaw misalignment are a couple of other issues that can cause a misaligned midline. When a tooth is missing or extracted, the rest of the teeth tend to shift to fill the space so which causes them to come out of alignment. A jaw misalignment can include an open bite, underbite, or a crossbite, all of which cause malocclusion. Malocclusion (a bad bite) is when the upper teeth and lower teeth do not come together properly, which can then lead to a shift in the midline.
Can a misaligned midline be fixed?
The most common treatment options to correct a misaligned midline include orthodontic treatment or porcelain dental veneers. Both have great results though it may be ideal to wear a retainer when you sleep after completing treatment to maintain alignment.
Traditional braces and clear aligners both work to gently shift the teeth into a new, aligned position using pressure to push, pull, and rotate the teeth. Braces utilize metal brackets and archwires to shift the teeth whereas clear aligners use clear plastic trays that are changed out every couple of weeks to progressively shift the teeth into position. Clear aligners are often a quicker treatment option.
Where orthodontic treatment moves the teeth into alignment, porcelain veneers can be used if the shift is minor to create a new midline. Veneers are a thin, porcelain material that is placed over each individual tooth to create a new, aesthetically pleasing smile. Veneers are most often used for patients that do not like the shape of their teeth or the appearance of their smile. Since the porcelain can accommodate the desired shape and can be tinted to provide the desired brightness of the teeth, it is a widely used material.
A misaligned midline can make you feel self-conscious about your smile just as it can help you identify a change in your bite. Midline misalignment is not just an aesthetic issue, it is a dental health issue. Speak with your dentist to see what treatment option is best for you, if they think you should consider orthodontic treatment, they will be able to refer you to an orthodontist for further evaluation.