Midline Discrepancy Is More Common Than You’d Think.
Ever noticed someone’s teeth don’t line up with the center of their face? That’s called a midline discrepancy. In this quick guide, we’ll explain what it is, why it happens, and how it’s treated. If your upper or lower teeth seem off-center, Atlanta Orthodontic Specialists can help.
What Is A Midline Discrepancy?
Otherwise known as a misplaced midline, a midline discrepancy is a type of malocclusion concerning the centerline between teeth.
Essentially, a patient’s upper teeth (maxillary midline) don’t align with their lower teeth, one or both being off-center. A misplaced midline can’t align with the natural center of a patient’s face, leading to an asymmetrical appearance.
Misplaced midline patients can experience bite problems, food stuck in their teeth, and even jaw discomfort. Additionally, it’s common for patients to have cosmetic concerns, like how their teeth look when they smile.
Is There A Difference With Misplaced Midline?
While you may hear the terms “midline discrepancy” and “misplaced midline” used interchangeably. That’s because they’re the same thing. There is no medical difference between a midline discrepancy and a misplaced midline.
However, you may also hear the term “midline shift.” While often used in the same context as midline discrepancy, a midline shift specifically refers to misalignment between a patient’s teeth and face.
While the terms may be a bit confusing, Atlanta Orthodontic Specialists can help guide you through everything you need to know about a misplaced midline. Contact us today to find out about potential misplaced midline teeth treatment options.
What Causes Midline Discrepancy?
While every patient is unique, there are a few common causes that support a midline discrepancy diagnosis.
Missing Teeth
Missing incisors or molars can cause the rest of your teeth to “drift” into the gaps. This is known as a mesial drift. While not guaranteed, mesial drift can lead to misalignment and a change to your dental midline. If you’re missing teeth, it’s best to address the issue quickly before your teeth start to realign.
Crowded or Over-Spaced Teeth
Crowded teeth, a specific type of malocclusion, can lead to severe teeth misalignment over time. Teeth may overlap, forcing surrounding teeth away from their “natural” positions and shifting your midline. Similarly, spaced teeth may lead to misplaced midlines as teeth slide away from their original spot to fill in any gaps.
Jaw Asymmetry
Some patients’ jaws don’t grow properly, leading to upper and lower jaws that aren’t evenly spaced. When your jaw bones are misaligned, it’s impossible to have a perfect centerline between the upper and lower teeth. Jaw asymmetry can be corrected with certain headgear or surgery. As time goes on, jaw asymmetry becomes more difficult to deal with. You should consult a dentist or oral surgeon promptly to weigh your options.
Personal Habits
Malocclusions often occur due to childhood habits that can persist into adulthood. Prolonged thumb sucking, pacifier use, or tongue thrusting can lead to bite problems that can shift your teeth midline. It’s important to foster good oral habits early on or you risk a midline shift over time.
Dental Work
No one is immune to bad dental work. Poorly positioned crowns, dental fillings, and bridges can change your natural tooth position. As teeth self-correct, your upper or lower midline can shift to accommodate. Experiencing a misplaced midline after braces is also a possibility. Here at Atlanta Orthodontic Specialists, you don’t need to worry about any of that.
Injury or Facial Trauma
Patients may experience a facial or dental injury that can lead to a midline discrepancy. Injuries affecting the jaw or teeth can affect long-term alignment. If you’ve had an injury, it’s essential to consult a good dentist to see how it might impact your oral health, including teeth alignment.
Are There Any Treatments Available For Midline Discrepancy?
There are several treatment options available for misplaced midlines. Keep reading to find out which one might be the best for your unique midline.
Braces
The most common treatment for most midline discrepancies is traditional braces. They’re effective, shifting teeth into position by applying increasing pressure over time. Braces do a great job of moving misplaced midline teeth, though they take time to show results.
Clear Aligners
Invisalign® and other brands of clear aligners are popular alternatives to traditional braces. Clear aligners are custom-made and can be an effective treatment for mild to moderate misplaced midlines. However, they aren’t typically recommended for severe midline discrepancies.
Surgery
Orthognathic surgery is commonly recommended for severe midline discrepancies stemming from jawbone misalignment. A surgeon can realign your jawbones to ensure improved function and appearance. However, surgery is generally reserved for the most severe midline discrepancy cases.
Dental Restoration
Midline discrepancies caused by tooth loss or shoddy dental work can be corrected with dental restoration treatments, such as crowns, implants, or bridges. These can help correct alignment, removing gaps between teeth and preventing teeth from shifting any further.
Tooth Extraction
If your teeth are severely crowded or overlapping, tooth extraction can give them the breathing room they need to support a more balanced smile. Extracting teeth can also give your dentist enough space to provide proper treatment going forward, including braces or Invisalign.
What Atlanta Orthodontic Specialists Can Do For Your Midline Discrepancy.
Many people get nervous about the dentist, but it’s different with Atlanta Orthodontic Specialists. We make sure you’re comfortable the minute you walk through the door. From our friendly front desk to the in-depth consultation process, Atlanta Orthodontic Specialists makes sure your needs come first, no matter what.
Atlanta Orthodontic Specialists’ expert orthodontists will take you through the different treatments for midline discrepancies that are as unique as yours. Whether it ends up being braces or surgery, our orthodontists will ensure you’re fully aware of every option available to you. Your misplaced midline treatment couldn’t be in better hands.
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