Is Midline Misalignment a Problem
Midline misalignment is a common occurrence in adult patients. There are a number of factors that can cause misalignment in the midline. The midline is essentially an imaginary line from top of the forehead to the bottom of the chin, bisecting the face and in our teeth, the 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.
What causes midline misalignment?
There are several potential causes of midline misalignment. Let’s take a closer look at some of the more common causes.
Missing Teeth
When a tooth is lost due to decay or trauma, or if it simply never develops, the remaining teeth tend to shift in an effort to fill the space. If a tooth is extracted with the anticipation of replacing it, your dentist will give you an appliance to maintain the space so that surrounding teeth do not try to close it up.
Crowded Teeth
When the teeth are crowded or have significant gaps between them, 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 on the road.
Malocclusion
Malocclusion is the technical 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.
Baby Teeth
Baby teeth serve the purpose of reserving space for adult teeth 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 as well.
Thumb Sucking
Children that rely on thumbsucking 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 only 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. While it may not sound ideal to endure orthodontic treatment as an adult, clear aligner therapy is a wonderful option that will not only straighten your teeth, but can help bring your midline into alignment.
If you have noticed that your upper and lower teeth do not line up properly, it is worth a discussion with your dentist to see what steps you should take to correct alignment issues before they get worse or cause other problems to arise.