Have you noticed that your upper and lower teeth don't align? This condition, called a midline shift, is a common issue among patients. Here, our Surrey orthodontists discuss off-centre teeth alignment and how Invisalign may help to fix a midline shift.
Do you have a midline misalignment of teeth?
If you notice something off when you smile in the mirror, you’re not alone. For many people, this slight asymmetry is due to a midline shift. This happens when the center between your upper front teeth doesn’t line up with the center between your lower front teeth. Even small differences can affect how your smile looks, how your bite fits together, and your overall facial appearance.
You might only spot this misalignment in photos or when you look closely in the mirror. The good news is that modern treatments like Invisalign can often fix mild to moderate midline shifts.
What causes a midline shift in teeth?
Understanding what causes a midline shift is the first step to finding the right treatment. These shifts usually have two main causes: dental or skeletal.
Dental Causes
Dental midline shifts happen because of how your teeth are positioned, not because of your jaw. Crowding is a common reason. When teeth are crooked or overlap, they can move the midline off center. Missing teeth can also cause problems, as nearby teeth move into the gap and shift your bite over time.
If baby teeth fall out too soon or stay in too long, it can affect how permanent teeth grow in and change the midline. Habits like thumb sucking or using a pacifier for a long time can also move teeth and cause a visible shift.
Skeletal Causes
Skeletal midline shifts are caused by the shape of your jaw. If your upper and lower jaws grow unevenly, the dental midlines can become misaligned. Sometimes, the jaw moves to one side when you bite because of an uneven bite or something getting in the way, like a misaligned tooth or restorations that are too tall.
Why the Cause Matters
Understanding whether your midline shift is dental or skeletal is really helpful, as it guides your treatment options. A thorough orthodontic checkup can uncover the cause and help determine the ideal treatment plan for your smile.
Fixing a Dental Midline Shift With Invisalign
In many cases, Invisalign can be a great option, especially for mild to moderate dental midline shifts. It’s a flexible and effective option to help you achieve a straight, healthy smile.
Invisalign uses a set of clear, custom-made aligners that slowly move your teeth. Each aligner makes small, precise changes and helps your teeth fit together better. This process brings your upper and lower dental midlines into better alignment, giving you a more balanced smile.
Additional Tools & Techniques
Orthodontists use several tools in combination with Invisalign to perform midline correction. Attachments are small, tooth-colored pieces placed on certain teeth to help guide their movement. Elastics, or rubber bands, can be used with Invisalign to fix uneven bites and help your teeth fit together. Sometimes, a small amount of reshaping between teeth, called interproximal reduction, creates the space needed for proper alignment.
When Invisalign Is the Right Solution for a Midline Shift
While Invisalign works well for many people, it does have some limits. Invisalign is a great option for people with dental midline shifts or mild jaw differences. Severe skeletal midline problems may not be fixed with aligners alone. More complex cases might need both Invisalign and other orthodontic tools. In rare cases of severe jaw asymmetry, surgery may be needed to address the issue.
Moving Forward With Confidence
A midline shift can affect how your smile looks and how your teeth work together, but the good news is that many cases can be treated with Invisalign. The most important step is to get a full orthodontic checkup to find out if the cause is dental or skeletal.
At Guildford Orthodontic Centre, we focus on personalized Invisalign treatments to help you get a more even smile, better bite, and restored confidence. If you’ve noticed a midline shift or wonder if orthodontic treatment could help your smile, please reach out to book a consultation. Together, we can see if Invisalign is the right choice to help you achieve a balanced smile.