How Do You Fix Misaligned Midline Teeth
You take a photo and when you see what it looks like, you realize that your smile isn't the way you want it to be and it looks a little... crooked? How can this happen? Well, maybe you've heard about tooth midline deviation, but you've never really understood what it is or how it can influence your smile. It turns out that this invisible line is very important to make the face more harmonic and balanced and is closely related to orthodontic treatment.
Understand what dental midline deviation is
Just like the imaginary lines on the world map, the dental midline is also imaginary and is drawn vertically between the central incisors to represent the center of the dental arch. As we have the upper and lower arches, we also have the upper and lower midline, which for a harmonious composition of the smile must be aligned with the midline of the face. Therefore, dental midline deviation is considered when there is no coincidence between one or both of these lines with the midline of the face. The identification of this problem is done primarily through clinical examination with the patient facing forward, in which a dental floss is placed in the midline of the face and the coincidence or not of the upper and/or lower midline is assessed, as well as the amount of deviation in millimeters.
The causes and consequences of deviation for your smile
The explanation for this deviation can be varied, and the professional listed some such as loss of a tooth, inadequate restorations, tooth rotations, agenesis (teeth not erupting), early loss of primary teeth, teeth crowding, and diastemas (space between two or more teeth). As for the consequences of this problem, aesthetics is a part that is usually compromised depending on the degree of the deviation. The deviation is considered disharmonious from 2mm or when it becomes visible to the eyes of a layman. However, aesthetics is not the only issue that can be harmed. In addition to aesthetic impairment, we can have impairment in the functioning of the entire stomatognathic system, such as chewing and problems with temporomandibular joint dysfunction.
How to correct midline deviation?
Fortunately, it is entirely possible to correct the problem through orthodontics during the growth phase, with fixed braces or transparent aligners in teenagers and adults. Another viable option that has become increasingly popular is orthognathic surgery, in cases of skeletal deviations. The conduct during treatment will always vary depending on the initial diagnosis. Therefore, the best thing to do is to sit down and talk to a specialist to understand which type of treatment is most suitable for your case.
How does orthodontic treatment work?
Orthodontic treatment, which aims to align teeth and improve occlusion, is carried out with the placement of braces. These use movements that force the teeth and jaws to return to place. At this point, the dentist will assess the severity of the patient's problem and the tooth structure. He can recommend some models of orthodontic appliances:
* Conventional fixed appliance (metallic)
With this device, the patient will achieve the famous “metallic smile”. After all, it is a structure made up of metal brackets and wires attached to the teeth.
* Aesthetic fixed appliance (porcelain or sapphire)
Cosmetic braces are also used to straighten teeth. In this orthodontic treatment, the device is fixed in the same way as the previous one, but the difference is that its structure is made of transparent or white materials such as: porcelain, sapphire. This makes the smile more beautiful and does not affect the patient's appearance as much.
* Invisalign
Invisalign is a transparent device that is custom-made according to each patient's dental arch. It also improves appearance because teeth straightening is done imperceptibly to people. But the big difference with this aligner is that it is removable. This makes eating and oral hygiene easier. In recent years, this is the treatment most sought after by patients.
* Device to reposition the jaw
What sets this orthopedic device apart from other braces is that it was specifically designed to correct jaw dysfunction. Actions to adequately strengthen the biting and chewing process are carried out throughout the treatment. Therefore, this repositioning device is suitable for patients with TMJ problems, for example.
* Mobile device
This mobile device is suitable for children and follows the growth of teeth and bones. It can also be used as a containment after using the fixed device. This prevents the tooth from returning to its original treatment position.