Midline misalignment is a common dental issue for many adult patients. The midline of our face is essentially an invisible line from the center of the floor head all the way down to the top of the chin. The center of the upper and lower arches should align with the midline of our face which bisects the nose and continues up to the center of the space between the eyebrows.
Midline misalignment is often an aesthetic issue but it can pose other problems including bite issues, speech problems, and TMJ disorders. Misaligned teeth can negatively impact your oral health and self-esteem. One of the best treatment options for collecting a misaligned midline is orthodontic intervention. Orthodontic treatment can be provided with either traditional braces or clear aligners, such as Invisalign.
Invisalign for Misaligned Midline
Invisalign clear aligners are a great way to correct minor misalignment. Clear aligners use a series of clear plastic trays that fit over the entire arch of the teeth and progressively shift the teeth into alignment.
Invisalign Procedure
If you decide that you would like to try Invisalign, your dentist will evaluate your mouth to make sure that you are a candidate. If it is decided that Invisalign is a good option for you, they will take a full set of x-rays and a digital scan of all of your teeth which will be sent to the Invisalign lab. The lab will create a digital progression video which your dentist will review with you so that you can see how your teeth will move before agreeing to treatment.
Once you approve your Invisalign case, the lab will fabricate your aligner trays. Once your case comes into your dentist's office, they will see you for an appointment to make sure that they fit properly. Throughout your treatment, your dentist will track your progress with periodic visits to the office to make sure that no modifications need to be made.
You will be instructed to wear each set of trays for 20-22 hours per day, removing them only to eat. With each new set, the fit is a little tighter until the desired results are achieved. As you progress through each set of trays, you will see your teeth gradually shift to their new, aligned position.
Once you have finished your initial series of trays, you may have an additional series for refinement, though not everyone needs that final step. After all trays are complete, you will receive your final retainers to sleep in to keep your teeth stable and in alignment. The retainers will ensure that your teeth do not shift back to their original position, as they often want to do!
Invisalign vs Traditional Braces
The biggest advantage of Invisalign is the comfort and discretion of treatment. Metal braces can make patients self conscious and often cause sores on the inside of the mouth where the brackets rub against the cheek and lips. Additionally, oral hygiene with braces can be a bit challenging but Invisalign trays are much easier to care for since they can be taken out and make it easy to brush and floss. Invisalign is also a much faster process in comparison to traditional braces for orthodontic treatment, taking an average of 6-18 months as opposed to 2 years with braces.
If you are interested in orthodontic treatment to correct a misaligned midline, speak with your dentist about Invisalign. They may be a preferred provider and can do your treatment in-office without sending you to an orthodontist!