Can Invisalign Fix Midline Misalignment?
Midline misalignment is asymmetry between the upper and lower arches of teeth. If you’re wondering if you have midline misalignment, look at your teeth in a mirror. If the line between your two front top teeth matches up with the line between your two front bottom teeth, your midline is symmetrically, properly aligned. If this line is not continuous, check with your dentist or orthodontist to confirm that you have a midline misalignment; they can use x-rays and measuring tools to determine whether your midline is misaligned and to explore possible causes for this issue. If you do have midline misalignment, your orthodontist will discuss your treatment options with you. Traditionally, the preferred method of treatment for most midline misalignments has been braces, though more and more patients are choosing clear aligners like Invisalign to correct their midline misalignment. These invisible aligners are a comfortable, discreet, and effective way to balance the smile and restore its symmetry. While they may not be the optimal treatment option for every patient, in many cases, Invisalign can fix midline misalignment, fixing the function of the bite and rebalancing the smile.
Clear aligners gradually shift the teeth back into alignment, improving the oral health and allowing clear speech and a comfortable, effective bite. Repairing midline misalignment with Invisalign can also prevent unpleasant side effects of midline misalignment, like pain in the jaw, TMJ, difficulty chewing, and headaches, while improving the balanced, symmetrical appearance of the smile. Treatment with Invisalign can take anywhere from around six months to two or more years, depending on the severity of the alignment issue and of any other alignment problems that may be present. During Invisalign treatment, you should expect to have regular orthodontic checkups, to evaluate whether the alignment trays are working as intended and to make any adjustments that may be needed.
The first step in any treatment for midline misalignment is to consult with your orthodontist. If you’re curious about clear aligners, look for an orthodontist who’s certified in Invisalign, and ask if these clear aligners are an appropriate treatment choice for you. If they are, your dentist will create customized aligners and a specific treatment plan that is designed to move your teeth into alignment gradually; you’ll change out your custom aligners about every two weeks, otherwise taking them out only to eat, brush, and floss.
Invisalign confers many benefits when compared to more traditional orthodontic treatments like braces. Clear aligners use transparent plastic to gently coerce the teeth into position, making them discreet and nearly undetectable. Because they’re made of smooth plastic, clear aligners are unlikely to cause the kinds of irritation that metal braces are known for, providing levels of comfort uncommon with metal braces, and because they’re removable, it’s easier to brush and floss the teeth and maintain effective oral hygiene. In many cases, Invisalign treatment is quicker than treatment with braces, so ask your dentist or orthodontist about your treatment options, and see if clear aligners will work for your midline misalignment needs. You may be pleasantly surprised at the ease, convenience, and efficacy of correcting midline misalignment with Invisalign.