Can Invisalign Fix Midline Misalignment?
The optimal solution for midline misalignment has historically been braces, which can help adjust issues with the bite and minor structural issues while correcting the appearance of an asymmetrical smile. As clear aligning trays like Invisalign have become more widely used for a variety of orthodontic needs, however, they have consistently proven to be an excellent treatment option for most midline misalignments. These transparent plastic aligning trays are custom-designed to incrementally, gradually move the teeth into their desired positions, comfortably and unobtrusively correcting midline misalignment and restoring the appearance of the smile.
If you think you might have midline misalignment, check your smile in a mirror; if the center line between the upper and lower front teeth isn’t straight, this could indicate midline misalignment. In addition to aesthetic concerns, midline misalignment can affect the bite, leading to challenges with chewing, uneven wear on the teeth, and jaw pain.
Midline misalignment can also interfere with clear speech, and it can lead to temporomandibular joint disorders that lead to chronic stiffness and discomfort in the jaw. There are a few different causes of midline misalignment, including crowded or abnormally shaped teeth, structural alignment issues with the jaw, and certain habits or lifestyle choices, and a comprehensive dental examination can determine the best approach to treatment, which usually includes a consultation with an orthodontist.
If your dental professional decides that clear aligners could work for you, they’ll use x-rays and dental impressions to create a model of your teeth. Using this 3D model, your dental specialist will create an individualized treatment plan that uses custom-made aligning trays to urge the teeth into alignment.
Each set of trays is worn for about two weeks, and each new set of trays gradually, incrementally moves the teeth. These aligners should be worn for at least 20 hours each day, if not longer, and should be removed only for eating and for flossing and brushing the teeth. During treatment, regular evaluations from your orthodontist will help ensure that the teeth are moving properly and allow adjustments and modifications if they’re needed. In most cases, treatment with clear aligners will take anywhere from six months to a couple of years.
Clear aligning trays provide multiple benefits when compared with traditional metal braces. Because they are made of transparent material, they’re nearly invisible, unlike metal braces. This means that they won’t interfere with the appearance of the teeth or make you self-conscious about your smile. Invisible aligners are also more comfortable than braces, as they’re made of smooth plastic that won’t rub against the gums and soft tissues like the metal brackets and wires of braces often do. It’s also far easier to maintain an effective oral hygiene routine with Invisalign than with braces, as the trays can be removed for thorough brushing and flossing, and treatment with clear aligners is often less complex and can take less time overall than treatment with braces. For many patients, clear aligners can effectively, comfortably, and discreetly correct midline misalignment while reducing or eliminating other orthodontic complications and restoring the symmetry of the smile.