Midline shift teeth: definition, causes, treatment

Genetics and development: Certain genetic traits that you can inherit from your parents can be a factor. These traits can predispose you to a midline shift by affecting your jaw and tooth alignment. You can inherit complications like jaw asymmetry, having too many or too few teeth, facial asymmetry, and various genetic mutations.

Dental trauma: A bad injury or accident can change the position of your teeth and alter the structure of your jaw entirely. Injuries that knock out teeth or apply severe pressure to your jaw can ruin alignment and lead to a midline shift.

Early baby tooth loss: Losing your baby teeth earlier than you should, particularly your molars and canines, can cause your teeth to drift in your early years, which can cause misalignment.

Missing teeth: Having gaps in your mouth from missing teeth can make other teeth shift out of place over time. This can lead to a midline shift.

Jaw misalignment: Having a jaw with structural issues that is out of position is another common cause for midline shift. Under and Overbites, for example, can disrupt the entire alignment of your mouth if not corrected.

Thumb sucking and oral habits: Sustained poor oral habits can cause a midline shift. Thumb sucking, for example, creates pressure that can push your front teeth outward and cause misalignment. Mouthbreathing can also cause a midline shift by changing the way your tongue is positioned and can interfere with jaw growth.

Tooth size irregularities: Abnormally small or large teeth can create many complications. They can throw off the balance inside your mouth and cause a case of midline shift.

Facial asymmetry: Whether it's something you were born with or developed due to an injury, facial asymmetry can be a direct cause for a midline shift.

Tooth decay and gum disease: Tooth decay (cavities) and receding or infected gums can lead to tooth loss, which in turn causes a midline shift.

Braces: Braces can apply the correct amount of force to realign your teeth with your dental midline over time. It may be an expensive and inconvenient treatment, but it has been proven to be effective in correcting a midline shift.

Clear aligners: Clear aligners are arguably the least intrusive way to deal with midline shift. They aren't obvious like braces, and also apply a steady amount of force over the duration of the treatment to create a healthy midline. Easily the most convenient method of treating misalignment issues.

Orthodontic appliances: Many orthodontic appliances can treat teeth that are not aligned. Rubber bands, coil springs, and other dental accessories can help cure a midline shift.

Comprehensive treatment: Lastly, for severe cases, a comprehensive treatment plan might be needed, combining braces, aligners, and accessories to treat a bad case. For a comprehensive treatment plan, it is best practice to consult with your dentist beforehand to ensure that you are going about it in the safest and effective way.

Hyrax expanders: A Hyrax expander can widen your upper jaw by applying the right amount of pressure on your teeth. This will create enough space for your teeth to shift back into the right spot.

Tooth Removal: A dentist can also remove particular problematic teeth to create space for the others to shift into the correct position.

Surgery: In particularly bad cases, such as ones where there is a structural issue with the jaw itself or when other methods are not effective, a dentist can perform surgery to properly align your mouth.