The dental midline does not sit under the facial midline. The whole line is off, not one tooth in it.
What it is
A midline shift is a whole-arch problem, so it is corrected as one: the arch is moved bodily rather than a tooth at a time, usually with asymmetric mechanics and often with elastics you wear yourself. Under about 2 mm most people never notice it and we will tell you so rather than treat it.
Dental midline deviation — the plan
- Records, including a photograph taken square to the face.
- A frank conversation about whether it needs correcting at all.
- Asymmetric aligner mechanics with elastics, if it does.
| Clinical name | Dental midline deviation |
|---|---|
| Appliance | Clear aligners |
| Typical duration | 10 to 16 months |
| From | £2,200 |
| Retention | Included — bonded lower, removable upper, two years of reviews |
Next step
A consultation is £65 and includes photographs, a scan and a lateral cephalogram, plus a written plan with the fee on it. Nothing is started on the day.
Other faults
- Crowding — Arch-length deficiency
- Spacing and diastema — Generalised spacing / midline diastema
- Rotated teeth — Axial rotation
- Deep bite — Increased overbite / curve of Spee