A beautiful, properly aligned smile plays an important role in your child’s health and self-esteem. However, midline misalignment is a common orthodontic issue that can throw off the symmetry of their smile.
At 949 Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, we specialize in early orthodontic correction to realign your child’s midline and create a balanced, healthy smile that boosts their confidence.
What is Midline Misalignment?
Midline misalignment refers to a condition where the center line or midline of your child’s upper front teeth does not match up with the midline of their lower teeth. This creates an uneven look to their bite and smile.
Some signs of midline misalignment in your child may include:
- The central upper incisors are shifted left or right from the center of their face and lower teeth
- There is a noticeable gap between the upper central incisors
- The upper and lower front teeth do not come together properly
- Your child’s smile appears lopsided
- There is crowding, spacing, or twisting of the front teeth
Midline mismatch can range from mild to severe. In some cases, the lower midline is shifted, while the upper midline matches the facial midline. Other times, both the upper and lower midlines are off. The most severe cases involve a severe jaw misalignment.
What Causes Midline Misalignment in Children?
Midline mismatch in children usually occurs due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors that impact the growth and development of the jaws, teeth, and facial structure:
| Genetics | Irregularities in jaw size, tooth position, and facial symmetry are often inherited. Children may be born with natural asymmetries or a predisposition for crooked teeth and jaws that run in families. |
| Missing, crowded, or extra teeth | Having too few teeth, too many teeth crowded together, or extra unwanted teeth can prevent the proper alignment of the upper and lower arches. This directly impacts midline positioning. |
| Harmful oral habits | Sucking habits like prolonged thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, and excessive pacifier use beyond age 3-4 can apply uneven pressure on the teeth and jaws, shifting them out of alignment. |
| Mouth breathing | Chronic nasal congestion and mouth breathing forces the tongue to rest in the wrong position, redirecting jaw growth and impacting midline symmetry. |
| Cleft lip and palate | A congenital birth defect that causes abnormalities in the upper jaw, palate, and facial structure. This affects midfacial growth and dental development. |
| Injuries and trauma | Any damage or disruption to the jaws, palate, or teeth through injuries, accidents or trauma can knock teeth out of alignment. Things like falls, sports impacts, or bike accidents are common childhood causes. |
| Uneven jaw growth | Some asymmetry in jaw growth happens naturally in children as the face matures. The upper and lower jaws may grow at slightly different rates or be uneven sizes, shifting midline position. |
If left untreated, midline mismatch tends to worsen over time as your child’s teeth and jaws continue to develop, making treatment more complex. That’s why early intervention is recommended whenever possible.
Your Child’s Smile, Our Specialty
Correcting Midline Misalignment: Why It Matters
Realigning the midline provides several important oral health and aesthetic benefits for your child, including:
- Restores proper bite and chewing function – Misalignment can make biting and chewing less efficient, but treatment creates ideal upper and lower teeth contact.
- Prevents tooth decay and gum disease – Misaligned teeth are harder to keep clean, increasing risks of cavities and gum disease. Straight teeth are easier to brush and floss properly.
- Corrects crossbites and other alignment issues – Midline mismatch often coincides with overbites, underbites, or crooked teeth, which can all be simultaneously corrected through orthodontic treatment.
- Allows even facial growth and development – The jaws require balanced muscle forces to grow properly, and realigning the midline helps normalize these forces.
- Reduces risk of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders – Midline mismatch can eventually lead to TMJ problems, but treatment helps avoid this.
- Creates facial and smile symmetry – Straightening the midline makes the child’s smile line up with their face for improved aesthetic balance.
- Boosts self-esteem and confidence – Correcting the midline helps the child feel good about showing off their improved, beautiful smile.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends all children have an orthodontic evaluation by age 7 to assess alignment and spot problems early. Early correction of midline misalignments often enhances treatment simplicity, speed, comfort and long-term stability.
Our Signature Orthodontic Treatment Process
At 949 Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, our orthodontists combine cutting-edge techniques with a personalized, gentle approach to realign your child’s midline and create healthy, balanced smiles. Our signature treatment process includes:
Comprehensive Orthodontic Evaluation
We perform thorough exams using the latest technology to diagnose midline misalignment and develop a customized treatment plan. Digital scans, photos, x-rays, and 3D imaging are used to visualize your child’s unique situation.
Early Intervention Options
We have multiple treatment options to correct midline mismatch early, including clear aligners, orthodontic headgear, palatal expanders, lip bumpers, and Daytime Clear Retainers.
Full Fixed Appliance Treatment
For moderate or severe midline misalignment, we use full traditional or clear braces to safely realign your child’s bite and straighten their smile over time.
Retention Phase
Retainers are worn after treatment to hold your child’s teeth in their new aligned positions. Excellent retention protocols ensure stability.
Progress Monitoring
Your child receives regular orthodontic adjustments and progress checks to keep treatment on track. We modify therapies to match their developing facial structure and growth.
Advanced Technology
We utilize digital scanners, advanced computer imaging, and low-radiation X-rays to enhance precision, predictability and comfort.
Patient Education
We explain treatment processes and provide oral hygiene instruction for home dental care and plaque removal. Your child understands their role in achieving a successful outcome.
By realigning your child’s midline early, we can resolve orthodontic issues in an efficient, minimally invasive way, providing the best opportunity for a healthy, properly aligned bite.
Our Pediatric Orthodontics Team
949 Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics was founded by Dr. Barry Jacobson and Dr. Helen Weinberg, two highly experienced specialists in children’s dentistry and orthodontics.
Dr. Jacobson is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry with over 25 years of experience caring for infants, children, teens, and patients with special needs. He founded and directed NYU Langone’s pediatric dental residency program for 10 years.
Dr. Weinberg is an expert in pediatric orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics. She has served as the Orthodontic Director at a major NYC hospital and belongs to the American Association of Orthodontists and American Board of Orthodontics.
Together, they lead a talented, compassionate orthodontics team focused on giving your child a healthy, confident smile. We continually invest in advanced education and technology to elevate the care we provide. Your child’s treatment is always in the most capable hands.
Join the Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics family for dedicated, child-friendly dental care that makes every visit a fun experience.
Schedule a Midline Misalignment Evaluation With Us!
If your child suffers from midline mismatch, crooked teeth, spacing issues, overbites, or any other orthodontic concerns, we encourage you to schedule an Evaluation. Contact us online to book a visit at our NY office.
During the appointment, our expert doctors will perform a comprehensive clinical exam using advanced diagnostic tools to assess your child’s alignment, bite, and facial symmetry. They will explain all treatment options and make expert recommendations on the best path forward for your child’s unique situation. Our goal is to provide early correction to restore the health and beauty of their smile.
We look forward to the opportunity to help your child achieve optimal dental function and a straight, properly aligned smile full of confidence!