Have you ever faced the mirror and felt something was off? You might want to check your dental midline. If this is misaligned, it creates the appearance of asymmetry, throwing off the balance of your features.
Are you curious to know how this subtle detail can impact your smile? Learn more about its role in facial symmetry, how it affects other oral functions, and what you can do about the misalignment.
What is the dental midline?
The dental midline is an imaginary vertical line running down the middle of your upper and lower teeth. Ideally, this line should be consistent with your facial centre. It starts from the top of your head, passing through your eyes and nose and ending at your chin.
For optimal dental alignment, this line should fall between your two upper front teeth and your two lower front teeth. Adding to this, the upper and lower jaws should also match this facial midline for a balanced and symmetrical appearance.
How your dental midline impacts your face and smile
Do you know about the golden ratio? Many professionals in fields that focus on aesthetics, like cosmetic dentistry, use it to guide their work. For example, a dentist might use the concept when planning a patient’s treatment. It can help determine the ideal proportions of teeth, resulting in a more balanced smile that perfectly suits your face.
Studies have found that faces that align with the ratio “can be considered symmetrical and appealing.” Symmetry is highly desirable as a facial feature because it signals harmony, which naturally attracts the eye. Therefore, an asymmetrical dental midline can make your face and smile appear uneven.
Tom Cruise and his asymmetrical smile
A famous example of someone with a deviated midline is Tom Cruise. Because of the misalignment, the American actor had to wear braces in his 40s to fix his crooked teeth. He’s now orthodontics-free with an attractive, near-perfect Hollywood grin. However, if you look closely at the upper row of his teeth, you’ll notice that his midline is still slightly off to the side.
Despite his smile’s off-centre quality, Cruise continues to make everyone swoon with his movie star charm and good looks. That shows how facial asymmetries aren’t inherently negative – sometimes, leaning into your quirks can make you stand out in a positive light, too.
What causes a midline shift?
Do you think your midline might be off? Your dentist will know how to check your dental midline, but you can also perform an initial assessment at home. Look straight-on in the mirror and visualise a line running through the centre of your face. You can also snap a selfie to measure and draw on for better accuracy. You’ll know you have an alignment issue if the line doesn’t fall squarely between your upper and lower central incisors.
In orthodontics, this issue is known as a midline shift or drift. The Australian Society of Orthodontics notes that it’s often a telltale sign of shifting teeth. While incremental tooth movement throughout your life is normal, too much can indicate gum conditions and other oral health issues.
Take this online smile assessment to see if you’re dealing with this misalignment.
Some factors that can cause a midline shift include:
- Malocclusions or teeth misalignments, like overbites, underbites, and crowding
- Missing teeth that create gaps for adjacent dentition to shift into
- Dental trauma, ageing, and certain oral habits, like tongue thrusting
The most concerning issue about a deviated midline isn’t how it looks – it’s how it can negatively affect oral health. Misaligned or crooked teeth can lead to bite problems, making simple tasks like chewing, speaking, and oral hygiene upkeep more difficult. They can also put uneven pressure on the jaw, leading to chronic pain and jaw problems.
Can a dental midline shift be fixed with orthodontic treatment?
It sure can! An asymmetric dental midline can set your smile apart, just like Tom Cruise. However, you can always talk to an orthodontist about treatment if the misalignment jeopardises your oral health or limits your self-confidence.
Since orthodontists specialise in teeth straightening, they’re highly effective at dental midline correction. But other dental practitioners may suggest alternative measures, like veneers.
If you’re looking for a discreet solution, ClearCorrect aligners are the way to go. The appliance is undetectable, removable, and comfortable, making aligner therapy a breeze. These trays use a durable, tri-layer ClearQuartz material that exerts gentle, consistent force on teeth, guiding them to their proper positions.
Your dental midline can impact your smile and facial symmetry, influencing your overall appearance. There’s no harm in embracing a misaligned or deviated midline as a positive feature if it doesn’t threaten your health or wellness. But if you think you might need treatment to improve your quality of life, consult your dentist to get their expert advice.
References:
Australian Society of Orthodontics. (2023a). Teeth shifting: Signs, causes, prevention and treatment. Orthodontics Australia.
Harun, N. A., Adam, K. B. C., Abdullah, N. A., & Rusli, N. (2023). Is a symmetrical face really attractive? International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 52(6), 703–709.
Prokopakis, E. P., Vlastos, I., & Picavet, V. (2013). The golden ratio in facial symmetry. Rhinology, 51(1), 18–21.
