Dental Midlines and Bite Issues

Dr. Bailey, a board-certified orthodontist, discusses dental midlines, which are the center lines between the front and bottom teeth. She explains the ideal alignment and how facial asymmetry can affect it. Variations in teeth size can cause midline shifts, and methods like slenderizing or enlarging teeth can help correct discrepancies. Missing or extracted teeth can also impact midlines. Dr. Bailey emphasizes consulting an orthodontist for proper diagnosis and treatment planning.

What is the ideal alignment for dental midlines?

• A straight line between the two front teeth and the two bottom teeth

• A diagonal line across the front teeth

• A curved line following the jawline

• No specific alignment is necessary

Why is it challenging to align dental midlines with facial midlines?

• Because of the natural symmetry of human faces

• Due to facial asymmetry and features like deviated noses

• Because teeth are always perfectly aligned

• Due to the uniform size of all teeth

What is the best reference point for aligning dental midlines?

• The chin

• The cupid's bow of the upper lip

• The nose

• The ears

What can cause a shift in dental midlines?

• Symmetrical facial features

• Perfectly aligned teeth

• Variations in tooth sizes from one side to the other

• Uniform tooth sizes

What is a common finding that affects dental midlines?

• Perfectly aligned lateral teeth

• Uniformly sized teeth

• Peg laterals, which are undersized lateral teeth

• Oversized front teeth

How can bite issues affect dental midlines?

• They cause the teeth to become smaller

• They make the teeth grow larger

• They can cause the midline to shift due to improper alignment

• They have no effect on dental midlines

What is a potential solution for correcting peg laterals?

• Leaving them as they are

• Ignoring the issue

• Using cosmetic bonding, veneers, or crowns

• Removing them entirely

What is the role of rubber bands in addressing midline discrepancies?

• They make the teeth grow larger

• They help align the midline by correcting the bite

• They have no role

• They cause the teeth to become smaller

What can happen if a back tooth is extracted?

• All teeth may shift towards the side of the extraction

• The teeth become smaller

• The teeth remain in their original position

• The teeth grow larger

Why is it important to consult an orthodontist about dental midlines?

• They have no impact on dental health

• They are not trained to handle dental midlines

• They can only offer cosmetic solutions

• They can provide a proper diagnosis and treatment plan