Shifting Midline?

[brendap27]

Hello All,

I'm trying to figure out if my midline is shifting to the left or if it's my imagination. I got my braces on in Dec. 2009. I have my wisdom teeth on the right side but don't have them on the left. I had my third wire put on about a week ago and this was the first one that was really painful so I know it's really doing something. One thing that I noticed, or at least think I noticed, is that my midline appears to be shifting to the left. I'm wondering if it's possible that my wisdom tooth on the right side is acting as an anchor and since the wire is putting all of this pressure on my teeth, it's easier for them all to move to the left. I'm really nervous that if this keeps up I'm going to end up looking really weird.

I'm wondering if this is even possible or if it's just my imagination. If it is happening, what could be done about it? I suppose I could have the wisdom teeth pulled. Could they do IPR and create space between my teeth so they don't have to shift so much?

[VA5]

Hello All,

I'm trying to figure out if my midline is shifting to the left or if it's my imagination. I got my braces on in Dec. 2009. I have my wisdom teeth on the right side but don't have them on the left. I had my third wire put on about a week ago and this was the first one that was really painful so I know it's really doing something. One thing that I noticed, or at least think I noticed, is that my midline appears to be shifting to the left. I'm wondering if it's possible that my wisdom tooth on the right side is acting as an anchor and since the wire is putting all of this pressure on my teeth, it's easier for them all to move to the left. I'm really nervous that if this keeps up I'm going to end up looking really weird.

I'm wondering if this is even possible or if it's just my imagination. If it is happening, what could be done about it? I suppose I could have the wisdom teeth pulled. Could they do IPR and create space between my teeth so they don't have to shift so much?

I think it definitely sounds possible that the extra tooth on the one side could cause extra anchorage and hence shift your teeth more to that side. Definitely. But as long as you are not finished with your braces, your ortho can definitely shift it the other direction and fix it. I don't think it is very unusual to have shifting during braces.... seems more usual than unusual. I have it going on right now myself and at my next visit I fully intend on asking her to make sure to note it and fix it. B/c I agree with you, it would look kind of funny to have a midline shift. But the good news, it can be corrected. Your ortho can stop using the last tooth/wisdom tooth as an anochor and move the last anchor to the tooth in front, and then use a stronger powerchain if that's what she/he is using on the side that has shifted too far to the other side. HOpe this helps!

[ashesgap]

I had a left over baby canine on my top right, my midline is way off to the left on top because of it. Had the baby canine pulled and everything is already moving a little, and i'll be doing elastics to fix it. Personally i had my wisdom teeth pulled before i had braces put on.

[brendap27]

Thanks for the encouraging responses. I was in on Friday for a cleaning and wanted to ask the ortho at that time to look at it, but he wasn't in and the technician was busy with another patient. They said they would have someone pull my photos and call me on Monday. Hopefully I can get in quickly and see what they say. I didn't want to wait for my next scheduled appointment because it's not for 7 more weeks and I'm afraid it might get much worse in that timeframe.