Dental Midline Shift Correction in Seoul
Quick answer
A midline shift means the center line between your upper front teeth does not line up with the center between your lower front teeth, or with the middle of your face. It can come from missing or crowded teeth, a jaw shift or jaw asymmetry. At Isu Yonsei Baro Orthodontics, Dr. Sally Chaekyung Lee identifies which midline is off before planning correction.
What a midline shift is
Your dental midline is the line between your two central incisors. Ideally the upper and lower midlines line up with each other and with the center of the face, roughly under the tip of the nose and the groove of the upper lip. In a midline shift, one or both are off to one side. Orthodontists separate an upper midline that is off relative to the face from a lower midline that is off relative to the upper teeth, because the causes and solutions differ.
Common causes
- Crowding or spacing on one side only, so teeth drift toward the gap
- A missing or extracted tooth on one side, or a congenitally missing lateral incisor
- A one-sided crossbite that makes the lower jaw slide sideways
- Uneven jaw growth, which is a form of facial asymmetry
- Asymmetric extractions or incomplete correction in previous treatment
Why it matters
Research on smile perception suggests that small midline differences are often not noticed by laypeople, while larger ones, or a tilted midline, are more visible. Functionally, a midline shift can signal that the bite does not fit evenly from left to right, which can affect how the canines guide jaw movements. For many people the concern is that the smile looks off-center in photos.
How it is diagnosed
Dr. Lee checks both midlines with the jaw at rest and closed, to see whether the jaw shifts as the teeth meet. Intraoral digital scans measure tooth widths and space on each side. A RAY Quantum 5D CT (CBCT) scan shows whether the jaw bones themselves are symmetrical and where tooth roots sit. The RAY Face 3D facial scanner relates the dental midline to the nose, lips and chin, which is how a shift is judged against your face rather than only your teeth.
Treatment options
- Dental midline shifts: braces, ceramic braces or Invisalign can move teeth sideways using elastics, space redistribution or temporary anchorage devices.
- Missing tooth: space may be redistributed or opened for replacement; see missing teeth and space.
- Functional shift in children: correcting the underlying crossbite with early orthodontics may realign the midlines.
- Skeletal causes: partial camouflage or surgical orthodontics may be discussed.
Typical timeline
Midline correction is usually part of comprehensive treatment, commonly taking roughly 12–24 months. Very small dental shifts may be corrected within limited treatment. Individual results and side effects vary; treatment is decided after examination.
What to expect at Isu Yonsei Baro
The first visit takes about 60 minutes with digital scans, X-rays or CT and photos. Dr. Lee explains in English which midline is off, by how much and why. In Dr. Lee's practice, perfect alignment of the lower midline is sometimes balanced against other goals, because aligning the upper midline with the face tends to matter most for how a smile looks. You receive a written estimate before you decide, and she treats you personally from consultation to retention.
At a glance
- Clinical term: dental midline discrepancy (upper, lower, or both)
- Small discrepancies of about 1–2 mm are common and often not noticeable to others
- Causes range from crowding or a missing tooth to a jaw shift or skeletal asymmetry
- The upper midline relative to the face usually matters most for appearance
- Correction is typically part of braces or aligner treatment, roughly 12–24 months (not a promise)
Your orthodontist
Dr. Sally Chaekyung Lee, DDS, PhD
- MOHW-certified orthodontic specialist
- PhD in Orthodontics, Yonsei University; Severance Hospital residency
- Member, Edward H. Angle Society of Orthodontists
- 2026 AJO-DO peer reviewer
- Consults in fluent English and treats you herself, start to finish
Isu Station Exit 2 · 1-minute walk
Mon & Thu until 9 PM · Sat 9 AM–2 PM
+82 2-592-2080
Frequently asked questions
Is a slightly off-center midline a problem?
A small midline difference, often around 1 to 2 millimeters, is common and usually not noticed by others. It may still be worth correcting if it reflects an uneven bite or bothers you. Larger shifts or a tilted midline are more visible. An exam helps decide whether treatment is worthwhile.
Can Invisalign fix a midline shift?
Clear aligners can correct many dental midline shifts, often with elastics or small enamel reshaping to redistribute space. Shifts caused by a jaw slide or skeletal asymmetry may need additional approaches. Dr. Lee assesses the cause with scans before recommending aligners or braces.
Why is my midline off after braces?
A midline may remain off if it was caused by jaw asymmetry, if tooth sizes differ between sides, or if teeth have shifted since treatment because retainers were worn less. Re-treatment can often improve it. A new assessment shows what is responsible and what can realistically change.
Does a midline shift mean my jaw is crooked?
Not necessarily. Many midline shifts are purely dental, caused by crowding, spacing or a missing tooth on one side. Some are linked to a jaw that slides or grew unevenly. CBCT and a 3D face scan help distinguish these, which matters because the treatment approach differs.
Related reading
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Individual results and side effects vary; treatment is decided after an in-person examination. See our editorial and medical review policy .
Talk to Dr. Lee in English
Send your concern and preferred dates. You'll get an examination, your options, a timeline and a written estimate before you decide anything.