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Dentistry/Teeth off center

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Expert: - 2/24/2009


Question
I am just about to get my braces off...
except today, when i was inspecting my teeth to make sure they were
straight and as i wanted them, i noticed that my teeth are off center with my
face.
they do not align with the line of my philtrum (below the nose and above the
lip)
but it is only off by a small amount...
and EVERYTHING else is perfect. my teeth are straight the bite is fine, it's just
as though my teeth are all shifted over a bit.
how can i get this fixed?
and should i get this fixed?

Answer
I'm going to answer your question by posing some questions for your consideration and a few comments.
1. Is it at all possible that your philtrum is off center?  Facial asymmetry is a very common feature in most individuals.
2. Is this difference between soft tissue midline and dental midline an esthetic problem problem for you?  It's quite possible that nobody else would ever notice this.
3. Does the upper dental midline coincide with the lower dental midline?  This is usually more significant esthetically than the philtrum midline.
4. Is this a problem for you or just an observation?

Changing the dental midline to coincide with the soft tissue midline would require an extraordinarily complex amount of orthodontic treatment.  Changing the soft tissue midline to coincide with the dental midline would require significant plastic surgery.  Should you get this fixed?  I don't know why you would or should.  Do you?

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Dr. Randolph Myerson

Expertise

Please limit your inquiry to questions about orthodontics (braces) and children's dentistry. I am both an Orthodontist and a Pediatric Dentist, having been trained in both of these dental specialty fields. Orthodontics is the dental specialty that treats problems of tooth, bite and jaw alignment using braces and removable appliances. Pediatric Dentistry is the dental specialty also known as dentistry for children, which deals specifically with the dental problems of this special age group from infants to adolescents. I am also experienced in Forensic Dentistry, the application of dentistry to law enforcement and identification using dental records.

Experience

I have been in the private practice of orthodontics and pediatric dentistry for over 20 years. Prior to that I served for three years on the Cleft Palate and Cranio-facial Reconstruction team at Children''s Hospital of Philadelphia and was an Assistant Professor of Dentistry at University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. I also served as a dentist in the U.S.Air Force, stationed at Andrews AFB in Washington, DC.

Organizations
I am a Fellow in the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and a member of the American Association of Orthodontics, as well as a member of the American Dental Association and the Dental Society of the State of New York.

Education/Credentials
I received my BA in Biology from Frankin & Marshall College in 1969, and my dental degree from University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine in 1973. In 1978 I received both my Certificate in Orthodontics from University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, and my Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry from Children''s Hospital of Philadelphia after completing a three year Teaching Fellowship in Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry in 1978.

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