Dental Midline
The imaginary vertical line dividing the dental arch into left and right halves, used to assess symmetry between upper and lower arches and relative to the facial midline.
Full Definition
The dental midline is the contact point between the two central incisors in either the maxillary or mandibular arch. In orthodontic records and reports, editors will encounter references to midline coincidence or midline shifts, typically expressed in millimetres to the left or right. A midline discrepancy may be skeletal, dental, or functional in origin, and this distinction is important when editing clinical notes. The term should not be confused with the facial midline, which is determined by soft-tissue landmarks. Accurate use of 'upper dental midline' and 'lower dental midline' as distinct phrases is expected in clinical documentation.
Usage
Usage note: Always specify whether 'upper' or 'lower' dental midline is intended; avoid the unqualified phrase 'midline' alone in formal records.
In Context
- "The upper dental midline was deviated 2 mm to the right relative to the facial midline." — Clinical assessment report
- "Treatment planning notes documented a coincident dental midline as a key aesthetic objective." — Treatment plan document