How To Tell if You Need an Occlusal Adjustment
July 18, 2018
Occlusal is a term that refers to the way your teeth meet. Ideally, all of your top teeth should contact the bottom teeth with equal pressure when your mouth is closed. Your top teeth should extend slightly over the outer edges of your bottom teeth as well. If your teeth are not properly aligned and do not touch with equal pressure when you close your mouth, your bite may be “off”. The official term for an imperfect or “off” bite is malocclusion. Occlusal adjustment may be recommended to correct the problem.
Problems Caused by Malocclusion
An uncorrected malocclusion can be more than just annoying. It can cause a variety of oral health problems, including:
- Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD)
- Loose teeth
- Increased tooth sensitivity (especially to extreme temperatures)
- Fracturing or chipping of teeth
- Bone recession
- Overcrowding of the teeth
- Teeth clenching and grinding (especially at night)
- Muscle or nerve damage or disorders
- Frequent headaches
- Muscles spasms or tiredness in the face and/or neck
To prevent these problems from happening, occlusal adjustment may be recommended. Though the term sounds complicated, it simply refers to treatment that corrects an unhealthy bite.
Treatment Options
Dr. J. Alexander Withers is a leading periodontist who offers a variety of treatment options for an imperfect bite, including smoothing down parts of the teeth that protrude upward or downward too much and cause excessive pressure when you bite down. The goal of treatment is to make sure all of your teeth meet together comfortably and evenly so you can speak and bite down without discomfort. If you also have bruxism (excessive tooth grinding), Dr. Withers may provide you with a custom night guard that can protect your teeth from nighttime grinding.
Call Today
If you have symptoms of an imperfect bite, relief may be just a treatment away. To schedule a consultation with our skilled periodontist, contact J. Alexander Withers Periodontics & Implant Dentistry in Fairfax, VA today!