Occlusal Adjustment
An occlusal adjustment corrects your bite if you have misaligned teeth, also called malocclusion. Many things can cause malocclusion including accidents, normal wear, loose teeth, and dental work such as fillings, bridges, crowns and extractions.
Malocclusion stops your jaw from closing in the correct position, which causes your mouth to constantly search for the correct position. This can lead to teeth grinding, jaw pain and TMJ (temporal mandibular joint issues). Malocclusion can also cause your bite to be “heavy” on certain teeth which can lead to tooth pain or a broken tooth.
How can I know if my bite is “off”?
If you are experiencing bruxism (teeth grinding), ground down enamel, clicking of the jaw, jaw pain, sensitive teeth, headaches, or neck pain, you may have malocclusion. During an exam, we will be able to evaluate for malocclusion and if a bite adjustment will help.
How is my bite fixed?
Fixing malocclusion can be a very simple procedure. First, the patient will bite down on a thin piece of Mylar bite registration paper. The paper will leave a mark where the upper and lower teeth make contact. The doctor will then smooth certain contact points to correct your bite and allow your jaw to naturally fall into the correct position.
