Correction Of Occlusal Problems

Bite correction for aesthetic and functional benefits, at our Burton practice.

You may have heard your dentist mention the term ‘occlusal’. Essentially, this relates to the way that the teeth bite together. Although some specific problems such as an underbite or overbite can also have an effect on the way that your teeth look, there is also the risk of damage being caused to your teeth due to an incorrect bite.

Before we go on to look at how an occlusal problem can be corrected, let us take a look at a few of the problems that can be caused, if not treated.

Aesthetics – As mentioned above, some occlusal issues can leave a person less confident about their smile due to the way that their teeth look when they do.

Wearing down of teeth – If your teeth do not meet correctly, they may wear down the teeth in the opposing jaw. This not only affects their appearance but can damage the enamel, making them more prone to decay and root canal infections.

Broken teeth – An uneven bite can cause excessive force to be placed upon a tooth that was not designed to take it. Whilst the tooth may gradually wear down, it may also break off suddenly as it becomes weaker.

Jaw problems – If we have an incorrect bite, this can cause the jaw not to function as it should. Clicking or grinding jaws are often a symptom of this. These problems are often referred to as TMJ (temporo-mandibular joint) dysfunction and, in some patients, can cause quite severe pain and may even cause persistent headaches.

Occlusal problem treatments

An examination at Mike Allen’s Dental Practice will help to determine any problems with your bite, and will also determine the most appropriate treatment for your individual circumstances.

One of the most common methods used to correct an incorrect bite is the use of an orthodontic appliance. These no longer have to be in the form of traditional metal dental braces, but are now available in more comfortable and discreet forms, many of which are available from our Burton based cosmetic dentists.

Our associate dentist, Peter Reece, has a particular interest in this field of dentistry, so you can be sure that you will receive excellent advice and treatment if you come to us with this problem.

Monitoring your teeth

If you attend your dentist regularly, the chances of occlusal problems are minimised as any incorrect positioning can be treated at a relatively early stage and may require a shorter period of time to correct.

If you live in Burton On Trent and are looking to register with a dentist, or to change to a new dentist, we are always happy to see new patients. Please call Mike Allen’s Dental Practice on 01283 845345.