|
 |
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
The Normal Bite Relation
In the normal, healthy mouth, teeth should meet without extra stress being placed on any individual tooth. Teeth that mesh and meet properly are similar to two metal gear wheels that, when rotating together, have the projection (or tooth as it is called) of one gear fit perfectly and smoothly into the depression of the other gear. If for some reason the teeth of the two gears do not meet exactly, the projections on both gears will hit and there will be an unwanted interference. This interference could make portions of the gear teeth chip, fracture, or wear abnormally causing wear facets in the metal teeth. If the interference continues for a longer period of time or the interference is severe, the gear teeth will be more likely to break, and the break could be more severe. The gear wheels themselves could also loosen on their axis and begin to wobble when rotating.
|
|
 |
|
|
Even though teeth are not made of metal, similarities to the meshing of gears do exist. The outside surface that normally contacts the opposing tooth is made of enamel¾hard but brittle. Your teeth are held in place and supported by the bone that surrounds the teeth. When your occlusion (bite) changes, preventing your teeth from meshing in unison, the enamel could begin to chip or wear. When these teeth have been restored, these restorations could fracture. In the most severe cases, the teeth will become loose. You may also find that the enamel wears away abnormally quite quickly and the teeth change shape and become shorter.
Traumatic Occlusion
All of the above problems could be a sign of traumatic occlusion. The teeth that meet improperly can be damaged every time you close your mouth. One tooth or all of your teeth may be affected. Very often, you don’t know that a problem exists because you experience little or no pain until it reaches a very advanced stage. If you have teeth that have compromised bone support because of active or past periodontal disease, the teeth will have a tendency toward slight movement that could place them in traumatic occlusion. The “bite” doesn’t have to be off by very much before a problem occurs. Movement from the proper position no more than the thickness of a piece of paper is often sufficient to cause a problem. If you have a clenching or grinding habit related to stress, you can induce a traumatic occlusion.
Treatment
Once the problem has been diagnosed, it should be treated quickly. Treatment can be simple or complex. It will involve determining which teeth are not meeting correctly when you close your teeth together. If only one tooth is in a poor position, it may be able to be corrected with one appointment. If more than one tooth is involved or if teeth are looser, several appointments may be needed to correct the problem. Your teeth may be slightly sensitive to temperature changes for a time after the occlusal adjustment is completed. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
