Occlusal Disease
Occlusal disease is caused by a misalignment or incorrect relation between the teeth of the upper and lower dental arches, also called malocclusion. If left untreated, occlusal disease can damage your teeth, the supporting bones and gums around your teeth, temporomandibular joints, and the jaw muscles you use for chewing.
Many people dismiss excessive or abnormally accelerated tooth wear as "natural aging or wearing" of teeth, but your dentist can provide treatment to alleviate the pain and discomfort caused by occlusal disease.
Signs and Symptoms of Occlusal Disease
- Pathological (unnatural) Wear: Patients can experience unnatural wear and tear on teeth due to occlusal disease in the form of bruxism or an unbalanced bite.
- Fractured Teeth and Fillings: An unbalanced bite that places excessive force on your teeth can lead to broken teeth and failed restorations.
- Tooth Sensitivity: Excessive force placed on teeth because of occlusal disease can lead to hairline cracks in your teeth, which can make them more sensitive to hot and cold foods.
- Abfractions and Cervical Notches: Abfraction is a fancy word for the loss of tooth structure. With occlusal disease, teeth can lose structure at the gum line because of flexural forces.
- Headaches and Muscle Pain: An unbalanced bite related to occlusal disease strains the facial muscles and joints, resulting in chronic headaches and jaw pain.
Our goal is to preserve the oral health of our patients, as well as to anticipate the long-term results when restorative treatment is provided. Treating occlusal disease can lead to a long life of optimal oral health and restorative treatment success.
