Occlusal Adjustment
Some of the dead “give-aways” to needing occlusal adjustment is if you wake up in the morning with sore jaws or if you feel like your jaw is lopsided when you bite. If this sounds familiar to you, then you may need an adjustment.
The reason to receive an occlusal adjustment is to correct the alignment of the bite. A bite may be misaligned due to loose, shifting, crowded, or missing teeth. Once the adjustment is made the result will be an evenly distributed bite that eliminates irregular pressure on one side of the mouth. Your teeth will now meet properly. The process causes only minimal pain, and only a little discomfort.
Adjustments are made by using a dental drill with a fine filing stone. In addition to the actual adjustment, removal mouthpieces are also utilized to protect the tooth surface and relax the jaw muscles once the adjustment is completed.
Patients with loose or shifting teeth will many times not meet correctly are perfect candidates to receive the adjustment. Patients who grind or clench their teeth will have an uneven bite and pressure distribution in the mouth, which is also corrected through an occlusal adjustment. Sometimes tooth sensitivity can be corrected through an occlusal adjustment, as the treatment reduces pressure on the sensitive tooth.
New technology allows dentists to accurately identify the areas, which need adjustments. The dentist utilizes a computer scan of the mouth, which records hundreds of bite registrations per minute, and notes even the slightest irregularity. That data allows the dentist to make only the adjustments that are absolutely necessary, which ensures a well aligned bite and minimal tooth wear.
If you suspect that you may need an occlusal adjustment, please feel free to schedule an appointment.
