Precise Occlusal Adjustment in Aurora, CO
Do you experience discomfort when pressing your teeth together? Does your bite seem off? This may be a problem with teeth alignment called malocclusion, which when left untreated, can cause severe issues to your dental health. An occlusal adjustment in Aurora, CO will help treat it.
Occlusal and Malocclusion
Occlusal refers to the upper and lower teeth contact when the mouth is closed or when chewing. When your jaw is relaxed, the upper teeth should slightly overlap the lower teeth. There should also be equal contact between the lower and upper teeth. Lastly, there shouldn’t be any noticeable twisting or rotation of the teeth when biting.
Malocclusion is the condition of misaligned teeth. Other names for it include overbite, underbite, open bite, crossbite, and crowded teeth. If left untreated, misaligned teeth can cause many oral health problems, including dental fractures, early enamel erosion, clenching and grinding of the teeth, and more.
Furthermore, poorly positioned teeth may make it difficult to bite and chew food. Teeth misalignment can also affect speech patterns. Here are all the symptoms you may have a malocclusion:
- Improper teeth alignment
- Breathing through the mouth
- Chipped or Cracked teeth
- Grinding and Clenching of your teeth
- Damage to dentures and dental implants
- Biting and chewing discomfort
- Frequent biting of your tongue or inner cheek
- Problems with speech
- Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder
What is an Occlusal Adjustment?
An occlusal adjustment can be performed to fix malocclusion. Also called bite alignment, it is a dental procedure that restores the bite for regular functions. It adjusts how your teeth make contact by shaping and grinding down the surfaces of one or more teeth to eliminate interferences. Additionally, it helps stop the onset of some dental conditions in the future.
How Does it Work?
Southland Smiles has periodontists who provide occlusal adjustment in Aurora, CO, if you are experiencing any symptoms of malocclusion. To make an occlusal correction, you will be required to bite down on a strip of colored paper. With it, we’ll be able to observe how your teeth are making contact. Your bite is considered healthy when the upper and lower teeth make equal contact.
On the other hand, if only one side is making contact, there may be issues with certain parts of your bite. In that case, we will carefully file down any trouble spots on your tooth or teeth to eliminate any impediment. This will be repeated until the lower and upper teeth meet perfectly. We will ask you to bite down on the colored paper once more to verify the correct bite alignment after reshaping your teeth.
Sometimes, the dentist must repair broken or chipped teeth and fill cavities for the bite to align. Mouthguards may also be prescribed to wear when sleeping to avoid teeth grinding and clenching. For severe cases of malocclusion, your dentist may also suggest orthodontic treatments like braces and retainers.
Improving Jaw Function and Comfort with Occlusal Adjustment
To help our patients achieve a healthy bite, we at Southland Smiles offer occlusal adjustment in Aurora, CO. We will assess your bite and advise whether this dental treatment is necessary. Our modern facility also offers a wide range of dental procedures that can help solve your specific case of malocclusion.
Scheduling a dental appointment with Dr. Keturka is easy. Just call 720-782-8639 or click here to schedule today. We look forward to serving you and establishing excellent dental health.
