Occlusal Adjustment

Harmonize Your Bite

If you bite down, do you feel that your jaw is misaligned? If so, it is possible that you need an occlusal adjustment.

An occlusal adjustment can correct a misaligned bite that is caused by loose, shifting, crowded or missing teeth. Once completed, an occlusal adjustment can result in an evenly distributed bite that will do away with irregular pressure on only one side of the mouth. After your adjustment, your teeth will meet properly. There is a very small amount of pain associated with an occlusal adjustment.

Occlusal Adjustment

Method

The adjustment is done by using a dental drill and a very fine filing stone. Removal mouthpieces can be used to protect the tooth surface, as well as relax the jaw muscles when everything is said and done.

Patients with loose or shifting teeth, or patients who grind their teeth or clench their teeth who also have an uneven bite are good candidates for occlusal adjustment. Tooth sensitivity can also be corrected using an occlusal adjustment.

As technology progresses, dentists can more accurately identify areas that require adjustment. A computer scan of the mouth, which records hundreds of bites per minute, can detect even slight irregularities. This data will allow the dentist to determine which adjustments are actually necessary. This will in turn ensure a well aligned bite.