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Occlusal adjustment, also known as bite adjustment, refers to a series of procedures or treatments with which the orthodontist or dentist fixed misaligned teeth, crooked teeth, and removes interferences from your bite.

Poor bite or a misaligned bite can prevent your jaw from closing correctly and it can also place immense pressure on different parts of your teeth, leading to dental injury, bruxism, and other issues. Occlusal adjustment aligns your teeth perfectly and helps you avoid other complications.

Please continue reading for a detailed discussion of occlusal adjustment at Sun Ridge Smiles.

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Necessity of Occlusal Bite Adjustment

Occlusal bite adjustment may be necessary for the following reasons:

  • There may be interferences in your mouth because of restorative procedures like dental crowns and dental bridges. With the occlusal adjustment, the dentist fixes or removes these interferences so your jaws close properly.
  • Your teeth may be severely damaged or chipped due to the strains caused by a misaligned bite. Occlusal adjustment increases the longevity of your teeth.
  • Occlusal adjustment is necessary if you’re getting prosthetic changes done.
  • Malocclusion and misaligned teeth can lead to issues like teeth grinding and bruxism, a condition in which you keep grinding your teeth. This, in turn, leads to other complications like TMD, headaches, earaches, jaw pain, and other issues. Occlusal adjustment resolves these issues.
  • Occlusal adjustment may be necessary after root canals or orthodontic procedures.

Occlusal Adjustment Diagnosis

The dentist will generally check for signs of occlusal misalignment or damage during your regular dental checkups. They look for the following signs of misalignment or malocclusion:

  • Jaws that don’t shut completely on either side.
  • Popping and clicking sounds in your jaws, which indicates temporomandibular joint disorder.
  • Fractured or chipped teeth.
  • Signs that your enamel is wearing off.
  • Signs of bruxism.

If you have any of the aforementioned issues, the dentist may ask you to bite down on a piece of paper to see if your bite is aligned. They may even take a mold of your teeth to study it further and diagnose your bite’s alignment. Based on this, they’ll curate a treatment plan.

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Occlusal Adjustment Procedure

The following are the steps involved in the occlusal or bite adjustment procedure:

  • The dentist will use a double-sided paper to determine which side of your teeth are making contact.
  • With fine diamond or carbide burs, the dentist will make adjustments to the side of your teeth that are making contact. They’ll shave some of the teeth — either as a cusp tip or flattened — until all of your teeth are aligned and close properly.
  • The dentist will make sure that your posterior teeth are completely in contact and that your anterior teeth are making limited contact.
  • Finally, the dentist will take another impression to make sure your teeth are aligned.

Types of Occlusal Adjustment

In addition to malocclusion, you may also be suffering from other types of misalignment like crooked teeth, overbite, underbite, etc. The following are some other types of occlusal adjustment procedures that the dentist may recommend.

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Orthodontics

Orthodontics refers to procedures in which the dentist makes you wear dental appliances that apply pressure on your teeth to gradually move them in the desired direction. Orthodontic devices include traditional metal braces, ceramic braces, and clear aligners like Invisalign.

Splints

Splints are mouth guards or oral devices you have to wear on your mouth to prevent your upper and lower teeth from rubbing against each other. This is done if you’re suffering from bruxism and teeth grinding — the splints minimize contact and help prevent damage caused by teeth grinding.

Mouth Reconstruction

Mouth reconstruction refers to complicated surgical procedures with which the dentist changes your facial structure or dental structure. This may include procedures like tooth reshaping, dental implants, dental crowns, and other such procedures.

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Occlusal (Bite) Adjustment Q&A

What causes a bad bite and crooked teeth?

You may have a bad bite or crooked teeth for these reasons:

  • Early loss of baby teeth.
  • Harmful oral habits in your childhood like sucking thumb and mouth breathing.
  • Incorrect swallowing and tongue positioning in your childhood.

How would a dentist fix a deep bite?

Deep bite, also known as an overbite, refers to a condition in which your upper teeth hood over your lower teeth. In this case, the lower teeth may gradually wear away the soft tissues on the inside of your upper arch, leading to gradual bone loss. Orthodontic procedures like Invisalign and braces can help push the teeth back in the correct position.

Is there a way to repair ground teeth?

You can’t restore enamel once it wears away. As such, if you have ground teeth, you need to cover it up with dental crowns.

How much does enameloplasty cost?

Enameloplasty is a procedure in which the dentist shaves off parts of your tooth’s surface and enamel to change its general shape for cosmetic or restorative purposes. It costs between $50 and $300.

How to treat teeth grinding?

Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, is a condition in which you’re constantly clenching your teeth, which can damage your enamel and tooth’s surface. This may be caused by several psychological or physiological reasons so you need to consult a dentist to figure out the root cause. Meanwhile, you can wear mouth guards to protect your teeth from the adverse effects of teeth grinding.

Schedule your Occlusal Adjustment Appointment

Sun Ridge Smiles has some of the country’s finest orthodontists and dentists. We examine your teeth and bite carefully to diagnose the problem and curate a treatment plan that’s perfectly suited to your needs. We also provide affordable dental appliances like mouth guards and orthodontic devices. For more information, please schedule your occlusal adjustment appointment today.

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