Bite Adjustment treatment in San Diego

Bite Adjustment treatment

The upper teeth are intended to bite over the lower teeth fittingly for proper chewing of food. Bite problems are a result of misaligned upper and lower teeth, and if not addressed right away your bite problem can can get worse over time.

One of the common bite problems is clenching or grinding of teeth. This happens when people are sleeping; hence they do not notice the damage being done to their teeth. When the bite is aligned correctly, the chances of teeth grinding is significantly reduced.

The recommended solution for this is to wear bite guards at night.

Improper fit of teeth can be solved by placement of braces and retainers if the misalignment of the teeth is consequential. For minor misalignments, such as having a gap between the upper and lower teeth surface, reshaping is recommended. Reshaping involves adjustment of the bite or jaw (called occlusal adjustment), balancing of the teeth and selective grinding.

Symptoms of Bite Problems

There are several signs and symptoms of bite problems that you should keep in mind. If the teeth become loose or extra sensitive, or if there are chipping off of your teeth surface, it is highly possible that you have a bite problem. Other symptoms include constant toothache, gum diseases or receding gums. If the condition worsens, you will also experience pain in the joints of your jaw as well as difficulty in opening or closing the mouth.

Common Apprehensions for Bite Adjustment

Some people have some misconceptions about bite adjustment, which is the reason why they do not want to get treatment. One is that they thought that tooth extraction is required. This is not true in teeth reshaping. On the other hand, if teeth are left untreated, the wearing of the enamel coating on your teeth will increase. Second is the misconception that teeth reshaping is painful. Our tooth’s surface are made of strong enamel; if any discomfort can be felt, it will not reach the threshold of pain. The third wrong assumption is that reshaping will weaken the teeth. Misaligned teeth do not distribute the impact or force of biting on the teeth. Hence, reshaping corrects this and defends and toughens the teeth.

Bite Adjustment Process

The bite adjustment process begins with an examination and diagnosis of your teeth. You should not wait for the pain to set in. Any sign of discomfort should be reason enough to consult with a dentist. Impressions of your teeth will be made and they will be placed in an articulator, an instrument that simulates the performance of your tooth and jaw. After diagnosis, the dentist will proceed with the necessary reshaping using a hand piece.

The dentist will also continuously observe if your bite has improved in the following visits. Since reshaping cannot be perfected in one appointment, the correct alignment can only be achieved after subsequent visits. Your teeth may still misalign in the following years, which is why it is still advised to observe the fit of your teeth regularly.

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We aim to provide comprehensive dental care to our patients in a safe and comfortable environment. Whether it is general dental care, restorative dental services or cosmetic procedures our goal is that good dental health is accomplished in a relaxed and enjoyable manner.