Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry

Occlusal Adjustment

Occlusion is a term used in dentistry that means how the teeth in your upper and lower jaw meet and come together, or your alignment. While closing your mouth, the entire arch of both your bottom and top teeth should make complete contact at the same time. When teeth make contact before others do, this is called a malocclusion. If this is left uncorrected, the malocclusion results in extra pressure on some of your teeth, which leads to other oral health issues. If you indeed have a malocclusion, you may be a candidate for an occlusal adjustment. This occlusal or bite adjustment is a treatment that is designed to realign your bite. This minor correction will lessen the strain on your jawbone and relieve certain excessive pressure.

Your compassionate team at Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry is wholly committed to providing you, your family, and every patient with comprehensive periodontal care that improves your oral health and daily function. We pride ourselves on offering a safe, comfortable, and relaxing environment to ensure all patients receive the personalized care and treatment that is expected and deserved. You will find us to excel in effective communication, both in listening and sharing examination objectives. With our initiative-taking engagement in the dental industry and the constant innovative technological improvements offered, each exam and corresponding treatment is completely personalized. Call Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry at 502-570-5700 with any questions or to make an appointment for an occlusal adjustment evaluation.

Are You a Candidate for an Occlusal Adjustment?

To determine if you are a candidate for an occlusal adjustment, Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry will perform an evaluation to see if you have any of the following symptoms:

  • Prematurity- When some of your opposing teeth make contact before your jaw closes completely.
  • Disharmony- Your opposing teeth do not align properly.
  • Interference- The preferred contact between your teeth is either inhibited or altered.
  • Trauma- A traumatic event might result in the opposing teeth being off-axis, which results in damage to the tissue.

During an occlusal analysis, we check for these symptoms to determine what treatment may be beneficial. Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry will first confirm malocclusion. This imperfect bite can cause other oral issues if left untreated.

Possible Side Effects from Malocclusion

You might not be aware that dental issues are a result of malocclusion. Some of these disorders or symptoms may be:

  • Tooth or jawbone pain.
  • Bone or gum recession.
  • Tooth sensitivity to cold or hot temperatures.
  • Nerve or muscle damage.
  • Teeth grinding, or bruxism.
  • TMJ (temporomandibular joint) issues.
  • Chipped, cracked, or damaged teeth.
  • Damage to dental restorations.
  • Missing teeth.

These symptoms can cause serious side effects that will lead to extreme discomfort, including:

  • Serious headaches or migraines from bite pressure issues.
  • Aesthetic issues that affect your smile, leading to a decrease in your self-confidence.
  • Muscle or joint spasms in your face, your jaw, or your neck.

If an analysis at Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry reveals bite issues, we might recommend an occlusal adjustment. There are different treatments for correcting malocclusion, and we will select the best method to benefit your specific situation.

Occlusal and Bite Adjustment Procedures

Which occlusal adjustment treatment option is best for you depends on the source of the problem. To identify which treatment is best, Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry will start with an impression of your bite to determine the source. Malocclusion can often be corrected by simply removing microscopic layers from some of your teeth, which then allows all your teeth to meet simultaneously. As we remove the enamel, we continue assessing your bite until we are completely satisfied that your occlusion has been corrected. This is a simple and pain-free procedure that does not even require any anesthesia.

Another common method for occlusal adjustment is to repair any chipped, cracked, or broken teeth. Sometimes, just replacing old dental fillings will help correct your alignment. We could also add dental crowns to give certain teeth more depth, and dental fillings can also help reshape chipped teeth.

Another treatment often used to realign teeth is an orthodontic device. If Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry confirms you have a severe case of misalignment, you may need extended treatment with orthodontic appliances like braces or Invisalign. If small movements are needed, we can use an alternative treatment to correct the issue in a shorter period.

Bite Guards and Other Possible Occlusal Adjustments

In addition to these occlusal adjustments provided by the team at Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry, we may recommend the use of a bite guard or mouth guard. These simple devices help prevent the grinding of your teeth, called bruxism, and will stop you from clenching your jaw and increasing tension. Bite guards are recommended if you have TMJ issues. A bite guard eliminates your morning headaches. We may even recommend wearing the bite guard during the daytime to train your jaw to remain in a relaxed position.

A bite guard is custom-fabricated to ensure personalized treatment specifically for you. This treatment is recommended for all ages. We take digital 3D images or traditional wax impression molds to ensure your guard is custom-created in the dental lab to perfectly fit your bite for maximum comfort.

Your Smile is Our Number One Priority

Our treatment philosophy at Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry is focused on patient education and the enhancement of your quality of life. We provide gentle, affordable, and painless periodontal care. We prioritize providing each patient with the information they need to make confident, informed decisions regarding their personal oral health treatment. Our experience is foundational in giving you restoratively minded periodontal treatment customized for your unique needs.

Our team specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease and in the placement of dental implants. We consider ourselves experts in the treatment of oral inflammation. We have received extensive education and training in these areas. We are familiar with the latest techniques for diagnosing and treating periodontal disease, and we are also trained in performing cosmetic periodontal procedures.

You can find Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry at:

107 Frazier Ct., 1D, Georgetown, KY

Or call us today at 502-570-5700