Bite Therapy

Occlusal Therapy to Fix Bite Problems

(How can you fix bite problems?)

A bite, also called occlusion, is considered to be healthy when all or most of the teeth are present and not destroyed by normal daily usage.

The bite could be destructive when: When could my bite be destructive?

Teeth show wear, looseness, spacing (gaps between teeth), or shifting (called bite collapse), and/ or when damage/ pain occurs in TMJ (jaw joint) . Thie latter is also called TMJ Disorder (TMD).

There are two types of destructive bite habits that occur at night, in the day, or both and contribute to bite problems:

1. Bruxism (tooth grinding)
2. Clinching (squeezing teeth together)

Bite therapy helps restore a bite that can function without damage and destruction.

Bite Therapy is an intricate part of the Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure (LANAP) to treat periodontal disease.

Bite therapy may include one or more of the following:

1. Bite Adjustment (Occlussal Adjustment) - This involves reshaping the biting surfaces of the teeth to eliminate spots of excessive pressure when the teeth are brought into contact. This will create even bite pressure on all your teeth. In turn, this puts even bite pressure on the bone and prevents overstressing the bone. This aides in healing from periodontal treatment.
2. Splinting Teeth Together - Teeth may be splinted together with tooth colored bonding material. This helps prevent mobile teeth from moving. This also aides in healing from periodontal treatment. Just like a cast aides healing after a broken bone, splinting prevents tooth movement and allows the bone to heal along the root.
3. Bite Splint Therapy (Night Guard) - Using a custom-fitted and adjusted plastic bite guard to keep the teeth apart, night, day, or both helps take the stress off teeth, dental implants, jaw joint, tooth restorations (fillings, crowns, etc.) and bone.
4. Braces (Orthodontics) - Braces Reposition mal-aligned or drifted teeth. Periodontal treatment may be necessary prior to orthodontic treatment to obtain healthy and stable gum and bone tissue to support the teeth. 
5. Replacement of old, worn out, or damaged fillings, crowns, etc can help to correct the bite.
6. Reconstruction of badly worn and damaged teeth with crowns and bridges may also help. This may involve a full mouth reconstruction (also called a smile makeover). Reconstruction of badly worn and damaged teeth may involve esthetic crown lengthening as well as dental implants.