Occlusal or Bite Adjustment
Indianapolis & Fishers, IN
At Implant Dentistry and Periodontics, we offer a wide range of periodontal and dental implant services. Our caring and compassionate team has one collective priority and that is your smile.
This occlusal or bite adjustment is a procedure or several procedures that are designed to realign your bite.
Occlusion is a dental term that means how the teeth in your upper and lower jaw fit together, or your bite. When you close your mouth, the entire arch of your bottom and top teeth should make total contact at the same time. When some of your teeth touch before others do, this is known as malocclusion. If this is left uncorrected, the malocclusion can result in extra pressure being placed on some of your teeth, which will result in oral health issues. If you have a malocclusion you may be a candidate for an occlusal adjustment. This occlusal or bite adjustment is a procedure or several procedures that are designed to realign your bite. This correction will lessen the strain on the jawbone and your jaw joints and relieve certain excess pressure.
Implant Dentistry and Periodontics will help you with your decision when it comes to evaluating an occlusal or bite adjustment. We offer a diverse variety of important periodontal and dental implant services to help every patient. Our conscientious team will work together on a collective goal of providing you with the best quality service for your overall oral health. We will approach your dental issues in a quiet, relaxing environment, and address your dental care as an important partner on your health care team. If you would like to have an evaluation about the potential of an occlusal or a bite adjustment to improve your life, call our Indianapolis office at 317-574-0600 or our Fishers office at 317-842-2273 to schedule your appointment today.
Award Winning Periodontics
in Indianapolis and Fishers
Dedication to providing the best periodontal care to Indianapolis and Fishers isn't just something Drs. Edwards and Christman talk about. They are board certified periodontist, which means they have gone above and beyond what most periodontists do to master his field of work. They have sought out further education to bring the most promising new treatments to their patients.
Possible Side Effects from Malocclusion
You may not be aware that one or more of your dental issues is a result of malocclusion. Some of these disorders or symptoms might be:
- Tooth or jawbone pain
- Tooth sensitivity to cold or hot temperatures
- Bone or gum recession
- Nerve or muscle damage
- TMJ temporomandibular joint issues
- Teeth grinding (bruxism)
- Missing teeth
- Chipped, cracked, or damaged teeth
- Damage to dental restorations
These disorders or symptoms can all cause serious side-effects that can also lead to extreme discomfort including:
- Major headaches or migraines due to bite pressure issues
- Muscle or joint spasms in your face, your jaw or neck
- Aesthetic issues that will affect your smile and wear on your self-confidence
If an occlusal analysis at Implant Dentistry and Periodontics reveals issues with your bite, we may recommend an occlusal or bite adjustment. There are different methods for correcting malocclusion, and we will select the treatment best suited for your specific condition.
Are You a Candidate for an Occlusal or Bite Adjustment?
To determine if you are a potential candidate for occlusal or bite adjustment, Implant Dentistry and Periodontics will check to see if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Prematurity: When your opposing teeth make contact before your jaw is shut completely.
- Interference: The desired contact between your teeth is altered or inhibited.
- Disharmony: Your opposing teeth do not properly align.
- Trauma: An unscheduled trauma can result in the opposing teeth to be off axis, which will then cause damage to the tissue.
During an occlusal analysis, we will check for these symptoms which might then require a periodontic treatment.
When you close your mouth, the top teeth and bottom teeth should all come together making contact at the same time. If they do not, this is called malocclusion. A malocclusion is considered an imperfect bite which can cause serious issues if left uncorrected, due to the extra pressure on the teeth that meet first.
At Implant Dentistry and Periodontics, we offer a wide range of periodontal and dental implant services. Our caring and compassionate team has one collective priority and that is your smile.
Contact Our Team Today
Occlusal and Bite Adjustment Procedures
Which treatment option is right for you will depend on the source of the issue. To determine which treatment is right for you, Implant Dentistry and Periodontics will make an impression of your bite to determine the source of your issue. Quite often malocclusion can be corrected by simply removing microscopic layers from your teeth, which then allows your teeth to meet at the same time. As we remove these layers, we will continue testing your bite until we are satisfied that your occlusion has indeed been corrected. This is a remarkably simple and pain free procedure that usually does not require any anesthesia.
Another common method for adjusting your bite and correcting malocclusion is to repair any broken, chipped, or cracked teeth. In fact, sometimes replacing old dental fillings can also help correct your bite. We can add dental crowns if we need to give certain teeth more depth and dental fillings can help reshape teeth that are chipped.
Another method commonly used to realign teeth is using an orthodontic device. If you have a severe case of misalignment, you may need extended treatment with orthodontic appliances such as braces or Invisalign. If only small movements are needed, we may have an alternative treatment option available to correct the issue in a shorter period.
Bite Guards and Other Possible Occlusal or Bite Adjustments
In addition to these adjustments in the office of Implant Dentistry and Periodontics, we may recommend the use of a bite guard, mouth guard or something similar. These devices will help you prevent grinding your teeth (bruxism) and can stop you also from clenching your jaw and increasing tension in the joint. Bite guards are highly recommended if you are suffering from TMJ issues. A bite guard can eliminate the headaches in the morning. In some cases, we may recommend you also wear the bite guard during the daytime to help train your jaw to stay in a relaxed position.
A bite guard is made specifically for you to ensure a perfectly tailored treatment. This treatment option is also recommended for all ages. We can take digital 3D images or traditional wax impressions to ensure your guard is created exactly to fit your bite, customize it in the lab and then fit it perfectly for maximum comfort.
State of the Art Technology
For Advanced Periodontics
Offering the best periodontal care in the world requires the most advanced technology in the world. Drs. Edwards and Christman are always in search of new ways to provide patients with better results and do it in a way that minimizes pain and recovery time. They are also happy to take up technologies that make it easier to communicate with patients and allow us to do our jobs in more environmentally friendly ways.
Earning your Trust with High Quality Periodontal Care
When you schedule an occlusal evaluation with our thorough staff at Implant Dentistry and Periodontics, you will be impressed with the high degree of our professionalism and see we are a thoughtful team that has the most advanced dental technology at our disposal in our clinic. We are conscientious because we understand exactly how unique and different each patient is. We are detail conscious when working on your personalized treatments, to ensure success that works for your desires and budget. The entire team focuses on establishing value back into your undervalued personal asset, your healthy smile, so every dental procedure we perform for you is with only your best interests and oral health in mind.
At Implant Dentistry and Periodontics, our clinic has a peaceful setting, and we want you to be comfortable with our abilities and services. Scheduling an appointment for a potential occlusal or bite adjustment is a serious first step towards being proactive in your oral health and regaining your healthy smile. To schedule an appointment, call our Indianapolis office, 8801 North Meridian St., Suite 103, Indianapolis, at 317-574-0600 or our Fishers office, 9885 E. 116th St, Suite 300, Fishers, at 317-842-2273.