Dental care focuses on three main aspects of oral health – decay, periodontal disease, and occlusal disease. The first refers to cavities, the second to gum disease, and the last to bite alignment issues. The first two are familiar to most. However, few know about occlusal disease. Qualified dentists understand what this condition is and how much it can affect their patient’s dental health.
What Is Occlusal Disease?
Occlusal disease happens when the teeth grind against each other, or the patient has an irregular bite alignment, also known as malocclusion. These issues may include overbites, underbites, or crossbites.
While occlusal issues do not cause immediate problems, they can lead to damage over time. In fact, getting treatment for bite problems early could prevent the need for restoration or cosmetic dental services or procedures in the future to fix cracked or broken teeth.
What Is Occlusal Disease: Symptoms
Bite alignment can produce multiple effects that may not even appear to have anything to do with the teeth. Patients could feel soreness anywhere around their head or neck from occlusal issues. Plus, they may have unexplained tooth damage from the condition. The range of signs and symptoms for tooth alignment problems is many. Individuals who have any of the following symptoms may have an occlusal disease:
- Excessive tooth wear: Surface wear on the teeth could indicate teeth that grind or excessively press together.
- Face, neck, or jaw pain: These issues could indicate too much pressure from teeth pushing against each other.
- Broken or cracked teeth: Breaks or cracks in teeth may happen from misaligned teeth exerting excessive force on teeth.
- Loose teeth: The same forces that cause the teeth to crack could also loosen them.
- Sensitivity: Improper bite alignment may affect tooth sensitivity, leading to pain when consuming hot and cold food and drink.
- Regular headaches: Headaches can happen when referred pain from dental problems is felt in the head.
A thorough investigation from a dentist will determine if the alignment of the teeth plays a role in these problems. Without treating the cause, these problems will come back. Therefore, patients need a dentist who can identify and treat the cause through providing treatment with occlusal adjustment.
What Is Treatment for Occlusal Disease
Dental treatments have many branches, including those dedicated to the prevention, restoration, and cosmetic improvements. For treating occlusal problems, the dentist uses restorative dentistry services or treatments, which often start with occlusal adjustment. This procedure straightens out the alignment of the bite to correct and prevent future problems. Sensitive areas of the teeth after the procedure don’t have as much pressure put on them, and the teeth align better for a more comfortable bite.
However, after receiving treatment to fix the malocclusion, the patient may also need treatment for issues caused by occlusal problems. For example, a patient may need crowns or endodontic treatment to repair cracked teeth. Other patients may require dental implants to help restore alignment inside the mouth or to replace teeth broken by the misaligned bite.
Get Help for Possible Occlusal Disease and Other Bite Problems from Greenwood Dental in Lake County, IL
Undiagnosed occlusal issues can cause severe pain and lifelong dental problems. However, getting treatment for the occlusal disease can improve the success of restorative dentistry procedures and prevent serious complications, such as broken teeth.
Those showing signs of occlusal issues don’t have to live with the pain, discomfort, and frequent dental symptoms. Instead, contact us at Greenwood Dental by phone at 855.528.3961 or online for high-quality dental care. Our practice provides multiple services to diagnose and treat occlusal disease, periodontal disease, or dental decay. We also offer preventative care to help our patients maintain dental health. Come get the comprehensive dental care needed for life from Greenwood Dental in Lake County, IL.
