The goal of occlusal therapy is to create a kind relationship between the teeth and jaw joints for stability and more predictable health over the long-term. In a healthy bite, a person’s jaw joints, muscles, and teeth all work together with coordination and harmony. However, not everyone’s bite works so nicely. Some people have a more destructive relationship between their teeth and jaw joints in which the back teeth get in the way. These teeth that “get in the way” are called interferences. Most people are unaware of these interferences because their muscles know to move their lower jaw in such a way so the teeth don’t bang together. At times, however, a person may experience painful popping or clicking in the joints, sore jaws/muscles, headaches, or broken teeth. Often, though, the signs can be more subtle like teeth wearing down, shifting or loosening of teeth, or cracks in teeth that haven’t become painful yet. If these problems go unnoticed, they can create larger problems later.

Treatment can sometimes be accomplished with minor adjustments to the teeth. Other times a night time appliance can be worn that properly aligns the jaws to minimize grinding and muscle soreness. For some patients, seeing an orthodontist to put the teeth in a more ideal position is the best solution. And, for those who have severely worn or broken their teeth from grinding and clenching, fixing the teeth with durable ceramic-like materials and correcting the bite relationship at the same time can give them a new rejuvenated look that will be much less destructive and more predictable in the years to come.

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