Emerging research continues to demonstrate that maintaining optimal oral health is about treating the patient’s entire maxillofacial structure, not just individual teeth. Keep reading to learn more from our Glendale dentists about bite dysfunction can lead to all kinds of oral health problems.
When your top and bottom teeth do not come together in an even, natural, and healthy way, we classify your bite as dysfunctional. There are number of ways this can happen:
- Overbite—your top teeth jut out too far over and beyond your bottom teeth
- Underbite—your top teeth actually sit behind your bottom teeth when your teeth come together
- Crossbite—your front teeth touch when you bring your teeth together. Some of your top teeth may sit in front of your bottom teeth, while others land behind your bottom teeth
- Uneven Molars—the chewing surfaces of your back teeth do not come together evenly
Any of these alignment issues can cause you to, unconsciously, alter how you bite and chew. Over time this type of over-correction will tax and strain different parts of your mouth, including:
- Individual teeth—as you shift your bite and chewing pattern, certain teeth will be put under additional pressure, and wear away prematurely.
- Temporomandibular joints—your TMJs connect your lower jaw to your skull. A poorly aligned bite often contributes to TMJ strain and even dislocation.
In order to effectively treat bite dysfunction, our team may use a number of treatments. Orthodontic options, like Invisalign, move your natural teeth into better alignment. This process happens incrementally, as we straighten crooked teeth and close gaps in your smile. Additionally, customized crowns, dental bonding, and porcelain veneers can all be used to build up, and even out, individual teeth.
Keep in mind that, in some cases, bite dysfunction actually develops after a poorly sized or shaped dental crown is placed in the patient’s mouth; replacing this restoration with a personalized crown can bring the patient’s smile back into balance.
If you think that you’re dealing with bite dysfunction, our Glendale dentists are here to help you repair your smile. Give us a call to learn more, and to schedule a personal consultation!