7449 East Osborn Road #4 Scottsdale, Arizona 85251
What is Occlusal Disease?
Occlusal disease is when a patient’s bite is not properly aligned. Because of the poor alignment, every time the patient bites down, the pressure begins to create problems with the teeth, muscles, jaw bone, and jaw joint. Occlusal disease is one of the most common dental disorders, while at the same time one of the most undiagnosed dental disorders.
What makes occlusal disease particularly difficult to identify without professional evaluation is that it develops gradually. The damage accumulates slowly over years of misaligned biting forces, which means many patients do not realize anything is wrong until the symptoms become impossible to ignore. By the time visible wear or significant discomfort appears, the condition has often already progressed further than most people expect.
When Occlusal Disease Goes Untreated
Without treatment, the teeth will continue to wear down and become worse over time, sometimes leading to tooth loss. The jaw muscles and joints will continue to cause discomfort as well. The longer occlusal disease goes untreated, the more complex the treatment will need to be, which is why it’s better to begin treatment for occlusal disease as early as possible.
What Are the Symptoms of Occlusal Disease
Occlusal disease can present in a variety of ways, and symptoms often worsen over time if the underlying bite problem is left unaddressed. Common signs to watch for include:
- Visibly worn teeth — Where the upper and lower teeth meet, enamel can become completely worn down, causing teeth to look flat, short, or aged.
- Tooth sensitivity — As enamel wears away, teeth become increasingly sensitive to temperature changes and sore from biting.
- Loose teeth — Misaligned bite forces can cause teeth to shift and become loose over time, even without gum disease present.
- Fractured teeth — The repeated stress of a misaligned bite makes teeth more susceptible to cracking and fracturing.
- Jaw soreness and pain — The jaw muscles work harder than they should to compensate for poor alignment, leading to chronic soreness and fatigue.
- Headaches — Tension in the jaw muscles frequently radiates upward, making headaches a very common complaint among occlusal disease patients.
- Popping or clicking jaw joints — Many patients notice an audible pop or click when opening and closing their mouth, which can also be accompanied by discomfort.
How Will Dentistry of Old Town Scottsdale Treat Occlusal Disease
Once diagnosed, Dr. Brittain can prescribe treatment. Depending on your case, it could involve simple orthodontic treatments, mild reshaping of the teeth, restorations of worn teeth, or a combination of several treatments. The earlier we diagnose, the less complex the treatment.
The key to preventing damage from occlusal disease is examination and diagnosis. If you are suffering from any of the symptoms mentioned, please let us know so we can take a closer look. Early intervention will help us to prevent more costly problems.
If you are concerned about occlusal disease, please let us have a look. Give us a call at 480-719-6994 or send us an email to schedule a consultation.