Suppose you have ever bitten down on a hard piece of food and felt a sharp pain in your tooth or experienced jaw discomfort after eating. Then you may already be aware of occlusion’s impact on your dental health. However, you may need to learn that occlusion plays a significant role in restorative dentistry San Antonio.
From ensuring proper bite alignment to preventing damage to restorations, occlusion is a critical factor that restorative dentists consider when planning and performing treatments. This article will explore various ways occlusion can impact restorative dentistry and why it is essential to achieving optimal patient outcomes.
Bite Alignment
Regarding bite alignment, even minor misalignments can significantly affect your oral health. Over time, a misaligned or uneven bite can cause teeth to wear down unevenly, leading to chips, cracks, or tooth loss.
However, fixing the problem requires addressing the underlying cause of the misalignment to avoid further issues. This is why your restorative dentist considers your bite alignment when planning treatments, considering factors like tooth position, jaw size, and even the patient’s posture.
Dental Prosthetics
Proper occlusion is essential for patients who require dental prosthetics like dentures or partials for their functionality and comfort. If the prosthetic is not properly aligned with your bite, it can cause discomfort, difficulty eating, or even speech problems.
For this reason, your restorative dentists must take great care when planning and fitting dental prosthetics, ensuring that they fit correctly and align properly with your bite. By doing so, they can provide you with prosthetics that look great, function well, and feel comfortable.
Bruxism
Bruxism, or teeth grinding, can cause significant damage to the teeth and restorations. Your restorative dentist may need to address bruxism with treatments like mouthguards or orthodontic adjustments to protect your restorations from damage.
Mouthguards can help protect restorations from damage caused by grinding, while orthodontic adjustments can help correct bite misalignments that may contribute to the problem. By addressing bruxism with restorative treatments, your dentist can help ensure your restorations last as long as possible.
TMJ Disorders
Problems with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can cause pain and discomfort in the jaw, neck, or head. Your restorative dentist may need to consider the impact of your TMJ disorders when planning treatments like crowns or bridges, as these can exacerbate symptoms.
In some cases, these restorations can exacerbate TMJ symptoms, causing further pain and discomfort for you. As such, your restorative dentists must assess your TMJ health and ensure that any restorative treatment you receive is carefully planned.
Implant Success
Proper occlusion is crucial for the long-term success of dental implants. An implant not properly aligned with your bite can cause pain, discomfort, and even failure. When an implant is placed, it should be in the optimal position. This aspect will ensure it can withstand the forces of biting and chewing without putting excessive stress on the implant and the surrounding bone.
A thorough evaluation of the patient’s bite and occlusion should be performed before implant placement to ensure the implant’s success in the long run. Additionally, regular follow-up visits with your dentist are important to monitor the implant’s health and address any issues that may arise.
The role of occlusion in restorative dentistry cannot be overstated. Proper occlusion is essential in achieving functional and aesthetic outcomes for patients undergoing restorative dental procedures.
With the advancements in technology and materials, dentists can now provide more precise, natural-looking, and long-lasting restorations. By prioritizing occlusion in their approach, your dentist can ensure you receive the best possible restorative treatment, leading to better oral health.
