Occlusal Adjustment

Do you sometimes wake up in the morning with a sore jaw?

When you bite, does it feel like your jaw is lopsided? If so, you may need what's called an "occlusal adjustment."

An occlusal adjustment corrects the misalignment of the bite, caused by loose, shifting, crowded, or missing teeth. The result is an evenly distributed bite.  Once your bite is adjusted, your teeth will meet properly. The process is easy and virtually pain-free. The adjustment is made by using a fine filing stone attached to a dental drill. A removable mouthpiece is sometimes used to protect tooth surfaces and relax the jaw muscles once the adjustment is completed.

Who are good candidates for an occlusal adjustment?  Patients with loose or shifting teeth or who grind or clench their teeth will often have an uneven bite. An occlusal adjustment can sometimes correct tooth sensitivity by reducing the pressure on the sensitive tooth.

New technology is being used to more accurately identify areas that need adjustment. Dentists can now run computer scans of the mouth to record hundreds of bite registrations per minute to detect even the slightest irregularity. That data lets the dentist make only the adjustments that are absolutely necessary to ensure a well aligned bite and minimal tooth wear.

If you suspect that you may need an occlusal adjustment, please give us a call to schedule an appointment.