Supplemental Therapies For Occlusal Adjustment

Some people suffer from a dysfunctional bite. It misaligns teeth and encourages uneven force distribution when chewing food. It can be caused by physical factors such as an individual tooth that is above the nominal planar level prematurely meeting its opposite each time you bite down. Other times, accumulated stress from the rigors of daily life can trigger destructive habits like compulsive teeth grinding and jaw clenching.

If left unchecked, it can cause significant dental damage. Loose teeth, temperature sensitivity and even headaches are all common side effects. The problem is that symptoms are so innocuous at first that patients only seem to notice what’s happening once things have become thoroughly messed up. Not catching the warning signs early can lead to expensive restoration treatments.

However, if a competent Ft Lauderdale dentist does identify the disorder in time, one thing he or she could do to resolve the problem is to perform an occlusal adjustment. This is a completely painless procedure that corrects the bite imperfections by physically milling down and sculpting the teeth into alignment. A thin Mylar sheet is used to identify the problem areas, and a diamond impregnated tool will eliminate it through fine sanding and grounding.

After the procedure, one thing that can be done to correct previous damage is the installation of a Hawley bite plane. While a bit expensive to fabricate, any top dentist in Fort Lauderdale, FL will tell you that this dental prosthesis is excellent in reducing headaches and migraines caused by a bite disorder.

For very loose teeth, a patient can ask their dentist in Fort Lauderdale, FL for a temporary splint. Your doctor will run a thin strip of Kevlar over the affected area and attached it to its stronger neighbors for stability. The ensuing gaps are then filled with a durable resin. This isn’t a permanent prosthetic but it is an adequate short-term treatment until a more permanent solution can be devised.

For people who involuntarily grin or clench their teeth throughout the day and even during sleep, many a dentist Ft Lauderdale has in residence would prescribe medication as a stopgap. Muscle relaxants and painkillers can relax stiff muscles and minimize the pain.