Occlusion is the coming together of teeth, a meeting of two surfaces made of the hardest stuff in your body.  You probably haven’t devoted a lot of thought to making those surfaces move against each other because, for most of us, it just happens.

Thankfully, your brain is able coordinate thirty-two teeth and dozens of muscles without telling you what it’s doing.  When you’re enjoying dinner with your favorite person, this is a very good thing!  When you are sleeping soundly and grinding your teeth down to nubs, it’s not so good.  After all, our teeth are supposed to last a lifetime.

Three diseases negatively affect teeth:  decay (cavities), periodontal (gum) disease and occlusal (bite) disease.  Most of you are acquainted with the signs, symptoms and treatment of the first two, quite possibly from personal experience.

Dentists are highly trained in the diagnosis and treatment of decay and periodontal disease in dental school.  Through advanced education and experience, the doctor is able to look into the future and recommend appropriate treatment for occlusal (bite) disease to minimize the effects of it and the other diseases by dealing with them as early as possible. 

One of the big problems with occlusal (bite) disease is that it doesn’t always present itself so obviously.  Wear, sensitivity, cracks, loose teeth, breaking teeth, sore muscles, painful jaw joints, headaches – these and more can be the effects of occlusal disease.  In its early stages these symptoms aren’t as evident.  An obvious injury, like a broken tooth, often is the result of the underlying cause - occlusal disease.

Doctors who further their education develop skills in recognizing the signs of occlusal disease and providing appropriate treatment to halt, and often reverse its effects.  Recognizing occlusal disease as early as possible increases the probability that you will have young teeth at an elderly age.  Getting older doesn’t mean you should have worn down, broken teeth.  Much of the bridgework, crowns, and repairs that adults experience might be avoided if the signs of occlusal disease were recognized and addressed in the early stages.

Your dentist will typically incorporate evaluation of the signs and symptoms of occlusal disease into a comprehensive evaluation, often through the use of study casts (models of your teeth) and occlusal (bite) analysis.  Dentists well versed in occlusal disease know that looking into the future means providing you with all information about what’s happening today that will impact your teeth five, ten, twenty and more years from now. 

Occlusal disease therapy commonly begins with a “bite splint”.  This hard acrylic appliance is fabricated to fit snugly over either your upper or lower teeth.  With very precise adjustments, the bite splint becomes a temporary “perfect bite” for you.

Wearing the bite splint is a time of discovery for you and your doctor.  You will experience the comfortable difference a stable, solid bite can make on your teeth, muscles and jaw.  It is very likely that many of the signs and symptoms of occlusal disease will diminish or even disappear.  How long this takes depends on your individual situation and the signs and symptoms with which you start.

Next week I will discuss treatments that often follow the diagnosis and treatment with a bite splint.  Until then, have a great week!