How Greenway Smiles Treats Occlusal Disease
What is Occlusal Disease?
Occlusal disease forms when a patient’s bite is not properly aligned. Because of the misalignment, every time the patient bites down, the pressure on the bite can contribute to progressive issues with the teeth, muscles, jaw, 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.
Symptoms of occlusal disease are varied. Where the teeth compact upon each other, it’s common to find the enamel (the hardest substance in the body) completely worn down. Once enamel is worn down, the teeth quickly begin to show visible wear. It’s not uncommon for teeth to look very worn.
Teeth can also become loose and move much easier. They will often times become sensitive to temperature changes and they’ll likely become sore from biting. Teeth can also fracture much easier. Beyond the structural damage to a person’s teeth is the damage done to their jaw and joints. A patient’s jaw muscles can become sore and painful, and headaches are a common complaint. Dr. Sundaram has also found that patients with occlusal disease have jaw joints that pop and click while eating. Not only is this annoying, it can be painful.
What Happens If Occlusal Disease Is Untreated
Without treatment, a patient’s teeth will continue to wear down and become worse over time. Eventually, tooth loss can occur. A patient’s muscle and jaw joints will continue to cause discomfort. Overall, the complexity of the treatment becomes worse. It’s better to solve occlusal disease as early as possible.
How Greenway Smiles Will Treat Occlusal Disease
Once diagnosed, Dr. Sundaram 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 will be.
The key to preventing occlusal disease starts with a thorough 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 solve potentially costly problems before they worsen. Give us a call at (571) 222-4243 or send us an email to schedule a consultation.