Occlusal Disease

Occlusal disease refers to the physical results of living with a malocclusion or misaligned bite. When the teeth are not properly aligned, the natural forces applied to your teeth are also misaligned, leading to unnatural wear and tear.

Causes of occlusal disease include anything that misaligns the patient’s bite, including crooked teeth, teeth grinding, genetic conditions, and certain childhood habits like excessive thumb-sucking.

The longer you live with an imbalanced bite, the more likely the issue will take a toll on your tooth enamel, muscles, and jaw. Numerous conditions can be traced to occlusal disease by an experienced dental professional. Unfortunately, those with occlusal disease often suffer in silence due to how it overlaps with many other conditions.

The symptoms of long-term occlusal disease include:

• Chronic jaw pain, popping, or locking
• Tooth chips, cracks, or fractures
• Unnaturally flat teeth
• Tooth sensitivity
• Gum recession
• Tooth mobility
• Chronic tension headaches
• Neck and head pain
• Chronic teeth grinding
• Oral bone loss

Teeth reshaping, mouth guards or splints, or orthodontic appliances like braces could be indicated to treat your occlusal disease, depending on the severity and cause.

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