Temporomandibular Joint Disorder and Occlusal Disease
 

“Dr. Davis, what exactly is occlusal disease?”

Occlusal disease and TMJ disorders are related because they both involve clenching or grinding the teeth.

In the case of TMJ disorders, the effects are seen in the jaw joints and muscles, often with associated pain. Occlusal disease occurs when the force of clenching or grinding does damage to the teeth and gums.

The term comes from the word ‘occlusion’ which in dentistry means how the teeth come together when you bite. Repetitive excessive biting forces can, over time, create significant breakdown in your mouth.

Destructive clenching and grinding can cause any of the following conditions:

• Cracked teeth
• Loose teeth
• Sensitive teeth
• Worn teeth
• Failed fillings
• Gum recession
• Notched tooth roots
• Shifting teeth

People with uncontrolled clenching for many years usually end up with many cracked teeth and significant gum problems. Those with unmanaged habits of grinding, often at night (sometimes due to being on anti-depressant medications), usually end up with advanced tooth wear. This creates an aged, unattractive smile and compromises chewing ability.

In the pictures below, you will see how like a child’s crayons, the effects of rubbing teeth together only gets worse over time.

Do you feel you may be noticing signs of occlusal disease in your mouth?  For further information or to schedule an exam, call the office of Dr. Davis today. You can also get more information on this topic at www.pankeydentist.org.

“Dr. Davis, what are the treatments for occlusal
disease?”

Battling occlusal disease is all about force management. For many people, clenching or grinding is such a sub-conscious habit that it can not be stopped entirely. But you can control the effects of it.

A bite appliance for night time use virtually eliminates damage to teeth during sleep. Corrections to any misalignment of the teeth will minimize the force on teeth during the day.

Teeth that are cracked must be protected with crowns. Teeth that have lost significant amounts of structure can be restored to their original form and appearance. This is usually done with porcelain restorations.