Consequences of occlusion disorders
The effects of a disturbance of the physiological occlusion can lead to quite unpleasant complaints. In particular, the unbalanced load on individual teeth damages the periodontium. But the temporomandibular joint and the masticatory muscles are also affected by the unbalanced load. The consequences are pain in the tooth, in the jaw joint and tension in the chewing muscles. The chewing function can also be impaired, as normal articulation is no longer possible.
What is occlusion therapy?
Occlusion therapy is the treatment of an occlusion disorder. It is usually carried out when the patient complains of pain or problems in the temporomandibular joint or masticatory muscles. If the reason for a disturbed occlusion is a too high tooth filling, the elevated areas can be identified by means of blue paper, and the dentist will remove this defect by grinding it in, thus restoring normal conditions.
In the case of bite anomalies, orthodontic measures can restore proper occlusion. The aim is to find a centric joint position that is comfortable for the patient and no longer causes pain. This is then secured via the bite.
The aim is to ensure that the patient returns to the “perfect” position every time he or she bites into the joint, thus relieving and protecting the joint. If one side of the joint is subjected to greater stress than the other, unphysiological conditions can quickly reoccur. This “bite retention” can initially take place via an occlusion splint.
The dentist makes models of the teeth and transfers the correct bite position into the articulator, a device for artificially displaying the movement of the temporomandibular joint. The dental technician can then produce an occlusal splint.If this is worn regularly, the doctor must continue to grind in order to adjust the bite to one hundredth of a degree of accuracy. Once the correct bite position has been found and the patient has had no further complaints for a period of about half a year, the final bite is secured.
Depending on the tooth status, this can be done by crowning the teeth or by orthodontic tooth repositioning. Here, each patient has to decide for himself whether he prefers to wear a splint at night or whether he wants a definitive solution. The occlusal splint is a horseshoe-shaped splint made of plastic, which covers either the upper or lower row of teeth.
The aim is to create balanced tooth contact, i.e. a situation in which each tooth is in contact with its counterpart at the same time or, as here, with the splint. This harmonious position has on the one hand the positive effect that the joint is loaded in a neutral position, on the other hand it protects the teeth and slowly accustoms the masticatory system to the neutral bite position. Protection is especially necessary if the teeth are strongly clenched or gnashed at night. Then the teeth rub against each other and pain develops. They are caused by a lack of hard tooth substance, increased load on individual teeth or in the temporomandibular joint by incorrect loading due to the false bite.
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