The way our upper and lower jaw fit together is known as occlusion. Traumatic occlusion is also called a bad bite in dentistry and it is considered a disease which should be treated on time. In such a condition a person’s teeth are not aligned properly which not only affects their smile but also the normal functioning of the mouth. A crowded mouth in which there is not enough room for all the teeth to arrange in a line also sometimes lead to traumatic occlusion or malocclusion. Another important thing to consider is the right alignment of the upper and lower jaw; if it does not close properly during chewing there is a strong chance of developing many other oral complications later on in life.
If traumatic occlusion is not treated on time the chances of periodontal disease increase greatly. This is because of those teeth which are not straight or properly aligned. The biting pressure exerted by other teeth makes them become loose and eventually become diseased. Proper identification of this condition is necessary in order to treat it rightly. People who are in a habit of biting their nails or sucking their thumb are often victims of traumatic occlusion. If proper treatment is not provided, it leads to the next stage of this condition known as occlusal trauma, which can be primary or secondary.
Traumatic occlusion is mostly treated by a procedure called occlusal equilibration in which the chewing and biting surfaces of teeth are grinded to achieve balance and proper alignment. By doing so the pressure on individual teeth is lessened, thereby making them less susceptible to becoming weak or contaminated. Other than occlusal equilibration, occlusal restoration is also sometimes prescribed to correct the alignment of teeth. Crooked teeth are replaced or reconstructed through restorative procedures in order to improve the normal functioning of the mouth.
Appliances known as jaw repositioners are also used for the treatment of traumatic occlusion. These devices are worn like braces and need to be adjusted and tightened after regular intervals of time until a desired tooth position is achieved. These appliances provide a temporary solution and may require other complex treatments to permanently correct the problem. These treatments include orthodontics, occlusal adjustment and orthognathics. In some cases all of these treatments are required to correct the alignment of different teeth and completely cure traumatic occlusion.
Orthognathics is a term used to describe the correctness of upper and lower jaw alignment and the treatment is called orthognathic surgery. This type of surgery is intended to correct the bone relationship rather than straightening of the teeth. If there is a need to straighten the teeth, orthodontics (braces) are used. Occlusal or bite adjustment is similar to occlusal equilibration. How much adjustment is required is determined by using computer-based occlusal analysis. This type of adjustment is needed when there are loose or shifting teeth, severe grinding or clenching during sleep, and sensitivity to temperature. If you suffer from constant headache due to misalignment of your jaw, you should opt for one of the above-mentioned treatments to prevent further damage.
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