BITE EVALUATION

What Is A "Bad Bite"?

A bad bite develops when a bite is unbalanced, and some teeth touch down sooner or with more force. Teeth that are broken, chipped, cracked, uneven, or loose teeth can contribute to a bite problem. Every patient will have an evaluation of their bite.

During a bite evaluation, Dr. James Spalenka will see how the teeth, jaw, and muscles fit and work together. If an occlusion disorder is present and ignored, the progressive damage can become uncomfortable, sometimes painful or debilitating.

Here are some common signs that a disorder of the jaw exits:

• Teeth that are uneven or crooked
• Gums that are receding
• Grinding or clenching teeth, especially at night (bruxism)
• Difficulty chewing or yawning
• Stiff and sore jawline
• Worn, cracked, broken teeth
• Teeth that become loose for no apparent reason

Untreated occlusal disease can lead to:

• TMJ disease/ (TMD).
• Tooth fracture
• Vertical root fracture/premature tooth loss
• Excessive bone loss
• Muscle soreness
• Muscle fatigue (cannot chew gum/eat steak)
• Headaches

Therapy will slow the rate of breakdown and improve chewing. Muscle physiology will adapt to the improved bite arrangement.

Excessive enamel wear or damage may require restorative treatment to seal and strengthen the tooth.

Fix Your Bad Bite

Don't ignore your bad or unbalanced bite. If you have trouble chewing, mouth soreness, facial discomfort, or teeth grinding and clenching, you will want to fix it sooner rather than later to prevent its destructive forces on your teeth, bones and muscles.