Recognizing Occlusal Disease
Posted on: 17 May 2017
Share
Few people remain ignorant of dental maladies such as cavities, gingivitis, and periodontal disease. Yet there are other dental disorders that remain shrouded in mystery. If you would like to educate yourself about one lesser-known dental problem, read on. This article will introduce you to the world of occlusal disease, while also educating you about how to recognize this all-too-common disorder.
What is it?
Occlusal disease refers to a wide variety of ailments, all of which stem from what is known as poor occlusion. Here occlusion simply denotes the degree to which your upper and lower sets of teeth contact one another. Occlusal disease is specifically related to cases where there is little to no occlusal contact in certain parts of the mouth.
If a dentist is able to identify a case of poor occlusion early enough, it may be kept from causing problems from some combination of therapeutic treatment and orthodontic devices. Yet when the problem remains undiagnosed, more serious complications may occur. Thus it is crucial that you know how to recognize the signs of poor occlusion in you and your family.
Hypersensitivity
Poor occlusion is related to teeth that do not adequately come together, yet it is no less problematic for those teeth that do. That's because these teeth tend to bear a much greater amount of pressure. This pressure will place such teeth under a greater degree of structural stress, often leading to an increased sensitivity to hot and cold sensations. Such sensitivity tends to affect the so-called vertical margins--that is, the part of the tooth located between root and crown.
Loose Teeth
Occlusal disease often gives rise to what is technically known as hypermobility--in other words, a tooth that is not securely seated in its socket. Instead, the tooth can be wiggled back and forth. To determine whether a loose tooth is the result of occlusal disease, a dentist will generally take an x-ray or radiograph. If the underlying bone support looks normal, chances are the issue is the result of occlusion.
Facial Pain
As noted above, occlusal disease is characterized by the uneven forces exerted on your teeth when chewing. As a result, certain muscles in your face and jaw may be subjected to a greater amount of stress. Over time, such areas are liable to become swollen and/or painful. In some cases, such pain may only affect the patient when actively chewing. Yet in more advanced cases, it may become a constant ache.
If you believe you have this problem you may want to learn more from a cosmetic dentist. He or she can recommend the next step you should take in repairing your bite.