What Is Malocclusion? Signs, Symptoms, and Why Treatment Matters

I you have missing teeth, overcrowding, a history of orthodontic treatment, excessive overbite or over-jet, wearing of your teeth’s surfaces ( occlusal wear), periodontal disease, then you might have Malocclusion. Those mentioned conditions will cause misalignment of your teeth, and as the result, it will cause unnecessary trauma to your dentition and TMJ.

Left untreated, malocclusion can cause several health problems. Apart from causing dental problems such as decayed teeth, losing teeth or developing gum disease, malocclusion can affect how you chew food or how you speak. It can also damage your tooth enamel or cause problems with your jaw.

One of the well-established occlusal diseases (masticatory dysfunction) is dental wear. It is one of the common destructive dental disorders due to several etiological factors. Usually, this disease is progressive without intervention, and the eventual outcome is tooth loss, occlusal disease, is described as a condition that follows: the process resulting in the noticeable loss of the occluding surfaces of the teeth. It is described as a “deformation or disturbance of function of any structures within the masticatory system that are in disequilibrium with a harmonious interrelationship between the TMJs, the masticatory musculature, and the occluding surfaces of the teeth.

Frequently, the occlusal disease remains undiagnosed until severe damage becomes esthetically and functionally discomforting for the patient. It is one of the contributing factors in tooth loss. Treatment planning can be preventive (i.e., controlling the erosive factor), restorative, or a combination. To describe an occlusal treatment as a successful one, it should provide a comfortable and stable TMJ position and centric relation; the anterior teeth must be in harmony with the envelope of function without premature contacts in posterior teeth. The position that allows for interference-free contact is the centric relation; this position is an important factor in treatment planning for dental wear, and similarly, anterior guidance is an important factor to be considered.

Frequently Asked Questions About TMJ, Jaw Pain, and Bite Problems

What symptoms can point to TMJ or bite-related problems?
Common symptoms include jaw soreness, headaches, clicking, clenching, limited opening, tooth wear, and facial tension.

When should I see a dentist for TMJ discomfort?
If jaw pain is recurring, if your bite feels off, or if you are waking up with headaches or clenching, a dental evaluation can help identify the cause early.

What treatments might help?
Treatment can include bite analysis, nightguards, restorative care, targeted Botox for TMJ, and in some cases full-mouth rehabilitation when the bite is unstable.

Related Services at Siesta Village Dentistry

• Botox for TMJ and jaw tension treatment
• Sarasota dentist services at Siesta Village Dentistry
• Request a TMJ consultation

Trusted Resources

• NIDCR: TMJ disorders overview
• ADA: TMJ oral health information

If you would like to talk with Dr. My-Huong Ta, DDS about this topic, call 941-505-1200 or request an appointment online.