Your occlusal adjustment treatment will be informed by the type of malocclusion you have, as well as any underlying issues that have created this issue. There are several different types of malocclusions, including overcrowding, overbite, underbite, overjet, crossbite, impacted tooth, and open bite. Prior to performing an occlusal adjustment, an occlusal analysis will be conducted, which will involve an examination of your bite to test for stability, balance, and proper positioning. In some cases, it may be necessary to take a cast or digital scan of the patient’s teeth and/or perform an X-Ray or other diagnostic test. Once we have determined the dynamics of your bite, which includes location, timing, and occlusal force, a treatment plan will be developed to restore your bite to a harmonious balance.

Oftentimes, malocclusion can be corrected by simply removing excessive tooth structure that is causing teeth to make contact at different times. This corrective treatment option for malocclusion simply requires the removal of microscopic layers of the teeth, followed by an examination to test the bite. Once enough layers have been removed, and the bite is properly adjusted, the occlusal adjustment process will be complete.

In other cases, it may be necessary to repair teeth that have chipped, cracked, or are broken, or replace fillings that have become loosened or no longer fit the natural contours of your surrounding natural teeth. Dental fillings can also be used to reshape chipped teeth, or dental crowns may be placed to increase depth to a tooth. Oftentimes orthodontic treatment is also included in the occlusal adjustment process, such as braces or Invisalign.

Occlusal analysis and adjustments are common methods for patients with TMJ disorder. Patients who are diagnosed with TMJ may receive an occlusal adjustment, which can significantly improve TMJ symptoms, although the occlusal adjustment will often have to be performed in addition to one of the following TMJ treatment options:

• TMJ arthroscopy: A minimally invasive surgical procedure that corrects TMJ by removing inflamed tissue or adjusting a misaligned part of the jaw joint.
• BOTOX/Corticosteroid Injections: Alleviates TMJ symptoms by injecting BOTOX into the joint.
• Arthrocentesis: Small needles irrigate fluid to remove inflammatory byproducts and debris from the joint.
• Modified condylotomy: Joint space is surgically increased to correct locking and alleviate TMJ symptoms.
• Open-joint surgery: An effective method of treating TMJ through surgical replacement, repositioning, or repair of the jaw joint.

If you have been experiencing TMJ symptoms (jaw pain, joints locking, difficulty chewing), talk to your periodontist to see if an occlusal analysis and adjustment can correct these issues.