OCCLUSAL ADJUSTMENT

Furniss Family Dentistry
Dr. Joshua K. Furniss, D.D.S

When you bite, do you feel like your jaw is lopsided? When you close your jaws does it feel like your teeth have to slide into place? If so, then you may need an occlusal adjustment.

An occlusal adjustment corrects the alignment of the bite. This misalignment may be caused by loose, shifting, crowded, or missing teeth. The result is an evenly distributed bite that eliminates irregular pressure on one side of the mouth. Once your bite is adjusted, your teeth will meet properly. Occlusal adjustment is typically painless and accomplished in just a few minutes.

Who is a good candidate for an occlusal adjustment? Patients with loose or shifting teeth will many times not meet correctly. Patients, who grind or clench their teeth, will have an uneven bite and pressure distribution in the mouth, which is also corrected through an occlusal adjustment. Sometimes tooth sensitivity can be corrected through an occlusal adjustment as the treatment reduces pressure on the sensitive tooth.

Dr. Furniss has invested in new technology to much more accurately identify the areas which need adjustments. He utilizes a computer scan of the mouth, which records hundreds of bite registrations per minute, and notes even the slightest irregularity. That data allows Dr. Furniss to make only the adjustments that are absolutely necessary, which ensures a well-aligned bite and minimal tooth wear.