Have you ever heard of malocclusion or a bad bite? Just about everyone has malocclusion to some point, but in most cases the person can chew and talk fine, and their masticatory system functions without problems. However, some people have more severe malocclusion. Malocclusion is when your teeth do not bite down in a properly and evenly distributed way. The cusps of your back teeth should fit together like a puzzle when you bite down so you can chew your food effectively. Some types of malocclusion can be corrected via occlusal equilibration.

Why Occlusal Equilibration?

If you are reading this blog that means you may have read other dental blogs, which means you may have realized that dentists use big words. Occlusal equilibration (OE) is a complicated designation for a rather simple procedure. Over time your teeth may have shifted in your mouth. Many things happen to your teeth as you age. Things change with your mouth, teeth, and your jaw just as they do with the rest of your body. OE is often a recommended treatment for the following dental issues:

• Severe tooth wear
• Chipped teeth
• Temporomandibular joint pain
• Headaches and neck aches due to muscle tension from grinding and/or clenching the jaw joint
• Loose teeth
• Root exposure from chips or divots along the gum line
• Receding gums

What is OE?

The goal of OE is to produce an even and equally distributed bite. A proper bite reduces undue stress on your jaw joint and jaw muscles. Such stress can lead to temporomandibular joint disorders. OE involves reshaping the cusps of your teeth by either building them up or reducing them so they fit together properly.

What to Expect

• The possibility of sore jaw muscles after the first visit
• The possibility of tooth sensitivity after the first visit
• The possibility that certain dental work may need replacing