|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
All occlusal therapy (how the bite comes together) relates to the hinge position of the jaw joint. Achieving the optimum hinge position is the goal of our therapy. The optimum “bite design” is when the front and back teeth contact simultaneously and uniformly.
Your bite will set limits on the selection of materials and often determines the design features needed for a successful outcome. With structurally or gum disease damaged teeth, the bite planning is even more important. Virtually, all restorative dentistry is influenced by how the bite impacts the teeth.
These problems can be evident from early tooth development or can occur over time. When you have a poor bite relationship, various unhealthy habits and damaging side effects can occur.
As Pankey Institute trained dentist, Dr. Gallegos has extensive training in identifying unhealthy bite relationships and treating this disorder. After a detailed evaluation of your bite relationship, a muscle examination is performed. People often notice some soreness or tenderness when these muscles are evaluated.
If bite relationship problems are discovered, we may begin therapy with a removable bite appliance. This hard acrylic device is created to fit snugly over either your upper or lower teeth. The appliance is checked regularly and adjusted until your bite stabilizes against it. This process helps both you and us understand your bite problems. You experience what a solid, stable bite feels like, and we learn about how your lower jaw functions against your upper teeth. Often many of the signs and symptoms will diminish or even disappear. We start to see what your final treatment might look like. Correcting your bite depends on your situation–what issues you presented initially.
The acrylic bite appliance establishes a baseline for determining the mechanics of how your teeth fit together. Part of your therapy may include reshaping your teeth. This can create a situation where your teeth move smoothly against each other and fit together comfortably and soundly.
This is often the solution to TMJ problems: when the jaw joint causes facial, head and neck area pain including headaches, toothaches, neck aches and earaches.
Learn more about Proper Oral Function at Pankey.orgFor years, millions have suffered from chronic headache and facial, head and neck pain. This pain is often the result of an imbalance between the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ), the muscles of chewing, and the teeth.
There are those who get headaches and have facial, head and neck pain on a regular basis. It can range from being occasionally distracting to totally debilitating. Most people cannot readily imagine their pain without having experienced it personally. Those whose symptoms are mild and infrequent may not even question the source. Maybe you wonder if you’ll ever find real relief.
Is it a dental problem? Often these headaches, muscle spasms, neck and jaw joint pains are absolutely a dental problem. We understand the intricate relationship between proper bite and the muscles and nerves of the jaw joint, head and neck. A very delicate balance must be present in the chewing system for total harmony, comfort, and stability.
For a large number of people with facial, head and neck pain, the problem and its solution revolve around one of the most complex joints in the body -- the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ). The condition is referred to as Temporo- mandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome or TM Disorder, or TMJ/TMD. This is a dysfunction of the jawbone, nerves, teeth and chewing muscles caused by natural but imbalanced development or dental deterioration.
With new technologies and increased understanding, and our advanced training in TMJ disorders, we can diagnose and treat most people successfully. When a TM disorder is determined, lasting relief is easily achieved in over 94 percent of the cases. This is accomplished using various dental treatments. To achieve this long-term relief, and rather than just treat the symptoms, we focus on TMJ treatments that address the source of the imbalance and pain.
