BITE BALANCING/TMJ PAIN

Do you have headaches, a clicking joint, or other TMJ pain? Does your spouse hear your teeth grinding at night?  Do the daily stresses of life make you clench your teeth?  Then you may be a candidate for bite balancing. Bite balancing is a simple procedure done in our office to achieve a good, balanced fit between your teeth. Everyone grinds or clenches their teeth at some point in their lives, but most of us are never aware of it. We may do it temporarily, or we may do it everyday. Your teeth can contact one another in good ways, but if they contact each other in bad ways, damage may occur. This damage is irreversible and makes your teeth look short and gives the perception of an “older” smile.  After bite balancing has been performed, the tendency to grind or clench your teeth may be eliminated altogether.

To balance your bite, models of the teeth are placed on a bite machine that duplicates how your teeth close together. We simulate the procedure on your models first, finding all of the locations where tooth structure must be added or removed to create proper fit.   After perfectly balancing the models, we do the same procedure in your mouth, with the knowledge that it will work. In this way, we balance your bite while creating an aesthetically pleasing smile. 

When it comes time to consult with a dentist about fixing problems or improving your smile, make sure you visit a dentist who is well educated in occlusion– how the teeth fit together. Ask your dentist to explain how the work she does will improve your appearance and provide proper function. Contact our office to see how a proper fit and bite can creates a long-lasting, comfortable and healthy smile.

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