What is Occlusion?
Your dental occlusion is the way your teeth meet together when you bite

What is the T.M.J.?
The letters T.M.J. are an abbreviation of Temporo-Mandibular Joint, which is the joint between your lower jaw and your skull. Movement in this joint enables you to open and close your mouth and chew from side to side.

What are Occlusal Problems?
If you're teeth don't fit together properly then you can get problems in any of the structures that are involved in your bite; the teeth themselves, the gums, the Temporo-Mandibular Joint or the muscles that move the jaw.

1. Teeth
Teeth that are misplaced, heavily worn or constantly breaking, fillings that fracture or crowns that work loose may all be signs of occlusal problems. The teeth may be tender whilst chewing or may ache.

2. Gums
Loosening of teeth or gum recession can be aggravated by a faulty bite.

3. T.M.J.
Clicking, grinding or pain in your jaw joints, ringing or buzzing in your ears, difficulty in opening or closing your mouth could all be due to your teeth not meeting each other properly.

4. Muscles
If your jaw is in the wrong position, the muscles that move your jaw will have to work a lot harder and can get tired and go into spasm. The main symptoms are chronic headaches or migraine, especially first thing in the morning, pain behind your eyes, sinus and pain in your neck and shoulders. Sometimes even back muscles are involved.

How do I get The Occlusal Problem Treated?
See your Dentist. He or she may be able to help you or may refer you to a specialist in occlusal problems. Depending on the problems you are having, it is possible to detect evidence of an occlusal problem. Various muscles may be sore when tested, or the broken and worn areas of your teeth will show you are grinding your teeth, a common sign of an incorrect bite. Dentist Testing for Occlusal Problems. If your dentist suspects that your problems are due to an incorrect bite, he or she may help to diagnose the problem by supplying a hard plastic appliance that fits over your upper and lower teeth. This appliance needs to be measured and fitted very accurately so that when you bite on it, all your teeth meet at exactly the same time in a position where your muscles are relaxed. You may have to wear this all the time or, just at night. In simple cases you may not need to wear an appliance.