Occlusal Rehabilitation

A frequent problem for some dental patients is that a holistic view of their mouths may not have been applied. By looking at the teeth, gums, and head and neck muscles, Dr. Caughey is able to identify potential health problems. Many people suffer from complications with their jaw joint, such as sleep loss, headaches and neck problems. Dr. Caughey can help with these conditions.

Advanced education in the science of comprehensive dentistry has taught Dr. Caughey how to help alleviate or prevent years of pain and discomfort. During your comprehensive exam, you and Dr. Caughey may discover that you have problems with your bite (occlusion) or with your jaw joints (TMJ), or both. If so, occlusal rehabilitation may be beneficial for you.

TMD (commonly called TMJ) FAQ

Who is affected?

Temporomandibular joint disorder (also known as TMD or TMJ) affects 75 million people at any one time. It is a chronic degenerative disease that may take years to develop.

What causes TMJ?

There are many causes of joint dysfunction: tumors, bony growths, arthritis and most frequently, trauma and/or an improper bite. Noises such as clicks, pops or grating of the jaw joint are signs of damage inside the joint and muscles that don’t work in harmony. Often an improper bite can lead to parafunctional habits such as clenching, grinding, tapping or squeezing the teeth together. These habits can result in sore jaw muscles and abnormally fast breakdown of teeth. Sometimes the teeth fit together reasonably well, but the habits are present and cause premature wear and breakdown of the teeth.

What are the symptoms?

• Headaches or migraines
• Worn, chipped or cracked teeth
• Cracking, chipping or breaking dental restorations
• Pain or soreness around the jaw joints
• Pain in the teeth that seems to move around
• Facial, neck, shoulder or back pain
• Clicking or grating sounds in the jaw joints
• Limited movement or locking jaw
• Unexplained loose teeth

What is occlusal rehabilitation?

Different bite problems require different treatments and, as with any treatment, we start with a careful examination. This includes models and photographs to allow Dr. Caughey to perform a complete analysis of the bite, resulting in a preliminary diagnosis. Often an occlusal splint is used to confirm the diagnosis. The splint is a hard acrylic appliance custom-fabricated to fit snugly over either your upper or lower teeth and meticulously adjusted until your bite stabilizes against it. Once the bite is stable and the joints and muscles are comfortable, you will experience how your teeth might feel when your mouth is restored. How long this takes depends on your situation and the signs and symptoms with which you start. In extreme cases where the joint has been badly damaged, splint therapy will not work. In this instance, Dr. Caughey may refer you to a specialist who is specially trained in orthodontic and surgical treatment modalities.