Whenever we go to the dentist or prepare for oral procedures, we generally know that it’s ideal to understand what our medical practitioners want us to prioritize. If we speak with our dentists and oral surgeons about our concerns, this is a fantastic way to ensure we get adequate information and assistance. But during conversations with your oral health specialist, you may hear about occlusal disease as a potential concern. What is occlusal disease? How can you treat it?
If you are concerned about occlusal disease, whether your dentist has brought up this potential concern or not, we can help. The team of oral surgeons and dentists with Elizabeth Oral Surgery Group have all the essential experience, tools, resources, and processes that can bring understanding to your concerns. We work hard to get our patients the desired results and prioritize their health and safety. Our patients also trust us to dedicate ourselves toward their smile goals, including addressing occlusal disease.
What is Occlusal Disease?
Occlusal disease refers to a misalignment in your teeth or bite, and the severity of these issues often varies from person to person. Sometimes, occlusal disease develops as your adult teeth grow in, but this can also occur following unfortunate circumstances, such as car accidents. In some cases, dental procedures may result in occlusion and interference. These may include implants, extractions, and other procedures you undergo.
Occlusal disease can result in severe pain and keep your mouth from closing entirely and anatomically correctly. If left untreated, occlusal disease can develop into more severe issues that lead to additional discomfort and more costly procedures to address adequately.
How Do You Treat Occlusal Disease?
Occlusal disease is treated most commonly in an oral surgeon’s office. Your dental practitioner will generally file down any points of interference occurring within your bite. Occasionally, your oral surgeon will leave markings on your teeth so only specific impacted areas are filed. This allows your teeth to rest around each other properly, and it also allows the remainder of your mouth to relax completely.
To address issues related to occlusal disease, we recommend you speak with a dental specialist as soon as possible. Your oral surgeon will need to work with you to create a treatment plan so they know how to correct your problems and utilize appropriate procedures. This will reduce the impact and overall costs a patient needs to face in the aftermath.
What Are the Symptoms and Signs of Occlusal Disease?
If you are concerned about occlusal disease, it’s important to know the symptoms commonly associated with it. These are helpful if you want to address the condition as quickly as possible. Symptoms and signs of occlusal disease include the following:
- Your enamel has weakened or worn down
- Tooth cracking or breaking
- Sensitivity in your teeth
- Recession of the gums
- Pain in affected muscles
- Symptoms often associated with TMJ
If you notice these signs, we recommend you speak with your oral specialist about occlusal disease. Your oral surgeon can assess the circumstances, correctly diagnose issues, and provide treatment or referrals whenever necessary.
Have Occlusal Disease? Get the Treatment You Need With Elizabeth Oral Surgery Group
If you have concerns surrounding occlusal disease and how to treat it, especially if your dentist or oral surgeon has spoken to you about it, please don’t hesitate to contact Elizabeth Oral Surgery Group. We pride ourselves on supporting patients around New Jersey and providing high-quality care to everyone who walks through our doors.
Please reach out to us to discuss your circumstances, express any concerns you want to be addressed, and receive additional helpful information. To get in touch with us, please call (908) 663-5309 or complete our online contact form at your earliest convenience. No matter how you reach out, we are excited to work together to help meet your smile goals.
