Occlusion is the area of dentistry responsible for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of occlusal problems, i.e. the relationship between the teeth of the upper and lower jaw and dysfunctions of the temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ).
Bruxism is perhaps one of the most well-known and exemplary disorders of this type of dysfunction, consisting of teeth grinding, which has negative consequences for the patient’s oral and physical health.
Why is it important to have good occlusion?
Correct occlusion ensures the right fit between teeth, their positioning and their relationship between arches, as well as ensuring oral functions such as chewing, phonetics, swallowing and aesthetics.
Why is it important to have correctly aligned teeth?
The alignment of the upper teeth prevents the lips and cheeks from being bitten, while the alignment of the lower teeth protects the tongue.
Why is it important to have good occlusion?
Correct occlusion ensures the right fit between teeth, their positioning and their relationship between arches, as well as ensuring oral functions such as chewing, phonetics, swallowing and aesthetics.
Why is it important to have correctly aligned teeth?
The alignment of the upper teeth prevents the lips and cheeks from being bitten, while the alignment of the lower teeth protects the tongue.
How to treat malocclusion?
To solve the problems of dental malocclusion, it may be necessary to resort to dental braces, tooth extractions or even surgery to reposition the structures.
What are the side effects of dental malocclusion?
Dental malocclusion can have a number of negative consequences for the patient’s health, such as:
Tooth wear;
Enamel cracks;
Gum recession;
Changes in tooth position;
Limited jaw movement;
Changes in posture;
Back problems.
How to treat malocclusion?
To solve the problems of dental malocclusion, it may be necessary to resort to dental braces, tooth extractions or even surgery to reposition the structures.
What are the side effects of dental malocclusion?
Dental malocclusion can have a number of negative consequences for the patient’s health, such as:
Tooth wear;
Enamel cracks;
Gum recession;
Changes in tooth position;
Limited jaw movement;
Changes in posture;
Back problems.
What is meant by orofacial pain?
Orofacial pain is pain related to the soft and mineralized tissues, such as the skin, blood vessels, bones, teeth, glands and muscles of the oral cavity and face.
Among the problems that can cause this pain are: temporomandibular muscle or joint dysfunction, neuralgia, tumors, tissue trauma and autoimmune diseases.
This pain can be associated with different areas of the body, such as the head and neck, or with other pains, such as cervicalgia and primary headaches.
There are also cases in which this pain is related to other pathologies, such as fibromyalgia and rheumatic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore, this pain should serve as a warning sign to consult a specialist who can diagnose the origin of this symptom.
Bruxism
Bruxism is characterized by repetitive muscle activity in the masticatory muscles, which can even occur during sleep and/or wakefulness.
This disorder can lead to the wear and fracture of teeth, restorations or even the need for dentures.
There are two types of bruxism: daytime and nighttime.
Daytime bruxism translates into habits such as nail or pencil biting, poor posture and other manifestations.
Nighttime bruxism refers to manifestations that occur during sleep, such as grinding teeth, having micro-awakenings and feeling increases in respiratory rate, heart rate and body movements.
The main symptom of bruxism is the wearing down of dental veneers, shortening of the teeth, muscle tension or migraine-type headaches, all of which are side effects of teeth grinding.
The latest research argues that bruxism originates in the central nervous system, which means that it is closely associated with problems such as anxiety and stress.
In addition to wearing protective appliances to prevent wear and tear on tooth enamel, it is important to “educate your brain” to avoid grinding your teeth.
In addition, some habits can be beneficial in reducing stress and anxiety levels, such as practicing sports, improving posture, performing relaxation therapies and adopting other good lifestyle habits.
When the articular disc between the jaw bone and the skull fails to fulfill its function of limiting movement and reducing friction, TMJ dysfunction develops, known as Temporo-Mandibular Dysfunction (TMD).
What are the main symptoms of temporomandibular disorders?
The main symptoms of temporomandibular disorders are:
Earache, without infection;
Feeling of tiredness in the face;
Pain in the jaw when biting, chewing or yawning;
Swelling on one side of the face;
Sound when opening and closing the mouth;
Pain and tenderness in the neck, shoulders or around the ear when opening or closing the mouth;
Difficulty opening and closing your mouth;
Toothache, headache, dizziness, earache, hearing problems and ringing in the ears;
Sensitive teeth.
What is temporo-mandibular dysfunction?
When the articular disc between the jaw bone and the skull fails to fulfill its function of limiting movement and reducing friction, TMJ dysfunction develops, known as Temporo-Mandibular Dysfunction (TMD).
What are the main symptoms of temporomandibular disorders?
The main symptoms of temporomandibular disorders are:
Earache, without infection;
Feeling of tiredness in the face;
Pain in the jaw when biting, chewing or yawning;
Swelling on one side of the face;
Sound when opening and closing the mouth;
Pain and tenderness in the neck, shoulders or around the ear when opening or closing the mouth;
Difficulty opening and closing your mouth;
Toothache, headache, dizziness, earache, hearing problems and ringing in the ears;
Sensitive teeth.
What treatment is indicated for Temporo-Mandibular Joint disorders?
As it can have various causes, treatment for this problem is also multidisciplinary and may require cumulative psychological, physiotherapy or neurological support.
In addition, therapy can include taking anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants, oral splints, physiotherapy for the jaw muscles, massages, injections or even surgery.
How are these problems diagnosed?
To diagnose these problems, a medical examination consisting of palpation of the facial muscles and joints should be carried out. In addition, the movements of the jaw and oral cavity should be assessed.
In addition, diagnostic aids such as X-rays, CT scans and MRIs can be used.
