                             
Current Newsletter Topic of the Month: Occlusal Disease What is occlusal disease? This is a term that covers a number of conditions associated with the bite, jaw muscles and temporomandibular joint, causing unnatural wear and damage to teeth, often requiring expensive repairs. Some experts believe it is the main cause of tooth loss and broken fillings and crowns. It can also affect the tissues that support teeth, leading to facial pain and headaches. What are the signs and symptoms? - Pathological wear: people who suffer from bruxism (teeth grinding) or an unstable bite can wear down their teeth much faster than normal. - Fractured teeth and fillings: broken teeth or failed restorations are usually due to an unbalanced bite placing excessive force upon one or several teeth. - Tooth sensitivity: some tooth sensitivity may be due to excessive force placed on certain teeth. - Abfractions and cervical notches: teeth stressed by an uneven bite or bruxism may lead to the formation of deep abnormal notches, especially near the gums. - Headaches and muscle pain: a surprising number of headaches and facial pain can be attributed to occlusal disease, as an unbalanced bite may put strain on muscles and joints. How can occlusal disease be treated? Occlusal disease has many causes and a trained dentist can discuss all these factors with you. The main two problems are an unbalanced bite and bruxism. Occlusal disease is often due to chronic conditions that can’t be permanently eliminated but they can be controlled to avoid pain and long-term damage. Patients who grind their teeth, for example, can benefit from wearing a fitted mouth guard monitored by their dentist to protect their teeth from further damage. Occlusal disease should be treated as soon as possible: basic preventative measures early on can lead to good long-term dental health. Ask your dentist for more information during your next appointment or regular check-up if you think you might be suffering from occlusal disease. Meet our Team: Continuing Education News This summer, Dr. Suren Mailyan and Dr. Oleg Timoshchenko attended the Esthetic Dentistry Continuum at the University of Southern California, receiving intensive training in several disciplines: - Artistic Dentistry (composite veneers, anterior and posterior restorations with porcelain materials) - Smile design, color and color matching techniques - All ceramic crowns and non-metal bridges - Indirect non-metal posterior restorations - Occlusal disease management and TMJ evaluation - Direct posterior restorations - Clinical success with non-metal inlays and onlays - Conservative tooth preparation - Full Ceramic crown material selection Please contact our PR & Marketing department if you have any comments about our clinic and services or suggestions for future newsletter topics, and if you would like further information on our corporate membership plans, individual insurance programs and dental education presentations: 363 2745 |
