Are You Impacted By Malocclusion?

Occlusion is the alignment of your teeth, and when there is not proper alignment it is called malocclusion. When the alignment of your jaw is off, it can cause your teeth to hit on the wrong spot when you close your mouth or when you are consuming food. While your malocclusion may be minor and not impact you most of the time, any alignment problems can lead eventually to pain and problems with broken, cracked teeth and jaw or face pain. Constant pressure in the wrong spot can lead to a variety of problems including a need for major dental repairs.

You will want to catch this issue before it causes other problems to your teeth. A simple check with Dr. Judy Strutz and her team can help determine how much of a problem your malocclusion is and how she can help to provide you with a pain free smile.

There are a variety of causes of malocclusion, it may include childhood habits, extra teeth, dental fillings that are not proper fitting, jaw fractures or even tumors of the mouth.

For more information on malocclusion and how you can benefit from proper alignment, contact Dr. Strutz and her team today.

Static Occlusion-What Is That & Why Do I Need To Know About It?

When your jaw is moving during chewing and talking, there are different points on the teeth that hit together to make the movement more efficient. Static occlusion is the opposite of that. It is the points your teeth hit when your mouth is in a resting state. If you have ever had a filling done, the dentist will put a paper in your mouth and have you bite down. They are making sure that your are biting correctly and that your teeth are hitting the right points of contact. If they are off, it can cause jaw pain, or a more severe situation where you crack or break a tooth.

When your jaw is in a resting state some individuals may grind or clench their jaw. This can cause a host of other problems and concerns. While the treatment options for, “bruxism” or grinding depends on the individual person, there are dental devices that can help.  When you are resting or relaxed your jaw and teeth should be as well. Constant clenching during times of stress or relaxation can put an extreme amount of stress on your jaw. These problems can radiate and cause neck and back pain or headaches.

 

"Your jaw should not hurt when you are watching a movie, shopping with friends, or sipping on your favorite coffee," advises Dr. Judy Strutz. You should be relaxed and not feel tight pressure. Contact Dr. Judith Strtuz today if you’re experiencing jaw related pain.

Restore Your Occlusion:

Prosthodontist are able to complete a variety of restorations in order to get your mouth back in working order.   Prosthodontist attend dental school and then receive an extra years of specialized schooling. Dr. Strutz is a graduate of Loma Linda and provides extensive support to you as a patient prior to any procedure.  When you first visit her office, with a chipped tooth, doesn’t panic she will work with you to provide the best fit.

When you have chipped teeth it usually means that your bite is off. This can occur for multiple reasons. Your jaw may not be lining up correctly, so when you bite down your biting down on top of other teeth. Your jaw should be in a state of rest when your mouth is closed.

When fixing your chipped tooth, Dr. Judy Strutz, recommends first taking a look at your bite. If she spends time fixing your chipped tooth but your bite is still “off” as soon as you leave the office, your run the risk of chipping that tooth again.  The idea is to not just fix one tooth, but to assure your bite is correct as well.

Once, Dr. Strutz has completed a full exam and has determined the best course of action, she may be able to re-contour, readjust or perhaps bond the tooth.