Malocclusion is one of those dental terms you hear from time to time, but do you know what it means? In today’s post, we want to briefly explain what malocclusion is, why treating it is important, and how treatment is commonly delivered.
Malocclusion is when teeth do not line up exactly. Instead of coming together as they should, the patient’s bite is slightly off, or sometimes more than slightly.
With malocclusion, patients can experience a variety of issues. For instance, patients who have maloccluded teeth are more vulnerable to gum disease. Plus, patients are more likely to experience discomfort caused by problems with the temporomandibular joints.
One of the most common ways that Dr. Dooley treats malocclusion is with braces. Through orthodontic care, teeth will be gradually moved into alignment so that they come together as they were meant to. In other cases, treatment might be provided with a nightguard or some other oral appliance. These appliances do not change a smile’s alignment permanently, but they do offer relief from the uncomfortable symptoms caused by TMJ dysfunction.
Symptoms of TMJ dysfunction include:
- Frequent headaches
- Jaw pain
- Pain the shoulders and back
- Stiff or clicking jaw
Have you experienced any of these symptoms? Call Dooley Dental to consult with our Spring Lake dental team. We serve patients from Avon, Brielle, Manasquan, Belmar, Wall Township, and nearby cities in New Jersey.
