Corrective bite adjustments can effectively address issues caused by misaligned teeth or jaw. Part of having a healthy smile is having a bite that is in proper alignment. When your bite is out of alignment, a number of problems can develop. For instance, you may develop bruxism, which is the medical term for clenching and grinding your teeth. Bruxism can lead to damage to your teeth, including erosion and abfraction, which looks like notches in the tooth surface near the gum line. Bruxism can also lead to pain in the jaw joint, which may result in migraine headaches or a condition known as temporomandibular joint disorder.

Bites can have alignment problems for a number of reasons. Genetics can cause you to have an overbite or underbite. A damaged tooth may change the way your teeth come together. Missing teeth can cause other teeth to shift out of their correct place and further compromise your bite.

If your bite is out of alignment and causing problems, your Hollywood and South Florida periodontists, Drs. Mazor and Arceo, can adjust your bite in a number of ways to improve your oral health. Depending on your individual situation, we may recommend reshaping the surfaces of your teeth or eliminating pressure points. We may also recommend splint therapy, which holds the teeth in a neutral position to relieve pressure on the jaw joint. Or, we may suggest braces, which will help realign teeth that have drifted out of position. Additionally, repairing damaged teeth and replacing missing teeth will help restore your bite.

If you’ve been experiencing pain in your jaw, your bite may be out of alignment. Call today for an appointment so we can identify the cause of your discomfort and recommend an appropriate treatment.