A bad bite (malocclusion) can cause more problems than most people recognize and is also a cause of TMJ problems. The uneven and strong forces from your jaw exerting on teeth that are misaligned can cause:
- Temperature sensitivity
- Pressure sensitivity
- TMD
- Abcesses
- Fractured teeth
- Gum recession
- Gum inflammation
How does this happen? Try to imagine what would happen to your shoes if you only walked on your tip toes. There would be significant and uneven wear on your shoes.Most likely you would get cramps in your toes or legs. If you walked more on one shoe than the other, most likely, one side and even your hip might eventually become involved. This is similar to how your jaw and teeth respond to a bad bite.
This does not happen overnight. As humans, we have the ability to exist in accommodative pathologic position, when a pathologic position exceeds the accomodative capacity patients begin to complain of pain, discomfort, or esthetics. Esthetics in the sense that teeth can wear, chip, and look different.
If you have any questions about Houston TMJ or Houston Cosmetic Dentistry, please feel free to contact our office, Ronald W. Konig DDS,FAGD, LVIF, 713-668-2289.
