Dental Occlusion and Your Health: What You Need to Know

When you close your mouth, your upper and lower teeth should fit together comfortably. Dentists call this "occlusion." According to research, 76% of Canadians between ages 12 and 59 with their natural teeth have good teeth alignment.

What is Occlusion

To put it simply, the term "occlusion" describes how the top and lower teeth fit together during biting, chewing, or even when the jaw is at rest. It is the way the two sets of teeth "occlude" while the upper and lower jaws move or rest.

Importance of Proper Occlusion

Proper occlusion of teeth is critical to dental health and overall well-being. It has an impact on your appearance, smile, and oral health. Here's why having a nice bite is important:

Your Signature Look

The alignment of your teeth directly influences your facial appearance. When teeth meet properly, your lips, chin, and cheekbones achieve better symmetry. Many Canadians find that when their occlusion improves, their facial features appear more balanced and harmonious.

Better Biting, Better Digestion

Your bite significantly impacts how efficiently you chew. With proper occlusion, you can enjoy everything from Montreal bagels to West Coast salmon with comfortable, even pressure across all teeth. This thorough chewing is the first step in good digestion, as food is properly broken down before reaching your stomach.

Healthy Teeth from Childhood to Adulthood

During childhood development, establishing good teeth is crucial. Our Canadian pediatric dentists recommend early assessment, often around age seven to identify potential issues. Early intervention, sometimes covered by provincial health plans for eligible children, can prevent more serious alignment problems later in life.

Refining Your Speech

Your teeth affect how your tongue is positioned when you speak. Proper occlusion supports clear speech patterns by allowing correct tongue placement. Additionally, well-aligned teeth reduce strain on your temporomandibular joint (TMJ), helping prevent the jaw pain and headaches that many Canadians report to their healthcare providers each year.

Types of Occlusion

There are three types of occlusion:

Teeth at Rest: Static Occlusion

The way your upper and lower teeth meet when your jaw is motionless is known as static occlusion. When your mouth is closed, and you are not actively chewing or speaking, your teeth will naturally rest in this posture. To guarantee correct alignment and uniform pressure distribution across all teeth, your dentist will check this during examinations.

Teeth in Motion: Dynamic Occlusion

Dynamic occlusion refers to how your teeth interact as your jaw moves while you're talking, laughing, or chewing. When your jaw moves your teeth should be able to interact with each other effortlessly and unhindered by any malocclusion. Your ability to speak properly and how you enjoy meals are both impacted by this movement pattern.

The Perfect Bite: Centric Occlusion

Centric occlusion is the position where your upper and lower teeth come together with maximum contact points. This "perfect bite" position distributes pressure evenly across all teeth when you close your mouth completely while chewing. Proper centric occlusion is essential for comfortable chewing and helps prevent uneven tooth wear and jaw strain.

Angle Classification of Occlusion

Following are the three classes of occlusion:

The Balanced Bite: Class 1 Occlusion

Class 1 occlusion represents the ideal teeth alignment. Your upper and lower teeth fit together perfectly with minimal crowding and a 1-2mm overjet when you close your mouth. This allows for safe teeth movement.

The Overbite: Class 2 Occlusion

When the upper teeth overlap and protrude over the lower teeth, it is known as a class 2 (retrognathic) malocclusion. Early dental correction is necessary for this type of malocclusion since it significantly affects biting.

The Underbite: Class 3 Occlusion

Class 3 occlusion means your lower teeth sit in front of your upper teeth. This less common condition affects facial profile and bite functionality. Early treatment is important, as correction becomes more difficult once facial growth is complete.

Occlusion and Malocclusion

While occlusion means your teeth sit perfectly together, malocclusion is any condition that disrupts the symmetry of your teeth. Let’s discuss the difference between occlusion and malocclusion to understand both.

Symptoms of Malocclusion

• Frequent Headaches
  

  Unexplained headaches or migraines, especially in the morning, could be related to jaw strain from an improper bite.

• Sensitive Teeth
  

  Sudden sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods may result from uneven pressure wearing down tooth enamel.

• Worn or Damaged Teeth
  

  Chipped, cracked, or excessively worn teeth often indicate bite forces aren't properly distributed.

• Jaw and Facial Pain
  

  Discomfort in your jaw muscles or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) could stem from your bite forcing these structures to work improperly.

• Difficulty in Chewing
  

  Finding it uncomfortable to bite into certain foods or feeling like your teeth don't meet correctly.

• Crooked or Crowded Teeth
  

  Teeth that appear misaligned, overlapped, or have unusual spacing.

• Facial Asymmetry
  

  Noticeable unevenness in your facial features or jaw alignment.

• Speech Challenges
  

  Problems pronouncing certain sounds or developing a lisp could be related to how your teeth come together.

If you're experiencing several of these symptoms, consider discussing your bite with a dental professional at your next appointment.

How to Treat Occlusal Problems

Occlusal problems can be treated in various ways. Some of the treatments are described below:

Clear Aligners

These transparent trays work well for mild to moderate bite problems. Aligners gradually shift your teeth into proper alignment with gentle, consistent pressure. They’re popular among Canadian adults because they are:

• Nearly invisible when worn
• Removable for eating and cleaning
• More comfortable than traditional options
• Often eligible for partial insurance coverage under many Canadian dental plans

Braces

Braces are small metal wires and brackets bonded tightly to the teeth which gradually shift the teeth to the desired position. They require regular tightening procedures and are a time-tested solution for more severe alignment issues. Today’s braces are smaller and more efficient than older versions. However, they still require more maintenance and more in-person dental visits than clear aligners.

Equilibration

This precise procedure creates a balanced bite by carefully reshaping tooth surfaces. Your dentist may slightly adjust tooth height or angles by either removing small amounts of enamel from high spots or by adding bonding material to build up certain areas. Many Canadians find this treatment brings immediate relief from TMJ discomfort and uneven bite pressure.

Restorative Dentistry

When bite problems involve damaged or missing teeth, restorative procedures rebuild proper function and appearance. These options include crowns to restore broken teeth, bridges to replace missing teeth, and implants to provide permanent tooth replacement.

These treatments not only improve your smile but also restore proper biting and chewing function.

Get the Perfect Oclussion With AlignerCo Canada

AlignerCo takes into account the dental needs of those who are tired of dealing with occlusal issues and want a permanent solution. AlignerCo has developed the most economical clear aligners while keeping in mind the comfort and convenience of its esteemed clients. You can have your teeth aligned in four to six months if you follow the 22-hour wear schedule.

The AlignerCo Advantage

We Canadians are all about making the right choice. AlignerCo Clear Aligners offer a faster, more reliable, and customer friendly treatment.

See Your Future Smile

Our 3D smile projection technology lets you preview your results before treatment even begins!

Risk-Free Guarantee

If our experts determine you're not eligible for treatment after reviewing your impressions, we'll refund your payment in full.

Quick Results, Beautiful Smiles

Say goodbye to treatment fatigue! AlignerCo clear aligners correct alignment issues in just 4-6 months, depending on severity.

How AlignerCo Clear Aligner Treatment Works

The AlignerCo therapy is made to be simple and convenient, guaranteeing your comfort and contentment along the way. To get started, follow these three easy steps.

1. Free Smile Assessment:

• Get a free smile assessment by taking a simple online survey from your home.
• Order the plan of your choice.
• Receive an impression kit at home.
• Make impressions and send them back.

2. Custom Treatment Plan:

• Receive a personalized assessment from our qualified orthodontist.
• Get a 3D preview of your smile transformation.
• Get a clear timeline and expected results.
• Give your approval so that we may begin making your aligners.

3. Begin Your Journey:

• All aligners can be delivered together or separately.
• Wear your aligners for 20 to 22 hours every day, or 8 hours at night.
• Change aligners as instructed for optimal results.

Final Take

AlignerCo is making dreams of perfect teeth alignment a reality. With the help of our state-of-the-art technology, you can achieve ideal occlusion with little to no discomfort. Don't let oral health issues prevent you from succeeding. You deserve a flawless smile! Place your order for our reasonably priced clear aligners right now!