An uncomfortable or uneven bite can often make daily life less enjoyable- it can be difficult to chew properly, and even speech can be affected. How do you know if your bite is misaligned? In most cases, this discomfort is a sign of an underlying imbalance in your bite. Your uneven bite pattern can result from misaligned teeth, TMJ dysfunction, missing teeth, or a combination of factors. This type of bite is one of the dental concerns Dr. Jason Petkevis treats in his Chester Springs, PA, office.
Dr. Petkevis has many hours of advanced training in diagnosing and treating TMJ disorders and complex bite problems. He uses advanced dental technology, such as 3D scanning, Digital Photography, jaw simulators, and the latest analytical software, to identify the root cause of your uncomfortable bite. We offer effective treatments to correct an uneven bite and fix the dental issues it has caused.
Treatment For An Uncomfortable Bite
Dr. Petkevis can fix your uneven bite with a variety of dental treatments. Our goal is to restore bite function and comfort, address any TMJ dysfunctions, fix tooth alignment issues, and improve your overall dental health. A healthy bite is one that not only feels good and enables normal daily function but is also stable and in a natural position. This means that your teeth make proper contact when biting, and there is no tension in your jaw joint.
The first step is to visit our dentist in Chester Springs, PA, so we can conduct a thorough oral health exam. We will be better able to offer the most accurate diagnosis and relevant treatment after we know your unique issue. After we have examined your issue, Dr. Petkevis will evaluate your bite using a T-Scan digital bite analysis and a handheld Doppler device. He will recommend appropriate treatment to repair any tooth damage and restore balance to your bite. Treatment options may include:
- A mouthguard or dental splint: A custom dental appliance designed to reposition your jaw may be recommended, depending on how severe your bite issues are. Using custom mouthguards, we can stop teeth grinding and allow the bite to relax into a natural position.
- Restorative dentistry: Dental bonding, dental crowns, and other options may be needed to repair damaged teeth due to an unbalanced bite. We can adjust uneven biting surfaces and restore balance with restorative dental treatments. Schedule a worry-free dental exam to find out which ones will work best for you.
- Orthodontics: If misaligned and crooked teeth are causing a bite problem, Dr. Petkevis may recommend orthodontic treatment. As a Philadelphia ClearCorrect provider, Dr. Petkevis offers discreet and comfortable treatment with invisible braces for those with mild to moderately crooked teeth. ClearCorrect can restore your bite to full function in as little as 11 months.
Uncomfortable Bite FAQs
An uncomfortable bite indicates that there’s something wrong with your smile. Learn more by reading the answers to these frequently asked questions.
Why has my bite suddenly changed?
As we age, it is natural for the hinges in our jaw to slowly wear down. If you grind your teeth or suffer from arthritis, it will speed up that process. If you are younger, your wisdom teeth may be responsible for affecting your bite. As those teeth break through in the back of your mouth, they may pressure your other teeth, resulting in a misaligned bite. Periodontal disease is also a known cause of an uncomfortable bite. It affects the underlying bone, the gums, and, ultimately, the position of your teeth.
Can my bite change over time?
Yes, the bite changes naturally over time. The teeth tend to shift both forward and inward as we get older. Your lower jaw gets narrower, which can change your jaw function. Your teeth become more crowded and may start to overlap. This puts pressure on your jaw and can impact your bite’s feelings and functions.
How should my bite feel?
First, you should have no pain in your smile, even when using it to chew or bite down. You should be able to bite down hard, bringing your teeth together, without feeling any pain or discomfort. Take notice of how you chew and speak, too. If these things have changed, it’s a good bet that your bite has also changed.
How deep should my bite be?
Your top teeth should be just in front of your lower teeth. If the bottom teeth protrude over the top teeth, that’s called an underbite. If your front jaw protrudes out over the bottom jaw with a gap of 4 millimeters or more, that’s an overbite. Pay attention and determine if your bite meets one of these, even if you aren’t experiencing pain.
How do I know if I have a misaligned bite?
If you suffer from a misaligned bite, you may have difficulty eating, problems speaking naturally, pain in your jaw, teeth that do not fit together correctly, or worn down teeth from grinding. If you suspect this is the cause of your problems, schedule an appointment with Dr. Petkevis. He is highly educated in diagnosing and treating TMJ problems. Dr. Petkevis can do a T-Scan digital bite analysis to determine if you suffer from an uneven bite and will offer the appropriate treatment.
What should I do if I have an uneven bite after a filling?
If you recently had a filling completed and your bite feels off, give us a call and schedule an appointment. You most likely have a high filling that we can easily fix Sometimes, it is hard to tell if your bite feels right immediately after a filling since your mouth is numb. Correcting this should only take a few minutes, and you will leave with a bite that feels natural again.
Schedule A Worry-free Bite Evaluation
For a bite evaluation and corrective treatment, contact us at (610) 400-1459 or request an appointment online today. Dental Distinction is an experienced dental team in Chester Springs, PA dedicated to correcting all your dental issues, no matter how small.