Importance of Bite Alignment | It Affects Overall Health Too

“Bite alignment” (occlusion) is not just for chewing food. In fact, it significantly impacts your overall health. Poor bite alignment can potentially cause various issues such as:

• Headaches
• Stiff shoulders
• Neck pain
• Back pain
• Dizziness
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• Indigestion
• TMJ disorder (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder)
• Bruxism (Teeth grinding/clenching)
• Tooth fracture
• Worsening of periodontal disease

These symptoms might seem unrelated to teeth at first glance, but they are often caused by bite misalignment. Neglecting bite problems can worsen symptoms or potentially lead to other illnesses. If you feel even slight discomfort, it is important to visit a dental clinic promptly for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Discomfort with Bite Alignment, What are the Causes?

The causes of discomfort with bite alignment are primarily considered to be the following two:

Issues with the Height of Fillings or Crowns

After receiving fillings or crowns from cavity treatment, discomfort can arise if the bite feels too high or too low. In such cases, adjusting or remaking the filling or crown can resolve the issue.

TMJ Disorder

TMJ disorder is a condition affecting the jaw joints or the muscles used for chewing (masticatory muscles), leading to symptoms like pain, difficulty opening the mouth, or clicking/popping sounds from the jaw joint.

TMJ disorder is classified based on its pathology as follows:

• Type I Masticatory Muscle Disorder: Main symptoms include pain or stiffness in the muscles that move the jaw.
• Type II Joint Capsule/Ligament Disorder: Caused by inflammation or damage to the joint capsule or ligaments surrounding the jaw joint.
• Type III Articular Disc Disorder: Occurs due to displacement or deformation of the articular disc (a cushion-like tissue within the jaw joint).
  • Type IIIa Disc Displacement with Reduction: The displaced disc returns to its normal position upon opening the mouth. Often accompanied by a “clicking” sound when opening.
  • Type IIIb Disc Displacement without Reduction: The disc does not return to its normal position upon opening, causing the jaw to get stuck and preventing wide opening (Closed Lock).
• Type IV Degenerative Joint Disease (Osteoarthritis): Occurs due to deformation of the jaw joint bones.
• Type V Other: Conditions not classified above.

Generally, Type III (Articular Disc Disorder) is considered the most common type of TMJ disorder, accounting for more than half of all cases. It is often said that Type IIIa can progress to Type IIIb.

【Causes of TMJ Disorder】
The cause of TMJ disorder is not singular but is thought to involve a combination of multiple factors:

• • Poor bite alignment
  • Bruxism (Teeth grinding or clenching)
  • Poor posture
  • Stress
  • Trauma/Injury

etc.

TMJ Disorder Treatment

At our clinic, we first conduct a detailed diagnosis of the cause and severity of TMJ disorder through consultation, visual inspection, palpation, X-ray examination, CT scans, etc.
Based on this, we formulate and propose a treatment plan tailored to each individual patient.

TMJ Disorder Treatment Methods

Treatment methods for TMJ disorder vary depending on symptoms and causes, but generally start with conservative therapies like the following:

Lifestyle Guidance

We provide advice on improving lifestyle habits that may cause TMJ disorder (poor posture, clenching habits, chewing on one side, etc.).
Specifically, we guide patients on points to be mindful of in daily life, such as:

• Maintaining correct posture
• Avoiding hard foods
• Chewing evenly on both sides
• Managing stress
• Correcting TCH (Tooth Contacting Habit)

TCH is an abbreviation for Tooth Contacting Habit, the unconscious habit of letting the upper and lower teeth touch. Normally, when at rest, the upper and lower teeth are not in contact. However, having TCH applies prolonged, weak force to the teeth and jaw joints, potentially causing TMJ disorder. Our clinic also provides guidance for correcting TCH.

Physical Therapy

We perform physical therapy such as massage and stretching to relieve tension in the jaw joints and masticatory muscles. We also provide guidance on simple exercises that can be done at home.

Pharmacotherapy (Medication)

In cases of severe pain or inflammation, medications such as analgesics (pain relievers) may be prescribed.

Mouthpiece Treatment (Splint Therapy)

Wearing a mouthpiece (splint) during sleep reduces the burden on the jaw joints and teeth caused by grinding or clenching.
There are various types of mouthpieces, and we select the most suitable one based on the patient’s symptoms and jaw joint condition.

• • Stabilization Splint
  • Anterior Repositioning Splint

etc.

Mouthpieces can often be fabricated under health insurance coverage. “TMJ Mouthpiece” is one effective treatment method for symptom relief.

Surgical Therapy

If symptoms do not improve with the conservative therapies mentioned above, or if there are structural problems with the jaw joint, surgical treatment may be considered. Surgical treatments include arthroscopy and arthrocentesis (joint lavage). If surgical treatment is deemed necessary, our clinic will refer you to affiliated university hospitals or general hospitals with advanced medical facilities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Frequently Asked Questions

Will TMJ disorder heal naturally?

Mild cases of TMJ disorder may heal naturally. However, if symptoms persist or worsen, we recommend visiting a dental clinic promptly. Neglecting it can lead to chronicity or worsening of the condition.

Is TMJ disorder treatment painful?

TMJ disorder treatment generally starts with conservative therapies that do not involve pain. Mouthpiece therapy and physical therapy rarely cause pain.

How long does TMJ disorder treatment take?

The duration of TMJ disorder treatment varies depending on the severity of symptoms and the treatment method. Improvement may be seen in a few weeks, or it may take several months or longer. Our clinic formulates a treatment plan based on each patient’s condition and explains it carefully.

How much does TMJ disorder treatment cost?

In most cases, TMJ disorder treatment is covered by health insurance. Mouthpiece therapy is also covered by insurance. However, some specialized treatments or tests may not be covered. We will explain the details during the counseling session.

When should I use a mouthpiece?

A mouthpiece is primarily worn during sleep to reduce the burden on the jaw joints and teeth caused by grinding or clenching. It may also be recommended for use during the day for those with daytime clenching habits.

How can I prevent TMJ disorder?

While TMJ disorder cannot be completely prevented, paying attention to the following can reduce the risk:

• Maintain correct posture
• Avoid chewing excessively hard foods
• Chew evenly on both sides
• Manage stress
• Attend regular dental check-ups
• Be mindful of TCH (Tooth Contacting Habit)