A bite adjustment, formally known as an occlusal adjustment, is a non-invasive dental procedure that ensures the teeth meet harmoniously. This treatment corrects the relationship between the upper and lower teeth, known as occlusion. When the bite is misaligned, it creates uneven forces that impact oral health. The goal is to create a stable, balanced bite that distributes chewing pressure evenly across all teeth.
What Is Occlusal Adjustment?
Occlusal adjustment involves the precise reshaping or smoothing of small areas on the biting surfaces of the teeth. The procedure eliminates premature contacts—spots where a few teeth hit before the rest of the dental arch comes together. This selective grinding is highly controlled, modifying the tooth enamel by only a minuscule amount to distribute chewing forces uniformly and prevent localized stress.
The primary purpose of the procedure is to optimize the function of the stomatognathic system, which includes the teeth, jaw joints, and muscles. Uneven occlusion forces the jaw muscles to work harder to find a comfortable closing position. By eliminating interferences, the adjustment allows the jaw to close naturally into a relaxed, stable position, supporting the long-term health of the teeth and supporting structures.
Signs That Indicate a Need for Adjustment
A dentist may recommend an occlusal adjustment if you exhibit signs of excessive or uneven tooth wear, known as attrition. When biting forces are concentrated on a few spots, those teeth wear down faster or develop small cracks. This concentrated pressure also leads to localized tooth sensitivity, causing a specific tooth to feel tender or react sharply to hot or cold temperatures.
A primary indication is persistent pain or dysfunction related to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and surrounding muscles. An unbalanced bite contributes to temporomandibular disorders (TMD) by forcing the jaw joint out of its optimal position. This can lead to symptoms like chronic headaches, neck tension, or a clicking/popping sensation in the jaw. Patients who habitually clench or grind their teeth (bruxism) also benefit, as the adjustment helps distribute damaging forces more evenly.
An adjustment is frequently necessary after new dental work, such as the placement of a new filling, crown, or bridge. If a restoration is slightly too “high,” it will make contact prematurely, causing the entire bite to feel off. This immediate interference can lead to pain in the new restoration or the opposing tooth, requiring a quick, precise adjustment to harmonize the new structure with the existing bite.
The Adjustment Process and Aftercare
The adjustment process begins with the dentist identifying premature contact points using a thin, colored film called articulating paper. This specialized paper leaves small marks on the teeth where the upper and lower arches meet too forcefully or too soon. The patient taps their teeth together and slides their jaw slightly to replicate chewing movements.
Using a slow-speed dental handpiece fitted with fine polishing burs, the dentist carefully removes a minute amount of enamel from the marked “high spots.” The procedure is meticulously subtractive, meaning the goal is to only remove the minimal amount of tooth structure necessary to achieve simultaneous, even contact across the arch. Because the adjustment is confined to the outermost layer of enamel, it is painless and does not require local anesthesia.
After the initial selective grinding, the dentist repeats the process of marking and checking the bite in various movements until the contact is balanced. This fine-tuning ensures that the forces are distributed equally when the jaw is fully closed and during functional movements. Following the procedure, patients often report immediate relief from the feeling of a “high” spot. Some individuals may experience minor, temporary tooth sensitivity in the adjusted areas, which resolves itself within a few days as the teeth adapt to the new, balanced contact.