Bergeron & Veilleux Dental Center

Symptoms of Dental Occlusion

Jaw and dental occlusion disorders manifest themselves in different ways. Here are some of the most common symptoms.

Jaw Pain

Jaw pain can come from muscles, bones, ligaments, and even nerves. After performing a thorough dental examination including X-rays and/or magnetic resonance imaging, Dr. Mathieu Bergeron will suggest the most appropriate treatments for your situation, whether it involves fitting an occlusal splint, balancing your teeth, or surgery.

Cracking or cracking of the jaw

Like the knee, the jaw joint has cartilage called the meniscus. When it moves and gets stuck between two bones, the jaw sometimes makes a cracking noise. This movement can cause, among other things, poor growth or jaw pain, muscle tension, poor tooth alignment, etc. It is therefore important that the dentist examine your mouth to offer you appropriate treatment.

Locked, open, or closed jaw

Closed jaw: Is your jaw locked and can no longer open? This could be due to one of the following reasons:

Your meniscus, a cartilage in the jaw, has become stuck in the joint. The physiotherapist can help you by manipulating your jaw. At the same time, the dentist will fit an occlusal splint and work on balancing your teeth. Sometimes, surgery will be required. Appropriate medication will be added to this.

You have had a muscle spasm. This type of blockage is harder to treat. The dentist will then work in collaboration with the physiotherapist to relieve you.

Open-jaw: The jaw can remain locked open if its lower part has come out of its socket. Very specific manipulations carried out by the physiotherapist will help to remedy the problem.

Arthritis/Osteoarthritis of the Jaw

While arthritis of the jaw (i.e., a problem related to the body) is quite rare, osteoarthritis (i.e., a joint that deteriorates) is very common. The dentist must make a precise diagnosis to know what care to provide (medication, rest, occlusal plate, balancing of the occlusion, surgery, etc.).

Tension headaches/migraines (headache)

Most headaches are located on the side of the head, behind the eyes, or behind or on top of the head. If they are on the side of the head or behind the eyes, the jaw is almost always the main cause. If they are behind or on top of the head, the neck is the cause, with the jaw as a secondary component.

If you have already consulted a doctor, you can come and see us. We will check if your teeth or joints are playing a role in your headaches. An occlusal splint or balancing of the occlusion of the teeth, accompanied by physiotherapy sessions, can relieve you.

Otitis – false otitis – earache

Have you seen the doctor or ENT for your earaches, but they found nothing? The jaw joint could be the cause! Make an appointment with us! We will suggest an appropriate treatment.

Pits or notches in teeth near the gumline (abstraction)

Abfraction is a microfracture that involves the chipping of the enamel at the gum line. It can cause pain. The dentist will fill the pit with a white filling and place a night guard or perform a tooth balancing.

Toothache – teeth sensitive to cold, hot, and sugar

Most often, when teeth are sensitive to cold, hot, or sugar, it is because the nerve of the tooth is irritated by “occlusal trauma”. This means that the tooth is under more pressure than the others. Desensitizing toothpaste will help, but eliminating the excess pressure with an occlusal splint or teeth balancing will be even more effective.

Eye pain – pain (ache) behind the eyes – pressure behind the eyes

The temporal muscle that is used to clench the teeth slips behind the orbit. If it is tense, it can cause pain or pressure behind the eye. If you have already seen the optometrist or doctor and they have not found any disease, come see us! Temporal muscle tension could be the cause of your pain. An occlusal splint or teeth balancing will help.

Numbness in the face: lips, cheek, jaw

Have you seen the doctor because you have numbness in the skin of your face in the area of ​​your lips, cheeks, or jaw, but he found nothing? Your clenching or grinding of your teeth may be the cause. An occlusal splint or teeth balancing, accompanied by physiotherapy sessions, will relieve you.

Back pain (backache)

Upper back pain can be caused by poor head posture, which in turn is caused by an imbalance of the teeth and jaw. A night guard or teeth balancing can help.

Imbalanced bite/malocclusion

Malocclusion, or a bad relationship between the upper and lower teeth, creates an imbalance and compensations that cause your teeth, bones, muscles, and joints to wear out or degenerate faster than expected.

The occlusion is said to be "unbalanced" when the forces, pressures, or points of contact are unequal or poorly directed. This can result in cracks, fractures, tense muscles, pain, etc.

We will identify the type of malocclusion you have to offer you the best treatment.

Bruxism or hyperactivity of the jaw muscles

Bruxism (teeth grinding) can cause damage to teeth, muscles, bones, joints, and nerves. It could come from, among other things, malocclusion, joint problems, or even sleep apnea. The dentist will relieve you and protect you from your habit by combining various treatments.

Teeth clenching

Teeth clenching can cause as much damage as bruxism, even if it is silent. The solutions are the same as for bruxism, i.e., occlusal splint, tooth balancing, and reconstruction of worn teeth with crowns.

Worn teeth, cracked teeth, and tooth fractures

If you clench or grind your teeth, you risk wearing down your teeth prematurely, cracking them, or breaking them. To prevent this, your dentist will suggest an occlusal splint, tooth balancing, or the fitting of crowns.

Loose teeth

The main cause of loosening teeth is clenching and/or grinding. To prevent this, your dentist will suggest an occlusal splint, teeth balancing, or crowns.

Small jaw/recessed or receding chin

A small jaw or a deviated jaw can cause significant problems. After performing an X-ray or MRI, the dentist will identify the origin of the problem, which may be genetic or due to a growth defect. He will then suggest various treatments, including orthodontics or surgery.

Labyrinthitis, dizziness, Meniere's syndrome

Do you suffer from labyrinthitis, dizziness, or Meniere's syndrome? The fitting of an occlusal splint or teeth balancing could solve your problems.

Neck pain

Grinding your teeth can cause pain in the neck area. Combining physiotherapy, osteopathy, or chiropractic treatments with splints and teeth balancing will help reduce your symptoms.

Sinusitis (chronic sinusitis)

The pressure generated in the upper jaw by clenching or grinding your teeth irritates the sinus membrane in chronic sinusitis. A splint or teeth balancing may reduce these symptoms.

Tinnitus

Sometimes tinnitus can be caused by excessive pressure from the jaw on the inner ear. A splint or teeth balancing may help reduce your symptoms, although tinnitus is rarely completely resolved.