Worn Teeth (Occlusal Attrition)
With normal chewing, biting surfaces of teeth wear slightly during our lifetime. Bruxism describes grinding of your teeth with greater force than normal and may result in excessive tooth wear. Bruxism can destroy healthy teeth and lead to sensitivity and eventual tooth loss.
Loose Teeth (Occlusal Traumatism)
With normal chewing, biting forces do not cause teeth to be loose unless there is an infection or periodontal disease (bone loss). Clenching or excessive biting forces can loosen teeth that have healthy bone. In addition, teeth that do not fit together properly, may become loose even during normal chewing. These conditions may lead to discomfort and premature tooth loss.
Muscle/Joint Pain (Tempomandibular Disorder - TMD)
TMD is a collective term that describes clinical problems in the chwing muscles, temporomandibular joints or both. It can elicit acute facial pain. TMD can be constant or intermittent and symptoms can vary greatly between individuals.
Diagnosis
Treatment Considerations
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