Gnathology – Bite

Gnathology is a science that involves studies on functions and organs linked to “teeth occlusion“ in normal and pathologic situations. Occlusion means literally contact between superior and inferior teeth, either in a static position with closed mouth or in a dinamic position like talking or chewing.

At Stomatologico Lariano® gnathology is not seen like a part of dentistry : to us, it must be considered as a different way to study your mouth, without any division in parts but as a unique part associating and integrating together occlusal anatomy, mandibular joint, neuro muscolature and psyche .

An uncorrect occlusion caused by the position of natural teeth on inadeguate dental prosthesis can cause pain to your mouth or face ; patients identify this pain as a dental or articular one , close to their ears and can be spontaneous at rest or while chewing or found by the dentist manipulating jaws in a visit.

At Stomatologico Lariano® the gnathologic visit represents the only instrument to discover and take care of bad dental occlusion: we can also add the study of cast models and, if needed, radiographic study of dental arches and of mandibular joints .

Traumatic occlusion comes when forces that work on teeth’s occlusive surfaces damage tissues that suppert teeth instead of maintaining their health and functionality.

This usually happens in three cases :

• when abnormous masticatory and occlusive forces caused by hypertonicity and muscular spasms get to healthy tissues. This action comes in case of strong gnashing or nocturn bruxism .

• when normal or strong masticatory and occlusive forces perfect teeth in a wrong position or dental prosthesis that chew in a wrong way.

• When normal masticatory and occlusive forces affect teeth weakened by cronic diseases as “ pyorrhea “.

Most of the times all of these three situations are verified.

Therapy for traumatic occlusion is the selective grinding that consists in small modifications on teeth in a wrong position or in a prosthesis to get a correct distribution of weight on them.

Sometimes the selective grinding is not enough though, and to reduce pain an occlusive plate called “ bite “ is needed.

A bite is a renovable tool made of hard and transparent resin that inserted between the occlusive surfaces of teeth eliminates every direct contact between arches, eliminating interferences.

Usually it has to be worn at night but sometimes also for some hours in the day.

A bite is a good diagnostic and therapeutic tool. Using it you can:

• Relax masticatory muscles, allowing the dentist to handle your jaws correctly in a visit and selective grinding of occlusive surfaces.

• We can try occlusive correction before using any kind of prosthesis.

• Consolidate mobile teeth eliminating interferences and maintaining their stability.

• Distribuite contact on the arches.

• Apply occlusive forces to not functioning teeth before fixing a prosthesis on them.

You can fight the bruxism and the headaches caused by occlusion with bites.