TMJ/TMD Therapy
Bite Correction
When your teeth do not meet evenly, some teeth can take more force than others. Bite correction aims to improve how your teeth come together, based on a careful clinical assessment.
What is bite correction?
Your bite, or occlusion, is the way your upper and lower teeth fit together when you close and chew. A bite can become uneven because of tooth position, missing teeth, worn teeth, or fillings and crowns that sit slightly high.
Small bite changes are common and often cause no problems. When they do matter, it is usually because one area of the mouth is taking more than its share of chewing force.
An uneven bite may contribute to tooth wear, chipped teeth or sore chewing muscles. Its link to jaw joint problems varies from person to person, so bite correction is considered only after a thorough assessment, and usually after simpler measures have been tried.
Signs your bite may need attention
- Teeth that feel like they hit unevenly or first on one side
- Uneven wear, chips or cracks on certain teeth
- A new filling or crown that still feels high after a few days
- Tired or sore jaw muscles after chewing
- Teeth that have shifted after a tooth was lost
Only an exam can confirm whether your bite is contributing to your symptoms.
Treatment options your dentist may discuss
Bite correction is not one procedure. Depending on the cause, options may include:
- Small adjustments to smooth high spots on fillings, crowns or natural teeth
- Replacing worn or uneven dental work so it meets the opposing teeth properly
- Restoring worn teeth with crowns or bonding to rebuild their shape
- Clear aligner treatment to move teeth into a better position
- A custom night guard to protect teeth while other factors are addressed
When a bite problem relates to jaw growth or position, your dentist may recommend a referral to a specialist.
How bite correction is planned
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Assessment
Your dentist reviews your symptoms, examines your teeth, jaw joints and muscles, and may start with a TMJ assessment.
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Bite records
Your dentist records how your teeth meet, which may include impressions and marking paper to locate heavy contacts.
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Treatment plan
Your dentist explains which options may help, starting with the most conservative, and what each involves.
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Treatment
Adjustments or restorations are completed, sometimes in stages so the effect of each step can be checked.
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Review
Follow-up visits confirm that your bite feels comfortable and stable.
A careful, step-by-step approach
Reshaping teeth and placing restorations are permanent changes. That is why our team favours reversible steps first and takes time to confirm a bite-related cause before recommending treatment that alters your teeth.
If your symptoms include jaw pain or headaches, your dentist may also suggest other care, such as a night guard, home exercises or input from your physician, rather than relying on bite changes alone.
TMJ/TMD Therapy
- TMJ/TMD Therapy Overview
- TMJ Diagnosis
- Custom Night Guards
- Bite Correction