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A bite is considered to be healthy when all or most of the teeth are present and not destroyed by normal daily usage.
It is destructive when teeth show wear, looseness or when TMJ (jaw joint) damage is seen. Bite therapy helps restore a bite that can function without damage and destruction. The therapy may include:
Reshaping the biting surfaces of the teeth and eliminating spots of excessive pressures where the teeth are brought into contact. This will adjust bite pressures evenly across all of the teeth.
Bite splint therapy may be used to hold teeth that are loose in the proper position so that bone and soft tissue cells can reattach to the tooth. A custom fitted plastic bite guard to keep the teeth apart at night may be used to treat grinding (bruxism) and clenching.
Braces may be utilized to reposition malaligned or drifted teeth.
Old, worn out, or damaged fillings may require replacing.
Badly worn and damaged teeth may need reconstruction.
Missing teeth may be replaced with dental implants, removable or fixed bridges.
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