Unveil a smile perfected in form and function.
A great smile does more than just look good; it performs well, too!
Our teeth, jaw joint (TMJ) and the muscles that move our lower jaw are, at their core, a mechanical system. Occlusal equilibration is a dental procedure performed to create harmony in the function of this mechanical system.

The musculature of our jaws is finely tuned and guided by a series of sensitive nerves, many of which are associated with our teeth. When our teeth don’t connect with each other in an ideal way, these nerves can create ‘hyperactivity’ of our jaw muscles. What this means, is that the mechanical system is ‘on’ when we aren’t eating. In other words, teeth that don’t fit together well can result in involuntary clenching and grinding. It’s amazing that the majority of our patients who are obviously grinding their teeth (based on the wearing of their teeth and loss of gum support) aren’t aware they are doing it.

This leads us to a question that our patients often ask: How is it possible that I’m grinding my teeth without even knowing it?
The nerves in our teeth relay messages to the muscles that control our jaw, resulting in jaw activity that doesn’t require any conscious effort. They are, in fact, brain-stem level reflexes. Therefore, we can be clenching and grinding during the day and night with no awareness of it.

This takes us to the next most often asked question: How is it that I don’t notice that I’m doing it?
To explain, I’d like to take us back to the mechanical system analogy. If we consider our TMJ, our chewing muscles, and our teeth as the three main components of this system: One of these three will always be the weak link in a system that is being overworked. Which one depends on who you are and how you’re built.

If it is that you are one of the majority, whose teeth are the weak link in the overworked system, you may have no symptoms whatsoever that you are clenching or grinding. You might have teeth that are sensitive to temperature or chewing. This is often the only symptom associated with teeth grinding and wearing. What’s unfortunate is that most people don’t realize that it is due to their muscle hyperactivity. They just think they have sensitive teeth and that’s their stock in life. It takes our team, showing our patients evidence that they are wearing their teeth, to convince them that there is an ongoing, curable issue. Some people notice that their teeth are chipping and getting worn down, but don’t realize why it’s happening.

At Toothworks Dentistry, we take pride in creating harmony in the mechanical system that allows us to chew, speak and smile. When we do so, we change lives by improving our patients’ comfort and confidence. Best of all, we know their smile now can stand the test of time without breaking down.
If we can perfect how your teeth meet one another your smile looks better and helps improve your overall oral health, preventing the issues caused by teeth that don’t fit together in an ideal way.

By adjusting the surfaces of your teeth where they come into contact, we can ensure a bite that fits comfortably and works efficiently with your jaw, giving you a smile that’s functional and looks great.