The Importance of Detecting Traumatic Occlusion Early
EAGAN, ST. PAUL AND MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – There are many reasons for children to receive an orthodontic evaluation by age 7, and among them is identifying potential oral issues that are best corrected at a young age.
Traumatic occlusion is one condition in particular that we address early, mainly because of the serious problems it can lead to when unrecognized, said Eagan and St. Paul Invisalign provider Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth. People who bite their nails or suck their thumbs often are victims of traumatic occlusion.
Traumatic occlusion is commonly referred to as bad bite, and is repeated excessive force in closure of the teeth that causes damage to the teeth, the residual ridge, the periodontal tissues and/or other oral structures. The repeated force from the bite is stronger than the tooth and its surrounding tissues can take, and irreparable damage occurs. Identifying and correcting this early on is important because once the force is stopped, the damage will not repair- it is damaged for a lifetime, Eisenhuth said.
The human bite exerts 200 pounds of pressure per square inch. When a tooth is improperly positioned within the dental arch, it absorbs more of that biting pressure than it should. This causes traumatic occlusion, which can increase the rate in which periodontal disease progresses if left untreated, said Eisenhuth, whose Eagan and St. Pau orthodontics office treats patients with this diagnosis.
Traumatic occlusion not only affects a person’s smile, but also interferes with the proper functioning of the mouth. Another factor to consider with this condition is proper alignment of the upper and lower jaw. Jaws that don’t close correctly when a person chews have a high likelihood of developing additional oral complications down the road.
“It troubles me to see traumatic occlusion in very young children, especially when it hasn’t been recognized,” said Eisenhuth, a St. Paul orthodontist. “Failure to treat traumatic occlusion in its early stages can greatly increase a patient’s chances of developing periodontal disease.”
The reason behind that is because the constant, excessive biting pressure works to loosen teeth over time and can cause gums to recede. That, in turn, can lead to teeth and gums becoming diseased.
“Identifying traumatic occlusion early and treating it immediately are key in preventing additional oral problems,” said the St. Paul braces specialist.
When traumatic occlusion is not identified and it is left to progress, it can lead to occlusal trauma, which can be primary or secondary.
Comprehensive orthodontics often is the best treatment option for traumatic occlusion, said Eisenhuth, who also is a St. Paul Incognito braces provider. Creating proper alignment of the teeth ensures that the bite forces are evenly distributed among all of the teeth.
Learn More
If you would like to learn more about traumatic occlusion or you wish to schedule a consultation with Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth to learn whether you are a St. Paul MN invisible braces candidate, please call: (651) 406-8100 or visit her website: doctorjennifer.com.
About Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth
Dr. Eisenhuth attended the University of Minnesota Dental School and graduated in the top of her class. She earned the Minnesota Association of Orthodontic Achievement Award and several academic achievement awards. She entered her orthodontic residency at the University of Minnesota and earned a certificate in orthodontics and a Master of Science degree.
Dr. Eisenhuth is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics.
She takes pride in caring for the orthodontic needs of residents in the Twin Cities- St. Paul and Minneapolis, and their surrounding regions, including St. Paul, Inver Grove Heights, Burnsville, Eagan and Eagan, Minnesota.
Her office is located at 3340 Sherman Court, Eagan, Minn., 55121.
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