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Occlusal equilibration is the mechanical adjustment of your teeth, dentures, fillings, or other appliances to a position which allows your lower jaw to function as a natural hinge in relation to your upper jaw reducing needed tooth structure to assure that all teeth fit together with equal pressure on all teeth and surfaces. This allows you a better chewing surface and comfort.

  • There are many reasons why teeth and jaws do not occlude (meet) in a comfortable position. Some of them are: numerous fillings or bridges over period of years, orthodontics, developmental defects, oral surgery, trauma, malocclusion (poor bite), bruxism (grinding one's teeth), and clenching.
  • Your mouth is being equilibrated because some problem exists; i.e. pain, abnormal wear, breaking of restorations, or other situations. The problem is usually present because your teeth and/or fillings do not meet in harmony with your lower jaw at a proper position. The teeth and fillings have not "worn in" properly.
  • We approach occlusion adjustments in a very conservative way. In most cases we will make minor adjustments, then if you still have discomfort we will re-adjust until you have the comfort and chewing capability we are trying to accomplish.
  • Your comfort as well as your ability to chew is important to us!