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Occlusal Splints

Family Dentist in Hoffman Estates

For patients who experience tenderness, discomfort, or functional problems in their jaws and face, we can provide occlusal splints in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. Drs. Hatakeyama and Hatakeyama may also recommend these occlusal splints, or adjustments, to those with TMD or TMJ disorders. If you feel that you could benefit from this service at Hoffman Estates Dental Professionals, we invite you to make an appointment to see our dentists by calling 847-884-0120.

Do you wake up with a sore jaw, or experience jaw pain when you bite and chew? If so, you may need an occlusal adjustment. An occlusal adjustment corrects the alignment of the bite. Common symptoms that signal the possible need for an occlusal adjustment include:

  • Chronic jaw pain
  • Uneven or excessive tooth wear
  • Chipped or cracked teeth
  • Frequent headaches and migraines
  • The feeling that you have an occasional lopsided or “off” bite while chewing

These are indications that your bite may be off balance or misaligned. Your bite alignment may be off due to factors such as:

  • Loose teeth
  • Teeth that have shifted in your mouth
  • Overcrowded teeth
  • Missing teeth
  • Irregularly shaped teeth

Our skilled dentists can perform the occlusal adjustment by removing any interference in your bite that causes an uneven bite, which in turn causes pain. In most cases, we simply need to make small shaping changes in the tooth enamel (the hard, outer layer of the tooth) to achieve a more ideal bite. As the adjustments are minor and the tooth enamel has no feeling, the procedure is very comfortable and typically does not require an anesthetic. If you are experiencing jaw pain, we encourage you to contact our office today to learn more, and to set up your next appointment with our team.