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Dentistry/Bite?
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Question
If you have a perfect bite how would you describe the meeting of the teeth? I am having a lot of dental work done and have never known exactly how to "close and bite" to get the result intended.
This is a complicated question which requires the guidance and supervision of a trained dentist during the examination. I'll try to describe it for you but the terms that I use will probably be entirely unfamiliar and difficult to understand.
The perfect bite occurs with the teeth in maximum intercuspal contact while the temporo-mandibular joint is in a relaxed and balanced position within the glenoid fossa. There should be group function as the teeth glide laterally to disarticulate the contralateral occlusion without balancing interferences. The anterior guidance should similarly disarticulate the posterior occlusion during anterior excursion.
If you are having a lot of dental work done then your dentist should be checking and re-checking your occlusion (bite relationship). There should be no ambiguity on your part regarding "how to close and bite". You should not have a dual bite where you can close this way and that way. A good way to check your bite is to relax your facial muscles, place your tongue on the roof of your mouth in the back and then close your teeth. Once they first touch you should not have to slide your jaw to achieve maximum contact of the bite.
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Answers by Expert:
- Joel S. Teig, DMD, Diplomate ABOMS, retired
- Dr. Randolph Myerson
- Gary Backlund, DMD, MSD
- Howard Finnk, D.D.S., P.A., CEO
- Tony Appleton BDS DPDS
- Rafael Mosery,D.D.S.
- Jeff Dalin DDS
- Luis Granados DDS MS ESP.
- Zev Kaufman, D.D.S.
- Frederick R. Liewehr DDS, MS, FICD
- Stephen J. Moss
- Crystal Baxter DMD< MDS
- Lawrence Spindel DDS, www.lspindeldds.com
- Dr Craig Peck ( B.Med.Sc., B.Ch.D., M.Sc., Clin. Botox, Cosmet. Derm.)
- Benjamin Schwartz, DDS FAGD
- Susan Tannenbam
- Joseph Zelig, DDS, D.ABP www.smileinthecity.com
- Dr.Mike Glasmeier
- Larry Burnett DDS
- Ketan Amin, DMD
- Dr. Madhvendra T. Singh
- Simarjit kalra
- dr mayank kaurani BDS, MDS
- Mohamed Elsafi, DDS, MS, FACP
- Lawrence Gold
- Veselin Shumantov DDS
Dr. Randolph Myerson
Expertise
Please limit your inquiry to questions about orthodontics (braces) and children's dentistry. I am both an Orthodontist and a Pediatric Dentist, having been trained in both of these dental specialty fields. Orthodontics is the dental specialty that treats problems of tooth, bite and jaw alignment using braces and removable appliances. Pediatric Dentistry is the dental specialty also known as dentistry for children, which deals specifically with the dental problems of this special age group from infants to adolescents. I am also experienced in Forensic Dentistry, the application of dentistry to law enforcement and identification using dental records.
Experience
I have been in the private practice of orthodontics and pediatric dentistry for over 20 years. Prior to that I served for three years on the Cleft Palate and Cranio-facial Reconstruction team at Children''s Hospital of Philadelphia and was an Assistant Professor of Dentistry at University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. I also served as a dentist in the U.S.Air Force, stationed at Andrews AFB in Washington, DC.
Organizations
I am a Fellow in the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and a member of the American Association of Orthodontics, as well as a member of the American Dental Association and the Dental Society of the State of New York.
Education/Credentials
I received my BA in Biology from Frankin & Marshall College in 1969, and my dental degree from University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine in 1973. In 1978 I received both my Certificate in Orthodontics from University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, and my Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry from Children''s Hospital of Philadelphia after completing a three year Teaching Fellowship in Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry in 1978.
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