Finding Help for a Collapsed Bite

Young serious african american doctor in uniform, protective mask and gloves checks patients mouth

Tons of people are self-conscious about their smile. For some, staining or discoloration is the problem. Others struggle with a misaligned bite and gaps between their teeth. If your symptoms include jaw pain, speech problems, and a toothless smile, you may have a collapsed bite. Rest assured that with help from our Brooklyn dentist, you can resolve the issue and restore your smile!

What Causes a Collapsed Bite?

Bite collapse, also known as loss of vertical dimension of occlusion, is most commonly seen in older adults when wear and tear or tooth loss has taken its toll. Bite collapse can happen in one of two ways. The first is if you grind your teeth at night so forcefully and wear down the biting surfaces so extensively that the upper and lower jaws rotate closer together than they should.

Even if you don’t grind your teeth, you can still develop a collapsed bite if you have lost several molars. This puts added strain on your remaining teeth and supporting bone. With no contacting teeth in the back of your mouth, the jaw begins to tip backward, resulting in over-closure of the mouth and difficulty seeing your front teeth when you smile.

What are the Symptoms of a Collapsed Bite?

A collapsed bite can damage the jaw joints, causing TMJ disorder and other problems to develop. Talk to your dentist if you notice any of these symptoms of a collapsed bite:

Teeth that are difficult to see when smiling
Shortening of the lower face
Inverted smile (corners of the mouth sag)
Chewing difficulties
Speech problems
Severe jaw pain
Muscle tension and headaches
Tooth fractures and tooth loss
Worsened periodontal disease, if present

What is the Treatment for a Collapsed Bite?

Bite collapse is a complicated condition that develops gradually in different ways for different people. The resulting bite problems require complex full-mouth reconstruction, which may involve multiple surgical, restorative, and orthodontic procedures.

Opening and raising the bite is the first goal. This re-establishes vertical dimension so you can see your upper teeth like normal when you smile. An experienced dentist will achieve this gradually, using temporary crowns known as provisionals to achieve desirable changes before placing permanent restorations. If completed successfully, full-mouth reconstruction should eliminate your pain, fix your speech and chewing problems, and restore your smile.

The Importance of Choosing a Qualified Dentist

Fixing a collapsed bite is absolutely possible—you simply need to work with a qualified dentist who has experience with this type of reconstructive work. That’s where Beyond Dentistry Laser Center comes in. Our dentist, Dr. Simon Kappel, has 45 years of experience in cosmetic and general dentistry. Our team uses cutting-edge dental technology to ensure attractive, precise results.

Let Beyond Dentistry Laser Center perform your full-mouth reconstruction to achieve the smile you’ve always dreamed of! Call our Brooklyn office today at 718-436-0202 or contact us online with any questions or to request a consultation with Dr. Kappel.