What is Occlusion (bite)?
Definition
Occlusion is the way the upper and lower teeth meet when the jaws close and move, including how the biting forces are shared between teeth, jaw joints and chewing muscles.
In a normal bite, the upper front teeth sit slightly in front of the lower ones and overlap them a little, and the back teeth meet evenly on both sides. A bite problem, such as an overbite, underbite, crossbite or open bite, can wear or chip teeth, overload restorations and strain the jaw joints. Dentists check occlusion before veneers, crowns, implants and orthodontics, because new teeth must fit the way the jaw moves.
Ask how your bite was checked, whether it affects the plan for veneers or crowns, and whether a night guard is advisable if you grind. In larger cases, ask how the new bite will be tested before anything permanent is made, and whether orthodontics should come first.
Questions about Occlusion (bite)
Can a bad bite make veneers or crowns break?
It can. If some teeth take more than their share of the biting force, or the front teeth hit hard when the jaw slides forward or sideways, ceramic on those teeth is more likely to chip or come loose. Grinding at night adds to this. That is why the bite is checked during planning, adjusted where needed, and sometimes protected with a night guard.
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