What does “Occlusal adjustment of a dental prosthesis” mean?
Occlusal adjustment of a dental prosthesis involves examining how the upper and lower teeth meet after a restoration such as a crown is placed, then reshaping contacts where needed. The dentist checks whether the restoration touches first or interferes as the jaw moves.
Assessing a bite that feels high
If a new restoration seems to contact noticeably before other teeth, the dentist checks the actual contact pattern. The bite is assessed both when the mouth is closed and as the jaw moves. The sensation alone cannot determine which area needs adjustment or how much to remove.
Adjustment has limits
Material or tooth tissue removed from a biting surface cannot simply be put back as it was. Contact patterns are therefore assessed before a necessary, limited adjustment. Poor seating of a restoration must be distinguished from a high contact; continued grinding cannot resolve every source of discomfort.
Checking whether the bite is the source of pain
Pain on chewing can accompany a high contact, but also a fractured or loose tooth or restoration. If pain persists after placement, its timing and location help guide reassessment of the tooth and restoration. Symptoms that remain after an adjustment still need their cause assessed.
Frequently Asked Questions
If a new crown feels high, should I just wait to get used to it?
If one tooth touches first or chewing is uncomfortable, let the dental team know so they can check the contacts. Whether adjustment is needed depends on the actual bite examination.
Does bite adjustment always mean grinding the neighbouring teeth?
No. The source of the problem is assessed before deciding what to adjust and how much. Removing material from the surface of a natural tooth or restoration is irreversible, so the reason and extent should be clear first.
Questions about the bite of a restoration
Learn what the term means and how it relates to your dental condition.
- Sufficient understanding
Does the uncomfortable area actually contact first?
Explanation and evidenceChecking contacts on closing and during movement helps compare the sensation with the actual bite.
International Congress of Oral Implantologists · Occlusal Adjustment - A choice suited to your condition
What will be checked if pain remains after adjustment?
Explanation and evidenceOther possible causes, including fracture or looseness of the tooth or restoration, are assessed alongside the height of the contact.
SDCEP · Assessment of fractured, loose or displaced teeth and restorations
Further reading and references
Further reading
References
- International Congress of Oral Implantologists · Occlusal Adjustmenticoi.org (opens in a new tab)
- Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust · Crownsleedsth.nhs.uk (opens in a new tab)
- SDCEP · Assessment of fractured, loose or displaced teeth and restorationsacutedentalproblems.sdcep.org.uk (opens in a new tab)
- Academy of Prosthodontics · The Glossary of Prosthodontic Terms, ninth editionacademyofprosthodontics.org (opens in a new tab)
