Effects of Parafunction (teeth clenching and grinding) on
the head and neck regions.
Effect of deep dental overbite on the TMJ
Patient with a deep dental overbite
Disc slips forward when teeth are closed
Upper Farrar appliance
Lower bite elevating appliance
Changing head posture by intraoral appliances
When the upper teeth force the lower teeth and the lower yaw
to be pushed backwards, the effect is felt in the joints. There
is pressure on the disc, the tissues and the muscles, leading
to pain.
In this patient, the upper teeth cover more than 80% of the
lower teeth, forcing the mandible to be backwards.
When the patient bites down, the condyle (head of the lower
jaw) is pushed backwards, causing the disc to slip forward
and make the "clicking" noises.
An upper appliance used usually at night would do two things.
It would allow the lower jaw to move forward, taking the pressure
of the joint area and the muscles of mastication. The appliance
will also work by protecting the teeth from heavy forces and
working as a "shock absorbant".
This appliance is usually worn during the day, and has several
effect on the joints, the muscles as well as the cervical spine.
Intraoral appliances can be used to increase the height of
posterior teeth. Research suggests that this can improve forward
head posture by opening the airway. The effect is more prominant
in the upper cervical region, where the patient can get upper
cervical muscle relief.
