Supporting better smiles enhanced quality of life through occlusal rehabilitation

The office of Laurel Morello DDS is built on a robust foundation of training and capabilities in advanced disciplines within dentistry. These disciplines include what’s called “occlusal rehabilitation.”

“Occlusal” simply refers to the relationship and contacts made between the upper and lower teeth when the mouth is closed or when functioning, such as mashing and breaking down food. And “rehabilitation,” of course, refers to restoring health or a healthy condition. So, “occlusal rehabilitation” is just the medical way of saying that our office in El Cajon, California, has the capability to restore the functional integrity of the teeth through adjustments to their positioning and how they make contact with their opposing teeth in the upper and lower dental arches or jaws.

An introduction

Naturally, when someone thinks of repositioning as it relates to the teeth and jaws, braces or other orthodontic treatments come to mind. These appliances designed to move the teeth are only one option. As our dentists, Drs Laurel and Paul Morello, have invested in advanced training and technologies, you can benefit from an array of potential therapies tailored to your needs.

When our doctors leverage their highly specialized and unique level of education and experience to improve the function of your jaws or the relationship between your upper and lower teeth (or bite), it has many wonderful and perhaps surprising effects on the rest of your body and well-being.

Supporting early, proactive interventions

The American Academy of Orthodontists reports that adults account for one of every five patients undergoing orthodontic treatment today.

Early treatment is sometimes characterized as “functional orthodontics.” Since you are catching the imbalance while children are still developing, functional techniques and appliances alter or reposition the jaws and other structures. Likewise, traditional concepts like braces focus on adjusting or repositioning the teeth. Functional approaches transcend treating the symptoms and complications of developmental problems; they pinpoint and resolve the underlying issue. So, instead of pulling teeth to make room in the jaw, the jaw itself is expanded with specialized dental appliances.

Orofacial muscle exercises or dental orthopedics may also be recommended to correct environmental/lifestyle factors, such as childhood habits like tongue-thrusting, that can lead to abnormalities. At Dr. Laurel Morello‘s. We advise early intervention as young as two years old with the best window being from 4 to 6 years old. Let these children begin their education with a well-oxygenated deep sleep ready to learn. Orthodontic or occlusal correction promotes attractively aligned teeth and a host of other benefits with big implications for sustained health and well-being, including:

• Improved facial profiles

• Relief from chronic migraines, neck and shoulder pain

• Promotes airway health

• Avoids and minimizes temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction

• Prevents or stops hearing problems, dizziness, and other concerns

The first phase of treatment generally involves Growing and repositioning both jaws. The second phase is the “finishing touch” – straightening the teeth. Adults can also benefit from this whole-body, light-touch, and multi-faceted approach to correcting a variety of disruptive symptoms, as well as medical and oral conditions. Even interventions as seemingly simple as reshaping teeth or replacing worn or damaged restorations can make a big difference in your experience of pain and other occlusal-related problems.

Schedule your consultation today!

As you can see, this form of rehabilitation has no single silver bullet or magic recipe. There are also a lot of moving parts. We will not know the best approach or intervention for you or a family member until after an evaluation at Laurel Morello DDS. Call (619) 444-4083 to speak with our friendly team in El Cajon, CA.