Recently having a gold crown (#5) fall out after having my teeth cleaned, I went to four dentists in small-town, Indiana to have my bite (occlusion) fixed so that my teeth would sit on top each other as they are supposed to do, chew correctly, and be functionally comfortable. Each local Indiana dentist told me I had a TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) problem, yet I never had that before, so dismissed that because I knew that was not the problem.
My bite was terribly off once the crown had been put back in place by one of the four dentists. You might think a crown reseats exactly as it was when fitted, but that is not true--it's close but no longer perfect as the day it was put in place. With a minor difference of a few hairs, it's enough to make you extremely uncomfortable and unable to chew with horrific pain.
When your bite is off, you will have pain around your ears, headache between your eyes, headache on top your skull, neck pain, sore tender gums, and bones, and many other miserable feelings you can't control. It's interminably exhausting and will never correct itself without dental intervention. You need an occlusion specialist, highly trained in this skill to correct the problem, because the average dentist does not have the critically specific training to solve the problem.
I took an airplane back to Denver, Colorado, where I lived for years, to the best dentist I've ever had (over 40 years) to have my bite reestablished. Since Dr. Bruce Dunn restored my teeth and created my perfect bite previously, I knew going back to him would correct the condition. He diligently and gently did the procedures necessary for a successful perfect bite once again. The bite, so important for chewing food, is the God-created system of muscles and joints that can cause problems with your neck and head as noted above. The neuromuscular occlusion--the correct top-to-bottom and left-to-right chewing ability is vital. When my bite was off for only a few days, I could not sleep comfortably, or chew food without pain on both jaw sides. When my bite was out of alignment, I had tension headaches and my mouth kept wanting to open. I think my muscles were going into spasm causing all sorts of dysfunctions. When Dr. Dunn corrected my bite, I had the typical "thud" sound bringing my teeth together that let me know my bite was adjusted! This is a critical and tedious tweaking process well worth the time and cost.
I am so inspired and comfortable with the Cody Dental Group for so many years that I will probably travel there for my dental health as needed.
Everyone at Cody Dental is personable, and professional, all important values to me with any doctor or dentist. The staff is welcoming, warm, and professional too. It feels like family there.
If I can give Dr. Bruce Dunn 5 stars here, I will! If your bite is not synchronized, go see him now. Your mouth, neck, and head will thank you for it! I highly recommend the Cody Dental Group for you and your family's dental needs and beautiful smile. I had the big Bucky Beaver teeth bonded years ago, and am so happy with my look today. Additionally, my teeth were always losing the silver fillings, so I had gold crowns put on years ago as well, and they are still there chewing away as they should. I've never been happier with any dentist and will never go to anyone else.
Remember what Dr. Dunn says-- "lips together and teeth apart" so that we never grind our teeth and feel relaxed awake and when sleeping. read more