Occlusal Analysis

Occlusal Analysis is the evaluation of the patient's bite and the way the teeth are arranged in the dental arches as well as the way the teeth in opposing dental arches fit into each other. This procedure is normally done before starting a prosthodontic treatment and is done to ensure the correct function of the teeth.

An occlusal analysis is normally indicated for people who have:

• Temporomandibular joint pain/joint sounds (clicking and grating sounds)
• Clicking, loose teeth
• Excessive wear on teeth
• Movement of teeth
• Supporting structures that are not stable

There are different occlusions (bites) such as underbite or overbite, which can be maintained in good health or corrected. Therefore, before treatment is initiated, Dr Bester will first determine if the occlusion is stable or unstable despite how it looks like.

The process of analyzing the stability of the occlusion begins with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) being placed in its proper position. Then Dr Bester will determine if the occlusion is balanced or not. In most cases, casts of the teeth are made and studied to determine what the problem is.