Anterior guidance, which determines how your front teeth guide your mouth during activities like eating, speaking, chewing, and swallowing, is crucial for harmonizing the interactions between teeth, muscles, nerves, facial and jaw bones, and jaw joints.
Unfortunately, many individuals lack proper anterior guidance or have limited guidance, resulting in functional interferences known as malocclusions. These 3D concepts can be complex and bewildering even for experienced dentists and orthodontists. Malocclusions may arise from developmental factors or as a consequence of inadequate adjustment of dental fillings or crowns to the natural bite.
As a result of malocclusion, individuals may experience symptoms such as tooth soreness, worn or broken teeth, abfractions, facial and smile asymmetries, speech difficulties, chronic headaches or migraines, and discomfort in neck, shoulder, and chewing muscles. Additionally, malocclusions can contribute to degenerative TMJ disorders characterized by popping and clicking sensations in the temporomandibular joints. These issues are exacerbated because every day, individuals typically swallow between 900 and 2000 times, reinforcing the improper dental contact that leads to clenching and grinding habits.