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Diagnoses

Primary occlusal trauma

Common related diagnoses

It is possible that this diagnosis is part of a larger problem. Treating this condition may not treat the underlying cause. This condition may also lead to other problems. Here are some possible related diagnoses to investigate and talk to your dentist about.

Although bruxism, malocclusion, and factitious habits can lead to wear, chipping and cracking of teeth, trauma to the teeth through accidents can also. It is inappropriate to treat patients for bruxism, malocclusion or factitious habits if those conditions are not present. Sometimes people are not certain if they brux, because they may do it while sleeping. Bruxism can be a very destructive habit to the teeth, jaw muscles, and jaw joints. It can lead to "bite collapse" (also called "loss of vertical dimension of occlusion"), temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD), and chronic muscle tenderness ("myalgia") in the chewing / facial muscles.

Post-operative hyperocclusion is a similar condition of temporary malocclusion caused by placement of a dental restoration (filling, crown, etc.) which "hits first" when the patient bites. Most often a simple occlusal adjustment will fix the problem, although replacement of the restoration is sometimes necessary.

More information on dental diagnoses

Attrition
Dental diagnosis image: Dental attrition, tooth wear, bruxism
Attrition is the term used to describe wear of the biting surfaces of teeth and dental restorations...
Bruxism
Dental diagnosis image: Attrition, bruxism
Bruxism is a chronic habit of clenching or grinding the teeth. Its significance lies in the potential damage the habit can cause to all three elements of the body's...
Chipped teeth
Dental diagnosis image: Chipped tooth
Chips in teeth vary in severity, depending on their cause. In children, front teeth are prone to chips, because they frequently project forward...
Cracked teeth
Dental diagnosis image: Cracked tooth
Cracks in teeth range from the obvious, visible fractures to less obvious (frequently invisible) microscopic fractures. Cracks can occur in the crown of the tooth...
Factitious habits
Dental diagnosis image: Dental damage, chipped teeth, biting fingernails, factitious habits
Habitual use of the teeth for purposes other than chewing food is known as a "factitious habit" (or a "parafunction habit"). Examples include...
Loss of vertical dimension of occlusion
Dental diagnosis image: Bite collapse, Loss of vertical dimension of occlusion
Loss of vertical dimension of occlusion ("bite collapse") occurs in one of two situations. In the first, the patient grinds ("bruxes") their teeth so aggressively, and reduces the biting surfaces so extensively...
Malocclusion
Dental diagnosis image: Malocclusion
Malocclusion is the dental term for an improper bite relationship between the upper and lower teeth. In some cases, the misalignment is due to...
Myalgia
Dental diagnosis image: Myalgia
Myalgia is generally easy to diagnose by pressing lightly on the temple areas, the cheek bones, and the large closing muscles ("masseter muscle") at the angle of the mandible. However...
Post-operative hyperocclusion
Dental diagnosis image: Post operative hyperocclusion
Teeth which have recently undergone restorative dental procedures (crown, filling, etc.) may develop bite sensitivity afterwards. If the restoration was made...
Secondary occlusal trauma
Dental diagnosis image: Secondary occlusal trauma
Secondary occlusal trauma occurs when there has been some degree of periodontal attachment loss; and normal biting forces which were once tolerated by the gums, periodontal ligaments and bone are now...
Temporomandibular joint dysfunction
Dental diagnosis image: TMJ, TMD, temporomandibular joint dysfunction
Dysfunction in the joints (TMD) includes clicking, popping, locking and grating. Each of these represents a different step along a continuous pathway of successively more-serious problems...