Bite Occlusion

Malocclusion treatment in Midtown Manhattan is available at Rockefeller Dentistry, where Dr. Marc Gainor, Dr. Richard Rausch, and Dr. Eric Chason evaluate and address bite problems that affect the way your teeth fit together when you chew, speak, or close your mouth. A misaligned bite can cause pain, accelerate tooth wear, and lead to more serious dental complications over time, and correcting it early makes a meaningful difference for your long-term oral health. Call 212-246-1333 or book an appointment online today.

What occlusion means and why it matters

Occlusion refers to the contact between your upper and lower teeth when your jaw closes. Your teeth, nerves, muscles, and bones all work together to create a balanced, functional bite. When that balance is off, the condition is called malocclusion, and the consequences go well beyond minor discomfort.

An untreated malocclusion places uneven stress on your teeth and jaw with every bite, every chew, and every word you speak. Over time that stress accumulates, contributing to a range of problems that can be difficult and costly to reverse once they progress.

Signs that your bite may be misaligned

Many patients are unaware that their bite is the source of symptoms they have been living with for years. Common signs of malocclusion include pain or clicking in the jaw joints and surrounding muscles, teeth that are wearing down or becoming sensitive, erosion on the biting surfaces of the back teeth, enamel loss, erosion of the root surfaces, clenching or grinding of the teeth, receding gums, and head, neck, or shoulder pain that has no obvious cause.

Left untreated, a misaligned bite can lead to tooth loss, chronic headaches, muscle pain, increased tooth sensitivity, and temporomandibular joint disorder. The longer these issues go unaddressed, the more complex the treatment required to correct them.

Malocclusion treatment at Rockefeller Dentistry

At Rockefeller Dentistry, the doctors begin with a thorough evaluation of your bite, your jaw function, and the condition of your teeth and surrounding structures. Understanding the specific nature of your malocclusion is the foundation of an effective treatment plan.

Treatment options depend on the cause and severity of the bite problem. In milder cases, a bite adjustment or a custom oral appliance may be sufficient to relieve symptoms and prevent further damage. More involved cases may call for orthodontic treatment to reposition the teeth, restorative dental work to rebuild worn or damaged surfaces, or in severe situations, surgical intervention to correct jaw structure. The doctors will walk you through every option and help you understand what makes the most sense for your situation before any treatment begins.

Rockefeller Dentistry uses T-Scan bite analysis technology to measure bite force distribution and timing objectively, so the diagnosis is grounded in data rather than estimation alone.

Dr. Gainor has spent decades studying and teaching occlusion, presenting educational programs on bite dysfunction to dental colleagues at local dental societies throughout his career. That focused expertise means patients presenting with complex bite problems at Rockefeller Dentistry are in experienced hands from the first evaluation.

The credentials behind the diagnosis

The credentials behind that expertise are verifiable. Dr. Gainor holds the MAGD designation, representing over 2400 hours of continuing education, and has completed three of the most rigorous postgraduate programs in dentistry, all of which include significant focus on occlusion and bite function. Dr. Rausch is a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry, the American College of Dentistry, and the International College of Dentistry. That is the level of expertise behind every bite evaluation at Rockefeller Dentistry.

Financing options

Bite occlusion treatment at Rockefeller Dentistry can be financed through CareCredit, LendingClub, and Cherry, all of which offer no-interest options for patients who qualify.

Call Rockefeller Dentistry at 212-246-1333 to schedule a bite evaluation, or book an appointment online today.