Occlusal trauma is a dental term that refers to the damage incurred when teeth are left in traumatic occlusion without proper treatment.
When the maxillary and mandibular dental arches approach each together, as they do, for example, during chewing or at rest, the relationship between the opposing teeth is referred to as occlusion. If this occlusal relationship is not balanced properly it may result in pain, tenderness and even mobility of the affected teeth.
When the natural course of trauma, disease and dental treatment alters an individual's occlusion by removing or changing the occlusal (biting) surface of any of the teeth, that individual's teeth will come together, or occlude, differently, and their occlusion will change. When that change is detrimental to the manner in which the teeth occlude, the patient is said to possess a traumatic occlusion. Traumatic occlusion may cause a thickening of the cervical margin of the alveolar bone and widening of the periodontal ligament, although the latter is not pathognomonic for this condition.
Read more about Occlusal Trauma: Histologic Features Associated With Occlusal Trauma, Clinical Signs and Symptoms Associated With Occlusal Trauma, Etiology and Treatment
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