Dr. Cornelius on the Four Common Causes of an Off Bite

An unbalanced bite can happen for many reasons. Based on years of experience helping patients in the Keller community, Dr. Cornelius has found the issue can almost always be traced back to one of these four areas:

1. A Recent Crown or Filling is a Little “High”

This is one of the most frequent causes. After you have a filling or a crown placed, it might be just a fraction of a millimeter too high. While that sounds tiny, your jaw is incredibly sensitive to pressure. A spot that’s even a “hair’s breadth” too high can make your entire bite feel wrong, almost like there’s a boulder in your mouth. Fortunately, this can often be resolved with a simple and quick adjustment.

2. Your Teeth Are Shifting or Moving

Teeth aren’t permanently locked in place; they can, and do, move over time. This can be a result of clenching or grinding (bruxism), which wears down tooth surfaces unevenly. Natural aging or the loss of another tooth can also allow neighboring teeth to drift, creating new interferences where they don’t fit together as smoothly as they once did.

3. A Tooth Has Become Loose

Sometimes, the issue isn’t the position of the teeth, but the stability of one tooth in particular. A tooth can become loose from an injury or, more commonly, as a result of periodontal (gum) disease. When a tooth is loose, it may move slightly when you bite or chew, giving you that unstable sensation that your bite is off.

4. The Issue is in Your Jaw Joint (TMJ/TMD)

Occasionally, the problem isn’t with your teeth at all, but with the joints that hinge your jaw (the temporomandibular joints, or TMJ). Inflammation, arthritis, or a slipped disc within the joint can change how your jaw moves and how your teeth come together. This can make your bite feel off, often accompanied by clicking sounds or jaw pain.

What To Do Next: Observe and Seek an Expert Opinion

Now that you know some of the potential causes, you don’t have to guess what’s going on. The most helpful first step you can take at home is to become a good observer. Before your dental visit, take note of your specific symptoms:

• When do you notice it? Is it constant, or only when you chew certain foods?
• Is there pain? If so, is it a sharp pain on a specific tooth or a dull ache in your jaw?
• Are there any sounds? Do you hear a clicking or popping noise when you open or close your mouth?

Once you have a clearer picture of your symptoms, you can share this valuable information with a dental professional to find the right solution.

Ultimately, you don’t have to guess what’s causing your discomfort, and you certainly don’t have to live with it. A thorough, unhurried examination is the key to a correct diagnosis and a solution that feels right.

If you believe it’s time for a second opinion, we invite you to schedule a consultation. We are here to help you find clarity and comfort.