Better Alignment Takes a Bite Out of Patient’s Migraine

A wide, bright smile isn’t only aesthetic, it’s also healthier since an incorrect bite or malocclusion can cause problems with teeth. It’s the root cause of chipping and cracking, and periodontal disease.  But can it cause a migraine headache? The answer was yes for one patient.  

In fact, her bite was contributing to her long history of debilitating migraine headaches. They were affecting her sleep, kept her home from work, and away from family fun…that is until we were able to diagnose and treat her malocclusion quickly and easily, right in the office. 

The in-office iTero® Element 3D digital scanner has a camera on a small wand that creates a 3D model of everything in your mouth, including teeth and gums. It even shows how hard teeth are hitting together. In this case, it revealed that the patient’s front teeth were hitting extremely hard against each other. Her scan also revealed that the misalignment of her teeth was forcing her TMJ into a tight position, which was causing joint inflammation and tension that was ultimately responsible for her migraines. 

Using the precision results of the scan, we were also able to precision-fit Invisalign clear aligners to open her bite, which made the migraines disappear completely. What’s more, the alignment repositioned her teeth to tip out, instead of inward, and aligned the right way to relieve the potential for damaging impact. Another benefit was how much bigger her smile looked. 

 Helping to keep your bite healthy 

Over time, it’s natural for teeth to begin to tip in towards the tongue. As they crowd toward the midline, making smiles look small and narrow. It also means that teeth may no longer line up correctly, causing wear and damage to the teeth and gums, even cause pain in joints and face muscles.  

At Today’s Dental, we use the digital 3D scanner as part of routine exams and for patients with pain. So, we can monitor changes that might lead to problems in the future – preventing painful conditions and addressing issues earlier. We want to create a more stable position for teeth to function together – and we want your smile to always be broad and bright. Learn more when you call Today’s Dental to schedule your appointment online or call 402-333-1120.