What are functional diagnostics?
Functional diagnostics exist in almost all areas of medicine, from cardiology to neurology to dentistry. It is a set of highly specialized tests that are performed by medical professionals with the necessary additional qualifications.
Functional diagnostics in dentistry is concerned with the functioning of the masticatory system as a whole, including the muscles, jaws, and teeth, and the problems that can arise in it.
This procedure is only available at a few locations, including Kavident Dental Center. Our highly-trained specialists apply this analytical method in their daily work.
When are functional dental diagnostics used?
Functional diagnostics are used primarily for two reasons: to detect bite problems (such as gnashing of teeth) and to identify the correct substitutes (bridges, crowns) that must be placed while ensuring that they do not impair your chewing ability.
There are generally accepted rules in dentistry that state that each part of the chewing system must be structured and function in a specific way for them to work perfectly together. However, this balance can be upset for many reasons.
In some cases, even a minimal change of a few microns can lead to serious complications in more sensitive patients. However, serious deformities must have occurred for the masticatory function to be affected.
These deformities are not always visible to the naked eye, but they can cause pain in the ears, head, neck, and even the lower back. This is because our body is a well-functioning mechanism, and even if one part of it does not function properly, it affects other parts.
Main causes of functional dental diagnostics
The most common causes of these deformations in the chewing system are fillings, crowns, or prostheses, which were placed long ago and are strongly worn out.
The large distance between some teeth is not aesthetically pleasing and can lead to a violation in the functioning of the chewing system.
Involuntary gnashing of teeth, which is most often the result of prolonged stress, also seriously damages teeth and jaws.
Stages of functional dental diagnostics
The functional analysis at Kavident Dental Center begins with tracking the movements of the lower jaw and detecting cracking sounds (if any). Attention is also paid to whether the teeth fit properly in a closed state, and whether the jaw muscles are not roughened, which leads to painful movements.
A facial arch is a special device used to measure the interaction of the masticatory system. A pattern of movements for your jaw is created with the help of a facial arch and a wax plate, which you bite and has your teeth printed on it.
If our dental specialist at Kavident discovers some kinds of disorders, they proceed with their treatment. One of the methods used is to insert a splint to relax the muscles and correct the bite.
Advantages of functional dental diagnostics
This is the most innovative and easy method for detecting disorders in the masticatory apparatus and removing them before reaching discomfort.
If you are going to install a bridge or prosthesis, they can be created exactly to fit your jaw through functional diagnostics. This eliminates the possibility of discomfort and the need for additional adjustments after putting them. Also, natural tooth substitutes last longer.
Our dental specialists at Kavident can use functional analysis to determine whether a filling or crown needs to be replaced because it is interfering with the chewing system's harmony. And this could happen at a stage when you are still not experiencing any unpleasant sensations.
