Skip to content Skip to footer

Solana Beach (858) 683-1369

Book an Appointment

Poway (858) 298-2326

Book an Appointment
Solana Smiles & Implant Center
Solana Smiles & Implant Center
Book an Appointment
Close

How Bite Misalignment and TMJ Function Can Affect Dental Health: A Patient Story With Dr. Azita Vakili

Can problems with your bite and jaw joints affect more than your teeth? Dr. Azita Vakili of Solana Smiles & Implant Center shares the story of Ira, a patient who sought treatment for a broken tooth while struggling with chronic headaches and migraines. Learn how evaluating bite misalignment, jaw joint positioning, and muscle comfort led to comprehensive dental reconstruction and a meaningful patient-reported improvement.

Key Takeaways

  • Azita Vakili shares the story of Ira, a patient who initially sought treatment for a broken back tooth but had also experienced years of chronic daily headaches and migraines.
  • During her examination, Dr. Vakili identified a significant misalignment involving Ira’s bite, jaw joint position, and the position in which his jaw muscles felt comfortable.
  • Rather than focusing exclusively on the damaged tooth, Dr. Vakili evaluated how the teeth, jaw joints, and surrounding muscles worked together.
  • Treatment began by addressing the relationship between Ira’s bite and jaw joints to help his muscles relax.
  • Vakili ultimately reconstructed all of Ira’s teeth, restoring a smile he had missed for many years.
  • After completing his restorations, Ira reported that his headaches had stopped and that he had traveled without taking his headache medication.
  • His individual experience influenced Dr. Vakili’s understanding of comprehensive dental rehabilitation and the importance of evaluating the entire bite and jaw system.

Transcript

A Patient With Chronic Headaches and a Broken Tooth

Years ago, when I finished my training, I treated a gentleman by the name of Ira.

Ira came to me and said, “Nobody’s helped me. I’ve suffered from chronic headaches daily. I have daily migraines, and I’m on medication all day, every day.”

He came with a complaint of one tooth, one broken tooth in the back of his mouth.

Looking Beyond the Broken Tooth to Evaluate the Bite

When I examined him and checked everything, I expressed to Ira what I saw. There was a big misalignment with his bite and where his muscles would be comfortable, and there was a misalignment with the joint position and where the muscles would be comfortable.

I started treating him by placing the joints and the teeth in harmony, where the muscles could relax.

When we did that, Ira was sold on the fact that he really needed to look at the whole system.

Reconstructing His Teeth and Restoring His Smile

We reconstructed all his teeth. We gave him a smile that he had missed for many years.

When I finished, he came back and said, “You know, I went to Washington, D.C., and back to visit my dad for his 90th birthday. I didn’t take my headache medicine with me. I haven’t had headaches since you finished my restorations.”

That was so impactful on what I could do.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bite misalignment can be one factor considered during an evaluation of jaw function and temporomandibular disorders, although headaches and migraines have many possible causes. Dr. Vakili describes a patient whose teeth, jaw joints, and muscles were not working comfortably together. After dental reconstruction, the patient reported that his longstanding headaches had stopped.
The teeth, jaw joints, and surrounding muscles work together during biting and chewing. Dr. Vakili explains that her patient had a mismatch between his bite, joint position, and comfortable muscle position. She approached his treatment by evaluating these relationships and working toward a more harmonious position for his teeth and jaw joints.
A dentist may evaluate the entire bite when a damaged tooth is accompanied by other signs of functional problems. In Ira’s case, Dr. Vakili discovered significant bite and jaw joint misalignment during an examination for a broken back tooth. Her findings led to a broader restorative treatment plan rather than focusing exclusively on the damaged tooth.
Full mouth reconstruction can address multiple damaged teeth and restore the way teeth fit together. Dr. Vakili describes reconstructing all of Ira’s teeth after identifying problems with his bite and jaw joint positioning. The treatment also restored his smile. His subsequent improvement in headaches was self-reported and does not establish a predictable outcome for other patients.
Restorative dental treatment is not an established cure for migraines. Dr. Vakili shares a case in which a patient reported no further headaches after completing dental reconstruction, but that individual experience does not demonstrate that treatment caused the improvement. Patients with frequent headaches or migraines should seek appropriate medical evaluation while discussing any related jaw symptoms with their dentist.

Connect With Us

Related Articles