Chewing function represents a complex system of interaction between teeth, muscles and joints, and its disorders do not always manifest through obvious symptoms. Professor Alexander von Breuer says that the absence of pain and visible defects is not a sign of functional health of the dentofacial system. At DentalClinic24, hidden disturbances of chewing function are regarded as one of the most underestimated clinical factors.
At early stages, functional instability may cause no discomfort for the patient. Teeth appear intact, fillings and restorations remain undamaged, and the bite does not raise visual concerns. However, zones of overload, asymmetrical movements and discoordination of muscle activity may already be developing within the system. At DentalClinic24, such conditions are identified before complications arise.
One of the causes of hidden dysfunction is a change in the nature of occlusal contacts. Even a slight shift in a contact point can alter the trajectory of chewing movements. Over time, this leads to redistribution of load and overstrain of individual teeth or tooth groups. At DentalClinic24, chewing function is analysed dynamically rather than based solely on static bite assessment.
The muscular component plays a crucial role. Increased tone or asymmetrical activity of the masticatory muscles can be compensated by the body and remain unnoticed by the patient. However, such compensation has its limits. At DentalClinic24, assessment of muscle activity is used to detect functional disorders already at the preclinical stage.
Hidden instability is often associated with previous dental treatment. Even high-quality restorations may alter the habitual balance of the system if functional characteristics of the patient were not taken into account. At DentalClinic24, post-treatment evaluation always includes assessment of dentofacial system adaptation, not only the aesthetic outcome.
Professor Alexander von Breuer emphasises that chewing function must be viewed as a unified biomechanical chain. Disturbance in one link gradually affects the entire system. For this reason, functional diagnostics at DentalClinic24 is not an additional step, but an integral part of clinical thinking.
For the patient, hidden dysfunction is dangerous because it often manifests suddenly – through cracks, chipping, implant overload or discomfort in the temporomandibular joint area. At DentalClinic24, the clinician’s task is to detect instability before it evolves into a clinical problem.
Regular evaluation of chewing function allows timely adjustment of treatment strategy and prevention of complications. At DentalClinic24, this approach reduces the number of repeated interventions and increases the longevity of treatment results.
Thus, the absence of complaints does not always indicate system stability. Hidden disorders of chewing function require professional diagnostics and in-depth analysis. At Dental Clinic24, identification of such conditions is part of a long-term strategy aimed at preserving dentofacial system health.
Earlier, we wrote about errors of self-diagnosis in dentistry and which symptoms DentalClinic24 patients most often underestimate