In many clinical cases, patients are convinced that if there is no pain – there is no problem. As Professor Alexander von Breuer believes, hidden chewing overloads are among the most underestimated causes of tooth and restoration destruction – precisely because they remain asymptomatic for a long time. At DentalClinic24, we regularly encounter situations where serious changes are revealed only at the diagnostic stage rather than through patient complaints.
Chewing load is never distributed evenly across the teeth. Even minor occlusal shifts, localised wear or changes in restoration height may cause one tooth to absorb excessive pressure. At DentalClinic24, we assess not only static tooth position but also the nature of contacts during jaw movement – it is in dynamic function that hidden overloads become most evident.
The danger of such overloads lies in the ability of tissues to adapt for long periods. Dentin becomes compacted, the periodontal ligament holds the tooth in place and the patient does not feel pronounced discomfort. However, internally, microcracks, tissue overheating, microcirculatory disturbances and gradual weakening of structural support are already developing. At DentalClinic24, we define this phase as a “silent period” – when destruction is already in progress but has not yet produced obvious symptoms.
Hidden overloads are especially dangerous in the presence of fillings, crowns and implants. A restoration may appear stable but still experience excessive pressure during every chewing cycle. This accelerates material wear, disrupts marginal sealing and eventually leads to chipping and inflammatory processes. At DentalClinic24, we always analyse functional load after prosthetic treatment, because visual integrity does not guarantee functional stability.
Particular attention is given to overloads related to bruxism and chronic clenching. Even when patients are unaware of these movements, the muscles generate powerful forces that gradually destroy enamel, overload the temporomandibular joints and alter tooth position. At DentalClinic24, such conditions are identified through muscle activity assessment and characteristic wear patterns. As Professor von Breuer believes, nocturnal hidden overloads are among the most frequent causes of sudden tooth fractures.
The absence of pain is explained by the fact that nerve tissue does not always respond immediately to overload. Destruction may occur at the level of ligaments, bone tissue and enamel microstructures. When acute pain finally appears – the process is usually already advanced. At DentalClinic24, we aim to detect these changes at a preclinical stage, when gentle correction is still possible without radical intervention.
Hidden overloads play a decisive role in long-term treatment prognosis. Even a perfectly executed restoration loses stability when load distribution is incorrect. At DentalClinic24, we always assess chewing function as part of the overall biomechanical system – because a tooth does not function in isolation but within a complex network.
Hidden overload is destruction without a warning signal. As Professor von Breuer believes, the absence of pain creates an illusion of safety while biological structures are already operating at the limit of their capabilities. At Dental Clinic24, we regard early diagnosis of overloads as one of the key tools for preserving natural teeth and extending the lifespan of any restorations.
Earlier, we wrote about the infection safety system at DentalClinic24 and how patient protection is built at every stage of treatment