Trauma from occlusion—types, clinical signs and clinical significance. A review

Abstract

Traumatic occlusal forces lead to occlusal trauma of teeth with intact or reduced periodontium. Traumatic occlusion can be classified according to the type of traumatic forces (acute and chronic) and according to the capacity of the periodontal tissues (primary and secondary). The main clinical sign of occlusal trauma is the increased tooth mobility due to the destruction of the periodontal fibers and enlargement of the periodontal ligament space. Other signs are also fremitus, tooth drifting, tooth abrasion, occlusal discrepancies, tooth fracture, root resorption. Occlusal trauma is reversible. Тhe tissues of the periodontium are restored when the excessive occlusal forces are eliminated.