Your bite is more than how your teeth fit together. How they touch, how they separate when you move your jaw, and how your muscles respond can all affect your comfort and your dental health. Dr. Reddy offers precision bite adjustment therapy, called DTR, in Dripping Springs.
What is Disclusion Time Reduction (DTR)?
Disclusion time is how long your back teeth stay in contact as your jaw slides. Disclusion Time Reduction (DTR) is a bite adjustment therapy designed to reduce unnecessary tooth contact during those movements.
For some patients, those contacts keep the jaw muscles working harder than they should. That may contribute to jaw discomfort, headaches, and stress on teeth or dental restorations.
The goal is simple: help your teeth and jaw muscles work together more comfortably and efficiently.
Signs your bite might be part of the problem
- A sore or tired jaw, especially in the morning or after chewing
- Headaches at the temples
- Clenching or grinding, or worn and chipped teeth
- Clicking in the jaw joint
- Crowns, fillings, or implants that keep chipping or loosening
Why DTR is different at Forest Springs Dentistry
Not every jaw problem needs another appliance
We don’t believe every jaw problem needs another night guard. Sometimes the way your teeth interact is part of the problem, and we look at that first.
Your bite and your muscles, measured together
T-Scan digital bite analysis shows where your teeth contact, when they contact, and how biting force is spread. EMG technology measures how your jaw muscles respond at the same time. Together they point to the specific contacts that may be creating unnecessary muscle activity or stress.
Objective measurements, not guesswork
Dr. Reddy makes carefully measured adjustments to improve how your teeth separate during jaw movement. We aren’t guessing where your bite is uneven. The measurements guide the treatment, and we use them to check how your muscles respond.
A gentle, protective option when it fits
When DTR is appropriate, it typically involves no shots or new appliances, only precise adjustments to your existing bite. It may help ease certain types of jaw and facial muscle discomfort, and reducing excessive biting force may limit stress on teeth, crowns, and implants.
Not every headache or jaw problem comes from your bite, and DTR isn’t the right solution for everyone. That’s why we start with a thorough evaluation before recommending treatment. Our philosophy is to understand the cause of the problem, not just manage the symptoms. Related reading: headaches, clenching and grinding, and jaw pain and TMD.
Frequently asked questions about DTR
Will I need a shot or a new appliance?
Typically not. DTR is a set of precise adjustments to your existing bite. Dr. Reddy will tell you what to expect before anything is done.
Will DTR cure my headaches or jaw pain?
We can’t promise that. Many headaches and jaw problems have causes beyond the bite, and we work alongside your physician when that’s the case. DTR is for symptoms that the measurements connect to your bite.
How do I know if DTR is right for me?
Start with an evaluation. We listen to your symptoms, examine your jaw and bite, take measurements, and tell you plainly whether DTR is likely to help or whether another approach fits better.
Is DTR the same as a night guard?
No. A guard protects your teeth and cushions your jaw while you sleep. DTR changes how your teeth separate when your jaw moves. Some people need one, some the other, and some both.
Can an adjustment be undone?
Bite adjustments reshape tiny amounts of tooth surface, and that can’t be put back, so we plan each one carefully. That is why we measure first, explain your options, and go ahead only once you’ve agreed.
Bite evaluation in Dripping Springs
Schedule a visit with Dr. Reddy. We’ll measure how your bite and jaw muscles work together and tell you honestly whether DTR is likely to help.