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03. How to Make an Unilateral Bite Plate for Occlusion

Your bite pattern and how your teeth touch, plays a significant role in your ability to sense who and where you are in space. An aligned bite pattern supports your neck, head and jaw integration while enhancing sensory processing and how your body takes in information.

Due to the asymmetrical nature of the human body, we typically do not have as much left bite (molar) contact compared to the right. Often, providing increased sensory contact along the left bite helps to enhance your postural stability and integration through the rest of your body. Using a bite plate on one side of your molars (usually left) is an inexpensive and very effective way to accomplish this.

Instructions on How to Make a Bite Plate for One Side:

  1. Get your inexpensive bite wafer here.
  2. Make your single sided bite plate by cutting the bite plate so that it is only in contact with your molars on one side (and NOT your canines) following the instructions below.
    1. Place a full bite plate in your mouth.
    2. Using a mirror, look along the left side and roughly measure the length of your molars.
    3. Cut to size and smooth the edges.
    4. It is very important that there is no contact on your canine teeth. Review the pictures below for teeth anatomy and optimal bite plate sizing.
  3. Without anything in your mouth, perform a few Physical Resonance Tests to get a baseline of how you feel and your current range of motion. Specifically check the neck and shoulder tests.
  4. Place the unilateral bite plate on one side of your molars. Most often the left side is needed, but test both.
  5. Recheck your neck range of motion with the bite plate along one side of your molars.
    1. If you find using a bite wafer helps reduce neck tension and/or increases your comfortable range of motion this could be a beneficial technique for you. If so, keep the bite wafer in your mouth for 3 minutes up to as long as you feel comfortable. You may find that this helps reduce tension in your head, neck and/or jaw. Using the bite wafer can be beneficial while you are:
      1. Exercising
      2. Doing computer/screen work
      3. Watching TV
      4. Or something else
    2. If your neck range of motion does not improve, it is recommended to try the Molar Only Bite Plate or the Full Coverage Plate.

Perform this 1-2x/day for the next 1-3 days or more as desired. *Unless otherwise directed.

  • Optionally, use your testing technique to determine your optimal frequency and duration to perform.
  • Tongue depressors or popsicle sticks can also potentially be used to simulate this type of bite condition.
  • If you find using a unilateral bite wafer significantly helps reduce any symptoms in your body, you may benefit from a custom made lower jaw/mandibular oral appliance called a POD or a Homeoblock from a dentist specifically trained in these appliances.

 

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