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:

Get your inexpensive bite wafer here. If you don't have access to one, you may try Tongue depressors or popsicle sticks instead.
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.
Without anything in your mouth, perform the neck and shoulder Physical Resonance Tests to get a baseline of how you feel and your current range of motion. The Nasal Occlusion Test is also a helpful tool to determine how your occlusion could be impacting your ability to breathe through your nose.
Place the unilateral bite plate on one side of your molars. Most often the left side is needed, but test both.
Recheck your range of motion and nasal occlusion with the bite plate along one side of your molars.
1. If you find using a bite wafer helps reduce tension, improves your breathing 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.
2. Using the bite wafer can be beneficial while you are:
  1. Exercising
  2. Doing computer/screen work
  3. Watching TV
  4. Or something else
3. If your range of motion or breathing does not improve, it is recommended to try the Molar Only Bite Plate or the Full Coverage Plate.

If you have improvement in your neck range of motion with this bite plate, it indicates your bite is connected to tension in your neck.

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.
Caution should be exercised that if an appliance is worn too much or for too long it can intrude (shorten) teeth. We recommend wearing it no more than during sleep plus 2 hours during the day.
- Homeoblock:
  - Upper appliance with a bite block on either the left or right side. Due to the inherent asymmetry of the body, we find that most of the time it is best used on the left side.
  - Upper arch expander with the capability of expanding laterally and/or forward bilaterally or unilaterally.
  - We find that the height of the block should be gradually decreased over time and that most transition to using bilateral blocks.
  - Most indicated for individuals with significant head, neck or jaw asymmetry.
- POD
  - Lower appliance with a bite block on either the left or right side. Due to the inherent asymmetry of the body, we find that most of the time it is best used on the left side.
  - We find that the height of the block should be gradually decreased over time and that most transition to using bilateral blocks.
  - Most indicated for individuals with significant head, neck or jaw asymmetry.
  - Often used in tandem with Homeoblock where the Homeoblock is used at night and the POD during the day.

Disclaimer and Copyright

Back

Donate