← All explanationsBite raising

What does raising the bite mean?

Raising the bite changes the vertical relationship of the upper and lower jaws when the teeth meet. It may form part of restorative planning for substantial tooth wear. Wear or jaw symptoms do not automatically mean this change is needed.

For training & practice ↓

Dental casts in an articulator with a clear lower trial splint as one planning example; no individual bite height. — Planning example with a trial splint · not for every case

01 / 03

Assess the starting point

Tooth tissue, contacts, jaw movement and symptoms are examined. Wear alone does not prove loss of vertical dimension.

02 / 03

Plan the new relationship

The proposed height and restorations are individual. A temporary trial may be appropriate depending on the findings.

03 / 03

Review function

Speech, chewing, contacts and tolerance are checked. An appealing image alone is not a basis for permanent change.

Watch the short explanation ↓

At a glance

For whom?

Selected restorative situations.

Beforehand?

Assess function and remaining tissue.

Afterwards?

Review tolerance and tooth contacts.

Knowledge in motion

Explained in 36 seconds.

Three steps. No audio.
Each scene can also be selected manually.

Silent educational film with German on-screen text and simplified teaching images. Not a patient case or a promised treatment outcome. The full English explanation is available below.

Read the film text in English

Assess the starting point
Tooth tissue, contacts, jaw movement and symptoms are examined. Wear alone does not prove loss of vertical dimension.
Plan the new relationship
The proposed height and restorations are individual. A temporary trial may be appropriate depending on the findings.
Review function
Speech, chewing, contacts and tolerance are checked. An appealing image alone is not a basis for permanent change.

Often confused

Bite raising versus longer tooth shape

Making one tooth look longer does not necessarily change the overall vertical jaw relationship.

Quick answers

Does a splint permanently raise the bite?

A splint changes contacts while worn. This is different from definitive restorations.

Will this automatically treat TMD?

No. Jaw symptoms have different causes; irreversible bite changes require a clear indication.

How many millimetres are added?

There is no universal number. Examination and planning determine the approach.

At the practice

For a personal discussion

Editorially suggested question to discuss with Dr Niusha Barahmand Pour:

Has my vertical dimension truly changed, or has the wear been compensated?

Substantial wear can be assessed to establish what restoration is actually needed.

Discuss tooth wearAppointment selection at Doctolib

Meet Dr. Niusha Barahmand Pour ↗

Learning layer for training & practiceUnderstand terminology and deepen knowledge

Vertical dimension: Vertical relationship of the jaws.
Occlusion: Contacts between upper and lower teeth.
Trial phase: Temporary assessment of a planned situation.

Make the distinction

Making one tooth look longer does not necessarily change the overall vertical jaw relationship.

Knowledge questionWhat should determine bite raising?

For learning, not for assessing personal symptoms. Your answer is not stored or sent.

Individual functional and restorative planning.
A universal online millimetre value.
Every painless jaw click.

View answer

Individual functional and restorative planning.

The procedure needs specific clinical justification.

Sources and context

Editorial research: 2026-11-02. General information, not an individual diagnosis or treatment recommendation. Teaching illustrations are simplified and do not depict a patient case.