If you have a loose tooth, it can be frightening. Many people don’t realize that there is a dental intervention that can help. Dental splints are what your dentist would use to help protect your teeth, along with a solid oral care regimen to ensure no further issues arise. Splints treatment includes a removable dental appliance and regular care from your dentist.
If you are having trouble with a temporomandibular joint disorder (or TMD), your dentist may recommend splints treatment to help you get better.
A dental splint refers to a mouth guard, bite plate or another type of oral apparatus prescribed by your dentist. They are used to help provide relief from pain and improve jaw function so it can move smoothly. The splint can also be intended to be the first step in a multi-step procedure. Wearing it will produce changes in the bite and in jaw positions, which will require some form of major dental treatment, such as orthodontics, crowning teeth, etc. to establish a new permanent jaw position.
Constructed in a dental lab, splints are typically made of hard acrylic resin and molded from an impression of your teeth. After the splint is made, your dentist will fit and readjust it. You will be expected to wear it at the recommended times (all day, only at night, both), as well as to come in for follow-up appointments to check on how your symptoms are progressing and to have the splint readjusted, if necessary.
Splints are worn mostly at night because people tend to clench or grind their teeth during their sleep. It may not be easy to get used to wearing and caring for your splint, but it is an important treatment that may last for 3 months or more.
The Two Types of Splints
While splints can be either hard or soft and cover either all of the teeth or just a few of them, there are two general types of splints that do the job. These are:
Stabilization splints, which are worn to prevent teeth grinding and clenching. These types of splints cover all of the teeth and are typically just worn at night.
Repositioning splints, which are splints designed to correct bite occlusions. These splints are typically worn all day, every day.
While splints are effective for managing things like teeth grinding and bite occlusions, it’s important to note that they aren’t necessarily a permanent fix for them. As mentioned, your dentist may be using them as the first step in a longer term treatment plan.
Splints treatment is popular in Calgary to start the process of correcting bite issues and relieving the pain and discomfort associated with TMJ disorders.
In cases of disc displacement and muscle spasm, you may be advised to wear a splint during the day and at night for about 2 weeks, and then only at night during times of stress and pain. This may allow a displaced disc to return to its normal position. Splints treatment is helpful for a wide variety of different concerns, some temporary and others more of a long term disorder or concern. Many people who have TMDs find splint therapy helpful for treating pain and muscle tension. They also find it can help to start the process of adjusting your bite and managing minor injuries as they heal.
If you’re looking for dental splint therapy in Calgary, give us a call!
While splints are effective for managing things like teeth grinding and bite occlusions, it’s important to note that they aren’t necessarily a permanent fix for them. That’s where dentists may recommend a second phase of treatments, which may include orthodontics, dental work or even surgery to ensure that you don’t fall back into bad habits.
Dental splints treatment is the most common dental treatment for temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). These splints are used for short periods of time. They do not cause permanent changes in the tee…
Most of us have heard of dental splints in the past, but may not realize what exactly they are, how they are used and when it’s a great idea to discuss a dental splint with your dentist as a treatme...
Discuss splints treatment options with your child’s dentist to find out which option is right for them and how their mouth is growing. Look for a dentist who has experience and expertise in supporting families with splints treatment in children so you can ensure your child gets th ebest care possible. When left unchecked, grinding and clenching can cause many future concerns, so get good splints treatment now to avoid these issues down the road.