An occlusal stabilization splint, also known as a "bite splint", is a hard plastic retainer placed over either the top or bottom row of your teeth. It is designed to help prevent or slow the damage done to teeth by grinding or clenching. Nighttime grinding and clenching can wear down the tooth enamel, eventually leading to major dental procedures such as root canals, tooth extractions, crown placements and oral surgery. With a properly designed occlusal splint, the wear on this enamel is decreased, therefore slowing the damage to the teeth.
Occlusal splints are also known to help sufferers of disorders of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). An occlusal splint aligns the top and bottom teeth optimally to protect and reduce the movements that irritate this joint. For patients with damaged jaw joints, the decrease in twisting or dislocation of the jaw joint that the occlusal splint provides can be especially helpful.
Occlusal splints are also an excellent choice for patients who have had extensive or expensive dental restorations or smile redesigns performed, as occlusal splints could help protect these restorations from damage and wear while the patient sleeps. It is important to note, however, that occlusal splints are not, and cannot, be designed to entirely eliminate the damage done to the biting surface of teeth. Instead, they are designed to slow the damage done, and hopefully in the process help the patient avoid undergoing more extensive dental work in the future.
Please contact our office with any additional questions regarding bite splint therapy.