Occlusal splints are specially designed mouthguards for people who grind and clench their teeth, have a history of pain and dysfunction related to their bite or temporomandibular joints (TMJ), or have completed a full mouth rehabilitation.
How does a splint help?
Your dentist is often the first person to notice or tell you that you may need to consider an occlusal splint.
When you visit for a dental check-up, your dentist may notice wear to the biting surfaces of your teeth, crack or chips in your teeth, or marks or indentations on the cheeks and tongue. Often these changes in the mouth can be a sign that you may clench or grind your teeth.
Sometimes, before you see your dentist, you may start to experience symptoms that can mean that you may need a splint.
These symptoms can include the following:
Based on your symptoms and through a thorough dental check-up, your Melbourne CBD dentist may recommend and talk to you about considering an occlusal splint.
The teeth enamel rapidly wear down, exposing the soft internal part of the tooth, which wears quickly.
If left to wear down, bacteria can penetrate through to the nerve, and a root canal treatment may be required.
To restore the teeth, you may need dental crowns or porcelain veneers.
Dental crowns and implants are protected from excessive forces which may chip or loosen them.
Splints are typically made of hard acrylic resin and moulded from an impression of your teeth.
After the splint is made, your Melbourne CBD dentist will fit and readjust it. You are expected to wear it at the recommended times, to come in for follow-up appointments to check on how your symptoms progress and to have the splint readjusted whenever necessary.
Your Melbourne CBD dentist will advise you about how to best care for the splint.
If you suffer or believe you are suffering from TMJ disorder or bruxism, oral splints may be the right treatment for you. Contact your Melbourne CBD dentist today.
Call us on 03 9125 6201 or request an appointment online.
We are located at Level 17, 190 Queen Street in Melbourne CBD.
Occlusal splints are mainly made of acrylic. Most splints are clear, helping to make them look less obvious when worn.
Caring for your occlusal splint is important for getting the most out of it and ensuring it lasts for as long as possible!
At Art De Dente, we recommend that you:
Your Melbourne CBD dentist will give you more instructions on how to care for your splint when they give it to you.
We have a highly skilled and trained team of the best dentists in Melbourne CBD and staff who provide quality dentistry services
