OCCLUSAL SPLINT/NIGHT GUARDS

An occlusal splint or night guard is an acrylic oral appliance that perfectly fits over your upper or lower teeth and is custom-made. The occlusal splints are usually worn while sleeping. In some cases, it might also be worn during the day. It is used to reduce clenching and grinding behaviours, effectively prevent teeth damage, and reduce muscle and joint pain.

There are various reasons that indicate you might need to wear a nightguard or occlusal splint, including:

  • Feeling fatigued after waking up.
  • Intermittent toothache.
  • You suffer from sleep apnea.
  • Soreness in the jaw muscles or jaw joint pain.
  • Loosened teeth.
  • Pain in gums because of clenching.

If you are suffering from any of the above-mentioned oral problems, consider wearing an occlusal splint during the night in order to eliminate severe oral issues in the future. We at Ingersoll dental care prepare custom-made and high-quality occlusal splints for our clients that perfectly fit their mouths and effectively protect against teeth grinding and clenching habits.

If you are looking for a Splint/Night guards in London, Ontario, Contact our office at (519) 485-4951 today, or book an appointment.

USES OF OCCLUSAL SPLINTS

An occlusal splint or night guard has multiple uses, like it is used in treating bruxism (teeth grinding), teeth clenching, and symptoms of TMD (temporomandibular joint disorders). The occlusal splint gets worn down while the functionality of your teeth remains protected. An occlusal splint is specifically designed to keep your jaw in the correct and more relaxed position while you sleep. Furthermore, the occlusal splints also protect teeth from dentition and control headaches.

WHAT IS BRUXISM?

Bruxism (grinding) is when you glide your teeth back and forth over each other, wearing down the teeth’ enamel and eventually affecting their form and function. Moreover, grinding or clenching can be noisy enough at night and can bother sleeping partners. Grinding puts pressure on the tissues, muscles, and other structures around your jaw.

That can lead to jaw pain, headaches, soreness, earaches, and damaged teeth. Teeth can also become shortened due to extensive grinding, which wears the tooth enamel away. This makes teeth more sensitive to temperature extremes. 

DENTAL ISSUES CAUSED DUE TO TEETH GRINDING (BRUXISM) OR CLENCHING

The pressure from grinding can crack fillings and also fracture teeth. Grinding exacerbates periodontal issues as well. Grinding and clenching lead to jaw pain and other tooth-related problems. People grind and clench their teeth subconsciously during the day and night, but sleep-related bruxism is the major problem because it is harder to control.

The main cause of bruxism is not completely identified, but daily stress may trigger many people and can lead to teeth-grinding or clenching habits. Grinding or clenching can worsen existing dental issues and TMJ (temporomandibular joint) problems. The TMJ is the small hinge-like joint that connects the lower jaw to the upper jaw allowing you to talk and chew.

There are multiple ways to treat TMD. One of the first treatments recommended is an occlusal splint because it is a reversible and non-invasive treatment. It sometimes resolves the TMD without the need for surgery.

TYPES OF OCCLUSAL SPLINTS

The night guards or occlusal splints are of multiple types, including:

1. PERMISSIBLE SPLINTS

The permissive occlusal splints include bite planes and stabilisation splints, which can be fitted to the upper or lower teeth. With these splints, the biting surface is smooth and flat, letting the teeth glide unimpeded. It allows the jaw to close and slide freely to achieve a more balanced resting point.

2. NON-PERMISSIBLE SPLINTS

The non-permissive splints are also called directive splints, designed with indentations and ramps that limit the movement of the jaw. Nonpermissive splints include anterior repositioning appliances and mandibular orthotic repositioning appliances as well.

3. HYBRID OCCLUSAL SPLINTS

The hybrid occlusal splints offer a combination of durability and ease. They comprise a hard outer layer that provides strength and a soft inner layer that provides comfort and ease to the wearer. On average, the hybrid occlusal splints can last up to three years with proper care.

MATERIAL OF OCCLUSAL SPLINTS

Occlusal splints are fabricated with different materials depending on the convenience and requirements of people. The occlusal splints or night guards are mostly manufactured from materials like acrylic resins, ethylene vinyl acetate, bisphenol A, methyl methacrylate, etc.

COSTS OF OCCLUSAL SPLINTS

The estimated costs of occlusal splints vary depending on their type, quality, and style. However, on average occlusal splints or night guards can cost you around $400 to $500. Occlusal splints are custom-made and are fabricated according to your mouth’s shape and size.

The custom-made occlusal splints fit perfectly in your mouth, do not hinder your speaking or breathing and provide maximum protection to your teeth from grinding and clenching. That’s why they are worthy of their costs and prevent various surgical procedures by correcting dental irregularities non-invasively.

FAQs:

The occlusal splints are usually worn at night, but in some severe cases, the dentist might also recommend patients wear these night guards during the day as well. Moreover, you should visit your dentist regularly to assess your teeth’ conditions or to evaluate whether your occlusal splint needs to be adjusted or replaced.

On average, the night guards show marked improvement within three months. During this period, almost all problems in the head, face and jaws tend to resolve. However, sometimes the occlusal splints do not relieve all of your symptoms, and in that case, you might need professional dental help.

The occlusal splints can adjust the dislocation or alignment of your jaws by reducing the strain on your temporomandibular joint. It also reduces muscle tension and relieves your symptoms. The occlusal splints or night guards significantly correct the malocclusions and incorrect positioning of teeth. The occlusal splint also provides vertical support to your teeth at night.

By wearing occlusal splints consistently, you can treat your oral irregularities non-invasively and eliminate the chances of oral surgeries. However, if the oral disorders exceed the advanced stages, they can no longer be treated at home through occlusal splints or night guards and require professional dental help.