A bruxism splint is a device that is used for patients who clench or grind their teeth a lot while they are sleeping. It is usually worn on the teeth in the upper jaw.
An apnea splint is a device used to treat sleep apnea. It is usually applied to the teeth in the upper and lower jaw.
A stabilization or bite splint, is a mobile device made of hard, clear acrylic that is custom-made to fit each patient’s teeth.
Its purpose is to prevent the effects of bruxism on the teeth and jaw muscles.
It is also used to treat the symptoms of patients with temporomandibular joint problems.
It helps to relieve pain, relax muscles, and treat acute symptoms in patients with muscle or joint dysfunction.
It can be placed in either the upper or lower jaw, although for convenience we prefer to make it to fit the teeth of the upper jaw.
They are also used after a full-mouth rehabilitation in order to protect the prosthesis.
Sleep apnea appliances, hold the lower jaw in the ideal position to allow unobstructed airflow into the airway.
They prevent the lower jaw and tongue from falling backwards and blocking the airway, allowing the patient to breathe normally during sleep.
These splints are made to fit each patient’s teeth, so they are comfortable and functional.
CENTRIC RELATION MOUTHGUARD
A case of bruxism with tooth wear and the bruxism mouthguard we made for the patient.
After
The teeth had lost some of their length and their incisal edges had become flat, as shown in the picture.
The patient woke up in the morning with a headache and pain around the ear.
Before
The splint was made for a 25-year-old female patient. She was grinding her teeth and had significant abrasions.
After
The stabilisation splint needs to be checked after about 2 weeks and then every 6 months to make sure it is maintaining proper contact with the teeth on the opposite bar.
The photo shows the external side of the appliance.
Before
The splint requires two appointments.
At the first appointment, we take impressions of the teeth in the upper and lower jaws, and at the second appointment, we adjust the splint and deliver it to the patient.
After
It is usually worn while you sleep.
It can also be worn during the day if your lifestyle allows.
Before
The stabilization splint usually fits on the teeth of the upper jaw.
Questions
What is TMJ?
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your lower jaw to your skull.
If you put your fingers in front of your ears and open your mouth, you can feel the joint at the side of your head.
The movement of the joint allows us to chew and yawn.
When we open our mouths, the round ends of the lower jaw, slide into their sockets in the skull.
To make this movement smooth, a soft disc is placed between the jaw and the skull to absorb the vibrations caused by chewing and other movements of the lower jaw.
Why do I have pain in the TMJ area?
Sometimes the TMJ, does not function normally. The most common signs of malfunction are
Pain in and around the ear, spreading to the face
A ‘clicking’ sound when you open or close your mouth
Difficulty opening the mouth
Jaws locking or moving out of place
Pain when yawning, chewing or opening your mouth wide
Specific type of headache that extends into the neck
Waking up with pain in your jaw or facial muscles
What can the prosthodontist do for me?
Pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can be caused by muscles, joints, or occlusion of the teeth.
The doctor must first diagnose the cause of the problem.
In most cases, a description of your symptoms and a clinical examination of your face and jaw will provide all the information needed to diagnose the problem.
If your medical history indicates that your problems started with dental work (filling, crown, bridge or denture), this should be evaluated.
The examination will include palpation of the muscles and joints to detect pain, listening to sounds and checking for the presence or absence of restricted jaw movement.
X-rays may be taken to help diagnose the nature of the problem.
Will the problems of TMJ be cured?
Most TMJ problems can be treated conservatively.
You should learn not to chew hard foods or chewing gum, not to yawn, and not to open your mouth with sudden movements.
The prosthodontist is a qualified doctor who can treat the problem of dysfunction of the TMJ.
Your treatment will be conservative to relieve the symptoms of muscle spasms and pain and may include exercise and medication.
Your doctor will probably try to improve the relationship between your upper and lower teeth, which come together when you close your jaw.
If the change in the relationship of your teeth, and therefore your jaws, is the result of recent dental work, this may need to be modified or even changed.
If your jaw relationships have not been affected by dental work, they can be improved with the help of a splint that fits your upper or lower teeth.
The splint can also reduce clenching and/or grinding of the teeth, which puts strain on the muscles.
There are other methods of treating the problem, such as surgery or injections of special substances, which are only used when absolutely necessary.
What is sleap apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition in which breathing is interrupted several times during sleep.
It is caused by an obstruction of the airway due to relaxation of the throat and tongue muscles.
People with sleep apnea snore and stop breathing for short periods of time.
The interruptions in breathing can occur hundreds of times during a night, causing people to wake up tired and having a significant impact on their quality of life.
How will a splint help me with sleep apnea?
The sleep apnea appliance keeps the lower jaw in a more forward position and prevents the tongue from falling backwards while you sleep.
This keeps the airway open and allows you to breathe freely.
Videos
See more videos on the clinic's YouTube channel @DentArtistry
Why you grind your teeth and how to STOP it
Why do your teeth break? What is the role of bruxism?
