how to make an occlusal splint dental course

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Full Answer

What is an occlusal splint?

An occlusal splint is an orthotic device, which is designed explicitly as a mouth guard for people who have: Teeth-grinding problems. Pain and dysfunction associated with their bite. Temporomandibular joints (TMJ) Completed a full mouth reconstruction.

Are occlusal splints a good treatment for TMJ and TMD?

While dental splints certainly remain a useful treatment for these conditions, more dentists are seeing occlusal splints as a preventative treatment to protect and preserve dentition in patients that are not necessarily afflicted with a TMD or TMJ disorder.

What is a hard dental splint?

Hard dental splints are fabricated with a flat occlusal plane to ensure a tight fit. This also provides even contact with the opposing teeth, which is particularly useful for protecting dentition in patients with moderate to severe bruxism, or in patients who frequently grind or clench their teeth.

Are dental splints the future of cosmetic dentistry?

As the global cosmetic dentistry industry expands to $30.1 billion by 2025, increasing patient desire to protect cosmetic dental work is driving demand for dental splints. Occlusal splints have long been used to effectively treat a range of TMD and TMJ disorders, bruxism, headaches and neck pain.

How do I make an occlusal splint?

21:5931:06Simple Splint Therapy Utilizing Hard Soft Occlusal Splints - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd it is a fun material to work with it's not a real difficult material to work with to makeMoreAnd it is a fun material to work with it's not a real difficult material to work with to make splints to make occlusal splints in the old days. You had to take typically. A clear orthodontic resin.

How do you fabricate an occlusal guard?

0:043:29Glidewell Clinical Tutorial--Bite Splint Fabrication - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou're going to use to fabricate the splint. Then you heat the splint material up for a coupleMoreYou're going to use to fabricate the splint. Then you heat the splint material up for a couple minutes and then it's got a rapid vacuum.

How long does it take to make an occlusal splint?

How long does it take to get a dental splint made? Getting a custom-made dental splint usually takes two appointments. The first appointment is to take moulds (impressions) or scans of your teeth. These are then sent to a dental lab or technician who will make your splint.

How thick should an occlusal splint be?

The occlusal thickness of the splint has been addressed in the literature. Manns et al14 showed that splints that increased vertical dimension 4.4 mm and 8.2 mm were more effective in producing muscular relaxation in patients with bruxism and myofascial pain dysfunction patients than 1-mm splints.

How do dentists make night guards?

When making your night guard, your dentist will take an impression of your top and bottom teeth. A plaster cast is created from this impression, which is then sent to the dental lab. The materials, either soft, dual laminate, or hard acrylic, are shaped around the mould to create the perfect fit for you.

How are dental splints made?

Soft/hard dental splints tend to be made from a combination of hard acrylic and softer thermoplastic material. Typically, a layer of hard acrylic is sandwiched together with a layer of softer thermoplastic to create a two-layer occlusal splint.

How much does a night splint cost?

For example, a plantar fasciitis night splint[1] costs $20-$50 at Walgreens.com, and a night splint[2] costs $20-$70 at FootSmart.com. Cortisone shots typically cost $100-$300 per shot, for a total of $300-$900 for a series of three shots.

How much does teeth splinting cost?

Dental bonding and splinting costs close to $100 to $400 per tooth. This makes it an affordable way to fix minor cosmetic dentistry. The duration of the procedure proves to be an added stress for individuals afraid of any medical procedures.

How much does splint therapy cost?

Physical therapy typically costs from $50-$350 per session. And, according to the TMJ Association[5] , a stabilization splint can cost up to several thousand dollars, including the exam and fitting. Patients at HealthBoards.com[6] report costs of $1,800-$2,000 for splints/orthotics.

Can a night guard be too thick?

Dental mouthguards are too thick and it can make it difficult your you to close your lips, lead to increased jaw strain, and can affect energy absorption showing no improved protection between 4 to 6 mm.

What is the thinnest night guard?

The Ultra Thin Night Guard It's our thinnest guard (about 0.8mm in thickness), and is designed to be less noticeable and allow you to speak normally. The thin yet hard and rigid material offers plenty of protection and is perfect if you often catch yourself grinding or clenching during the day.

What is the difference between a splint and a night guard?

Simply put, a mouthguard protects your teeth while a splint holds your teeth together to prevent harmful movement. Before getting yourself the one that is right for you, however, it is always best to check in with your dentist.

What is occlusal splint?

Occlusal splints have long been used to effectively treat a range of TMD and TMJ disorders, bruxism, headaches and neck pain. While dental splints certainly remain a useful treatment for these conditions, more dentists are seeing occlusal splints as a preventative treatment to protect and preserve dentition in patients that are not necessarily ...

Why are dental splints good?

That makes dental splints an excellent solution for diligent patients who have committed to good general oral health, and care about protecting their natural enamel from the threat of generalised night grinding and clenching — particularly during stressful times.

What is flat plane hard splint?

Flat plane hard splints are typically manufactured from a hard acrylic material for superior rigidity and durability in patients with moderate to severe cases of bruxism or where other chronic teeth grinding or clenching behaviours are present. Flat plane hard splints enable full coverage with a flat occlusal table, and can be manufactured for the upper and lower arches. Your dental lab should be able to use digital milling to customise your indentation and coverage preferences for a more personalised and precise approach to protecting cosmetic dentistry, for preventing wear and treating teeth grinding and clenching-related disorders.

What is a soft splint?

Soft/hard dental splints tend to be made from a combination of hard acrylic and softer thermoplastic material. Typically, a layer of hard acrylic is sandwiched together with a layer of softer thermoplastic to create a two-layer occlusal splint. The hard acrylic creates a durable outer shell to protect teeth from grinding and clenching. The inner thermoplastic layer fits directly over the teeth to improve patient comfort. Soft/hard splints can be made to fit over the upper or lower teeth, and are useful in the treatment of mild to moderate bruxism. As soft/hard splints are generally more comfortable than hard splints, they are also helpful for improving patient compliance. As such, soft/hard splints could be considered for use with patients who are particularly sensitive or apprehensive about using hard splints.

What is the difference between a soft and a thermoplastic splint?

Thermoplastic dental splints also deliver superior contouring ability, which further improves patient comfort and ensures a more precise fit. While soft dental splints tend to be manufactured solely from thermoplastic, some occlusal splint types retain a hard acrylic or resin layer. This is particularly useful in treating TMJ.

Why are hard splints used?

Hard dental splints are fabricated with a flat occlusal plane to ensure a tight fit. This also provides even contact with the opposing teeth, which is particularly useful for protecting dentition in patients with moderate to severe bruxism, or in patients who frequently grind or clench their teeth.

Why do you wear hard splints at night?

Hard splints are typically designed to be worn at night, and help to keep the jaw in a neutral position to reduce pressure. Hard splints will wear down over time, and may chip or fracture in extreme bruxism cases. As such, hard splints should be assessed for wear and replacement in regular patient check-ups.

Where do you send an occlusal guard?

You then send it to the dental lab where your custom fit guard will be crafted. It is then sent back to you and you wear it as needed.

What is an occlusal guard?

An occlusal guard, also known as an occlusal mouth guard, occlusal night guard or a bite guard, can help ease grinding symptoms and protect your teeth and jaw from further damage.

What is TMJ in dentistry?

TMJ is a dysfunction of the jaw joint, result ing in pain of the jaw muscles, face, ears, head, and neck. In his book, Esthetic Dentistry in Clinical Practice, Marc Geissberger confirms the effectiveness of splints in treating TMJ: “Occlusal splints reduce elevator muscle contraction force by 80% in severe clenchers.

How long should I wear an occlusal guard?

The American Sleep Association recommends you wear your night guard for at least 4-6 weeks to adjust to using it each night. It is important to wear it consistently and as recommended by your dentist to achieve pain relief as fast as possible. If your occlusal guard or splint causes you pain, it might not be fitted correctly, so you may need to take a new impression of your teeth and/or visit your dentist to have it adjusted. Dr. Edward Loev, DMD explains “2 weeks is about the average amount of time it takes to build a permanent habit” so expect to wear your occlusal guard for at least this much time before exploring other treatment options.

Why do you need a repositioning splint?

Repositioning splints serve an additional purpose; they reposition the jaw to correct the bite. These splints are used for those whose bruxism is influenced by a misaligned bite. If not treated, misalignment of the jaw can trigger severe TMJ pain.

What are the side effects of occlusal guards?

This condition can cause a host of painful side effects if not treated: jaw pain, facial pain, broken or worn teeth, headaches, and earaches to name a few. “Occlusion” simply means tooth to tooth contact, so an occlusal guard aims to prevent this contact by creating a barrier between the teeth. An occlusal guard, also known as an occlusal mouth ...

Can occlusal guards help with bruxism?

Promote healthy sleep patterns. While occlusal guards cannot cure you of your bruxism or TMJ, they can treat the problem and seriously reduce your symptoms while protecting you from further damage caused by long term teeth grinding.