How long do occlusal splints last?

A splint is designed to wear and protect your teeth and typically lasts from 3 to 5 years.

What is hard splint?

A hard splint is a dental device used to help patients treat different disorders of the masticatory system, like bruxism. It can effectively help protect the teeth from wear and tear, as well as reduce the symptoms of TMJ.

How do you care for an occlusal splint?

CLEANING & STORAGE The splint needs to be kept clean, just as your own natural teeth. Bad breath & taste will result from inadequate cleaning. Clean with a soft brush & anti-bacterial hand soap for a minute before & after use. Rinse & dry then place in storage box provided.

Can occlusal splint move teeth?

Over-the-counter splints. These are occlusal splints that are sold in stores. They are made of a type of plastic that softens when warmed, and you can then mold the splint to fit over your teeth. It is difficult to obtain an exact fit and they can cause permanent changes to the bite by moving the teeth.

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.

Can a splint make TMJ worse?

Flat Plane Splints Can Worsen TMJ Research shows that flat plane splints don’t stop bruxism. Instead, they can make it worse. They don’t prevent the contact of your back teeth together during sleeping, and they can lead to worse displacement of the jaw joint.

When do you use a rigid splint?

It can also be used if you have a severe strain or sprain in one of your limbs. Placed properly, a rigid splint will help ease the pain of an injury by making sure that the wounded area doesn’t move.

How do I clean my splint?

Clean the splint with soap and warm water and scrub it with a small brush. Rub the inside of the splint with alcohol to reduce odor. Hand wash the Velcro straps and stockinet with warm, soapy water and then air dry.

How long do splints last?

A splint usually stays on for several days to weeks. If the injured area is very swollen, a splint may be used first to allow for that swelling. If you need a cast, your doctor will remove the splint and apply a cast. Casts that are kept in good condition can stay on for several weeks.

Which is better soft or hard occlusal splint therapy?

Both hard and soft occlusal splint therapies are beneficial in the treatment of TMD; however, soft splint therapy results in earlier improvement of some TMD symptoms. Three months is considered to be the minimum period for splint therapy to improve TMD symptoms.

How to make a soft or hard splint?

For the soft splint, a vacuum pressure molding device was used for fabrication with 2-mm-thick rubber sheets measuring 13 × 13 cm. The rubber sheet was completely and properly adapted to the cast in the vacuum former. The sheet was removed, and sharp scissors were used to trim the splint edges.

When to use soft or hard splints for TMD?

Soft splints, which are more convenient for patients than hard splints, can be used immediately after provisional diagnosis with TMD (Wright et al., 1995). The rationale for using soft splints is that the soft resilient material may help in distributing the heavy load associated with parafunctional habits (Okeson, 2003).

What are the effects of occlusal splints on nocturnal muscle activity?

This study investigated the effects of hard and soft occlusal splints on nighttime muscle activity. The nocturnal muscle activity of ten participants was recorded while wearing a hard and then a soft occlusal splint. The hard occlusal splint significantly reduced muscle activity in eight of the ten participants.