Dental Splint: Type, Usage, Preservation & How to Use It

Dental splint is a simple yet efficient way to solve dental issues. Tooth splints are used often in dentistry and have dual purposes: Treating existing oral diseases and preventing future issues. What is a dental splint and why is it advised? Let’s learn and explore the topic in the next piece.

What Is Dental Splint?

Dental splints keep teeth robust and stable following treatment. It holds the teeth in place to speed healing and reduce tooth movement issues. It includes the following components:

Plastic substance holds teeth in place due to their strength and flexibility.
Connectors connect dental splint components.
Screw the button to change the device tension and hold your teeth.
Locks secure dental splint components.

It can cure biting, bare teeth, bleeding, and misplaced teeth. This device holds teeth with a strong, elastic plastic.

Types Of Dental Splints

There are many types of dental splints used in dentistry, depending on the intended use and the condition of the patient. Here are some common types of dental splints:

Tooth Splint

Tooth splints (sometimes called tooth stabilization) support a tooth by attaching it to the next teeth with a protective substance. It treats injured teeth, periodontal disease-loosened teeth, and other oral stability issues. It may be manufactured from composite, metal, or fiberglass.

Lingual splint: Used to keep misaligned teeth from moving. Placed behind the teeth and bonded with special glue to form a stable texture.
Crown and bridge splint: Used to bond teeth that are firmly reduced due to chipping or damage. Placed on damaged teeth and adjacent teeth and fixed with glue.

Mouth Splint

Mouth splints, also known as night guards or occlusal splints, reduce discomfort and prevent tooth and jaw damage from chewing, grinding, or trapped biting. Acrylic or silicone mouth splints may be worn at night to reduce nightly biting and grinding.

Night guard: Prevents nighttime gnawing and biting. A mouth guard fits the patient’s teeth and jaw and is worn at night.
Anterior bite plane: For jaw joint or biting issues. Chewing and biting are easier with an anterior bite plane.

In short, properly selected dental splints will help protect and maintain the health of teeth and jaws.

Dental Splint Benefits

Dental issues cause pain, discomfort, and everyday hassles. Treating these issues is crucial. For instance, dental splints are effective and popular dental treatments. Dental splints provide several advantages, including pain relief.

Pain relief: It reduce wisdom teeth, gingivitis, mouth ulcer, and tongue-biting discomfort.
Treatment of misaligned teeth: It can be used to treat misaligned teeth, effectively helping to improve this problem.
Protect teeth: Dental splint helps to protect teeth from strong impacts such as grinding teeth, clenched teeth and infected teeth.
Support for root canal treatment: After pulp cleaning, dental splints may keep the tooth in place during root canal therapy.
Aids in dental surgery: It can be used to assist in dental surgeries such as dental implants.

Dental Issues

Dental splints are a common dental therapy. For patients’ safety and efficacy, dentists must utilize dental splints. Splints may address the following dental issues:

Bleeding gums: A dental splint helps prevent the roots from weakening and the gums from bleeding.
Moving teeth: It retain teeth in place and prevent movement.
Bite problems: Dental splints can correct the bite and keep the teeth in the correct position for improved dentures.
Fractures: To speed up recovery, dental splints may keep damaged teeth in place.
Toothache: Tooth wear and malposition may cause toothache, but a dental splint can help.

Nevertheless, a dentist’s examination and prescription are required before a dental splint may be used in dental therapy.

Research On Dental Splints

Dental splints are used to treat several jaw and tooth ailments. The usage of dental splints has been found to give several advantages to patients, ranging from pain and discomfort reduction to improved tooth and jaw function. Next, we’ll study dental splint research and dental care.

Holmgren et al. (2021) studied dental splints for damaged porcelain teeth. A dental splint is safe and effective in rebuilding tooth structure and preventing cracking.
Moreover, Sun et al. (2020) examined dental splints for dental trauma therapy. A composite dental splint is the most cost-effective and efficient option, according to the data.
Lastly, study on the effectiveness of dental splints for the treatment of dental trauma by Uzgur et al. (2019). Dental splints are effective in reducing discomfort and restoring tooth function after damage, particularly to the front teeth.

In short, based on the preceding research, dental splints are safe and beneficial for various dental diseases, including trauma and broken teeth. Nevertheless, the utmost efficiency and safety can only be achieved if the recommendations and restrictions of this procedure are followed to the letter.

How to Use Dental Splint?

Teeth are an important part of the human body. Dental issues might impair eating and speaking. Modern dentistry offers several viable treatments for dental issues. For instance, dental splints are often used to address dental issues. How to use dental splint effectively? This section reveals:

Step 1: Prepare

Initially, the dentist will prepare the dental splint by cleaning the patient’s teeth and obtaining a root sample to construct a root copy. Then, the dental splint will be fabricated in the laboratory with the size and shape suitable for each patient.

Step 2: Wear the dental splint

Then, the patient will subsequently learn to place the dental splint on the tooth and close their mouth. This step will help ensure that the dental splint is in place on the tooth.

Step 3: Customize and adjust

After that, the dentist will make adjustments to the dental splint to ensure the patient’s comfort and fit. If the dental splint hurts or interferes with eating or speaking, the dentist will modify it.

Step 4: Dental splint care

Patients should make sure their dental splint is dry and clean before using it. Also, patients should clean the dental splint by brushing and rinsing it with mild soap. In addition, the patient must disinfect and sanitize the tooth splint with salt water. Lastly, the patient must see the dentist regularly to examine and modify the dental splint.

Usage And Preservation Of Dental Splint

To maintain treatment efficacy and product longevity, dental splint shelf life and storage conditions are crucial. The following information pertains to dental splint usage and storage:

Time Use

The kind of dental splint and the patient’s planned usage determine the use time. Dental splints are usually worn for 6–2 years. To maintain oral health, the dental splint must be replaced if broken or ineffective. If the patient chews bites nails or grinds teeth, the dental splint may wear out faster.

Also, patients should periodically evaluate the state of their dental splint and visit a dentist for a timely replacement plan to guarantee treatment efficacy and product longevity.

Storage Conditions

Patients must store dental splints in the following manner to guarantee treatment quality and efficacy:

Avoid air and sunlight by storing the dental splint in its manufacturer-provided box.
Also, prevent heavy impact and rinse the dental splint.
Regularly brush and wash the dental splint.
Strong detergents and alcohol-based treatments may destroy dental splints.
Dental splints should be kept in a box in a cool, dry area out of direct sunlight.
Moreover, people must see their dentist often to examine the dental splint and obtain more thorough care recommendations.

Thus, appropriate dental splint storage maximizes treatment efficacy, prolongs product life, and lowers maintenance expenses.

Notes Of Dental Splint

For many dental issues, dental splints work. Yet, just like any other therapeutic approach, dental splints have drawbacks and restrictions that must be understood before using them. Dental splint drawbacks are listed below:

Potential for mucosal irritation: Dental splints may irritate delicate mucosal skin.
Discomfort and difficulty adjusting: Dental splint wearers may first struggle with speaking and eating.
Possible side effects: Using dental splint can cause side effects such as headache, jaw pain and body fatigue.
Not suitable for some cases: Oral structural issues, maxillofacial diseases, and malnutrition prevent dental splinting.
Requires time and care: Using dental splint requires time and adequate care to ensure the effectiveness and durability of the device.
Need to strictly follow the dentist’s instructions: For safety and efficacy, users must follow the dentist’s recommendations and inspect and adjust the device.

Conclusion

In conclusion, oral health matters throughout life. Preventing dental issues saves time and discomfort. Dental splints are useful for tooth issues including abrasion, cracking, and misalignment.

At Spring Orchid dental clinic in Bassendean, we are committed to providing you with the best dental care. Our team of dentists is highly trained and experienced in diagnosing and treating dental problems.

Besides, we also use modern equipment and technology to ensure the best quality of Restorative Dentistry service for you.

FAQs

Which Dental Splint Is Best?

For optimal treatment results and tooth protection, dental splints of the highest quality should be used.

Good dental splints will not cause any discomfort to your gums and will last a long time.
Low-quality dental splints destroy teeth and create oral health issues.

Also, patients should see their dentist and pick reputed dental splint brands.

Who Should Not Use Dental Splint?

A dental splint is a treatment solution for many dental problems. However, there are also some cases when dental splints should not be used. Here are some such cases:

Dental splint materials cause allergic reactions.
Slow bleeding or anticoagulant patients.
Due to nerve and muscle damage, the patient cannot securely control the jaw.
The patient has bleeding, infected, or inflamed gums.

Who Can Use Dental Splint?

Anyone with dental problems such as tooth loss, sleep apnea, misaligned jaw, or grinding teeth can be encouraged to use a dental splint. Nevertheless, each person’s oral health situation determines whether to wear a dental splint, thus a dentist must be consulted and appointed.