A bite splint is recommended in various contexts, but not always only by the dentist. Normally, it is prescribed when a patient grinds his teeth at night and too much abrasion is produced on the tooth surfaces. On the other hand, the occlusal splint can also help against neck and jaw tension that can be caused by teeth grinding. An occlusal splint is even sometimes recommended against snoring. Boxers wear an occlusal splint during boxing matches to avoid accidentally biting off their tongue or knocking out a tooth.
What is a bite splint?
An occlusal splint can be made at a dentist’s office, while dental guards for recreational sports can be purchased at a sporting goods store. A bite splint is defined as a plastic or rubber splint that encases one of the two dental arches. It can be customized to the patient and perfectly ground to fit the opposing occlusal surface. This type of bite splint, also known as a Michigan splint, can also be worn during the day. It is made of transparent plastic. However, you can also buy a ready-made bite splint that flexibly adapts to the jaw thanks to soft rubber materials.
Shapes, types and styles
An occlusal splint can be used to compensate for overloading or one-sided incorrect loading of the tooth structure and jaw. Abrasion on the tooth surface is thus prevented. On the other hand, it is also the function of a bite splint to create an even bite surface in case of a malocclusion. Typically, an occlusal splint is prescribed for bruxism or teeth grinding. It is a protective covering that preserves the tooth structure. Instead, if necessary, the occlusal splint is bitten during sleep, which is easier to replace. Due to the thickness of the bite splint, the jaw is less stressed and the nightly friction pressure on the teeth is reduced. The shape of the bite splint, which the dentist fits, is individually adjusted to the patient’s dentition. After taking several impressions, the laboratory makes a transparent bite splint from hard plastic after the hard plaster impression. If necessary, it is ground in several times. In contrast, the bite splints worn by boxers do not have to be individually adjusted. They serve more to cushion the teeth and are therefore made of soft plastics. The thickness of such a bite splint can be adjusted to individual requirements. A distinction is made between reflex splints and centric splints. The former include the foil splint, the interceptor splint and the Aqualizer. Centric splints include the Michigan splint, the bite guide splint, the equilibration splint and the bite elevation splint. They are each suitable for different indications.
Structure and function
An occlusal splint or bite splint is an individually made plastic support for the treatment of malocclusion of the teeth (e.g. teeth grinding at night)
The structure and function of the bite splint depend on the indication. In many cases, both types of bite splints can be used to improve various clinical pictures in the dentition and jaw area. A bite splint can be used for joint pain, teeth grinding, slight misalignments of the jaw due to uneven abrasion, insufficient contact of the rows of teeth with each other, capsular and ligament diseases, joint cracking, dislocations or muscle hypertrophy. Whether it makes sense in the upper or lower jaw or is even prescribed for both dental arches at the same time varies. The manufacturing process is similar for all bite splints. First, the jaw must be measured and loosened if necessary. Then various impressions are taken, from which a cast model is made. The plaster teeth made of hard plaster, which are true to the patient, are then covered with plastic so that the bite splint fits exactly. It is important that the bite splint neither touches the gums nor cuts into them.
Medical and health benefits
The medical and health benefits of the bite splint are surprisingly controversial. That is why health insurance does not always pay for the bite splint. Patients have a positive opinion of the bite splint. Some patients grind their teeth so much at night that they see it as a relief to be able to wear a bite splint. This reduces tension in the jaw and neck area, as well as abrasion on the tooth surfaces.It can also improve joint cracking. A bite splint is especially useful if you have more than nine amalgam fillings in your mouth and grind your teeth at night. One should remove the amalgam as soon as possible using safe methods and replace it with a non-toxic filler. Until that is done, however, a bite splint can prevent further abrasion of amalgam. This measure could prevent chronic disease from constant low-dose mercury releases.
