A custom fluoridation splint is a plastic splint that is laboratory-manufactured to fit each of a patient’s upper and lower dental arches and serves as a medication carrier for fluoride-containing gel.
Why fluoride?
Fluoride is an essential trace element and indispensable for the formation of healthy bone and tooth structure.In dentistry, fluorides, especially when applied locally (on the tooth surface), are the mainstay of caries prophylaxis. Tooth decay occurs when bacteria in plaque metabolize short-chain carbohydrates/sugars into acids, which demineralize (soften) and permanently destroy tooth enamel unless remineralization occurs after each exposure to acid.And this is how fluorides work on the tooth:
- They promote remineralization (storage of minerals from saliva in the tooth).
- They inhibit demineralization (dissolution of minerals from the tooth surface).
- They form a calcium fluoride top layer, which acts as a fluoride depot and provides fluoride for remineralization when acid acts on the tooth surface
- Beginning caries damage is stopped.
- They are deposited in the tooth enamel and form there mixed crystals of hydroxyapatite and fluoroapatite, which are more difficult to dissolve acid than pure hydroxyapatite crystals. Thus, the enamel experiences an increase in hardness.
- They make it more difficult for bacteria to attach to the tooth surface and thus plaque formation (formation of plaque).
- Fluorides inhibit bacterial enzymes necessary for the breakdown of sugar. The inhibition of bacterial metabolism leads to the fact that less acids are produced.
Indications (areas of application)
Lifelong fluoridation of tooth surfaces to protect against caries is in principle indicated for anyone who does not consistently eat a healthy diet and does not practice optimal oral hygiene. Anyone who does not demonstrate such committed behavior will not be able to avoid fluoridation measures to prevent caries. If the caries risk is not increased, basic fluoride prophylaxis in the form of fluoridated toothpaste and fluoridated table salt is sufficient. If there is an increased risk of caries, the weekly application of a fluoride gel concentrate is one of the options. In this case, the application (application) does not necessarily have to be carried out with a splint, which is merely an option that offers certain advantages. The individual splint offers advantages compared to ready-made splints/trays:
- It fits the teeth precisely, whereby the fluoride gel is adapted tightly to the teeth.
- The fit means that much less fluoride gel is required.
- The wearing comfort is much greater because the individual splint is designed more graceful and thus with much less space in the mouth is required, which is particularly advantageous for patients who are prone to gagging.
Advantages are also noticeable when compared to brushing a fluoride gel with a toothbrush:
- The splint distributes the fluoride gel more evenly than is the case with average toothbrushing technique.
- The wearing time of the splint and thus exposure time of the fluoride gel is not achieved even with highly motivated toothbrushing technique.
Contraindications
Fluoride gels have a fluoride concentration of 12,500 ppm (parts per million). Thus, a prerequisite for use is that the gel is not swallowed. Thus, neither brushing nor wearing a fluoridation tray is indicated for younger children who have not yet mastered spitting out.
The procedure
- First, impressions of your teeth are taken in the dental office.
- In the dental laboratory, the impressions are used to create plaster models of the upper and lower jaw.
- Thermoplastic (deformable with heat) is pulled over the plaster models in a vacuum process and thus adapted precisely to the respective dental arch.
- After cooling, fine contouring of the plastic edges takes place.
- Fluoridation splint can be used both in the dental office and at home. Thinly coated with a fluoride gel and placed on the dental arches, it is worn for 4 to a maximum of 10 minutes. Here, saliva ejector or kidney dish can be used in the dental office to prevent swallowing.
- The domestic application is usually once a week.
Benefits
You significantly reduce your risk of tooth decay through regular use of fluoride, providing your teeth with optimal protection that keeps them healthy and vital and preserves a bright smile into old age.
