How much does an occlusal splint cost?

When making an occlusal splint, costs of up to 500€ can be expected. These depend on the type of splint, the material used and the manufacturing costs. For precise fabrication, a model of the situation in the patient’s mouth is required, which is achieved by taking an impression.

The so-called dental impression is usually covered by health insurance companies. Costs can increase additionally due to different adaptation methods. The replacement of a splint is usually free of charge, but only if a certain interval is observed.

You should therefore ask your health insurance company beforehand. In most cases, the cost of making an occlusal splint is covered by the health insurance company. However, special diagnostic procedures or work steps are not covered.

These will be invoiced privately. This includes the facebow. This is used to transfer the position of the upper jaw to the model true to detail so that the splint will fit perfectly later.

If it is omitted, standardized values are assumed instead. This may have the disadvantage that the splint does not fit properly. This regulation of cost coverage generally also applies to private health insurance companies.

Wearing period

In most cases it is sufficient to wear the splint at night. After brushing your teeth in the evening, the splint is inserted and then removed again the next morning. In case of strong muscular complaints, the splint can also be used during the day.

This is especially the case in stressful times when there is a lot of work to do or an examination is imminent. The jaw muscles are then tensed unconsciously. Since the length of time the splint is worn is adjusted individually, you should trust the advice of your doctor.

Effect

An occlusal splint ensures that all teeth are evenly in contact with each other.This is especially necessary when not all teeth are in the right place and some do not have contact. This results in a cramped position of the lower jaw, which is accompanied by muscle or jaw joint pain. Through the even contact of the teeth via the splint, the muscles are relaxed again.

This provides relief when worn regularly. An occlusal splint can also help with grinding. Although the splint cannot prevent the teeth from rubbing and pressing against each other at night, it can reduce the consequences.

Overloading of individual teeth is also prevented by ensuring that all teeth have equal contact. On the one hand, this is to reduce the grinding, on the other hand the splint prevents the teeth from rubbing against each other. Only the plastic wears out because it is less hard than the enamel.

Some people unconsciously clench their teeth automatically when they rest. This automatism is to be replaced by new movement patterns, so that in the future a casual lower jaw position can be adopted even without the splint. The occlusal splint helps to find a resting position in which the teeth do not touch each other.