Occlusal Splints: Types, Benefits, and Who Needs Them

Occlusal splints, also known as bite guards, night guards, or dental orthotics, are removable dental devices that cover the occlusal (biting) surfaces of teeth. They are used to manage conditions such as bruxism (teeth grinding), temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs), and excessive dental wear.

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A. Purpose of Occlusal Splints
Occlusal splints serve several key functions:
° Protecting Teeth from Wear: They act as a protective barrier between the upper and lower teeth, preventing enamel erosion and fractures caused by grinding.
° Reducing Jaw and Muscle Pain: By repositioning the jaw and alleviating pressure on the TMJ, they help relieve pain and muscle tension.
° Preventing Further Dental Damage: Patients with bruxism or TMD can experience cracked or worn-down teeth; splints help mitigate this risk.

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B. Types of Occlusal Splints
There are different types of occlusal splints, depending on the patient’s needs:
° Stabilization Splints – Also called flat-plane splints, these are used to prevent bruxism and relieve muscle tension.
° Repositioning Splints – These are designed to reposition the lower jaw to relieve TMJ discomfort.
° Soft Splints – Made of a softer material, these are typically used for mild bruxism cases.
° Dual-Laminate Splints – A combination of hard and soft materials, offering comfort and durability.

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C. Materials Used in Occlusal Splints
Occlusal splints are typically made from the following materials:
° Hard Acrylic Resin (PMMA - Polymethyl Methacrylate): The most common material, it is highly durable and provides excellent stability.
° Thermoplastic Materials: Softer and flexible, these materials offer more comfort but are less durable.
° EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate): Used in softer night guards, providing a balance between comfort and protection.
Dual-Layered Materials: Some splints combine a hard outer shell with a soft inner lining for both protection and comfort.

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D. Who Needs an Occlusal Splint?
Patients who may benefit from occlusal splints include:
° Bruxism Sufferers – Those who grind or clench their teeth, especially at night.
° Patients with TMD – Individuals experiencing jaw pain, clicking sounds, or limited movement of the jaw.
° People with Dental Restorations – Those with veneers, crowns, or implants that need extra protection from excessive force.

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Conclusion
Occlusal splints are essential devices for protecting teeth, managing jaw disorders, and preventing long-term dental complications. Their effectiveness depends on proper diagnosis and professional customization by a dentist.

References
1. Crout, D. K. (2017). Anatomy of an occlusal splint. General Dentistry, 65(2), 52-56. AGD
2. Okeson, J. P. (2014). Management of Temporomandibular Disorders and Occlusion (7th ed.). Elsevier.
3. Jagger, R. (2003). The effectiveness of occlusal splints for sleep bruxism. Evidence-Based Dentistry, 4(2), 39-40.
4. Wright, E. F. (2014). Occlusal Appliance Therapy. In Manual of Temporomandibular Disorders (pp. 149–222). Wiley-Blackwell.
5. Clark, G. T., & Minakuchi, H. (2006). Oral Appliances. In Laskin, D. M., Greene, C. S., & Hylander, W. L. (Eds.), Temporomandibular Disorders: An Evidence-based Approach to Diagnosis and Treatment (pp. 377–390). Quintessence Publishing.

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Bruxism: What are the symptoms? How is it diagnosed?

Bruxism is a parafunctional and multifactorial activity that consists of abnormal contact of the teeth (clenching or grinding), resulting in pain and alterations in the chewing muscles, temporomandibular joint, and teeth.

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Bruxism can occur at any age, and must be diagnosed and treated in time to avoid its serious consequences and complications. Treatment is sometimes usually multidisciplinary.

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We share a review article on the symptoms of bruxism and its current concepts on the diagnosis and treatment of this pathology.

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📌 Read and download the article in PDF:

👉 "Diagnosis and treatment of bruxism: Concepts from past to present" 👈

Dr. Hema Kanathila, Dr. Ashwin Pangi, Dr. Bharathi Poojary, Dr. Mallikarjun Doddamani. Diagnosis and treatment of bruxism: Concepts from past to present. Int J Appl Dent Sci 2018;4(1):290-295.

📌 Watch video "Symptoms of Bruxism"

Youtube/ Dr. Gorbatov Dentistry

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Online Video library - Bruxism: Definition, diagnosis and treatments

Bruxism is a parafunctional pathology, which can occur day or night, and affects both adults and children. The presence of bruxism affects the teeth, orofacial muscles, and the temporomandibular joint.

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Bruxism is evidenced when the patient grinds or clenches his teeth. The origin of bruxism is multifactorial, for which an interdisciplinary treatment is recommended.

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🎯We share an interesting list of videos dedicated to this pathology, so that it can be shared in the dental community.

► Bruxism: A medical or dental issue?

► Can children suffer from bruxism?

► What are the symptoms of clenched teeth and how can we fix it?

► Bruxism - A Major Cause of Gum Recession

► What are the consequences of bruxism?

► Everything you need to know about bruxism

► Bruxism: Why do you need a dental splint?

What are the consequences of bruxism?

Bruxism is a parafunctional habit that consists of clenching or grinding the teeth. This event can be day or night and affects both children and adults. The consequences of this pathology not only affect the teeth, but also the temporomandibular joint and the chewing muscles.

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In many cases, the patient does not know that he suffers from bruxism, and is detected when he attends the dentist motivated by another consultation. In other cases, the patient attends another specialty motivated by headaches and ends up being referred to dentistry.

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We share a simple but didactic explanation of the serious consequences of suffering from bruxism. Thanks to the Osmosis channel.

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Everything you need to know about bruxism

Bruxism is an involuntary and parafunctional act, usually nocturnal, and is associated with stress and anxiety. Bruxism causes a number of problems with the teeth, chewing muscles, and the temporomandibular joint.

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The patient suffering from bruxism may experience headaches, pain in the muscles of the face, pain in the temporomandibular joint, wear or fracture of the enamel, etc.

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The treatment of bruxism is multidisciplinary. In dentistry, discharge splints are made to relieve pain and muscle tension and prevent premature wear of the enamel.

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Bruxism - A Major Cause of Gum Recession

The unconscious and nocturnal act of grinding or clenching the teeth is known as bruxism. This pathology is the cause of wear or fractures of the teeth or dental prostheses.

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Another consequence of bruxism is the progressive loss of the maxillary bone, generating a recession of the gums. Bruxism must be treated to avoid its serious consequences that go beyond just a dental problem.

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Fortunately, there are treatments for bruxism and for recession of the gums. We recommend visiting your trusted dentist for an evaluation and proper treatment in case you suffer from this disease.

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Is Bruxism a Medical or Dental Problem? Causes, Risks, and Treatments

Bruxism—defined as the habit of clenching or grinding teeth—blurs the line between medical and dental domains, demanding a multidisciplinary approach.

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This article explores whether it should be considered a dental problem, a medical condition, or both, by examining its signs, contributing factors, risk assessment tools, treatment strategies, and clinical management plans.

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✅ Signs of Bruxism
Common clinical signs include:

° Teeth grinding or clenching noises, often loud enough to wake a partner.
° Flattened, fractured, chipped, or worn-down enamel; increased tooth sensitivity.
° Jaw soreness, tightness, muscle fatigue, and restricted opening or popping.
° Headaches (especially at the temples), facial pain, earache-like symptoms.
° Hypertrophied jaw muscles, damaged dental restorations and mobility.

Parafunctional Risk Rating System (PRR)

PRR Level	Risk Description	Clinical Indicators	Recommended Action
PRR-1 (Low Risk)	Mild parafunction	Occasional clenching/grinding, no significant wear, minimal symptoms	Monitor annually, patient education, optional QuickSplint® trial
PRR-2 (Moderate Risk)	Early signs of damage	Visible wear facets, jaw muscle tightness, occasional morning discomfort	4-week QuickSplint® trial, evaluate symptom relief, consider occlusal guard
PRR-3 (High Risk)	Active parafunction with clinical damage	Fractured restorations, moderate tooth wear, frequent jaw pain or headaches	Occlusal appliance (custom guard), behavioral therapy, stress management, monitor every 6 months
PRR-4 (Very High Risk)	Severe parafunction	Severe enamel loss, multiple fractured crowns, muscle hypertrophy, TMD symptoms	Immediate occlusal appliance, multidisciplinary management (dentist, sleep medicine, psychology, neurology), consider Botox if refractory

This system allows clinicians to quantify parafunctional risk, monitor progression, and tailor interventions.

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✅ Contributing Factors
Bruxism is multifactorial, resting at the intersection of oral health, psychology, neurology, and systemic conditions:

° Psychosocial Stress, Anxiety, Personality Traits (e.g. aggressive, competitive, hyperactive): major drivers of awake bruxism; up to ~70% of cases linked to stress.
° Sleep-related factors: micro-arousals, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), autonomic system activation—especially in sleep bruxism.
° Medications: SSRIs, stimulants, antidepressants, certain neurological drugs may trigger or exacerbate bruxism.
° Lifestyle: Caffeine, alcohol, smoking, recreational drugs like MDMA or stimulants.
° Medical/neurological contributors: GERD, migraines, MS, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, brain injury.
° Genetics: Familial tendency seen in 21–50% of sleep bruxism cases, though specific markers are still unidentified.

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✅ Course of Action & Treatment Plans

1. Diagnosis & Assessment
° Clinical exam and history: observe wear, muscle tenderness, case of fractured restorations.
° Use of diagnostic aids: dental appliance wear, partner reports, questionnaires, and in some cases polysomnography or EMG.

2. Immediate Intervention
° Dental appliances: Custom occlusal splints or mouthguards protect teeth from further damage but don’t eliminate the habit.
° Desensitization & repair: Crown, reshape teeth, restore occlusal surfaces if worn.

3. Behavioral & Lifestyle Modifications
° Stress management, CBT, relaxation techniques, improved sleep hygiene.
° Avoidance of stimulants (caffeine, alcohol), quitting smoking, and reducing hard or chewy foods.

4. Medical / Adjunct Treatments
° Medications: Muscle relaxants, adjusting causative meds, or substituting SSRIs. Evidence remains limited.
° Botox (BoNT-A): Effective in reducing muscle activity and pain for several months.
° Multidisciplinary referrals: Coordinate with sleep specialists, neurologists, psychologists, and physical therapists.

5. Follow-Up & Monitoring
° Reassess using PRR after a QuickSplint trial; adjust care plan accordingly. Annual monitoring recommended.

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💬 Discussion
Bruxism defies simple classification: as an oral parafunctional activity, it results in direct dental damage; yet, its driving forces are often rooted in psychological stress, sleep physiology, medications, or systemic illness. Dental professionals can manage the manifestations, while medical specialists address underlying contributing factors. This interplay underpins why bruxism should be viewed as both a dental and medical issue.

✍️ Conclusion
Bruxism should not be siloed—it is simultaneously a dental and medical concern. Optimal management intertwines clinical dental care, behavioral modification, lifestyle adjustment, and, when necessary, pharmacological or specialty intervention. Tools like the PRR guide risk stratification and treatment customization. Early detection and a collaborative, biopsychosocial approach greatly enhance patient outcomes.

📚 References

✔ Lobbezoo, F., et al. (2018). International consensus on the assessment of bruxism as a repetitive masticatory muscle activity with clenching or grinding. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation.
✔ Lal, S. J. (2024). Bruxism Management. In NCBI Bookshelf, StatPearls.
✔ NIDCR. (n.d.). Bruxism. National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research.
✔ RDH Magazine. (2020, February 29). Bruxism: A medical or dental issue? RDH Magazine.
✔ Quicksplint.com. (2016). Parafunction Risk Rating Protocol (PRR). Orofacial Therapeutics LP.
✔ Los Angeles Times. (2025, July 17). Bruxism (Teeth Grinding): Causes, Diagnosis and Treatments. Los Angeles Times.

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What are the symptoms of clenched teeth and how can we fix it?

Grinding and grinding of the teeth is called bruxism. This activity is nocturnal and in states of unconsciousness. The consequences of bruxism is varied, since it affects teeth, muscles and bones.

The teeth wear out quickly and may have some fissure or fracture of the enamel. In the case of muscles, they become inflamed and generate great pain when chewing or talking.

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Can children suffer from bruxism?

Bruxism is an involuntary and parafunctional activity, it is characterized by the grinding and clenching of teeth, and it is usually at bedtime. It occurs with some frequency in children up to about 5 years old.

Bruxism in children is also associated with mouth breathing, enlarged tonsils, nutritional deficiencies, intestinal parasites and psychological factors.


The consequences of bruxism in children are crown fractures, dental mobility, tooth loss, headaches and the temporomandibular joint. It is important to carry out a treatment in time so we avoid the consequences at the dental and joint level.

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Bruxism: Why do you need a dental splint?

Bruxism is a pathology that consists of teeth grinding, it is known as a trigger for stress. This pathology can occur day or night, but it is more related to sleep.

The dental splint is a device that aims to treat bruxism, snoring and apnea. Patients who suffer from a mandibular disorder and bruxism, use the splint to protect from the consequences of teeth grinding or clenching.

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Bruxism brings consequences to the oral cavity, such as: tooth wear and fracture, bone resorption, jaw pain, headache. So the diagnosis and treatment must be carried out immediately.

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