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.

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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?

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► 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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Bruxism: A medical or dental issue?

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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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Bruxism: A medical or dental issue?

Bruxism is a parafunctional habit characterized by teeth grinding or clenching, usually at night. This activity generates a series of problems in the teeth, chewing muscles and jaw joint.

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Bruxism is often seen in the dental office and is listed as the “third most common form of sleep disorders after sleep talking and snoring.” This parafunctional habit (or parasomnia in medical terms) of grinding or gnashing the teeth and clenching the jaw has two different subdisorders—awake (diurnal) bruxism and sleep (nocturnal) bruxism—and is encompassed by a complex web of supposed causes and variables.

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Sleep bruxism (SB) exists in 8% to 31.4% of the population, while awake bruxism has a higher prevalence exhibited in 22.1% to 31% of the general population.

Unfortunately, both conditions have the same deleterious effects on the patient’s mouth and jaw, causing a cascade of destructive symptoms in the mouth, head, and neck. The parafunctional activities of bruxism cause hypersensitivity in teeth, headaches, painful muscles of the jaw and temporomandibular joint (TMJ), occlusal wear, and often, damage dental restorations, even dental implants.

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Indeed, 13% of failed implants are attributed to bruxism, making recognition of the disorder essential before commencing implantation work.

Without question, bruxism is a constant symptom in the dental office, at least in its presenting symptoms. However, there is more to this complex and perplexing disorder than meets the eye, as any dental professional who has been in the field for more than a few years can tell you. Beyond the local effects, the syndrome is correlated with a host of other medical and lifestyle issues. This leads us to the question: Is bruxism a medical or dental issue?

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Souce: https://www.rdhmag.com/pathology/oral-systemic/article/14169169/medical-problems-dental-solutions-bruxism-a-medical-or-dental-issue
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