Bite Splint: Features and Benefits
It is a removable device made of hard acrylic that is placed over the teeth, usually on the upper jaw, although sometimes on the lower jaw in cases of deep overbites, after being custom-made for each patient. It helps prevent irreversible damage to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and tooth wear by ensuring proper occlusion through its fit.
Main Characteristics of the Bite Splint
- Ensure a single, uniform contact point per tooth when biting.
- Achieve canine disclusion in both lateral and protrusive movements, such that only the canines contact the splint during these movements.
- The splint must not have any indentations but must be completely flat to allow freedom of movement for the jaw.
- They must be made of a hard, rigid acrylic material and be thick enough to allow for initial fitting and subsequent adjustments, while increasing the patient’s vertical dimension as little as possible.
- They must be passive with respect to the teeth and remain in position without the patient having to exert any effort.
Following these guidelines for designing a bite splint, various studies confirm that 21 days after use, tooth mobility caused by occlusal trauma is reduced, and pain in the muscles or joint is reduced or eliminated.
In addition, they improve the position of the condyle within the joint and temporarily provide an occlusal situation that allows the joints to adopt a more stable position.
