Night Guards/ Bite Splints/ TMJ

Conversations about night guards can be very complicated because the reasons for their use, as well as the designs and implementation, are as varied as the doctors who recommend them.  The difference between a night guard and a bite splint is significant.  A night guard simply keeps the upper and lower teeth from rubbing together during sleep.  A bite splint is an appliance that may be used before and/or after dental treatment to coordinate the jaw joint, teeth and chewing muscles.  Carol has pursued the study of splint therapy because of her personal experience with TMJ pain.  She has extensive experience using splint therapy to treat the signs and symptoms of TMD (temporomandibular disorder), bruxism (grinding the teeth), as well as protective appliances for
sports, implants, and veneers.

Before a splint is made in our own lab, models of your teeth are put on a mechanical device that allows Carol to study the way your teeth relate to each other in function.  A hard, acrylic splint (soft night guards are not recommended) is then made. When worn, the splint allows us to find an ideal bite that “turns off” some of the excess muscle activity that is causing the problem(s).

A well-adjusted splint is used to treat the symptoms, as well as to diagnose the possible causes of TMD.   It can decrease the amount of night-time clenching and grinding, keep teeth from moving, and aids in the treatment of periodontal disease.  After implants, crowns, or veneers are placed, a bite
splint will help prevent damage to the restorations.  Splint therapy is especially valuable to control forces when no dental treatment is planned.  Controlling the forces of the bite helps preserve and protect natural teeth, too. 

A “night guard” looks like just a simple plastic device that separates the upper and lower teeth.  A properly made splint is an invaluable component of long-lasting restorative dental care.