Hard Bite Splint

Splint therapy is a technique used to protect your teeth when you play sports, or to help correct conditions like TMJ and other jaw problems. Hard bite splints are especially effective to help treat “bruxism,” the excessive clenching of the teeth. Clenching or grinding your teeth can cause tooth, jaw, or muscle pain. It can also lead to the wearing of tooth enamel, which can create the need for dental crowns. There are estimates that say almost 1/3rd of the U.S. population clenches and grinds their teeth excessively, and it is especially common during sleep or times of stress.

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The hard bite splint can be worn during sleep to help alleviate the effects of grinding. It is a thin plastic device that is customized to your individual smile to fit over your upper or lower teeth. This ensures that when you do grind your teeth, there is no damage to the enamel because you are just grinding against a smooth plastic surface. They are especially helpful if you have a crown, cap, bridge, dentures, veneers, implants, or other types of replacement enamel or teeth to ensure that these appliances last a long time.

 

As with any device you put in your mouth, it’s important to keep your splint clean and in its protective case when not being worn. You can clean it with warm water and a gentle soap. Make sure to never use hot or boiling water on the splint, because this could distort it and make it uncomfortable.

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A hard bite splint can help keep your jaw more comfortable, and keep your smile bright and shiny and damage free. Schedule an appointment with us to get fitted for a custom-made splint, and see how it improves your oral health. There is no reason your smile should suffer from excessive grinding and clenching.