Mouth Guards & Splints
Your teeth are valuable. To safeguard them against grinding, intense clenching, and other types of force, mouth guards and splints are used. These protective devices shield your precious teeth, minimising the risk of wear and damage.
MOUTH GUARD
Mouthguards are designed to provide protection for your teeth against grinding or clenching during sleep, as well as potential injuries during sports activities. In addition, they can assist in reducing snoring and alleviating symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea. These devices serve as a valuable tool in safeguarding your teeth and promoting overall oral health.
Sports Mouth Guard
A sports mouth guard is a dental appliance that shields the teeth and surrounding soft tissues, effectively minimizing the risk of trauma to the teeth, gums, lips, and jaws. Its purpose is to provide protection and reduce the potential for injury in sports-related activities.
SPLINT
Splints are commonly recommended by dentists to address bruxism, a sleep disorder characterized by teeth grinding. While occasional teeth clenching is common, frequent grinding can cause damage to the teeth, jaw problems, and other oral health issues.
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Many individuals are unaware that they grind their teeth as it often occurs subconsciously during sleep. It may only come to light when someone observes or hears the grinding. If you are a night time grinder, it is crucial to seek treatment to prevent dental complications.
Occlusal Splint
If your dentist determines that you require treatment for TMJ, they may suggest the use of a splint.
A splint is a removable dental device designed to cover either a few or all of your upper or lower teeth. These splints are typically crafted from hard acrylic resin in a dental laboratory, using an impression of your teeth as a guide.
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Once the splint is fabricated, your dentist will ensure it fits properly and make any necessary adjustments. You will be instructed to wear the splint according to the recommended schedule, which may involve wearing it all day, only during nighttime, or both. It is important to attend follow-up appointments to assess the progress of your symptoms and potentially have the splint readjusted if needed.
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Your dentist will provide guidance on the proper care and maintenance of the splint.
While a mouth guard protects your teeth from any sort of impact, a splint is designed to hold two parts together to prevent harmful movement or behaviour.
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TMJ splints and night guards, although distinct devices, share a common goal of stabilizing and supporting the joints and muscles. Their aim is to prevent malocclusion, which occurs when teeth are misaligned when the jaws are closed. However, TMJ splints offer additional vertical support compared to night guards. They also assist in guiding the lower jaw into a more natural and comfortable position.
