Dental Splints in Paddington
Protecting Your Teeth and Jaw
Dental splints are custom-made devices designed to address various dental and jaw-related issues, particularly for those who suffer from night grinding (bruxism). Bruxism is when patients involuntarily grind or clench their teeth during sleep, often due to stress or an uneven bite. If left untreated, this habit may cause significant damage to your teeth and jaw muscles.
Over time, the grinding habit may persist even after the initial cause is resolved, as the jaw muscles become accustomed to the movement. This may lead to stronger, bulkier jaw muscles, exerting greater force, accelerating tooth wear and increasing the risk of fractures.
The primary benefit of using an occlusal splint is to prevent further damage to your teeth and to train your jaw muscles to stop the grinding or clenching habit. The splint distributes biting forces evenly across your teeth by providing a hard, stable surface, reducing the risk of excessive loading damage. Over time, the splint helps your jaw muscles learn where to rest, gradually decreasing clenching and grinding.
How Your Splint is Made
At Red Hill Dental, we offer occlusal splints, also known as nightguards. These are custom-made to protect teeth from the damaging effects of bruxism and alleviate the strain on jaw muscles. Our splints are created using advanced 3D CAD (Computer-Aided Design) and 3D printing technology, ensuring a perfect fit and stable, even biting surface.
The process begins with a precise scan of your teeth and bite, followed by an analysis of your biting pattern. Our experienced clinicians then determine the thickness, shape, and surface contour for optimal comfort and durability. The final design is printed using TGA-approved medical-grade resin and is carefully fitted by our clinicians to ensure a comfortable and functional fit.
While some patients may initially find the splint a bit bulky, most adapt to it within a few weeks. Dental splints are a highly predictable, non-invasive way to manage bruxism, significantly reducing tooth wear and minimising the risk of fractures. This preventive approach helps avoid costly dental care in the future.
Caring for Your Dental Appliance
Proper care of your dental splint is essential to ensure its longevity and effectiveness. After each use, rinse your splint under cold or warm water for about 20 seconds to remove any residual saliva. Avoid soaking it in water hotter than 60 degrees, as the resin is heat-sensitive. To maintain freshness, cleanse your splint twice weekly with a denture-cleaning tablet. Always store it safely in its case, and avoid wrapping it in tissue paper to prevent accidental disposal.
Take Control of Your Dental Health
If you’re experiencing the effects of night grinding, schedule an appointment with Red Hill Dental today. Our custom-fitted dental splints offer a reliable solution to protect your teeth and promote long-term oral health.
* Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
