Occlusal Splints

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Occlusal Splints Leichhardt

Teeth clenching occurs when you tightly hold your upper and lower teeth together, especially those located at the rearmost part of your mouth.

Like teeth grinding, clenching can result in jaw pain and other teeth-related problems.

Occlusal splints are removable dental appliances made to fit the upper and/or lower teeth to treat temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, bruxism, and sleep apnoea.

Your Leichhardt dentist will properly fit an occlusal splint for you to keep your jaws in a relaxed position and prevent grinding and clenching.

Bruxism

Bruxism, also known as teeth grinding, is a common condition that occurs when a person grinds their teeth or clenches their jaws, usually at night during sleep.

In most cases, sufferers are unaware until they are told that they do.

Although you may not notice the actual grinding of your teeth, there are several other signs and symptoms, such as headaches in the morning, earaches, and sore jaws.

Your Occlusal Splint Appointment

When occlusal splints are made, two short appointments are usually required:

Z Initial appointment

During this appointment, your Leichhardt dentist will take impressions and measurements of your upper and lower teeth.

Z Next appointment

At this point, your Leichhardt dentist will make sure that your new splint fits comfortably around your upper teeth and in your bite.

Z Further Treatment

The main function of an occlusal splint to absorb the forces of bruxism and providing something to wear down other than your teeth.

Over time, your occlusal splint will wear down, chip, and may break after series of teeth grinding and chewing on it. When this happens, your splint will need to be replaced.

For severe bruxism cases, treatment by a physiotherapist may be necessary to treat any muscular pain and to provide exercises to strengthen and protect your jaw joint.