Occlusal Splints
Protect Your Teeth from Enamel Wear
Occlusal Splints Albury
An occlusal splint is a custom-fitted nightguard that is worn over your upper teeth.
- Protects your teeth from further wear and also protect against their chipping and cracking.
- Opens your bite to remove some pressure from your jaw joints and muscles
- Evens out your bite, taking the pressure off your teeth. This improves toothache or pain in chewing.
- Encourages you to stop grinding or clenching.
Signs You Might Need An Occlusal Splint
Your dentist is often the first person to notice or tell you that you may need to consider an occlusal splint.
When you visit for a dental check-up, your dentist may notice wear to the biting surfaces of your teeth, crack or chips in your teeth, or marks or indentations on the cheeks and tongue. Often these changes in the mouth can be a sign that you may clench or grind your teeth.
Sometimes, before you see your dentist, you may start to experience symptoms that can mean that you may need a splint.
These symptoms can include the following:
- Pain or discomfort in the jaw, muscles or teeth
- Difficulty chewing food
- Limited or difficulty opening your mouth
- Tension headaches
- Increased sensitivity of the teeth.
Based on your symptoms and through a thorough dental check-up, your Albury dentist may recommend and talk to you about considering an occlusal splint.
What happens if you don’t use a splint as indicated?
The teeth enamel rapidly wear down, exposing the soft internal part of the tooth, which wears quickly.
If left to wear down, bacteria can penetrate through to the nerve, and a root canal treatment may be required.
To restore the teeth, you may need dental crowns or porcelain veneers.
Dental crowns and implants are protected from excessive forces which may chip or loosen them.
Making Your Occlusal Splint
Splints are typically made of hard acrylic resin and moulded from an impression of your teeth.
After the splint is made, your Albury dentist will fit and readjust it. You are expected to wear it at the recommended times, to come in for follow-up appointments to check on how your symptoms progress and to have the splint readjusted whenever necessary. Your Albury dentist will advise you about how to best care for the splint.
Occlusal Splints in Albury
If you suffer or believe you are suffering from TMJ disorder or bruxism, oral splints may be the right treatment for you. Contact your Albury dentist today.
Give us a call on (02) 6021 4171 for more information on occlusal splints in Albury. Book your appointment online.
We are located at 525 Wilson St in Albury.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are occlusal splints made from?
When are occlusal splints worn?
You can also choose to wear your splint while working or studying.
How do I care for my occlusal splint?
Caring for your occlusal splint is important for getting the most out of it and ensuring it lasts for as long as possible!
At Kreativ Dental, we recommend that you:
- Always clean your splint with cold water
- Clean it before and after wearing
- Store it in its container when not in use
Your Albury dentist will give you more instructions on how to care for your splint when they give it to you.