Dental splints are used in cosmetic treatments, fixation, and orthodontics or to treat jaw problems. Dental splints have recently increased in Turkey as practical devices that help people treat many issues.
A dental splint is a type of removable or fixed dental device. The splints are custom-made according to the size of the person's teeth from transparent plastic materials, the thickness and manufacture of which varies depending on the function for which the splint is made.
Types of dental splints are also used to fix teeth that have moved from their place or have been completely removed due to bruises, thus preventing their movement.
In this article, you will learn about the different types of splints available, which dental splint is used, and how it works.
Types of dental splint in Istanbul
Dental splints are used in the context of many different treatments. Depending on the needs of each patient, splints can help solve bite problems, align teeth, hold teeth that have been dislodged when trauma occurs, or even help with Teeth whitening By adding bleaching products to it.
Splints are known by a variety of names, such as intraoral devices, fixation devices, occlusal devices, internal devices, repositioning splints, grating splints, night guards, andmouth guard, and other names that refer to commercial vendors who promote specific designs.
There are several distinct types of dental splints:
Snoring treatment splint
The anti-snoring mouth splint device is worn at night when sleeping, moving the lower jaw forward a few millimeters so that it helps natural breathing to prevent snoring at night.
An occlusal splint for the treatment of bruxism
The occlusal splint has the function of treating the problems of the jaw muscles and teeth in addition to the problems of the temporomandibular joint, as the mouth guard device is used in patients with gnashing of teeth And press it while sleeping.
This mouthguard device is larger than other similar devices. It is made of plastic or resin with a thickness that allows the upper and lower teeth to be separated from each other to relax the jaw muscles, thus helping to relax and thus working to prevent bruxism that causes tooth erosion and harm.
But you should know that putting a dental splint alone is not always enough to solve the squeaking problem. Instead, you must investigate and treat the condition's real cause.
What is bruxism?
Known as teeth grinding, it occurs in most people involuntarily during sleep without the ability to control this habit.
Splints help avoid the serious consequences of bruxism on the tooth and the joint, but you must nevertheless investigate the factor causing this grinding to treat the problem. There are many reasons that may cause a person to suffer from bruxism, including:
- stress and pressure
- Bite problems and teeth that need to be straightened
- Tooth loss
This stridor has disturbing symptoms. Some of the common ones include:
- Chronic headache
- myalgia
- stiffness in the jaw
- Sleep disorders
- Worn and loose teeth
- gingivitis
Teeth whitening splint
The most famous and widely used splints are the same as the home teeth whitening trays in which the whitening gel is placed for a few minutes or hours a day.
They are specially made to fit your teeth after taking your mouth measurements.
There are other types of whitening that do not need a splint and are done faster in the dental clinic with technology Laser teeth whitening.
Orthodontic splint
This splint is known as a splint or a splint Invisible aligners Which corrects the problems of placement and occlusion of teeth in some people.
These molds are removable and are changed every 7 to 15 days by the doctor until the desired results are reached.
Dental fixation device after orthodontic treatment
Bite stabilization splints are used after orthodontics to fix the tooth in its new position after moving it with orthodontic treatment.
Our teeth have memory and may move over time to their original position before orthodontic treatment. You need these splints to preserve the results of orthodontics and prevent the recurrence of the condition and treatment.
They should be worn mainly by the patient at night and changed regularly to maintain their function.
Splints to fix loose teeth
The temporary splinting procedure is a process that must take place when the tooth is loosened or pulled out of its place as a result of a traumatic injury to stabilize and preserve it.
It is also used when fixing the tooth in other cases such as recession and insufficient level of the alveolar bone surrounding the teeth before Gum surgery.
Before using it, the teeth must be cleaned and isolated, and then the splint, made of metal wires or composite resin plastic materials, must be installed along the teeth and then glued and fixed.
A splint to raise bite to lengthen the molars
Techniques used by dentists in the event that there is not enough distance vertically in order to make Removable dentures Or fixed dental bridges, this splint rests on the upper jaw over the six lower front teeth only and prevents the back teeth from touching, allowing the back teeth to move up vertically.
Over-the-counter dental splints
An occlusal splint sold in stores is made of plastic that becomes soft when heated, forming a splint that fits you. Its disadvantage is that it does not apply precisely to the teeth and can cause permanent changes by moving adjacent teeth and changing the occlusion.
Sports mouth guards
using Mouth guard device In athletes, teeth are protected in people who engage in violent sports from injury and trauma.
How is a dental splint made in Türkiye?
The dentist takes an impression of the teeth either with traditional printing materials or by using a techniquefor digital imaging of teethThen he will study your condition and then send it to the laboratory to make the splint.
The manufacture of the splint is usually made of hard acrylic resin. After making the splint, the dentist will install and adjust it.
Some types of pre-made splints come in molds of a material that can be softened with heat and then molded to fit you.
You should wear it at the recommended times either throughout the day or at night or both, and also attend follow-up appointments to check your progress and readjust the cast if necessary. Your doctor will advise you on the best way to care for your cast.
How to clean a dental splint
Casting care is actually very simple:
- Teeth are brushed
- Splints should be washed with cool water and mild soap
Removing the dental splint for cleaning allows for a more hygienic treatment.
We can also use denture cleaners that come in the form of tablets that dissolve in water, just put the splints in a glass of water containing a tablet and leave them there for about 20 minutes to ensure they are completely clean.
What is the cost of a dental splint in Türkiye?
The price of a dental splint at the Bimaristan Center depends on the type of splint we make. However, the initial steps for making the splint are similar in all types; the materials for making it and the next steps after taking the impression are different.
Removable orthodontic splints, for example, need to make a series of molds every several weeks and for a long treatment period, unlike nocturnal squeak splints.
There are a variety of reasons why a person may need oral splints. However, the major and most common causes are orthodontic problems, temporomandibular joint disease, and teeth grinding, which can cause severe pain that cannot be treated easily.
Oral splints are the most common and effective treatment method for people with TMJ disorder or bruxism and relieve pain and discomfort.
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