Occlusal Splints

People who grind and clench their teeth can sometimes develop a serious condition with their jaw called temporomandibular disorder (TMD). Clenching and grinding can also cause excessive wear of teeth.

Some treatments for TMD include muscle relaxants, specific exercises or wearing a small plastic appliance (occlusal splint) in the mouth during sleep.

An occlusal splint is a slim hard acrylic guard fitted to an individual’s upper or lower jaw and covers the biting surface of their upper teeth. Worn at night, an occlusal splint intends to help guide the jaw into a neutral position to relieve pressure applied to teeth and jaws. Further, an occlusal splint is also effective in reducing further wear of the teeth.

In some cases, occlusal splint therapy is insufficient in treating TMD, and a referral to a TMJ or pain specialist can be arranged.