More questions about splint therapy - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

taape · 08-18-2008, 06:25 PM

Today I got my new splint, an upper one. It's hard plastic stuff. The orthodontist said that this would help move my jaw so it works right even if my teeth don't match up. He said that there is alot of wear in the back of my front teeth because it's hitting there first rather than me chewing on the back teeth.

He said the splint will help stop the bad effects of teeth grinding. I think he said that it will help with the loose teeth.

Does this sound like the correct purpose for having a splint? I don't have any pain in my jaw or neck or anything but some clicking noise sometimes. He doesn't talk much so I have to ask questions I guess.

I'm alittle bit worried because after reading posts here it seems like many people had xrays or MRI's and he is giving me the splint just based on the molds he made.

Thelma-Louise · 08-18-2008, 09:48 PM

Well he is probably basing the slpint therapy on the clicking he is hearing when you open and close as well as the visual evidence he is seeing on your teeth that indicates your bite is not as good as it should be. Although its standard practice to reposition the jaw to achieve optimal functionality which will reduce or eliminate the clicking - generally braces are then used to correct the position of the teeth - did he mention that or is he assuming or hoping you will just continue to wear the splint? Is it actually a respositioning splint to move your jaw to a better psoition or a stablizing splint to keep the jaw in place?

While its true that eliminating malocclusion (by wearing the splint) will allow teeth to tighten up (they become slightly mobile due to the forces exerted when they or other teeth do not meet together correctly) and wearing the splint will help reduce the effects of grinding since the splint takes the brunt of the grinding and not the teeth themselves, I am not so sure about the statement that the jaw will function correctly even if the teeth don't match up as they should. I know not everyone has a perfectly balanced and aligned bite but if the teeth don't match up or fit together correctly the force of them trying to do so or gnashing against each other could make things worse or at the very least allow your symptoms to return - unless as I said before the thought is that you will always wear the splint or then need to wear braces afterwards.

Did he mention what happens once splint therapy is completed?

taape · 08-18-2008, 10:02 PM

I asked whether I will need to wear a splint always. He said that I had some options- wearing one only at night due to grinding in my sleep maybe, doing something with the test that required more crowns but said that the expensive option, and one more option that I don't remember.

I think this is a reposition splint because I have to go back several times for adjustment. He did mention that the back of my front teeth are worn down since that's where my teeth fit together first. I can feel the back touching first with it on.

Thanks again for your knowledge on the subject.

Thelma-Louise · 08-18-2008, 10:15 PM

Well there is another option that would probably work since it is your back teeth that need to be lengthened so you don't hit first on your front teeth and that is once optimal positioning has occurred and your bite is stable and your symptoms are resolved the dentist cuts away portions of the splint where the back teeth are - this allows the back teeth to erupt further or "grow" to meet the tooth below it. If that does not work then you could look into overlays which are less destructive to teeth structures than crowns - they are simply caps cemented over teeth but this could lengthen them as well. Of course braces could be done to pull your back teeth together as well.

taape · 08-19-2008, 04:08 AM

Maybe that was the third option the dentist was talking about, cutting away the back part of the splint. I've got so many crowns I don't know if they can put overlays over the crowns or not. Thanks for writing back with this information.