What is a Bite Splint?

A bite splint is a special mouth guard made just for you. It fits over your teeth. Your dentist makes it to help your teeth and jaw.

A bite splint can help if you:

• Grind your teeth at night
• Have jaw pain
• Have TMJ problems
• Need to keep your jaw in place after surgery

The best thing about a bite splint is that it stops pain. It also helps keep your teeth from getting hurt. And it makes your jaw work better.

“Dental splints put your jaw in a better spot to help your joints feel better,” says a top dentist.

Types of Bite Splints

There are different kinds of bite splints. Each one helps in its own way.

Hard vs. Soft Splints

Hard splints are made of hard acrylic. They last a long time. They work best if you grind your teeth a lot.

Soft splints are made of soft silicone. They feel nice in your mouth. But they don’t last as long.

“Hard splints with flat tops help keep your teeth safe when you grind,” says a bite splint expert.

A study found that hard splints made pain feel 63% better. Soft splints made pain feel 47% better.

Special Kinds of Splints

• TMJ Splints: These help put your jaw joints in the right spot.
• NTI-tss: These keep your back teeth from touching.
• Michigan Splint: These cover all your teeth.

Who Needs a Bite Splint?

You might need a bite splint if you have:

• Jaw pain
• Headaches when you wake up
• Worn-down teeth
• Clicking or popping in your jaw

Did you know? About 5-12% of people in America have pain from TMJ problems.

Doctors often tell you to get a bite splint if you have:

• Bruxism (teeth grinding)
• TMD (jaw joint problems)
• Sleep apnea (breathing problems during sleep)
• Just had braces taken off

How Bite Splints Work

A bite splint helps in two main ways:

1. It makes a barrier between your top and bottom teeth. This means you can’t push as hard when you clench.
2. It puts your jaw in a better place. This helps your TMJ (jaw joint) feel less tight.

To make your splint, your dentist will either:

• Take digital scans of your teeth
• Make impressions (molds) of your teeth

Then they use CAD-CAM technology to make your splint perfect for you. For example, DentaBite Splint uses this method.

After you get your splint, your dentist will check how it fits. They might need to make small changes so your bite feels just right.

Good Things and Bad Things About Bite Splints

Let’s look at what’s good and what’s not so good about bite splints.

Good Things

• Stops your teeth from breaking
• Makes your jaw pain and headaches feel better
• Doesn’t need surgery

A study showed that splints made tooth wear 72% less in a year!

Bad Things

• Might feel strange at first
• Might change how you talk at first
• Needs to be checked and fixed sometimes

Warning: A splint that doesn’t fit right can make things worse. Make sure your dentist checks it.

Other Ways to Help Besides Bite Splints

If you don’t want a bite splint, you can try:

• Lifestyle Changes:
  • Learn to handle stress better
  • Change what you eat
• Medical Help:
  • Botox shots
  • Physical therapy
• Surgery (only if really needed):
  • TMJ arthroscopy
  • Joint replacement

How to Take Care of Your Bite Splint

To make your bite splint last a long time:

1. Clean it every day with a toothbrush and mild soap.
2. Don’t use hot water – it can make your splint change shape.
3. Get a new one every 6-24 months, depending on what it’s made of.

Questions People Often Ask

When to See a Dentist

You should call your dentist if you have:

• Jaw pain that won’t go away
• Trouble chewing
• Grinding sounds that you can hear

Warning Sign: Get help right away if your jaw gets stuck or if you get really bad headaches.

Our custom dental guard services can help address these issues with professional-grade solutions.

Types of Splints for Different Problems

Different problems need different splints.

For Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)

A hard night guard works best. It’s strong enough to handle heavy grinding.

For TMJ Pain

A special occlusal splint can help. It puts your jaw in a better spot.

For Sports

A custom sports mouth guard protects your teeth when you play.

Hard vs. Soft: Which Splint is Better?

The table below shows how hard and soft splints compare:

Bite Splints Using New Technology

CAD-CAM technology has made bite splints better:

• They fit more exactly
• They need less fixing
• You need fewer visits to the dentist

Digital splints cut down on adjustment visits by 50%![^9]

How Bite Splints Save Money

Getting a bite splint now can save you money later. Without a splint:

• Your teeth might crack and need costly fixes
• Your jaw problems might get worse
• You might need surgery

Studies show splint therapy saved patients about $1,200 per year compared to TMJ surgeries.[^10]

Custom Bite Splints vs. Store-Bought Options

When you compare custom and store-bought mouth guards:

How Dentists Make Your Bite Splint

The steps to make your custom bite splint are:

1. Your dentist takes impressions of your teeth
2. They send these to a dental lab
3. The lab makes a 3D model of your teeth
4. They design your splint on a computer
5. A machine carves your splint from a block of material
6. Your dentist checks the fit and makes any needed changes

Different Bite Splint Materials

Bite splints can be made from several materials:

• Acrylic: Hard and durable
• Silicone: Soft and comfortable
• Polycarbonate: Very strong but flexible
• Hybrid: Hard outside with soft inside

Polycarbonate splints last twice as long as others in tests![^11]

Final Thoughts on Bite Splints

A bite splint is a big help if you have teeth grinding or jaw pain. It’s a simple fix that works well without surgery.

The key is getting one that fits right. That means seeing a good dentist who can make it just for your mouth.

With the right bite splint, you can:

• Sleep better
• Have less pain
• Keep your teeth safe
• Feel more relaxed

Remember to take good care of your splint so it lasts a long time!

For patients with complex dental issues, you may also want to explore custom soft night guards which offer a gentler option for sensitive mouths.