After Care Answers

Occlusal Splints for Myofascial Pain-Dysfunction Syndrome
Bruxism or Clenching

Purpose
The purpose of this therapy is to influence your lower jaw to function freely in a natural anatomic movement in relation to your cranium. Many situations cause the malfunction of your lower jaw. Examples are: accidents, surgery, developmental defects, peculiar oral habits, many fillings placed over numerous years, naturally occuring malocclusion (poor bite), orthodontics, psychological stress, clenching or bruxing of teeth, and other problems.

Rationale
You have received an occlusal splint (bite splint). This type of therapy has been used for many years to artificially free the jaws from any tooth related contact and to allow the lower jaw to return to a comfortable hinge position

Wearing the splint

If your disease is myofascial pain-dysfunction syndrome, you should wear the splint as much as possible unless directed otherwise. Many fillings placed in your mouth over the years or other conditions have caused your teeth to occlude (meet) in a position your jaws cannot tolerate. The splint eliminates tooth to tooth contact. Your symptoms gradually disappear while wearing the splint, and your natural teeth, bridges and/or fillings will be adjusted by your dentist to the new bite (occlusal equilibration). After equilibration, you will wear your splint only at night. Over a period of time you will not wear the splint at all. The described treatment usually requires from a few weeks to several months.

If your disease is bruxism or clenching, you should wear your splint at night or when you cannot control your jaw movements.

Cleaning the Splint and your teeth
Food will accumulate around and under the splint. At least one time each day, brush and floss your teeth very thoroughly. Brush and rinse the inside and outside of the splint, and return it to your mouth. Dental decay can be stimulated if you are not careful about the cleanliness of your mouth and splint.

When the splint is out of your mouth
If the splint is out of your mouth for any reason, your teeth may not occlude (meet) in harmony. This is to be expected because of muscle relaxation while wearing the splint. A bite balancing adjustment appointment (occlusal equilibration) will eliminate this improper meeting of the teeth (malocclusion). You may desire to soak it occasionally ine one of the commercially available denture cleansers or to place a few drops of chlorox in water solution for a soak.