Orthodontics
Occlusal splint
An occlusal splint is a hard or soft plastic appliance worn over the teeth to protect them and to ease strain on the jaw muscles and joints.
Occlusal splints, also called bite splints or stabilization splints, are made from a mold of your teeth. They cover the upper or lower teeth and change how the teeth meet. A review in the NIH library says splints are used in dental offices to diagnose and treat problems of the chewing system, and may be used for jaw joint disorders and bruxism. The same review notes that there is no clear proof splints are better than physical therapy for jaw joint pain. A night guard is a common type. Your dentist will talk with you about when to wear it and how to clean it. See bruxism, TMJ disorder, and night guard, or our night guards page.
Related terms
- Night guard
- Bruxism (teeth grinding)
- TMJ disorder (TMD)
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ)
- Occlusal adjustment