Occlusal splints: Innovation in dental technology

06/11/2024 | Knowledge

Learn all about occlusal splints, their types, application and future developments in dentistry.

1. Occlusal splints: Masterpieces of dental technology in focus

In the world of dentistry and dental technology, occlusal splints are a prime example of the fusion of clinical precision and technological innovation. These highly specialized devices, designed to correct and prevent misalignments in the masticatory system, have established themselves as indispensable in modern dental practice. Their applications range from the treatment of bruxism and craniomandibular dysfunction to the improvement of general jaw health.

1.1 Definition and historical overview

Occlusal splints are specialized oral devices designed to evenly distribute chewing pressure and thus protect teeth and jaws from overload. They are used to treat a variety of misaligned teeth and jaw problems and make a significant contribution to improving oral health.
The beginning of their development marks a turning point in the history of dentistry. Originally designed as simple aids, occlusal splints have developed into highly complex and individually adjustable therapy devices thanks to advances in materials science and manufacturing technology. Their ability to evenly distribute chewing pressure and relieve the temporomandibular joint has revolutionized the treatment of jaw and tooth diseases.

1.2 Materials and manufacturing

A modern occlusal splint made of clear plastic, fitted on a plaster dental model, demonstrating advanced materials and manufacturing techniques

1.3 Types and design

The design and use of occlusal splints vary depending on clinical needs and individual requirements. The three main types – soft, hard and hybrid splints – offer different properties and benefits:

Soft splints: This type of splint is typically made from flexible materials such as soft plastic or silicone. They are particularly suitable for patients with mild to moderate bruxism or for those using a splint for the first time. Their flexibility offers a high level of comfort and they are effective in reducing tooth damage caused by grinding. However, they offer less stability than hard splints and can wear out more quickly.

Hard splints: Made from solid materials such as acrylic, hard splints offer greater stability and durability. They are ideal for patients with severe bruxism, significant TMJ problems, or pronounced occlusal disorders. These splints provide effective distribution of chewing pressure and stable support for the TMJ, but may be less comfortable initially and require more precise fitting.

Hybrid splints: These splints combine the benefits of soft and hard materials. They often consist of a hard outer layer for stability and a soft inner layer for comfort. Hybrid splints are particularly suitable for patients who need both the robustness of a hard splint and the comfort of a soft splint. They are versatile and can be adapted to a wide range of jaw and dental problems.
The design of each appliance is tailored to each patient individually to ensure optimal effectiveness and maximum comfort. The specific dental conditions, the patient's preferences and the recommendations of the treating dentist play a decisive role.

1.4 Clinical applications

Occlusal splint on a dental model, showing therapeutic applications in dentistry

In dental practice, the value of occlusal splints is manifested by their multiple therapeutic applications, which expand the boundaries of conventional treatment methods. These splints are instrumental in the treatment and prevention of a number of dental and orthodontic pathologies.

Bruxism: Occlusal splints play a central role in the treatment of bruxism, a condition that includes involuntary nighttime or diurnal tooth grinding and clenching activities. Their use effectively minimizes tooth damage by acting as a protective barrier between the rows of teeth. In addition, they help reduce muscle tension and jaw joint strain, which results in significant pain relief.

Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ disorders): Occlusal splints are proving to be indispensable in the management strategy of temporomandibular joint disorders. By redistributing chewing pressure and enabling optimized jaw joint positioning, they help relieve joint pain and improve joint function. Their use can also reduce accompanying symptoms such as headaches and tinnitus.

Craniomandibular dysfunction (CMD): Occlusal splints have been shown to be effective in CMD, a multifactorial disease that affects the jaw joint and masticatory muscles.
Craniomandibular dysfunction (TMD) is a complex disorder that encompasses a wide range of symptoms affecting the jaw joints, masticatory muscles and often adjacent structures. This disorder can cause a variety of symptoms, including TMJ pain, headaches, facial pain, restricted jaw movement, tinnitus and even a change in bite position .

CMD is multifactorial, which means that it can be triggered by a combination of different factors such as incorrect loading of the jaw joints, stress, misalignment of the teeth or jaw and muscle tension. The complexity of CMD makes an individual and holistic approach to diagnosis and treatment essential.

Occlusal splints play a crucial role in the treatment of TMD. They are designed to stabilize the bite and promote correct jaw positioning, thereby reducing the strain on the jaw joints and surrounding muscles. By distributing the chewing pressure evenly across the rows of teeth, they help to alleviate the symptoms of TMD and contribute to relaxing the chewing muscles.

The successful use of occlusal splints for TMD requires careful diagnosis and individual adjustment. An incorrectly adjusted splint can worsen symptoms or cause new problems. Therefore, close cooperation between dentists, orthodontists and, if necessary, other specialists is necessary to ensure optimal fit and functionality.

1.5 Biomechanics and occlusion principles

The biomechanics and occlusal principles of occlusal splints form the foundation of their therapeutic effectiveness in dentistry. These splints are designed to harmonize and optimize the complex dynamic interactions between the teeth, the temporomandibular joint and the masticatory muscles.

Biomechanical adjustment: Occlusal splints must be precisely tailored to the individual anatomy and specific biomechanical requirements of each patient. This includes the precise alignment of the splint to ensure an even distribution of chewing pressure across the entire dentition. Such adjustment is crucial to support the natural movement of the jaw and reduce tension in the temporomandibular joints and surrounding muscles.

Occlusion principles in use: The basis of the occlusion principles in the design of occlusion splints is the creation of an optimal contact surface between the upper and lower jaw teeth. This contributes to the stabilization of the jaw and helps to prevent incorrect loading and signs of wear on the teeth. In addition, care is taken to ensure that the splint does not disturb the natural occlusion, but rather supports and improves it.

Effects on the temporomandibular joint: Proper use of occlusal splints can have a positive effect on the temporomandibular joint by providing relief and correcting the position of the joint. This is especially important in patients with temporomandibular joint disorders, where malpositioning of the joint can lead to pain and dysfunction.

Promote harmonious function: Ultimately, occlusal splints aim to promote harmonious function of the entire masticatory system. By correcting misalignments and distributing chewing pressure, they help to improve the interaction between teeth, jaw joint and masticatory muscles, which leads to a reduction in symptoms such as headaches, teeth grinding and other complaints caused by malocclusion.

Overall, biomechanics and occlusion principles are essential aspects in the design and application of occlusal splints, which have a significant influence on their effectiveness and therapeutic success.

1.6 Adaptation and patient management

Occlusal splint on a dental model, demonstrating customization for individual patient needs

The successful integration of occlusal splints into dental treatment relies on careful fitting and effective patient management. This process begins with a detailed diagnosis that takes into account the patient's specific needs and individual oral anatomy.

Individual adjustment: The manufacture of an occlusal splint requires a precise impression of the teeth to ensure a perfect fit. The splint must be precisely adjusted to the patient's occlusion to ensure correct function and avoid any discomfort. Bite registration and consideration of jaw movements are of central importance.

Patient education and guidance: A detailed explanation of the patient about the use, care and importance of regular checks of the occlusal splint is crucial for the success of the therapy. Patients should be informed about the need to wear the splint continuously and the possible consequences of non-compliance.

Follow-up and adjustments: Regular follow-up visits are required to check the fit of the appliance and make adjustments if necessary. This is especially important as jaw position and tooth alignment may change over time.

Long-term care: Long-term care of the patient includes not only care of the appliance but also monitoring of overall oral health. Ongoing evaluation of the effectiveness of the appliance is necessary to ensure that it continues to provide the desired therapeutic benefit.

This holistic approach to the fitting and management of occlusal splints ensures optimal therapeutic effect and maximizes patient satisfaction and well-being.

1.7 Research and future developments

The research landscape in the field of occlusal splints is dynamic and constantly changing, driven by the desire to expand the effectiveness and range of applications of these therapeutic aids. In this context, several innovative development strands are the focus of the scientific community:

Material innovations: A key component in the advancement of occlusal splints is the research and implementation of new materials. Current studies are focused on the development of biocompatible and highly conformable materials that not only offer improved durability and comfort, but are also able to release therapeutic agents or have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties due to their nature.

Integration of sensor technology: Another promising area of research involves the integration of sensors into occlusal splints. These sensors could collect data on chewing pressure , jaw movements and the temperature in the mouth in real time. This information could be used to fine-tune the treatment to enable the splint to be adapted even more precisely to the individual needs of the patient.

Expansion of application areas: In addition to improving existing applications of occlusal splints in the treatment of bruxism and CMD, the possibility of their use in new therapeutic areas is also being investigated. These include potential applications in sleep medicine, particularly in the treatment of sleep apnea, as well as their use in sports dentistry to improve performance and prevent injuries.

Digital technologies and artificial intelligence: The integration of digital technologies and artificial intelligence into the planning and production of occlusal splints offers great potential. By using algorithms for pattern recognition and predictive modeling, individual treatment plans could be designed more efficiently and therapeutic results optimized.

Long-term effectiveness studies: Comprehensive clinical trials are conducted to evaluate and understand the long-term effectiveness of occlusal splints. These studies aim to investigate the long-term effects on oral health, changes in jaw alignment and overall quality of life of patients.

Overall, these lines of research point to an exciting future for occlusal splints, in which their role as a therapeutic tool will be greatly expanded by technological innovations and new areas of application.

1.8 Conclusion

Considering occlusal splints in the context of contemporary dentistry reveals their fundamental importance as instruments of both preventive and therapeutic dentistry. Their role, embedded in the complexity of dental treatment strategies, extends far beyond mere symptom relief; rather, they symbolize progress and innovation in material and manufacturing technology.

These finely crafted devices, characterized by their functional diversity and adaptability, offer solutions for a wide range of diseases and dysfunctions, particularly in the area of craniomandibular disorders. Their role in the treatment of TMD impressively illustrates the synthesis of dental expertise and technical precision. Their ability to function not only as symptom control instruments but also as preventive tools is particularly noteworthy.