Occlusal splint in Valencia

FAQs: Occlusal splint

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How long should an occlusal splint be worn?

An occlusal splint is mainly used every night while you sleep and, as bruxism is usually a chronic habit with no definitive cure, its use is usually indefinite or long-term. During the day, it is only recommended during acute stress peaks or severe pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), always on the dentist's instruction.

 

In fact, current clinical evidence suggests that in some patients intermittent night-time use may also help reduce muscle activity. Even if treatment is continuous, the appliance does not last forever:

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• Lifespan: 2 to 5 years, depending on the strength of your bite and acrylic wear.

• Check-ups: visit the dentist 1 or 2 times a year to check the fit, polish wear marks and verify its thickness. If it cracks, perforates or loosens earlier, it must be replaced.

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How much is an occlusal splint?

A custom-made occlusal splint costs between €180 and €500. If you have dental insurance, the cost through co-payment or a reduced rate usually falls to between €100 and €300, depending on your policy. This price variation depends on three key factors:

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• Material and design: rigid acrylic resin splints (Michigan type) cost between €180 and €500, but they are the only ones recommended by clinical guidelines to protect the teeth and unload the joint in the long term. Soft splints are cheaper, but not durable and counterproductive in patients with bruxism. 

• Clinical process: a complete estimate includes occlusion analysis, 3D scan, manufacture in a dental laboratory and follow-up appointments to balance the contact points.

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What are the drawbacks of an occlusal splint?

A custom-made rigid splint is safe and has very few adverse effects, although during the first days of adaptation it is normal to feel a full-mouth sensation, excess saliva (or dryness) and slight dental pressure. Please also remember that the splint controls the consequences of bruxism but does not remove its origin (such as stress). The real drawbacks arise from poor fit, poor hygiene or the use of generic splints:

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• Lack of check-ups: if the splint does not distribute forces evenly, it may overload the jaw, worsen neck pain or alter the bite.  

• Soft or pharmacy splints: medical guidelines advise against soft splints in bruxism, as the padded material encourages even stronger clenching of the muscles and, as they do not fit well, they rub the gums.

• Daily hygiene: requires daily brushing with water and mild soap to prevent bacteria and bad odour.

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Is sleeping with an occlusal splint good?

Yes, sleeping with an occlusal splint is the treatment of choice if you have nocturnal bruxism. As clenching or grinding of the teeth happens unconsciously and with great force while you sleep, wearing it at night protects your mouth and relaxes the chewing system. Its main benefits during sleep are:

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• Enamel protection: it interrupts direct contact between the teeth, preventing tooth wear (attrition), cracks and breakage of fillings or crowns.  

• Muscle and joint rest: it modifies neuromuscular reflexes, reducing tension in the jaw, neck and temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which reduces morning headaches. 

 

To be effective, it must be rigid and custom-made by your dentist. It is normal to notice increased salivation or slight pressure during the first nights, discomfort that fades within days.

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Do teeth hurt with an occlusal splint?

They should not hurt. It is normal to feel slight pressure or tension in the teeth during the first 3 or 4 days when starting a rigid splint, or if you have not worn it for several days and teeth have shifted slightly. However, intense or sharp pain, or pain lasting beyond the first week, is not normal. Common causes of pain are:

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• Unbalanced contact points: if a tooth hits the acrylic earlier or with greater force, it becomes overloaded. It is fixed in minutes by polishing the splint. 

• Use of soft (pharmacy) splints: because they are rubbery, they stimulate the unconscious reflex to chew and clench harder, increasing muscle and dental pain.

 

What to do? If discomfort lasts beyond 4 days or the pain is acute on waking, stop using it temporarily and book a dentist appointment to readjust it.

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Which is the best occlusal splint for bruxism?

The best option is a rigid stabilisation splint (Michigan type), custom-made by a dentist. According to clinical guidelines, its flat, rigid surface with canine guidance distributes forces evenly, protects enamel from wear and relaxes the muscles without causing unwanted tooth movement. Soft splints are not recommended because they may increase clenching habits.

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What effects does bruxism cause?

If bruxism is left untreated and teeth are not protected, sustained bruxism leaves both dental and neuromuscular effects:

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• Severe enamel wear (attrition): shorter, flatter and yellowed teeth due to dentine exposure, as well as dental sensitivity. 

• Fractures: cracks in natural teeth and breakage of fillings, veneers, crowns or implants.  

• TMJ dysfunction: chronic jaw pain, clicking or locking when opening the mouth, masseter muscle hypertrophy, neck pain and morning tension-type headaches.

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How long does it take to adapt to a splint?

The usual adaptation period is 3 to 7 days. During the first nights it is completely normal to feel slight tension in the teeth, a sensation of a bulky foreign body in the mouth and a temporary increase in salivation. If you wear it every night consistently, the brain and muscles adapt in under a week. If it still bothers you after 10 days, see your dentist for a minor adjustment.

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Do I need an occlusal splint?

You probably need an occlusal splint if you notice any of these signs of bruxism or jaw overload:

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• You wake up with a tired, stiff or sore jaw, or with headache in the temples. 

• You notice worn, flattened tooth edges, with small chips or greater sensitivity to cold.

• Your partner hears you grinding your teeth at night.

• Clicking or pain in front of the ear when chewing or opening.

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Why can't I close my mouth with an occlusal splint?

It is normal for the lips not to close effortlessly or the mouth to feel slightly open due to the splint's necessary thickness (which usually raises the bite by 2 to 4 millimetres in the molar area to relax the joint and protect the teeth). During the first days the lips and muscles adapt. However, if the thickness is excessive, prevents you from sleeping or dries your mouth out greatly, your dentist can reduce it slightly.

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Should an occlusal splint feel tight?

The splint should fit firmly so it does not move or fall out during sleep, giving a gentle sense of retention when fitted. However, it should never cause acute dental pain or press on the gums. If it feels too tight, it is usually because you have not worn it for several days or it needs a small adjustment at the clinic.

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What are the side effects of an occlusal splint?

When well adjusted, side effects are mild and temporary (lasting a few days): excess salivation (or dry mouth), slight pressure on the teeth when fitted and a sensation of fullness in the mouth. Real adverse effects —such as joint pain, worsening muscle tension or changes in the bite— only occur if soft pharmacy splints are used or if periodic adjustment check-ups with the dentist are not attended.

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Can you drink water while wearing an occlusal splint?

Yes, you can drink plain water with the splint in during the night. What you should avoid completely is drinking sugary, acidic (juices, soft drinks), alcoholic or hot drinks (coffee, infusions) while wearing it. Liquid gets trapped between the plastic and the enamel without saliva being able to clean it, which greatly increases the risk of caries, and heat can deform the acrylic resin.

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How long does an occlusal splint take?

The usual time from taking measurements until you receive the adjusted splint at the clinic is 5 to 10 working days (roughly one to two weeks). At veroDENT we use a 3D intraoral scanner and digital impressions; the dental laboratory receives the design instantly, reducing timescales compared with traditional paste moulds and achieving a much more precise fit from the first day.

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Which nerve becomes inflamed with bruxism?

The main nerve affected by bruxism is the trigeminal nerve (fifth cranial nerve), responsible for facial sensation and control of the chewing muscles. Constant overload from clenching irritates its nerve endings and the dental pulp, causing pain that can radiate to the temples, healthy teeth, the jaw and the ear, and even be mistaken for migraine or toothache.​