Few things make dentists happier than satisfied patients.
The smile that comes across patients’ faces when they know the professional care they received will improve their oral health brightens everyone’s day.
Dentists also know that sometimes their patients need more than the typical TLC when it comes to protecting that dental work.
Bite splints represent one example of that.
Bite Splints
You couldn’t fault a patient who looks at a bite splint and thinks ‘that’s a mouthguard.’
While they might look the same, a mouthguard is designed to prevent injuries, most especially resulting from playing a sport, while a bite splint, which dentists might describe to their patients as a nightguard, reduces pressure on the teeth.
Bite splints protect the teeth from bruxism and from potential bone loss if the patient is a heavy brusher. Viewed another way, they’re like shock absorbers that disperse the stress on the teeth.
Matt Cushing is the president of First Choice Dental Lab. He said a bite splint offers special value to the dentist and the patient whenever implants or restoration work has been done.
“You’re talking about a great opportunity for both parties to protect their investment,” Cushing said.
The bite splint is “like an extra insurance plan,” he added.
A dentist’s testimonial
Dr. Jeff Winterich agrees.
He has practiced dentistry for more than a decade, and he estimates more than 50 percent of his patients are prescribed bite splints. The chances of him recommending a bite splint go way up for patients who are younger, who have had significant dental work or who grind their teeth during the day or night.
He added that patients who suffer from TMJ also are likely to be prescribed a nightguard, but he admits he, like many in the dental community, are still trying to fully understand how TMJ impacts overall oral health.
Dr. Winterich prefers a so-called hard/soft night guard because “there’s a little give to it.”
The First Choice Dental Lab website notes these nightguards “have [a] soft liner overlay reproduction of the current dental arch form, with added layers of hard acrylic to provide flat occlusal planes. It has an even thickness, is contoured to replicate the arch form, and has a flat plane added.”
When asked what is the most common answer he gives patients who ask him why they should use a bite splint, Dr. Winterich said, “Because you have a lot of wear and tear on your teeth, and I know you can protect them by wearing one.”
He added that once a patient sees how much major dental work could cost, the much less expensive option — the nightguard — becomes obvious.
Put it all together and if dentists and patients know a bite splint will improve the longevity of the work that’s been done or give an extra ounce of prevention against tooth damage, then that patient’s smile is the perfect finishing touch.
Making Bite splints your first choice
First Choice Dental Labs offers an array of nightguards.
Dentists are encouraged to consider the Keysplint 3-D printed nightguard, which combines the strength needed to protect teeth against disorders like bruxism with added flexibility for better patient comfort.
If you’re a dentist who’s ready to get started, just complete the form on this page to request a fee schedule, or to schedule a consultation!
Are you a patient? Tell your dentist to give us a try today, and we’ll help give you a reason to smile!
Need a referral for a dentist? Click here and we’ll help!
Need a mouthguard? We can help!
From mouthguard to night guards, we’re focused on protecting your smile.
At First Choice Dental Lab, we create both custom-made Pro-Form mouthguards and regular custom-fit mouthguards. Both provide excellent comfort and fit while also maintaining shape and strength.
Tell your dentist to give us a try today, and we’ll help give you a reason to smile!
Need a referral for a dentist? Contact us here.
