BiteSoft Splints: A Solution for Tooth Grinders and Clenchers

Clenching and grinding teeth are common problems affecting nearly 1 out of every 10 adults.

Due to the forces generated during bruxism, which can be six times those caused by ordinary chewing, a wide variety of dental and joint problems can develop in a patient with bruxism. It has been demonstrated that nocturnal splint therapy can provide immediate relief from the signs and symptoms of bruxism. Splint therapy should be used both before and after the placement of any dental restorations, both to diagnose and treat bruxism and to provide a long lifespan for the restorations.

For treating bruxism and temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), there are a number of competing approaches. As a dental laboratory that provides a full range of services, Burbank Dental Lab fabricates virtually every type of bite splint and occlusal guard. We are aware of the appliances for which our customers give the most positive feedback, and BiteSoft® is one of the most widely prescribed.

Signs of Clenching and Bruxism

Patients who exhibit signs of advanced wear on the occlusal surfaces of the teeth may be the result of bruxism and/or clenching at night.

Other signs include vertical fractures in the dentition and abfraction lesions caused primarily by grinding. Patients may experience jaw pain, headaches, as well as neck pain. These issues can be remedied with the use of splint therapies and are critical in helping patients protect their teeth. The BiteSoft splint has been an effective treatment option for many patients exhibiting these types of maladies.

What is a BiteSoft® Splint?

BiteSoft® is a virtually invisible appliance that prevents teeth from grinding and clenching during the night (see above image).

In addition to offering patients, a pain-free and peaceful sleep, this innovative and effective solution to bruxism avoids costly damage to their teeth, crowns, veneers, and fillings due to grinding. Moreover, BiteSoft® relieves jaw and neck pain, and this device is extremely comfortable to wear.

Custom mouthguards like the BiteSoft® splint are much more than just an oral appliance; the BiteSoft® splint is a solution to inhibit bruxism and the effects of TMJ.

The BiteSoft^® splint is designed with the following features:

• Discluding anterior lingual ramp
• Centric Occlusal Table
• Used for Maxillary arch
• Covers teeth numbers 6-11
• Fabricated from a dual laminate material

Benefits of Prescribing BiteSoft^® Splint

The design of the BiteSoft^® appliance is specifically geared to treat nocturnal bruxism. The lining of the appliance is made from a thermoplastic material to create a precise fit and exceptional retention.

Additional benefits include:

• Protects the teeth from attrition and wear
• Eliminates the need for pain medication
• Allows for a good night’s sleep
• Prevents the teeth from chipping or cracking
• Protects dental restorations from chipping or cracking
• Can help relieve neck and jaw pain
• A high level of compliance is due to the device being comfortable to wear.
• TMD patients experience stabilized occlusion
• Intensity of bruxism can be reduced by 70%

BiteSoft Workflow

The fabrication of a BiteSoft appliance begins with either a traditional polyvinyl siloxane (PVS) impression (see above image) or a digital impression of both the mandibular and maxillary arches.

There is no need to take bite registrations for these types of splints. The appliance is then fabricated with a soft material on the inner surface and a hard polymer outer surface. The outer shell protects the device from breaking due to bite forces, and the inner surface provides protection to both natural teeth and any restorations that may be present in the mouth.

BiteSoft Splint Try-In

1. Place the device in the patient’s mouth and check for stability and comfort. 
2. The appliance should show good retention and not be easily moved. 
3. Have the patient lie down and adjust the splint to ensure the patient is not able to retrude the lower jaw past the posterior edge of the lingual ramp.  
4. To optimize bruxism inhibition, it is important that the occlusal load is distributed evenly over the four opposing incisors.
5. The opposing cuspids should not contact the incisal table to ensure muscle relaxation. 
6. Minimal clearance is required for all of the positions of the mandible; therefore, the vertical opening does not need to be more than 2 millimeters in most situations. 
7. The incisal table should be at right angles to the long axis of the opposing anterior teeth.

The benefits and comfort of this appliance help facilitate patient compliance. As with most occlusal splint therapies, patients will need time to wear their new appliance. For this reason, it is advisable that in the beginning, patients wear their appliance a few hours per night until they get used to wearing it.

In addition, while they work to adapt to the new device, most patients also report experiencing excess saliva production. This will dissipate once they become fully accustomed to wearing the device. 

Patient Usage of BiteSoft^®

Patients who comply and wear their BiteSoft^® appliances experience improvements in both clenching and grinding activities of the temporalis and masseter muscles by about 70%. (Fig 5) Within six weeks of using the appliance, a majority of users experienced improvements in their symptoms. As well, most patients reported no issues with occlusion.

The BiteSoft splint provides an excellent treatment modality for patients who grind and clench their teeth at night. It is the number one prescribed splint for TMJ or Bruxism sufferers. This appliance helps to ensure better sleep while reducing pain and protecting both natural dentition as well as dental restorations. The splint provides comfort and results, creating an excellent record of patient compliance.

Call or chat today to find out more about occlusal appliance therapies at Burbank Dental Lab.