Teeth Splinting

Teeth Splinting has become a popular procedure for many people with dental problems, especially for those after aesthetics. That is because it offers a practical solution, short term, and long term, for those suffering from severe bite problems. The problem is that in as much as this teeth-holding technique is gaining popularity, the majority of the people are still unaware of the method and how it is done. Many patients will still choose other alternatives like tooth extraction due to their limited knowledge.

In this article, we shall discuss in-depth teeth splinting, the different types available, the reasons for the procedure, and other related topics. The aim will be to provide the reader with relevant information to equip them with the tools to enable them to make informed decisions. Keep reading the article for the latest information about dental splinting and how the technique works.

What is teeth splinting?

The first question to address would be ‘ What is teeth splinting?‘ Experts at the Royal Smiles Dental Clinic in Kenya, explain dental splinting as a technique used to hold loose teeth together to avoid them falling off. Loose teeth make chewing difficult due to the movement involved. Many people make the mistake of waiting for the loose tooth to either be loose enough to be extracted or firmly re-attach itself to the gum. But the best option would be to have the teeth re-attached.

Teeth splinting re-distributes the biting force to other teeth so that the pressure is less on the affected tooth. That will make biting and chewing comfortable and easier. The loose tooth will be attached to other stable teeth in the mouth so that it becomes firm, enabling the tooth to keep functioning normally.

Reasons for Loose Teeth

The following are the main reasons why your teeth may loosen making you require a teeth splinting procedure:

Gum diseases. Gum diseases are the main cause of loose teeth. They will affect the gum bones and the gum tissues that hold the teeth in place. The main causes of gum diseases are poor oral health and genetics. As the gum disease is treated and managed, the patient will require splints to hold the teeth together.
Teeth trauma. Injuries to the teeth from accidents or sporting activities may cause your teeth to become loose. When that happens, you may require teeth splinting to regain the normal use of your teeth.
Pregnancy. Experts claim that three out of ten women will suffer pregnancy gingivitis. The high levels of progesterone and estrogen hormones during pregnancy may also temporally cause teeth to loosen. To avoid the loss of teeth, the dentist may recommend splints to hold the teeth together until birth.
Osteoporosis. It is a condition that causes the bones in the body to become weak and brittle. When the bone density is compromised in the jawbone, the stability of the teeth will be negatively affected, and some of them may become loose. To avoid the loss of teeth when you have osteoporosis, the dentist may recommend teeth splinting to help in holding the teeth together as further treatment is pursued.
Hormonal imbalances. Fluctuations in the hormone levels of women can also be a cause of loose teeth. There are four situations in which experts advise women to take extra care of their gums and teeth. These are; puberty, menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and menopause. During these situations, women may experience loose teeth, which may necessitate a teeth splinting procedure.

Symptoms that you Need Teeth Splinting

Many people, especially those that don’t visit a dentist regularly, may experience some signs that show that they may need teeth splints. These symptoms are:

Discomfort or pain in the jawbone, gums, and teeth.
Sudden difficulty in chewing food, which was not a problem before.
Difficulty in opening your mouth.
Unexplained headaches that seem to emanate from the jaw pains.
Increased and unexplained teeth sensitivity.

Whenever you experience any of these symptoms, it is essential to visit a dentist immediately. The dentist will perform tests upon which they may recommend teeth splinting.

Types of Teeth Splints

There are two main types of dental splints, fixed/rigid splints, and removal/flexible splints.

1. Fixed/Rigid Teeth Splinting

Also known as permanent splints, fixed teeth splinting involves placing crowns on the affected teeth and then cementing splints to connect all of them. That means once that is done, the splint is not removable and can only be removed by a dental expert.

Fixed teeth splinting is divided into the following categories:

A. Acrylic splints

Acrylic splints are made from acrylic material and are used for continuous dental traumas, which means they are used for teeth injuries of many adjacent teeth. They are mostly used for alveolar and mandibular fractures. Acrylic splints can be made directly or indirectly.

Direct acrylic splint. It is performed directly on the patient’s mouth and it is very uncomfortable and unpleasant since the acrylic material is set on the mouth. To make this splint, the dentist requires vaseline, self-adhesive acrylic (powder and liquid), a mixing container, sterile gauze, mixing glass, a mixing spatula, scissors, pliers, and a grinder. To create an acrylic splint using the direct method, the dentist will follow the following procedure:

Blend the acrylic, pour the blended mixture into the sterile gauze, use the scissors to cut the edges of the gauze to make a rectangular shape so that splint will cover two neighbouring teeth on each side of the injured tooth, apply vaseline on the gums to protect them, shape the splint over the surface of the tooth and tell the patient to bite for occlusion, remove the splint from the mouth, create space for cement, use the grinder to cut the edges of the splint, cement the splint using phosphate cement, insert the splint into the mouth, and finally test the vitality of the tooth.

Indirect acrylic splint. It is performed outside the mouth, which is the main difference from the direct method. The dentist will make an impression on the jaw near the affected tooth. A model of the splint is then created in a laboratory using wax. The wax model is then exchanged for an acrylic one which is then cemented on the affected tooth just like in the direct method.

B. Suture splints

In suture dental splinting, the dentist uses a soft wire and a surgical thread. The traumatized tooth is woven together with several other neighbouring teeth to make it stable. These splints are used to immobilize the tooth for a short period as the dentist seeks other permanent ways of attaching the tooth to the others. The downside of these splints is that the wires thin out faster and break due to chewing and biting. They can also prevent good oral health which may lead to gingivitis.

C. Arch bar splints

Arch bar splints use ready-made metal bars which are used to fix metal brackets to the teeth. The bars are placed on the gums which causes a lot of irritation to the patient hence making these splints impractical for daily use. Also, for these splints to work, the dentist will need to immobilize many teeth to position the traumatized tooth. These splints are best used when the tooth has suffered extensive damage and is almost falling out.

D. Composite splints

Composite splints use composite material to connect two or more adjoining teeth in the traditional teeth splinting way. In this kind of splint, the dentist will condition the enamel of the injured tooth and that of the neighbouring teeth and use polymerization to apply the adhesive and the composite material. The downside of using these splints is that they tend to split under pressure from biting or chewing and that they can cause irritation to the gums if placed closed to them.

2. Removable/Semirigid Splints

Dentists at the Royal Smiles Dental Clinic describe flexible dental splinting as the use of easily removable splints to temporarily reattach loose teeth. Removal splints are divided into the following categories:

A. Orthodontic splints

In orthodontic splints, the dentist uses orthodontic brackets and orthodontic wires. The dentist will identify the injured tooth or teeth and place the brackets in the middle of the front or back. The brackets will be placed on the traumatized tooth or teeth together with several other adjoining teeth. The dentist then joins the brackets with the dental wire to immobilize the teeth. The main advantage of this kind of dental splinting is that it allows the synchronization of the teeth’s movements. The downside is that it causes irritations to the lips, a problem that dentists overcome by using wax.

B. Wire-composite splints

Wire-composite splints are the most common among all dental splinting techniques. That is because it is simple to make and provides the necessary immobilization of teeth. To make this splint, the dentist needs any composite material and an orthodontic wire. It is mostly used in all cases of trauma to the teeth unless the teeth have large crowns or artificial fillings.

The following is the procedure for making wire-composite splints:

The orthodontic wire is cut and shaped to fit two or three teeth on each side of the injured tooth.
The surface of the tooth is conditioned using orthophosphoric acid.
The teeth are then dried and rinsed and a bonding material is applied, after which it is polymerized (light treated).
The composite material is then placed on the teeth and the wire or braces positioned.
Polymerization then follows. The polymerization is first performed on the healthy teeth on one side of the injured tooth, then it is repositioned before being polymerized. The dentist will then polymerize the healthy teeth on the other side.

C. Fiber splints

A fiber splint is a dental splinting technique used to immobilize periodontally diseased or traumatized teeth using fiber bonded and attached to the teeth. It is divided into the following sub-categories:

Fishing line. A dental wire which resembles a fishing line and is made from fiberglass material is used to immobilize a traumatized or diseased tooth by connecting it to adjoining healthy teeth. The process followed is the same as in wire-composite splints.

Fiberglass-ionomer. Here, the dentist uses short fiberglass wires to reinforce as a reinforcement for resin-modified glass-ionomer which is then used to attach an injured tooth to other healthy teeth. The procedure is still the same as in wire-composite splints.

Ribbond splint. It uses special polyethylene fibers, ribbond fibers, and composite materials. They are majorly used when the dentist has to create cavities to place the fiber. Ribbond fibers are popular because they are strong and easily manipulated.

Kevlar fiber. It is a synthetic organic fiber that is five times stronger than metal. Its most known use is in the making of bulletproof vests, with a recent introduction as a dental splinting technique. Kevlar fiber is used to immobilize teeth when there is severe trauma and the splint is expected to stay for an extended period.

D. Titanium trauma splints

The final variety of flexible dental splinting is the titanium trauma splints. It is a recent technological advancement in this field whereby the splint is made from pure titanium. The splint is designed in the form of a mesh which makes it easier to be fixed and flexible during application.

The size of the mesh decreases the quantity of composite material used to fix it on the surface of the teeth, making it easy to remove once the traumatized tooth has successfully reattached to the gum. The titanium trauma splints are applied the same way as the wire-composite splints. The only downside of using titanium as teeth splinting material is that it is very expensive compared to wire-composite splints.

Guidelines for Selecting a Good Splint

With the availability of so many teeth splinting materials, dentists consider the following features of a splint before selection:

The splint should be easy to create and apply.
The splint should be able to prevent further trauma to the injured tooth or teeth.
The splint should allow movement of the gums and therefore promote healing.
The splint should make it possible for the dentist to monitor the vitality and use of the injured tooth.
The splint should not obstruct further treatment of the traumatized tooth.
The splint should be aesthetic, or at least not be ugly to look at.
The splint should be easily removable.

FAQs About Teeth Splinting How long does it take to get a dental splint made?

Many people ask how long it will take to have a dental splint made and fixed. Mostly a dental splinting procedure takes two appointments. The first appointment is used to make an impression of your teeth, which is sent to the lab to be used in making the splint. Once the splint is ready, you return for a second appointment which is used to fix the splint and ensure that the injured tooth has been successfully immobilized.

How long will a dental splint last?

Some ask how long the splint will stay in place. It is difficult to say the time a splint will last since its longevity depends on a few aspects like the material of the splint, how often it is worn, and how much you grind your teeth. Stronger splints like those made from titanium and kevlar fibre can last between two to three years.

When should a dental be replaced?

Other people ask when should splints be replaced. Dentists consider it necessary to replace splints when the splint no longer fits, after a significant treatment since the splint was placed, and when the splint becomes warped, worn, chipped, or breaks.

How do you take care of a splint?

Some ask how to properly take care of splints. Dentists recommend that splints should be cleaned always with cold water, ensure that the splint is cleaned before and after use, and always store it in a container when not in use.

What is the cost of dental splinting?

Many patients would like to know the costs involved in dental splinting. It is difficult to state definitively the cost of a dental splint since there are other parameters to consider, but many dental clinics start the procedure from Kshs. 40,000, with the cost increasing depending on the material used. Unfortunately, many health insurance companies do not cover dental splinting since it is considered aesthetic. It would be good to consult your insurance company to establish whether the costs of a splint are covered or not.

Conclusion

Teeth splinting is a popular technique employed by dentists to immobilize traumatized or periodically diseased teeth to allow for further treatment and save the tooth or teeth from falling off. The dentist will consider the extent of the injury before deciding the best suitable splint. There are many materials and techniques used to make splints and the dentist will recommend the best depending on how long the tooth should be immobilized.

Getting a reputable dental clinic for dental splinting procedures is as good as ensuring that your tooth will be saved and that you will receive adequate treatment. The Royal Smiles Dental Clinic in Kenya is one of the best dental clinics in the country. In this clinic, all your dental inquiries will be addressed promptly and you will be given the best advice on all the viable options for any teeth-related problem.

Book an appointment at any of the Royal Smiles Dental Clinics in Nairobi, Kiambu, Machakos, Kajiado and Nakuru by CLICKING HERE. We promise that with us, you will experience unmatched professionalism in dental care.