Bite Splint

You may have a poor bite if you experience any of the following:

• You clench your jaw muscle for long periods of time.
• When you wake up in the morning, your jaw muscles feel tired and sore to the touch.
• You experience pain behind the eyes.
• You grind your teeth while you are sleeping.
• Your jaw clicks and pops upon opening.
• Your head or scalp feels painful when you touch it.
• Your ears ache or you hear ringing.
• You have neck, shoulder or back pain.
• You feel dizzy.

If you experience any of these symptoms, your dentist can evaluate your bite to determine if it is a probable contributing factor. If so, your dentist will recommend an effective plan of treatment.

Occlusal Disease therapy commonly begins with a "bite splint." This hard acrylic appliance is fabricated to fit snugly over either your upper or lower teeth. It becomes a temoprary perfect bite for you.

Wearing the bite splint is a time of discovery for both you and your doctor. You will experience what a comfortable difference a stable, solid bite can make on your teeth, your muscles, and your jaw. It is very likely that many of the signs and symptoms of occlusal disease will diminish or even disappear. How long this takes depends on your situation and the signs and symptoms with which you start.

Following a new bite evaluation, your doctor may ask permission to reshape teeth so they move smoothly against each other and fit together in the same solid position that you felt with the bite splint.