Periodontal splinting is the process by which mobile or loose teeth are connected to each other to make them more stable and increase comfort during jaw closure, chewing, etc. Splinting is generally done when more than 60% of the supporting bone has deteriorated. By splinting teeth with weak and unsteady support, the maintenance of these teeth becomes easy. The increased stability added by periodontal splinting also promotes tissue regeneration procedures.
When does a patient require periodontal splinting?
A patient requires periodontal splinting when the support of their teeth is compromised due to any reasons, including periodontal disease, orthodontic treatment, pressure caused by tooth alignment, or trauma. When we splint multiple teeth together, the biting force will be supported by the stable and stronger joined unit and not the individual teeth by themselves.
Why is periodontal splinting required?
At All Smiles Dentistry, our dentists recommend periodontal splinting because of the following reasons:
- To manage parafunctional or bruxing forces.
- To stabilize mobile teeth during surgical and regenerative procedures so that the teeth respond well to reattachment.
- To stabilize a periodontally compromised tooth when no other treatment is possible.
- To prevent the supra-eruption (the condition in which a tooth grows out of the gum if the opposite tooth in the opposing jaw is missing) of an unopposed tooth and dismiss the probability of any periodontal difficulties.
- To stabilize loose teeth to restore the patient's oral and overall well-being.
- To control the effects of secondary trauma from occlusion, splinting during periodontal therapy is helpful.
So, in short, periodontal splinting aims to control the progression of tooth mobility and bring it back to ideal condition.
Implications for splinting
Periodontal splinting at All Smile Dental will offer you the following advantages:
- Restore patients' chewing functionality and comfort.
- Stabilize mobile or loose teeth that are not fixed with occlusal adjustment and periodontal therapy.
- Facilitate periodontal treatments and occlusal alignment of remarkably mobile teeth.
- Prevent drifting of teeth from their position and extrusion of teeth which is missing an opposite partner.
- Stabilize teeth after orthodontic treatment.
- Add enough occlusal balance while restoring missing or lost teeth.
- Stabilize teeth after acute trauma.
Types of periodontal splints
Short-term temporary splints: They are generally worn for less than six months and may not always require additional splint therapy. They are recommended mainly during periodontal treatment.
Medium-term provisional splints: They are typically worn for months to several years and are recommended for diagnostic purposes with a clear end to the splint therapy.
Long-term permanent splint: They help maintain long-term stability and are recommended to be worn for an indefinite time. They can be either removable or fixed.
Provisional splints: Provisional splints help absorb occlusal forces and stabilize the teeth for a short period.
Do you want to know more about Periodontal Splinting from the experts at All Smile Dental? Call our Dentist in Turlock, CA at (209) 668-3736 or Dentist in Modesto, CA at (209) 409-8839.
