Chronic bruxism may lead to sensitive, decayed, fractured, loose or missing teeth. Grinding or clenching breaks down enamel and can eventually wear teeth down. The absence of enamel makes it easier for bacteria to penetrate the softer part of teeth and produce cavities. As long as bruxism continues, the situation worsens.

Successful management of bruxism depends firstly upon determining whether or not it is caused by a sleep disorder. If this is the case, treat the sleep problem first. Once it has been confirmed that there is no sleep dysfunction, the focus should be on minimizing the abrasion of tooth surfaces by the wearing of a dental splint on the individual’s upper or lower teeth.  When you consider the need tor interceptive care — not just for children, but adults as well — the message is clear:

The essence of Splint Therapy (and this discussion) is that potentially EVERYBODY NEEDS IT.

SPLINT THERAPY and the TALON^® SPLINT

Splint therapy is often the means of treatment which, initiated early, can provide your patients with the best long term care, save them money…and make you some, as well. The dentist plays a key role at three procedural levels: screening, diagnosis, and treatment.

A properly designed splint can:

• Break up doodling patterns and cover facets of wear
• Protect teeth from abnormal forces
• Protect the bony and soft tissue supportive structures against abnormal forces
• Introduce an optimum occlusal position
• Deprogram and musculature and reorganize neuromuscular reflex activity
• Encourage normal muscle function
• Alleviate any occlusal stresses and provide anterior guidance to posterior teeth
• Establish a new vertical relationship
• Protect teeth from diurnal and nocturnal bruxism
• Provide a more stable or functional joint position
• Alleviate occlusal stresses to the anterior teeth by controlling the vertical dimension

Abnormal Occlusal Wear

Occusal splints are among the most versatile tools used in dentistry. Traditionally (and depending upon patient diagnosis and preference) splints are available in a hard acrylic or soft polyvinyl design. Hard acrylic splints offer an adjustable occlusal surface, but usually require substantial chair time to ensure a comfortable fit. Soft splints, while more comfortable, do not readily lend themselves to adjustment and repair.

The Talon® Splint provides doctor and patient with the best of both worlds. It is, quite simply, a more comfortable, easily adjustable, retention-superior alternative to traditional occlusal splints – all the advantages with none of the disadvantages.

SUPERIOR FIT —
no pressure points or "tight spots" means immediate patient adaptation.

POSITIVE RETENTION —
no metal clasps.

ULTIMATE COMFORT —
allows excursive movements without friction.

FREEDOM of SPEECH —
can be designed without speech inhibiting lingual extensions.

“Talon” refers to the material used for the retentive portion of the splint — a soft, thermoplastic, resilient polymer. Unlike other thermoplastics currently available, it maintains it original flexibility for years— eliminating the need for any other form of mechanical retention.

The Talon® Splint will benefit every patient in your practice needing a splint for bruxism, periodontal splinting, orthodontic stabilization or TMJ dysfunction — and the Talon technique can be utilized for all splint designs can be utilized for all splint designs, e.g. Gelb, MORA, May, Sears, Jankelson, Tanner, etc. Using the Talon technique will save you chair time, which will allow you to provide splint treatment more effectively and efficiently, which will further improve your gross production. Work for you?
 

OPPORTUNITY
1 Splint (average collection: $500-800)

Daily Revenue:
4 patients, 4 splints per day = $2000

Annual Revenue:
more than $100,000 into your practice!
For a more detailed, comprehensive discussion of Splints  (as well as the appropriate appliance therapy), visit www.SMLglobal.com and access

"SPLINTS" and “THE TALON® SPLINT”

~ OR ~

Consult the textbook
Principles of Appliance Therapy For Adults and Children
by Rob Veis, DDS, and John Christian MBA, CDT.
(Section 13 – Splints.)