Will I be able to sleep with a splint in?

Almost everyone can. Expect a short adjustment period of a few nights, after which most patients say they miss it when they forget to wear it.

Is a shop-bought mouthguard just as good?

No. Generic guards do not fit your bite accurately, can encourage more clenching and often end up unworn. A custom splint is made to your occlusion.

Will splint therapy cure my jaw pain?

It substantially relieves symptoms for most patients, especially when combined with muscle exercises, warmth and stress management. Some cases need onward referral, which we will arrange.

How long will a splint last?

Typically several years, depending on how heavily you grind. We check it at every routine visit and will tell you when it needs replacing.

Do I have to wear it every night?

For protection to be effective, yes — consistent nightly wear is what prevents further wear and keeps the muscles settled.

Splint Therapy in Staplehurst, Kent

If you grind or clench your teeth, a custom-made splint is the simplest, least invasive way to protect them. Splint therapy at our Staplehurst, Kent practice relieves jaw and muscle tension while shielding your enamel, crowns and veneers from night-time force.

Made from precise scans of your own teeth

Protects enamel, fillings, crowns and veneers

Eases jaw ache, muscle tension and morning headaches

Slim, comfortable and easy to get used to

Non-invasive — nothing is drilled or altered

Reviewed and adjusted until it feels right

What splint therapy is

A splint — sometimes called a bite guard or occlusal appliance — is a hard-wearing custom appliance worn over the upper or lower teeth, usually at night. It separates the teeth so they cannot wear against each other and distributes clenching force evenly, which relaxes the muscles that close the jaw.

Unlike a boil-and-bite guard from a chemist, a prescribed splint is designed around your bite. That precision is what makes it comfortable enough to actually wear, and effective at settling joint and muscle symptoms.

Who splint therapy suits

It is recommended for patients with bruxism (grinding or clenching), those with worn, chipped or sensitive teeth, anyone with jaw joint clicking, locking or discomfort, people who wake with tension headaches, and patients in Staplehurst, Kent who have invested in crowns, veneers or implants and want to protect them. Sports guards are a separate, softer appliance which we can also provide.

Wearing and caring for your splint

Most patients adapt within a week or two — it can feel bulky for the first few nights. Rinse and brush it with cool water and a little soap after each use, never hot water, and keep it in its ventilated case when dry. Bring it to your check-ups so we can inspect for wear and confirm it is still fitting your bite correctly.