Patient Instruction Manual (PIM)
Procedures- Fillings
- Crowns
- Veneers
- Splints
- Bleaching
- Root Canals
- Orthodontics
- Post-Op Care
- Root Canals
- Composites
- Splints
Dictionary
"I couldn't wait for success, so I went ahead without it."
-Jonathan Winters
Maintenance of Splint:
INSERT: Heat your plastic splint in hot water to soften. This allows it to slide over your teeth easily without any force. The hotter the water, shorter the amount of time to soften.
It is important to keep your splint clean. Plastic is more porous than your teeth and bacteria will adhere more easily to the splint. Clean the splint daily with your toothbrush and paste or with a brush, using soap and water. Use cool water when cleaning so that you do not soften the splint and possibly damage it.
Every month the splint should be super-cleaned. There are two ways to do this.
- Commercial cleaners (e.g. Efferdent tablets). These are inexpensive enough to be used almost daily.
- Bleach water solution; about 20-50%. This does not have to be exact.
Soak your splint no longer than 30 minutes. If using a bleach water solution, be sure to thoroughly clean with soap and water after soaking. Rinse very well and then soak the splint in a large glass of water during the day. If you decide to soak your splint in anything other than water, do not soak for more than 30 minutes. Remember, it is much easier to keep your splint clean than to try and clean it after it has started to discolor. Bleach solution is the best, but requires more time to clean the bleach solution out of the splint.
- If you should develop any pain from the splint, call immediately or stop wearing it until you can be seen to determine the cause of the pain.
- The splint should be looked at about once a year. Just bring it with you at one of your regular cleaning appointments.
- If something cracks or breaks, call for an appointment to have it inspected.
- If you are having new dental work done, bring the splint with you so it can be adjusted to fit the new filling(s).
This new type of thermo-plastic splint is very comfortable and easy to place over the teeth. But it can be more easily damaged, so be careful to treat it gently and follow all the above directions. Even though it needs to handled carefully, it is very durable.
