A splint can serve several purposes including limiting the range of movement in the jaw-joints, creating an artificial bite to facilitate movement of teeth, diagnosis of a jaw-joint problem, or repositioning the lower jaw to a more comfortable position. It is important to learn to wear the splint all the time, including while eating, which may be the most difficult task. Speech will gradually improve until it returns to normal. The only time to remove the splint is while brushing, and then you should not allow the back teeth to touch. This appliance is similar to a splint worn on an arm. The splint would not be removed from an arm to lift weights, so please do not remove the splint to eat.

You may wish to try eating softer foods for the first few days and not to open extremely wide, for example when yawning. Application of cold packs to the jaw-joint is good for acute pain, but you may wish to use heat when the severe discomfort has ended to ease muscle spasms. Tylenol or Advil is almost always sufficient to manage any resulting discomfort.

There is a wide range of responses to wearing a splint. There will be at least a short adjustment period of 2-3 weeks. Be patient and inform us if there are problems which you feel cannot be overcome. The appliance should be brushed with toothpaste when the teeth are brushed, and cleaned with Efferdent or Polident twice a week.