Clear aligners are devices made by the dentist, made of plastic materials or acrylic resins, which cover all or part of the teeth. The splints are custom-made to fit the teeth, so they are perfectly adapted to each patient. In this article, you will learn about the types of splint treatments and the type of splint Impress works with.
Different types of splints
Depending on the purpose and the disease or habit to be corrected, there are different models. Since it is important to know the different typologies in order to use the most appropriate in each case, we explain the main ones in this article:
Anti-snoring splints
This type of aligners are appliances that are only used at night, they are placed at bedtime (although as we will see later, they are not the only ones that are used only at night). The mechanism is very simple, as in the other types of aligners, and they simply move the jaw forward a few millimeters to avoid snoring and other problems that derive from it, such as breathing difficulties.
Bruxism splints
Occlusal or bruxism aligners have a purely medical function and are used to treat jaw problems as well as disorders of the joints and temporomandibular muscles. Also called “dental discharge splints”, they are mainly used by patients suffering from bruxism.
These splints are made of plastic or resin, are worn at night and are usually larger than similar types of appliances. Their thickness allows them to separate the upper and lower teeth at a distance large enough to relax the jaw muscles. Dental discharge or sleep splints also prevent teeth grinding during sleep, which eventually causes wear and tear and leads to other dental problems, so it is known as a dental sleep splint.
Orthodontic treatment
Clear aligners for orthodontics allow correction of dental problems by offering a completely invisible treatment. They are removable appliances that can be changed every 7 to 15 days, depending on each case, until the desired smile is achieved.
Orthodontic splints should always be used as part of a treatment monitored by a specialist, after a detailed examination of the patient and under initial tests to determine if the patient is ready to start treatment.
Retention aligners after orthodontics
The next step after orthodontic treatment is the process of maintaining the result. This step is very important, since teeth have memory and if we do not use retainers after treatment, we run the risk of having oral problems again. Hence the need to use retention splints after orthodontics to maintain the results. They are mainly worn at night to avoid relapses and should be changed regularly to maintain their function.
Splints for teeth whitening
The most common teeth whitening splints are used together with a whitening gel for a few minutes or a few hours a day, depending on the product used. It is important that the whitening product is prescribed by a dentist after carefully analyzing each patient’s teeth for a safe treatment. Depending on the color of the enamel and the desired result, the specialist will prescribe a gel adapted to avoid damaging the teeth and will give the patient all the details about its use.
Impress treatment
At Impress they work with removable and invisible splints to align teeth and treat bite problems. These treatments are adapted to each patient and, based on a detailed diagnosis by their orthodontists, they offer you the one that best suits your needs and the complexity of your case.
At the end of your treatment, you will have to wear night braces to keep your teeth aligned. Whether you are a patient of Impress or not, you can contact them to get your retainers or to ask any questions you may have.
The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.