Splints In Periodontal Therapy Question And Answers

Splints In Periodontal Therapy

Write short note on splints.
Or
Write short note on periodontal splints.
Answer. Splint is defined as an appliance used for immobilization of injured or diseased parts.

“Understanding the role of splints in stabilizing mobile teeth”

A periodontal splint is an appliance used for maintaining or stabilizing mobile teeth in their functional position.

“Importance of studying splints for better periodontal care”

Classification of Periodontal Splints

• According to the period of stabilization
  • Temporary stabilization: Worn for less than 6 months.
    • Removable: Occlusal splint with wire and Hawley with splinting arch wire
    • Fixed: Intracoronal and extracoronal
  • Provisional stabilization: Worn for 6 to 12 months. For example, Acrylic splints and metal bands
  • Permanent splints: Used indefinitely
    • Removable/Fixed
    • Extra/Intracoronal
    • Full/Partial veneer crown soldered together
    • Inlay/Onlay soldered together

“Common challenges in using splints for periodontal therapy”

Periodontal Splinting Material

Read And Learn More: Periodontics Question And Answers

“Steps to choose the right type of splint for periodontal therapy”

• According to the type of material
  • A-splints
  • Bonded, composite resin button splint
  • Braided wire splint.
• According to the location on the tooth

Intracoronal

• • Composite resin with wire
  • Inlays
  • Nylon wire.

“Role of temporary vs permanent splints in periodontal care”

Extraoral

• • Tooth-bonded plastic
  • Night guard
  • Welded bands.

Periodontal Splinting Material

Ideal Requirements of Periodontal Splint

• Periodontal Splint is easy to prepare.
• Periodontal Splint should be economical
• Periodontal Splint should be rigid, durable and stable
• Periodontal Splint should be easily removed and replaced
• Periodontal Splint should be self-cleansing in design and is easily maintained by homecare procedure.
• Periodontal Splint should be aesthetically acceptable and is well-adapted in its fit.
• Periodontal Splint is non irritating to adjacent dental or gingival tissues.

“Early warning signs of ineffective splint use in periodontics”

Objectives of Splinting

• To provide rest: Occlusal rest provided by splinting therapy in one form or another helps in elimination of some adverse occlusal forces.
• For redirection of forces: Splinting helps to redirect forces in a more axial direction.
• For redistribution of forces: Splinting provide stabilization and enhances resistance to applied force.
• To preserve arch integrity: Splinting restores proximal contacts, reducing food impaction and consequent break down.
• Restoration of functional stability restores a functional occlusion, stabilizes mobile teeth and increases masticatory comfort.
• Psychological well-being: Splinting provides comfort to patient from mobile teeth and improves sense of well-being
• To stabilize mobile teeth during surgical procedure mainly regenerative therapy.
• To protect tooth supporting tissues during healing period following surgery or after an accident.
• To prevent extrusion of an unopposed teeth.
• To bring in function to the teeth which is not used to eat efficiently.

“Asymptomatic vs symptomatic effects of improper splint selection”

Periodontal Splints Indications

• To stabilize moderate to advanced tooth mobility which is unable to decrease by occlusal adjustment or periodontal therapy.
• To stabilize teeth in secondary occlusal trauma.
• To stabilize teeth with increased tooth mobility, which interferes with normal masticatory function.
• To make scaling and surgical procedures easy to conduct.
• To stabilize teeth after the orthodontic movement.
• To stabilize teeth after acute dental trauma, i.e. subluxation, avulsion, etc.

Periodontal Splinting Material

Periodontal Splints Contraindications

• In moderate to severe tooth mobility associated with periodontal inflammation and/or primary occlusal trauma.
• Inadequate number of firm teeth in order to stabilize mobile teeth.
• Unable to perform prior occlusal adjustment on teeth with occlusal trauma or occlusal interferences.
• Patient with poor oral hygiene.
• When the sole objective of splinting is to decrease, tooth mobility following the removal of the splint.

“Role of counseling in explaining the importance of splinting”

Periodontal Splints Advantages

• It helps to achieve final stability and comfort for patient with the history of occlusal trauma.
• Useful to reduce tooth mobility and enhance healing following acute trauma to the teeth.
• Orthodontically splinted teeth permit remodeling of alveolar bone and periodontal ligament.
• Useful in reducing mobility and favoring regenerative therapy.
• Distributes occlusal forces over a wide area.

Periodontal Splints Disadvantages

• Hygienic: Poor oral hygiene favors accumulation of plaque at the splinted margins which can further damage periodontal apparatus in a patient with poor periodontal support.
• Mechanical: Rigid nature of the splint makes it to act as lever with uneven distribution of forces. This can injure the periodontium of all teeth within the splint when one tooth of the splint gets traumatic occlusion.
• Biological: Development of caries is an unavoidable risk and thus, requires excellent maintenance by the patient.