Trauma to the teeth can be transmitted to the supporting structures
, which get damaged. This can cause mobility of the teeth. Such mobile teeth may require splinting for a specified period of time till the supporting tissues heals and the tooth becomes stable.
Splinting is a procedure where the teeth are supported in its position for a period of time. Splinting involves binding a group of teeth together so that the biting forces are shared by a large number of teeth instead of being born by the affected tooth
Splinting of teeth can be done either by composite material or by fiber splinting .
Predominantly, lingual splinting - of mandibular anterior teeth and palatal splinting - of maxillary anterior teeth.
Splinting is a procedure which is done, if incisors are very mobile but maintainable in mouth, then six anterior teeth are joined at the incisor 1/3rd to increase support that is from canine to canine.
BENEFITS:
1. It allows the patient to chew comfortably.
2. Mobile teeth become firm patient can use regular brush, inter-dental brush etc. without the fear of knocking down teeth.
3. As splinting is done in conjunction with other periodontal therapy,such as scaling / curreatage / root planning / flap surgery etc, it also is an adjunct to preservation of hard and soft tissue.
Injured anterior teeth should be stabilized for less than three weeks as it will allow periodontal fibers to repair rather than a bony healing (may lead to ankylosis).
-- Tooth luxation needs stabilization for 2 -3 wks.
-- Tooth subluxation needs stabilization for 1 -2 wks.
-- Tooth extrusion needs stabilization for 1 -2 wks.
-- Root fracture needs a longer splinting time such as 1 -3 months, as this will allow the calcified tissue to heal.
OTHER AREAS OF APPLICATION OF SPLINTING:
ORTHODONTICS As a Retainer after orthodontic therapy.
Using tooth splinting a dentist can stabilize mobile anterior teeth quickly, with long term reliability. It grants high esthetic results and enhances patients confidence to use them freely and smile.