Protecting Your Teeth for the Long Term
At Palma Sola Smiles, Dr. Nathaniel Sheplak provides custom splint night guards in Bradenton, FL. Night guards help manage advanced tooth wear and strong bite forces while protecting your natural teeth and dental restorations.
Many patients aren’t aware that they place heavy forces on their teeth while sleeping. Others may already show signs of accelerated wear, chipping, or damage to existing crowns or fillings. Over time, this can cause broken teeth, sensitivity, jaw discomfort, and the need for more extensive dental treatment.
A properly designed splint night guard is one of the most effective ways to slow this process and help your teeth and your dentistry last longer.
Why Dr. Sheplak Recommends Splint Night Guards
In our office, these appliances are commonly referred to as splint night guards.
These custom-made appliances are carefully adjusted so your teeth contact evenly, and your jaw can move comfortably. The goal is to distribute bite forces properly, reduce excessive muscle activity, and protect enamel and restorations.
This matters because:
- Strong bite forces can chip or fracture teeth
- Crowns and veneers are more likely to fail without protection
- Uneven contact can increase muscle tension
- Ongoing wear can lead to more invasive treatment over time
A splint night guard acts as a protective interface, helping absorb forces and providing a stable surface for your bite. For many patients, it’s one of the best tools we have to preserve their smile long-term.
Who Benefits from a Splint Night Guard?
Dr. Sheplak may recommend a splint night guard if we see signs of:
- Accelerated tooth wear
- Chipping or cracking
- Flattened biting surfaces
- Damage to existing dental work
- Strong bite forces
- Jaw or muscle fatigue
Sometimes patients know they grind or clench. Other times, we identify early changes during routine exams. Either way, the goal is prevention, keeping your teeth healthy for as long as possible. This can help prevent you from needing more permanent restorations, like crowns or veneers.
Why Customisation and Proper Adjustment Matter
Not all night guards are created equal. Over-the-counter or online guards are typically soft and poorly fitted. While they may separate the teeth, they are not adjusted to your bite and often allow uneven contact.
Research supports using hard, professionally adjusted splint appliances over soft or one-size-fits-all guards. Studies show that soft guards can actually increase muscle activity in some patients, which may contribute to jaw discomfort and joint issues.
But even a hard guard must be adjusted properly. An improperly adjusted splint can also contribute to muscle inflammation and joint problems. That’s why Dr. Sheplak personally adjusts every splint at delivery to ensure even contact and comfortable jaw movement.
We encourage you to bring your splint to each hygiene visit so we can:
- Check fit and contact
- Make any needed adjustments
- Professionally clean the appliance
Dr. Sheplak and our team believe this is one of the best investments patients with advanced wear or strong bite forces can make to protect their teeth and dental work.
What to Expect When Getting a Splint Night Guard
Getting a splint night guard from Dr. Sheplak is refreshingly simple. Here is how it goes:
- First, we take digital scans of your teeth. No goopy impressions. Just a quick wand that glides around your smile while you breathe normally.
- Those scans go to a professional dental laboratory, where skilled technicians craft your custom appliance. These are the same labs we trust for crowns and veneers, so you know it’s done right.
- A couple of weeks later, you will come back for the fitting. Dr. Sheplak ensures everything sits comfortably, adjusts the bite so your jaw relaxes the way it should, and sends you home ready to sleep better.
- And if anything feels off once you start wearing it? Just call us. We tweak things until they feel right.
Most patients are sleeping with their new splint within 2 to 3 weeks of that first visit.
To help your appliance last:
- Rinse with cool water before and after use
- Clean gently with a soft toothbrush and mild soap
- Store in a ventilated case
- Avoid heat
- Bring it to dental visits so fit and wear can be checked
With proper care, most splints last several years.
Request an Appointment Today
If you’ve been told you have a strong bite, show signs of tooth wear, or want to protect your teeth and existing dental work, Dr. Sheplak and the team at Palma Sola Smiles are happy to help.
Call 941-491-1433
We will help your teeth and your dental care results last as long as possible in Bradonton, FL.
