If you’re under treatment for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, you may have been prescribed occlusal splint therapy. The name sounds complicated and maybe even a little scary, but occlusal splint therapy isn’t as mysterious as it seems. In fact, it’s used to treat a multitude of oral health problems. What Is an Occlusal Splint? An occlusal splint goes by many names, but you may know it by its most common name: a bite guard. Generally, occlusal splints are used to keep the teeth in line and protect them from bruxism (teeth grinding), but they can be used to treat many different conditions. Occlusal splints are made at your dentist’s office and are custom-fit to your individual mouth, so you’re not stuck with an awkward and uncomfortable "boil-and-bite" type of bite guard you can buy over the counter. Reasons for Occlusal Splints There are actually many different reasons for a dentist or neuromuscular dentists to prescribe an occlusal splint. They can be used to treat:

If recent reports are to be believed, we can expect a boom in sales for orthotic devices to treat temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. These orthotic devices fit into the mouth to help reposition the bite and realign the temporomandibular joint, which is the joint responsible for helping to open and close the mouth.