What is splinting of mobile teeth? The term splinting of mobile teeth means the use of a specially selected orthopedic apparatus. It can be formed due to different methods, materials, be temporary or permanent, but the goal of this entire dental operation is to fix the elements of the dentition, to eliminate tooth mobility.
When can splinting be recommended?
Weakened fixation of the teeth leads to greater loosening and, as a result, the loss of a unit. In addition, the load on the adjacent elements of the dentition increases and the negative influence is already spreading along the chain. As a result of the lack of proper treatment, including, if necessary, splinting, drastic measures have to be taken, including implantation and prosthetics.
Of the typical indications for the organization of the orthopedic apparatus include:
- Consequences of periodontal diseases leading to loosening of teeth, especially periodontitis;
- Injuries , as a result of which the integrity of the dentition was violated, there were violations of fixation;
- Recovery period after wearing braces;
- Diseases of the gums, periodontal tissues;
- Displacement, changes in the location of the row elements due to congenital occlusion pathologies or acquired in connection with other deformities of the maxillofacial region.
For each individual case, individual tooth splinting is selected, optimal methods are determined together with a specialist, the period of wearing a kind of strengthening system.
Benefits of the splinting procedure
In dentistry, splinting therapy is actively used, as it allows sparing enough measures to preserve neighboring healthy teeth, delay or even eliminate prosthetics. If we consider the priority benefits, then this method of strengthening the dentition allows:
- Prevent deformation of the jaw section;
- Redistribution of the load on the tire itself and healthy teeth, which allows you to save problem areas;
- Lack of difficulty in cleaning, care;
- Minimize damage to neighboring teeth, the surfaces are not turned, do not depulp. An exception is difficult cases when special splinting with crowns is used;
- Painlessness of the procedure, the relative speed of the entire process of forming a kind of orthopedic system.
The effectiveness of splinting teeth is quite high. This procedure makes it possible to cope with the consequences of periodontitis, other phenomena that violate the stability of the teeth, but much depends on the chosen technique. Depending on the clinical picture, existing dental disorders and general health, the specialist together with the patient decides on the type of splinting.
Types of tooth splinting
Various options for strengthening the dentition are practiced, activities are selected individually for each case. If we consider the most common types that are practiced in dentistry, we can distinguish the following:
Splinting through the introduction of fiberglass . The procedure is one of the most common and includes laying a special fiberglass thread into a pre-prepared groove on the teeth, and then filling it. From an aesthetic point of view, this design will be almost invisible. There will also be no complications of care. Fiberglass will act as a beam that distributes the load, holding back the possible loosening of the teeth. All materials provide exceptional reliability, the device belongs to non-removable systems and requires periodic maintenance in the dental office. There are differences in the methods of forming a microfurrow depending on the problem area: if it is the upper jaw, then the manipulations take place from the outside, and for the lower jaw - from the inside. The whole process is absolutely painless, performed under anesthesia. If there are no elements of the dentition, then preliminary prosthetics may additionally be carried out, which is necessary to normalize the bite. 
Splinting with crowns . If more than 5 teeth experience problems or there are other indications for treatment, splinting with crowns may be required. To begin with, the basis for the crowns is prepared, the teeth are ground, the canals are processed. The orthopedic apparatus will consist of soldered elements, and the material for them is selected together with the doctor, regarding aesthetic, functional requirements and material possibilities; 
Cable-stayed splinting . The procedure is similar to the process with the use of fiberglass, only in this case the groove is filled with armide fiber. It is believed that the technique has exceptional durability, high compatibility with enamel, lack of response to various stimuli, which is largely reflected in the cost. The technology allows minimizing the impact on healthy teeth (grinding), a kind of frame in the form of a fiber takes on part of the load, the rest is evenly distributed throughout the entire dentition; 
Splinting with clasp prostheses . The design is made individually for the bite, jaw structure and problem areas. The device is put on by a specialist, fixed by clasps or hooks. The maintenance of each tooth is provided separately, which is helped by the girdle arch, which also takes on part of the chewing load and prevents further loosening.
Each of the methods has its own specific advantages and the appropriateness of its use should be determined by the doctor.
For what period is the tire installed?
Maintaining the dentition can be permanent or temporary, it all depends on the reason for which there was a need for splinting of teeth, as well as on the dynamics of treatment. Regarding these indicators, it is customary to distinguish between the duration of wearing an orthopedic apparatus for temporary, long-term and permanent.
- The temporary construction is easily removed, installed for a period of less than 5 months, in some cases even less. The orthopedist can use it at the initial stage of treatment, it does not interfere with other manipulations with the teeth, and does not imply additional damage to them.
- Long-term splinting involves the use of up to three years, depending on the clinical picture. It is used in cases where there is no need for removal, in the early stages of loosening, for example, when periodontitis still has its initial stages of development.
- Permanent tires are installed to maintain teeth after the progressive influence of periodontal pathologies, to eliminate the consequences of various kinds of injuries. They are subject to particularly high requirements for aesthetics and reliability.
Modern dentistry allows you to cope with almost any problem, but restoring the health of your teeth can be quite difficult due to the late visit to a specialist. We must not forget that a timely visit to a specialist makes it possible to carry out not only more successful and sparing treatment, but also with the lowest material costs.
