Article:

Dentistry in its simplest terms is about controlling bacteria, getting good marginal seals on restorations, and controlling the stresses that break restorations and open marginal seals. Traditionally, the use of splints has been for occlusion or temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Properly made and well-adjusted occlusal splints can help control parafunctional stresses that are applied by the patient to their natural teeth and the restorations that dentists fabricate for them. This in turn should lessen the possibility for restoration fracture from overload and help to maintain marginal seals because the splint would minimize the tooth flexure that puts stress on restorative interfaces.