Bite Splints
Protection. Comfort. Long-Term Relief.
Bite Splints: More Than Just Protection
At Red Bank Smiles, we take your bite seriously—because it’s the foundation of everything from muscle comfort to long-term dental health. While many people have heard of “night guards,” the term doesn’t fully capture the therapeutic value of what we offer.
Bite splints are not simply protective appliances; they are precision-made tools that help us understand how your jaw functions. We use them to guide healing, reduce inflammation in the jaw joints and muscles, and determine a stable, healthy jaw position before any restorative treatment is considered. Think of them as part of a larger process—not just protection, but discovery.
By observing how you respond to the splint over time, we gain valuable insights into the patterns of tension, grinding, or misalignment that may be affecting your bite. This allows us to create a more informed, personalized plan for your long-term oral health.
Protect Your Smile While You Sleep
What Are Bite Splints?
Bite splints are custom-fit oral appliances designed to:
✔Promote healing by reducing inflammation in the jaw joints and muscles.
✔ Reveal functional habits - like grinding, clenching, or bite instability—helping us better understand how your teeth and jaw work together.
✔ Establish a stable, healthy jaw position before planning any restorative or long-term treatment.
What You Need to Know About Bite Splints
Not exactly. While both are worn over the teeth and can reduce damage from grinding, bite splints serve a broader diagnostic and therapeutic purpose. They help us identify bite imbalances, reduce joint and muscle inflammation, and guide us toward a healthy, stable jaw position—something night guards aren’t designed to do.
It depends on your unique case. Some patients wear their bite splint nightly for a few months to allow for healing and evaluation, while others may use it as a long-term tool for managing muscle and joint health. We'll tailor the plan to your needs and goals.
Not at all. Each splint is custom-made to fit your mouth comfortably. Most patients adjust quickly and even find relief from tension or jaw pain after wearing it regularly.
A bite splint isn’t a permanent solution, but it’s an essential step in understanding your bite and helping us plan the right course of care. Once your ideal jaw position is identified, we can discuss next steps like restorative work or orthodontic options, if needed.
