iDD Dental Lab — Wellington, New Zealand
BITE SPLINT IN
NEW ZEAlAND
Teeth grinding and jaw clenching are more common than many people realise. The immense forces of bruxism place significant strain on your teeth, jaw muscles, and jaw joint over time, leading to worn-down teeth, sensitive teeth, sore jaw muscles, and damage to existing dental work including crowns, veneers, and bridges.
A custom bite splint, also called a night guard or bite guard, is a professionally made intraoral appliance designed to protect your teeth and jaw from the effects of teeth grinding and clenching. Unlike generic mouth guards, a custom-fitted bite guard is fabricated from a precise scan or impression of your teeth, ensuring an accurate fit and consistent protection night long.
iDD Dental Lab is a specialised dental laboratory based in Wellington, New Zealand, fabricating custom bite splints for dental clinics and practices across NZ to the clinical prescription of your dentist.
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WHAT IS A BITE SPLINT?
A bite splint is a custom-fitted oral appliance worn over the upper or lower teeth to protect the teeth and jaw from the grinding forces associated with bruxism. It is also referred to as an occlusal splint, dental splint, bite guard, or night guard depending on the clinical context.
There are two main types used in dental practice. A hard acrylic splint is prescribed for moderate to severe bruxism, redistributing occlusal forces evenly across the upper and lower teeth. A soft laminate splint suits patients with milder grinding habits or those who find a hard appliance uncomfortable initially.
Each guard is fabricated from a traditional impression or digital scan, ensuring a precise fit that sets it apart from an ill-fitting over-the-counter alternative.
WHEN MIGHT A BITE SPLINT BE PRESCRIBED?
A bite guard for teeth grinding may be recommended by your dentist across a range of clinical situations. Understanding the signs of bruxism and its effects on the teeth and jaw is an important part of identifying when a custom guard is appropriate.
A bite splint may be recommended when:
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A patient has been diagnosed with bruxism — grinding or clenching their teeth during sleep or during waking hours, sometimes accompanied by grinding sounds or a sore jaw on waking
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Jaw pain, facial muscle tension, or discomfort around the jaw joint is present and linked to overworked jaw muscles from habitual clenching or grinding
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Existing dental work such as crowns, veneers, or bridges requires protection from the grinding forces that bruxism can lead to over time
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A patient has completed orthodontic treatment and needs occlusal protection to preserve the position of the teeth during the retention phase
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Worn-down teeth or sensitive teeth are identified during a dental examination, suggesting the effects of teeth grinding over an extended period
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A clinician requires consistent, accurately fitted bite guard fabrication from a trusted New Zealand dental laboratory for their patients
HOW IDD DENTAL LAB FABRICATES BITE SPLINTS
STEP 01:
Submission from Your Dental Clinic
Your dentist submits either a traditional impression or a digital scan of your teeth to iDD Dental Lab, along with a clinical prescription specifying the splint type, material, and arch required. Clinicians are encouraged to include relevant findings on bruxism, any notes on bite patterns, and whether the guard is intended for upper or lower teeth.
STEP 02:
Model Preparation and Occlusal Assessment
Our laboratory team prepares the working models and assesses the occlusal relationship between the upper and lower teeth. This step ensures the guard is designed to sit accurately within your bite and distribute contact evenly across the arch when the guard fits in position.
STEP 03:
Splint Design and Fabrication
The bite guard is designed and crafted using appropriate materials based on the clinical prescription. Whether a hard acrylic or soft laminate guard is required, each custom guard is fabricated with care to meet the specifications provided by your dentist.
STEP 04:
Occlusal Surface Refinement
The occlusal surface of the guard is refined and adjusted to support balanced contact across the upper and lower teeth. This step is important in ensuring the guard protects the jaw and teeth effectively without creating uneven pressure points.
STEP 05:
Quality Inspection and Dispatch
Each completed bite splint undergoes a thorough quality inspection before being dispatched to the dental clinic. Turnaround time is communicated clearly at the time of submission so that your dental team can plan patient appointments accordingly.
BENEFITS OF A CUSTOM BITE SPLINT FROM IDD DENTAL LAB
A Precise, Patient-Specific Fit
Because each custom bite guard is fabricated from a scan or impression of the patient's teeth, the guard fits well and sits securely without the movement or discomfort associated with generic alternatives. A professionally fitted bite guard supports better patient compliance and more consistent nightly wear.
Protects Teeth and Existing Dental Work
A well-fitted guard protects the natural teeth and any existing dental work from the grinding forces generated during bruxism. This is particularly important for patients who have undergone restorative or cosmetic treatment, as clenching and grinding can significantly shorten the lifespan of crowns, veneers, and bridges without adequate occlusal protection.
Durable Materials for Heavy Grinding
iDD Dental Lab selects materials appropriate to the level of bruxism identified in the clinical prescription. For patients who grind their teeth with significant force, a professionally made guard crafted from hard acrylic provides a level of durability that soft over-the-counter options cannot match.
Supports Relief from Jaw Discomfort
By cushioning the jaw joint and distributing occlusal forces more evenly, a custom night guard can support relief from the sore jaw, jaw pain, and overworked jaw muscles that many bruxism patients experience. Outcomes vary depending on individual circumstances and the severity of the condition.
Consistent Fabrication from a Trusted NZ Lab
Every bite splint submitted to iDD Dental Lab is fabricated to the same standard of care, giving dental clinics confidence in the quality and consistency of each guard they receive. Our team works with practices across New Zealand to deliver reliable results with clear turnaround times.
BITE SPLINT COST
IN NEW ZEALAND
The cost of a custom bite splint from iDD Dental Lab varies depending on the type of splint prescribed, the material selected, and the arch coverage required.
Factors such as whether a hard acrylic or soft laminate guard is needed, and whether the splint covers the upper or lower arch, will all influence the final fee.
Costs vary based on individual case requirements and the clinical prescription provided by your dentist.
iDD Dental Lab does not list a standard fee for bite splints, as each case is assessed individually. Dental clinics across NZ are encouraged to contact our team directly for a tailored quote based on their specific case and volume requirements. Payment and terms are discussed at the time of enquiry.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
SEND YOUR CASE TO IDD DENTAL LAB
If you are a dental clinic or practice in New Zealand looking for a reliable laboratory partner for bite splint fabrication, our team at iDD Dental Lab is here to help.
We welcome case submissions from dental clinics across NZ. Simply send through your impressions or scan files along with your clinical prescription and our team will be in touch to confirm receipt and turnaround time.
To submit a case or make an enquiry, contact iDD Dental Lab by phone, email, or through our online contact form at a time that suits your practice.