Tacoma, WA (Washington) Orthodontist Daryl W. Yorek

    The Night Splint is a special type of retainer that is used to maintain the bite correction in certain types of overbite and overjet cases. It is worn at night as a retainer to keep the teeth in place, but it also promotes the lower jaw position.

    It can also be used to decrease night-time clenching and or grinding, and can help control TMJ symptoms.

    The night splint consists of upper and lower invisible (clear) retainers that are held together by a layer of clear acrylic. The appliance positions the lower jaw in a forward position so that typically you are biting with your front in the edge to edge position. It is this forward positioning of the lower jaw that helps to maintain your overbite/overjet correction and also promote a healthy TMJ (temporomandibular joint).

    Wearing your night splint every night will help ensure that your overbite/overjet will not return and that your teeth stay as straight as possible for as long as possible.

    For care instructions see “Retainers”.