soft splint – A Gentle Solution for Occlusal Protection

A soft splint is a removable dental appliance made from flexible, resilient material — typically soft acrylic, silicone, or thermoplastic. It is designed to protect teeth from excessive occlusal forces, grinding, and clenching.

What It Does
Unlike Hard splints, which are rigid and primarily used for precise occlusal repositioning, a soft splint absorbs and distributes force more gently. It cushions the teeth and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) during parafunctional habits such as bruxism.

Common Indications

• Nighttime teeth grinding (bruxism)

• Mild TMJ discomfort or muscle tension

• Post‑orthodontic protection combined with retention

• Short‑term occlusal protection before a hard splint is indicated

• Patients who cannot tolerate rigid acrylic appliances

Key Advantages

• Soft, comfortable, and easy to wear

• Less likely to cause speech interference

• Quick to fabricate — often vacuum‑formed in‑house

• Gentle on opposing dentition

• Lower cost compared to hard splints

Limitations

• Less effective for precise occlusal correction

• May wear faster than hard acrylic splints

• Not ideal for long‑term structural support in severe bruxism cases