Teeth grinding and splints in Toowoomba

What is bruxism?

Bruxism is the clinical name for grinding or clenching your teeth. It often happens at night, while you're asleep and completely unaware of it — which is why most people find out from a partner who hears it, or from a dentist who spots the wear.

The forces involved are considerable, and they're applied for hours at a time without the natural breaks that eating provides. Over years, that can wear down the biting surfaces of teeth, chip edges, crack fillings, and leave the jaw muscles fatigued in the morning.

What a splint is designed to do

An occlusal splint is a custom-made appliance that fits precisely over your teeth and is generally worn at night. It doesn't stop you grinding — nothing reliably does, and we'd rather be straight with you about that than promise otherwise. What it's designed to do is change where the force goes.

• Protect your teeth. The splint takes the wear instead of your enamel. It's far easier to replace a splint than to rebuild worn-down teeth.
• Take load off the jaw muscles and joints. A splint is designed to let your jaw close evenly and to separate the back teeth during movement, which can help overworked muscles settle.
• Help us understand what's going on. How your symptoms respond to wearing a splint tells us something useful about where they're coming from, and guides what we suggest next.

Results vary between people. Some notice their morning jaw tension eases within a few weeks; for others the main benefit is simply that their teeth stop getting shorter. We'll talk honestly about what's realistic for your situation before you commit to anything.

What to expect

1. Examination and discussion. We check your teeth for wear patterns, look at your jaw and muscles, and talk through your symptoms and sleep. If a splint isn't the right answer, we'll say so.
2. Digital scan. We scan your teeth and bite — no impression trays, no gagging.
3. Fabrication. Your splint is made to fit your mouth specifically. Off-the-shelf boil-and-bite guards don't fit accurately and don't control the bite the same way.
4. Fitting. We fit the splint, adjust it so your bite meets evenly on it, and show you how to wear and clean it.
5. Review. We check in on how you're going and fine-tune the adjustment if needed.

If you're finding dental appointments difficult, that's worth telling us before you book — see how we care for anxious patients.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a teeth grinding splint cost in Toowoomba?

An occlusal splint at Southside Dental is $648, covering the consultation, digital scan, fabrication and fitting. The health fund item code is 965 — call your fund to check your rebate.

Will a splint stop me grinding my teeth?

No. A splint is designed to protect your teeth from the effects of grinding and to take load off your jaw muscles, rather than to stop the grinding itself. That protection is the point — worn enamel doesn't grow back, but a splint can be replaced.

Can I just buy a mouthguard from the chemist instead?

You can, and for some people it's better than nothing. The difference is fit and bite control: an over-the-counter guard is moulded roughly to your teeth and doesn't adjust how your bite meets on it. A poorly fitting guard can also allow teeth to move over time. A custom splint is made from a scan of your mouth and adjusted in the chair.

How long does a splint last?

It depends heavily on how hard you grind. Many splints last several years; heavy grinders may wear through one considerably sooner. We check yours at your regular check-up and let you know when it's getting thin — a worn splint has done its job by absorbing damage your teeth otherwise would have.

Do I have to wear it every night?

We generally suggest wearing it every night, because grinding isn't something you can predict in advance. It takes most people a week or two to get used to it.

Is grinding caused by stress?

Stress is one recognised contributing factor, but it isn't the whole story — bite, medications, sleep patterns and other factors can all play a part. It's worth mentioning anything relevant at your appointment, since a splint addresses the damage rather than the cause.

I also snore or wake up tired — is that related?

Sometimes people who grind also have disrupted sleep, and that's a separate matter from your teeth. We don't assess or treat sleep disorders here, so please raise it with your GP — but do mention it to us as well, as it's useful context.