Many patients have been observed to suffer from both daytime and nighttime bruxism. Also known as awake bruxism and sleep bruxism. Certain oral habits or parafunction can be identified as signs of jaw malocclusion.
Common oral habits include teeth grinding, lip and cheek biting, thumb sucking, fingernail biting, and chewing on pens. If oral habits occur more frequently in the form of awake bruxism, it makes sense to wear the occlusal splint as often as possible during the day. If the patient feels comfortable with a relaxation splint during the day, this can also be used during the day.
The splint is essential during nighttime bruxism to protect the tooth structure and the temporomandibular joints from damage caused by pressing and grinding. The duration of wear is always individual and should be coordinated with the patient's treating physician.