Mouth splint - how much should they cost?

QuiteInterestin · 26-11-2010 4:54pm #1

Following a wisdom tooth infection earlier this year, I developed a problem with my jaw (restricted opening of mouth, aching down sides of face, headaches, ear pain etc). While things improved (not totally, but alot better then it was) , my dentist referred me on to a specialist. The specialist prescribed anti-inflammatories and stretching exercises but unfortunately these haven't fully resolved the problem. The next step is a mouth splint to be worn at night but the price I've been quoted is €700 approx (and thats not including the appointments for fittings etc). Was gobsmacked at the cost, had no idea it would be that much. Was just wondering how much other boardsies have had to pay for something similar? For those who have gone to their dentists for cheaper ones, have these been effective? Thanks in advance!

26-11-2010 5:15pm

To be fair that is a lot for even a specialist hard splint.

QuiteInterestin · 30-11-2010 12:20am

Thanks, that's what I thought. Was hoping someone might have some suggestions for cheaper alternatives. I had thought it wouldn't cost more then €200!! Think I'll sit on it for a while and hope it resolves itself!

30-11-2010 9:18am

If you were recommended this by a specialist then please please don't take alternative treatment off a internet forum.

Sounds like you were recommended a hard flat plane splint. This is not a boxers gum shield thing that most people think a splint is. Models of your teeth are mounted in a bite simulating machine and a rock hard acrylic cover is made on one arch that has a very specific bite pattern engraved into it. It take a lot of time to make and adjust that's why they are more expensive. Personally I think soft splints make things worse in the long run.

The problem is that every time this comes up on the forum some posters say "well I got one for 5 Euro" " I bought it on e bay for 2 rupees" etc. This is the problem where people generalise their own experience and don't realise that there are several different types of splint and jump straight into price comparison mode between their soft splint and your hard splint.

You will not get a hard splint for 200 Euro.

QuiteInterestin · 01-12-2010 12:30am

Thanks for the reply and the explanation about the different types of splints. Yes, it was a hard splint that the specialist recommended, and he said it would be made like you explained (mould of my teeth). He did mention that some dentists make them too, and thats what I was hoping to find out from this thread, if someone had one made by their dentist at a more reasonable price or even, what price other people who had ones made by specialists were charged (I hate feeling that I'm being overcharged).I will probably give it until the New Year to see how things are, and if it hasn't fully resolved and finances allow, I will go ahead with the hard splint. Thanks again!

buneehopper · 03-02-2011 4:03pm

My dentist charges €350 for a splint, he is an excellent dentist based in Limerick. Definitely worth checking out prices with your dentist, €700 is a crazy price to pay!

QuiteInterestin · 09-02-2011 12:32am

Thanks for the reply, finally made up my mind about it and I'm planning on making an appointment to go and have the hard splint made in the next few weeks. While it has improved alot, it still gives the occassional soreness, ear pain grating etc and I think I'm as well to get it resolved once and for all. To be honest, I never made any effort (besides posting on boards) to see if I could get it cheaper elsewhere. I might speak to my own dentist before I see the specialist to see if he agrees with the price etc but it does seem to be quiet a specialist area and any savings I might make by going to someone else I'd probably lose in appointments as I'd have to start at the beginning again. I'll keep ye posted

, thanks again!

Saadyst · 09-02-2011 1:57pm

Got a hard splint a few years ago when I was living in the UK... moulds and what-have-you done and sent away and all in all... £80stg. Insert the usual caveats of everyone's case being different etc.

Not a specialist however - although I'd love to actually know what a specialist would do different that would justify the price perhaps doubling?

Orthoman · 09-02-2011 5:19pm

Saadyst wrote: »

Got a hard splint a few years ago when I was living in the UK... moulds and what-have-you done and sent away and all in all... £80stg. Insert the usual caveats of everyone's case being different etc.

Not a specialist however - although I'd love to actually know what a specialist would do different that would justify the price perhaps doubling?

Might have spent an extra 3 or 4 years of full-time postgraduate university education at his own expense and 3-4 years loss of earnings to get his specialist title. Just a thought. May not be the case.:)

09-02-2011 10:09pm

A Specialist splint would involve
1. Diagnosis and treatment planning. 1 visit 1 hour
2. Study models mounted in a simi or fully adjustable articulator from a transfer bow record and a centric bite record at the new vertical dimension - 1 visit 1 hour. If centric relation is not easy to find a temporary bite raising appliance for a few weeks to relax the muscles.
3. Hours of laboratory work to form a flat posterior plane with even contacts and an anterior bite ramp. (lab cost more than 150 euro). Heat cured acrylic (not cold cured acrylic). Overnight curing, polishing and finishing. (Cost about 150 - 200 euro from the lab)
4. Fitting of the appliance and careful adjustment maybe 30 -60 minutes.
5. Check visit and readjustment of the bite at 1 month. 30 minutes.
6. Check ever 6 months.

work · 09-02-2011 10:26pm

Saadyst wrote: »

Got a hard splint a few years ago when I was living in the UK... moulds and what-have-you done and sent away and all in all... £80stg. Insert the usual caveats of everyone's case being different etc.

Not a specialist however - although I'd love to actually know what a specialist would do different that would justify the price perhaps doubling?

The lab bill (ie the cost the technician who processes it charges) for these splints made correctly is usually between €150-€400 so £80 is unrealistic.

Saadyst · 10-02-2011 11:09am

work wrote: »

The lab bill (ie the cost the technician who processes it charges) for these splints made correctly is usually between €150-€400 so £80 is unrealistic.

I'd imagine then that the NHS took the brunt of this. I paid £80.

Thanks Fitzgeme, it's not always clear what is actually going on "behind the scenes" with dental treatment.

Mingetoad · 10-02-2011 12:12pm

I'd suggest Saadyst's hard splint was a pull down made with hard acrylic, not a properly made functional flat plane splint.
Saadyst, as fitzgeme alludes to, where you about two hours in total in the chair, or did you get an impression taken and return for a fitting?

Saadyst · 10-02-2011 1:15pm

It definitely wasn't a specialist; regular dentist - impression taken and back for fitting.

QuiteInterestin · 13-02-2011 1:28am

Conrad Hot Cowhide wrote: »

A Specialist splint would involve
1. Diagnosis and treatment planning. 1 visit 1 hour
2. Study models mounted in a simi or fully adjustable articulator from a transfer bow record and a centric bite record at the new vertical dimension - 1 visit 1 hour. If centric relation is not easy to find a temporary bite raising appliance for a few weeks to relax the muscles.
3. Hours of laboratory work to form a flat posterior plane with even contacts and an anterior bite ramp. (lab cost more than 150 euro). Heat cured acrylic (not cold cured acrylic). Overnight curing, polishing and finishing. (Cost about 150 - 200 euro from the lab)
4. Fitting of the appliance and careful adjustment maybe 30 -60 minutes.
5. Check visit and readjustment of the bite at 1 month. 30 minutes.
6. Check ever 6 months.

Doesn't sound very nice, hopefully it works!

Planet X · 13-02-2011 5:04pm

Interesting thread.

I'm a Dental Technician and regularly make the above heat cured occlusal splints.
Labour intensive enough from the Lab. end of it. Blocking out undercuts, mounting, waxing etc., sometime ball end clasps for some dentists.
Processing the acrylic and finishing.

Failures can occur if the alginate is in the slightest bit "off" and often does when fitting.

13-02-2011 6:11pm

Planet X wrote: »

Failures can occur if the alginate is in the slightest bit "off" and often does when fitting.

Theres the problem, lab should receive a pour cast from a algenate or a PVS impression, any alginate wrapped in tissue and sent to a lab cannot be accurate.

Mouth splint - how much should they cost?

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