Patient preference for light-cured composite bite splint compared to heat-cured acrylic bite splint.

Abstract

Heat-cured acrylic has been the most commonly used material for construction of bite splints. Although effective, its processing involves several steps and is time consuming. Furthermore, acrylic splints distort easily if not kept in water when not worn for long periods of time. A newly developed light-cured composite material is now being used for bite splint fabrication. The composite material offers benefits in ease and speed of construction, has minimal warping and distortion, and has proven patient acceptance. The aim of this study was to determine if patient satisfaction with the composite splint was as good as, or preferential to, the acrylic splint. Both a composite and an acrylic bite splint were fabricated for each of 10 patients. The splints were worn alternately on a nightly basis and were adjusted as needed after the first week. After 3 weeks, each patient completed a questionnaire regarding the properties of each splint and any preferences they had in reference to fit, comfort, and other parameters of satisfaction. All of the patients were able to wear at least one of the splints comfortably. All 10 preferred the composite splint over the acrylic splint, agreeing that it felt more natural and was more comfortable to wear. The light-cured composite bite splint is preferable from the patient's perspective to the heat-cured acrylic bite splint. The composite splint is rapidly constructed on the original model, easily seated, and comfortably worn. Other properties of composite material also make it preferable for long-term use. Future studies are necessary to evaluate the functional differences between the composite and acrylic splint.