Bite Splint in Stockholm – Custom Stabilisation Splint for Grinding, Clenching and Jaw Symptoms
A bite splint is a reversible dental appliance that can protect teeth and restorations from bruxism-related loading and, in selected patients, help reduce symptoms from the jaw muscles or temporomandibular joints. It should not be ordered automatically from a single symptom: appropriate treatment starts with diagnosis and a jaw-function assessment.
At Gloss & Floss Dental Care® in Södermalm, we assess teeth, tooth wear, cracks, jaw muscles, jaw joints, mouth opening, bite contacts, headache symptoms and relevant differential diagnoses before recommending a custom splint.
Last fact-checked: 29 September 2026 against Swedish 1177 guidance, Socialstyrelsen national dental guidelines, SBU, TLV 2026 rules and current bruxism/TMD research.
Quick answer
- A custom hard stabilisation splint is a common clinical design; Swedish guidelines prefer a hard stabilisation splint for jaw-muscle pain over several alternative splint types.
- A bite splint does not necessarily cure bruxism, but it can protect teeth and may reduce loading or symptoms in selected patients.
- Awake clenching and sleep bruxism are not the same. Behaviour change and jaw exercises can be especially relevant for awake clenching.
- A sleep-apnoea oral appliance is different. Snoring, witnessed breathing pauses or marked daytime sleepiness require a sleep-apnoea pathway.
- Gloss & Floss price: from 4,190 SEK, technician fee included according to the current price list.
When can a bite splint be the right treatment?
A bite splint may be relevant when there is clinical evidence of bruxism or other overload and a clear treatment goal—for example, protecting teeth from progressive wear or using a reversible appliance as part of conservative care for selected jaw-muscle or jaw-joint problems.
Progressive tooth wear
Possible signsFlattened surfaces, shortened incisors, wear facets or recurrent material wear.
Treatment goalProtect against continued mechanical loading while the cause is assessed.
Sore jaw muscles
Possible signsFatigue, tenderness or aching in the chewing muscles or temple region.
Treatment goalAssess TMD and choose conservative care; a splint is one possible tool, not the only option.
Cracks and sensitive teeth
Possible signsSensitivity, cracks or fractures can occur with heavy loading.
Treatment goalDistinguish load-related problems from caries, pulpitis, erosion or another dental cause.
Headache with a jaw component
Possible signsMorning or temple headache together with muscle tenderness can suggest a jaw-related component.
Treatment goalAssess whether TMD is relevant; headache should not automatically be attributed to the bite.
Jaw-joint symptoms
Possible signsPain, clicking, fatigue, locking or limited opening.
Treatment goalEstablish the functional diagnosis and choose reversible care or referral when needed.
After extensive restorative dentistry
Possible issueBruxism can load crowns, bridges, implant crowns and ceramic restorations.
Treatment goalProtect the restorative result when a splint is clinically indicated.
Bruxism, clenching and TMD – what is the difference?
Current international consensus distinguishes sleep bruxism from awake bruxism. Bruxism is jaw-muscle activity and is not automatically a disease; it can, however, be a risk factor for tooth wear, muscle symptoms or damage to restorations.
TMD (temporomandibular disorders) is an umbrella term for pain or functional problems involving the jaw muscles and/or temporomandibular joints. A patient can have bruxism without TMD, TMD without bruxism, or both. Diagnosis should therefore drive treatment.
| Situation | Common focus | Possible role of a splint |
|---|---|---|
| Sleep bruxism | Protect teeth/restorations and assess consequences of night-time jaw-muscle activity. | Often night-time use when there is a clinical indication. |
| Awake clenching | Awareness, relaxation, behaviour change and movement exercises may be central. | Can sometimes complement care, but does not remove the habit by itself. |
| Muscle-related TMD | Conservative care such as information, exercises, physiotherapy and sometimes a stabilisation splint. | May be part of treatment; response varies. |
| Jaw locking or marked dysfunction | Diagnosis and sometimes specialist assessment. | Not automatically a splint problem; treatment depends on diagnosis. |
What can a stabilisation splint do—and what can it not do?
A splint may
- separate tooth surfaces and reduce direct tooth-to-tooth wear,
- protect fillings and selected prosthetic restorations from bruxism loading,
- provide stable, reversible occlusal support,
- reduce pain or muscle loading in some patients as part of conservative TMD care.
A splint should not promise to
- cure bruxism,
- explain every headache or every jaw pain problem,
- treat obstructive sleep apnoea,
- replace diagnosis of a cracked tooth, infection or other disease,
- guarantee that crowns, bridges or implant restorations will never fracture.
Hard stabilisation splint, soft splint or pharmacy night guard?
Swedish national dental guidelines state that a hard stabilisation splint is preferred for jaw-muscle pain over several alternative splint types. The guidelines also note that some other designs, including certain soft or partial splints, can adversely affect the bite during prolonged use and therefore require closer follow-up.
A custom laboratory-made splint allows the dentist to control fit, tooth contacts and function. A preformed or boil-and-bite guard from a pharmacy or online retailer is not the same treatment and may be unsuitable as a long-term solution when there is pain, bite change or complex restorative dentistry.
Sleep-apnoea oral appliance: a different treatment
A mandibular advancement appliance for obstructive sleep apnoea holds the lower jaw forward to improve the airway. It belongs to a separate sleep-medicine pathway and should not be confused with a stabilisation splint for bruxism.
How a custom bite splint is made at Gloss & Floss
History and symptoms
We review grinding/clenching, pain, headaches, joint sounds, sleep, previous damage, restorations and other relevant factors.
Clinical jaw-function examination
We assess teeth, wear, cracks, jaw muscles, jaw joints, range of motion and bite contacts. X-rays are taken only when clinically indicated.
Treatment decision
We decide whether a stabilisation splint is appropriate or whether advice, exercises, physiotherapy, restorative care, pain assessment or specialist referral is more relevant.
Digital scan or impression
If a splint is recommended, the dental arch is recorded digitally or with an impression depending on the clinical situation and workflow.
Laboratory fabrication
The splint is manufactured individually for the selected jaw and indication.
Fitting, adjustment and instructions
Fit and occlusal contacts are checked and adjusted before use. You receive instructions on wear, cleaning and when to contact the clinic.
Follow-up
Fit, symptoms and wear are reviewed. For TLV procedures 601/602, functional follow-up is included for up to three months after delivery.
What do guidelines and current research say?
Bite splints are established conservative dental appliances, but their effects should be described carefully. Socialstyrelsen’s national dental guidelines give stabilisation splints a role in progressive tooth wear and in bruxism or other orofacial parafunction, and prefer a hard stabilisation splint over several other designs for jaw-muscle pain.
SBU reported in 2025 that important evidence gaps remain for some outcomes such as pain, jaw function and tooth wear. A 2026 overview of systematic reviews found predominantly small beneficial or neutral effects compared with other conservative TMD treatments. This supports diagnosis-led use rather than treating the splint as a universal solution.
Our evidence principle
We recommend a splint when there is a clear protection or treatment goal and review whether it is helping. If advice, movement exercises, physiotherapy or another dental treatment is more appropriate, that should be discussed instead of—or alongside—a splint.
Other conservative treatments can be equally important
Swedish guidance also supports qualified advice for bruxism/orofacial parafunction, while 1177 describes movement training as particularly relevant for awake clenching. Physiotherapy may be appropriate when jaw symptoms coexist with neck/shoulder problems or restricted movement.
Behaviour and jaw exercises
Awareness of awake clenching, resting jaw position and relaxation can reduce unnecessary muscle activity.
Physiotherapy
May be relevant for muscle-related TMD, neck/shoulder symptoms or movement limitation.
Restorative dentistry
Cracks, fractured fillings, severe wear or lost tooth structure may require treatment in addition to a splint.
Specialist assessment
Complex or persistent TMD, locking or significant functional limitation can justify referral for orofacial-pain/jaw-function expertise.
Irreversible bite adjustment is not routine bruxism treatment
Natural teeth should not be ground simply because a patient clenches or grinds. Swedish guidelines state that occlusal correction should not be performed when the proposed dysocclusion cannot be clinically verified. Reversible, diagnosis-led care should be considered first.
Video: jaw pain, headaches and teeth grinding
This Gloss & Floss video reviews common warning signs such as jaw discomfort, headaches, tooth sensitivity and grinding. It is educational and does not replace an individual examination.
Protecting crowns, bridges, implant crowns and veneers
Bruxism can expose both natural teeth and restorations to high mechanical loading. After crowns and bridges, dental implants, veneers or other extensive restorative treatment, a splint may therefore be useful when there is a jaw-function indication.
If tooth shape changes after a new filling, crown or other treatment, the splint may need adjustment or occasionally replacement. Bring it with you when substantial dental treatment is planned.
Care and safe use
- Wear the splint according to your individual instructions—commonly during sleep when it is prescribed for night-time bruxism.
- Clean it every day using the method recommended by the clinic.
- Avoid very hot or boiling water, which can distort the material.
- Store it in its case and bring it to dental reviews.
- Contact the clinic if it cracks, feels loose, causes pressure, fits differently or your bite seems altered.
- If pain increases, the jaw locks, swelling develops or you have toothache, the cause should be reassessed rather than simply continuing to use the splint.
Bite splint price in Stockholm and Swedish state dental support
Gloss & Floss price
From 4,190 SEK
The technician fee is included according to the current price list. Examination, imaging or other treatment may be additional depending on the diagnosis.
TLV reference price 2026
4,370 SEK for procedure 601 or 602 in general dentistry.
These procedures cover a laboratory-made hard acrylic splint on a bite-physiology indication. TLV states that impression, fitting, occlusal adjustment and functional follow-up for up to three months are included.
Swedish state dental support can affect your final cost when the diagnosis and procedure conditions are met. Your actual reimbursement depends on the diagnosis and your current reimbursement period. We review the treatment code and cost estimate before the splint is ordered.
Related treatments and clinical information
Teeth grinding / bruxism
Learn more about grinding, clenching, symptoms and treatment options.
Dental consultation
A diagnostic starting point for tooth wear, cracks, pain and jaw symptoms.
Bite rehabilitation
For more complex bite, restorative or jaw-function problems.
Second opinion
For a new assessment of complex wear, jaw symptoms or a larger proposed treatment plan.
Sources and clinical fact-check
- 1177 – teeth grinding and clenching
- Socialstyrelsen – National Guidelines for Dental Care
- SBU – evidence gap: bite splints for adult bruxism/orofacial parafunction
- TLV procedure 601 – hard acrylic maxillary splint
- TLV procedure 602 – hard acrylic mandibular splint
- Journal of Oral Rehabilitation 2026 – overview of systematic reviews on occlusal splints and TMD
- International consensus update on bruxism definitions, 2025
- 1177 – snoring and sleep-apnoea oral appliances
Frequently asked questions about bite splints
How do I know whether I need a bite splint?
A bite splint may be appropriate when there are signs of teeth grinding or clenching, progressive tooth wear, sore jaw muscles or selected jaw-function symptoms. Headache, tooth sensitivity and joint sounds can have many causes, so a clinical assessment is needed before a splint is recommended.
Does a bite splint cure teeth grinding or clenching?
No. A bite splint mainly protects teeth and restorations and may reduce loading or symptoms in some patients. Bruxism is jaw-muscle activity that can occur during sleep or while awake, and contributing factors may need separate assessment.
What type of bite splint is commonly used?
A custom hard stabilisation splint is a common dental design for bruxism and selected muscle-related jaw problems. Swedish national guidelines prefer a hard stabilisation splint over several other splint types for jaw-muscle pain. The appropriate jaw and design are selected individually.
Is a hard stabilisation splint better than a soft splint?
For jaw-muscle pain, Swedish national dental guidelines prefer a hard stabilisation splint over several alternative designs. Some soft or partial splints can affect the bite during longer use and may require closer follow-up. The correct design still depends on diagnosis.
Is a custom bite splint the same as a pharmacy night guard?
No. A dentist-made splint follows examination, an impression or digital scan, laboratory fabrication, fitting, bite adjustment and follow-up. A generic guard does not include that diagnostic or clinical control and is not suitable as a long-term solution for every patient.
Can a bite splint help with headaches?
It may help when headache is associated with jaw-muscle pain or TMD, but headache has many possible causes. A splint should not be used as a general headache treatment without an appropriate diagnosis.
Can a bite splint help with TMJ or TMD symptoms?
A stabilisation splint can be part of conservative care for some TMD diagnoses, but evidence does not show that it is universally superior to other conservative options. Pain, locking, limited opening and joint sounds should be assessed according to diagnosis and functional impact.
What is the difference between sleep bruxism and awake bruxism?
Sleep bruxism is jaw-muscle activity during sleep, while awake bruxism can involve repeated or sustained tooth contact, clenching or muscle bracing while awake. For awake clenching, awareness, behaviour change and exercises can be particularly important parts of treatment.
Is a bite splint the same as a sleep-apnoea oral appliance?
No. A conventional stabilisation splint for bruxism does not treat obstructive sleep apnoea. A sleep-apnoea oral appliance advances the lower jaw to improve the airway and belongs to a different care pathway that includes sleep assessment and medical diagnosis.
What does ‘bite rail’ mean?
Bite rail is a direct Scandinavian-style translation that may be encountered in English, but the clearer clinical terms are bite splint, occlusal splint or night guard. On this page we use bite splint as the main term.
How is a custom bite splint made at Gloss & Floss?
We first assess the teeth, wear, cracks, bite, jaw muscles, jaw joints and symptoms. If a splint is indicated, a digital scan or impression is taken. The splint is laboratory-made, fitted, adjusted against the bite and followed up after delivery.
How often and how long should I wear the splint?
This depends on the diagnosis and treatment goal. Swedish 1177 guidance describes night-time use as common for bruxism splints, but duration varies between individuals. Follow your personal instructions and bring the splint to follow-up visits.
What should I do if my bite feels different after removing the splint?
A brief altered sensation may occur, but if your bite remains clearly different, the splint fits differently, new pain develops or symptoms worsen, contact the dentist for review and possible adjustment.
Can a bite splint protect crowns, bridges or implant crowns?
A splint can reduce direct tooth-to-tooth loading and may protect natural teeth and restorations in patients with bruxism. It cannot guarantee that ceramic or other restorations will never fracture.
Does a bite splint need adjustment after fillings, crowns or other dental work?
Sometimes. A new tooth shape or changed contact can alter how the splint fits and contacts the teeth. Bring your splint when major dental treatment is planned or if it no longer fits as it did previously.
How do I clean my bite splint?
Follow the clinic’s instructions. The splint is usually rinsed and gently cleaned every day and stored in its case. Avoid very hot or boiling water because heat can distort the material.
How much does a bite splint cost at Gloss & Floss?
The current Gloss & Floss dental price list shows a bite splint from 4,190 SEK with the technician fee included. Examination, imaging or other treatment may be additional depending on the diagnosis. The price was checked in September 2026.
Can a bite splint be covered by Swedish state dental support?
Yes, when TLV diagnosis and treatment-code conditions are met, bite-physiology procedures can be eligible within the Swedish state dental support. In 2026 the reference price is 4,370 SEK for TLV procedure 601 or 602. Your actual reimbursement depends on diagnosis and your current reimbursement period.
What is included in TLV procedure 601 or 602?
For a laboratory-made hard acrylic bite splint, TLV states that impression, fitting, occlusal adjustment and follow-up of splint function for up to three months after delivery are included. Procedure 601 applies to a maxillary splint and 602 to a mandibular splint.
When is specialist orofacial-pain / jaw-function assessment appropriate?
Specialist assessment can be relevant for persistent or severe pain, recurrent jaw locking, marked functional limitation, complex TMD, uncertain diagnosis or when appropriate treatment in general dentistry does not provide reasonable improvement.
Should teeth be ground down because I clench or grind?
Not routinely. Irreversible occlusal adjustment requires a clear clinical indication. Swedish national guidelines state that occlusal correction should not be performed for a dysocclusion that cannot be clinically verified. Reversible, diagnosis-led care is generally preferred first.
Book an assessment for a bite splint in Stockholm
If you grind or clench your teeth, wake with jaw soreness, have progressive tooth wear or want to protect extensive restorative dentistry, we start by assessing the cause and whether a custom stabilisation splint is actually the right treatment.
