What Are the Types of Splints, and What Are They Used for?

A splint is a supportive device that protects a broken bone or injury. A splint keeps the injured part of your body still to help with pain and promote healing. Some splints are flexible and some are rigid. The type of splint you need will depend on the type of injury you have and the part of your body that is injured. 

What’s the Difference Between a Splint and a Cast?

Casts and splints are both orthopedic devices that support and protect injured ligaments, bones, tendons, and other tissues. They are both hard wraps. If you have a broken bone, a splint or cast may be used to help keep the broken ends of your bone together to help it heal. 

Casts are custom-made to fit your arm or leg. They are made of plaster or fiberglass and must be removed in your doctor’s office. A cast wraps completely around your injury. Casts are not adjustable and may have to be replaced if they get loose because the swelling goes down. Casts provide more support than a splint. 

Splints are also called half-casts. They don’t provide as much support as a cast. The hard part of a splint doesn’t wrap all the way around your injury. It’s held in place with an elastic bandage or other material. A splint may be applied first if you have a lot of swelling. Splints can be custom-made or ready-made.  

What Are Splints Used For?

Splints are used to treat different types of injuries. Sometimes a splint is used before a cast, and sometimes a splint is used alone. Injuries that are treated with splints include: 

How To Take Care of a Splint

If you have a removable splint, follow your doctor’s instructions about when you can remove it. Your doctor will also tell you if you can walk or put weight on your splint. Other general care tips include: 

• Place your arm or leg on a pillow above the level of your heart as often as you can over the next 3 days to help reduce swelling. 
• Ice the limb for 10 to 20 minutes every 1 to 2 hours for the next 3 days or until the swelling goes down.
• Don’t get your splint wet. 
• Wiggle your fingers or toes if they aren’t injured to help move the blood in your injured limb. 
• Talk to your doctor about how to maintain your muscle strength and tone while you’re in a splint. 
•  Don’t stick anything under your splint to scratch. 
• If you’re itching and can’t remove your splint, try blowing cool air under your splint from a blow dryer or fan.
• Don’t use oils or lotions near your splint.
• If your splint is irritating your skin, pad the edges with moleskin or tape. 
• If you can’t take off your splint, cover it with plastic sheeting while you take a shower. 
• If you can remove your splint to take a shower, dry your skin well before you put it back on. 

When To Call Your Doctor

You may have to wear your splint for several days to several weeks. If you have any of the following symptoms, call your doctor: 

• Numbness, tingling, stinging, or burning on or near your injury
• Worsening pain
• Damaged, wet, or broken splint
• Drainage, pus, bleeding, or a bad smell coming from your splint
• Trouble moving your fingers or toes
• If the skin around your splint becomes discolored, pale, gray, or cold to the touch 
• Your splint feels too tight
• You develop a fever

Complications of Splints

Complications from splints can range from minor to severe, and may include: 

Bone movement. If you have a fracture that’s been set, your bones may move out of place. 

Skin irritation. You may develop pressure sores or other types of skin redness or irritation. 

Stiffness in your joint. Your joint may become stiff after being held still in a splint. 

Burns. Fiberglass and plaster splints can cause heat burns. 

Neurovascular injury. Some types of dislocations and fractures can cause damage to your nerves or arteries when they are repaired.

Compartment syndrome. This is a rare but serious complication that occurs more often with casts than splints. It happens when the pressure in your muscles builds up to a dangerous level. This can interfere with the flow of blood to your muscles and nerves. Compartment syndrome can cause serious injury or death. Symptoms include: 

• Numbness
• Muscle pain that’s worse than you’d expect from your injury
• Severe pain when you stretch your muscle
• Swelling of the muscle
• A feeling of fullness of the muscle
• Muscle tightness
• Burning or tingling sensation in your skin

Splints (for Kids) – Nemours KidsHealth

What Is a Splint?

A splint is a support device made of hard material that keeps an injured area from moving.

What Do Splints Do?

Splints hold bones and joints in place so they can heal after a broken bone, injury, or surgery. Splints also can help with problems that affect the joints (such as arthritis) or muscles (such as a weakness or paralysis of a muscle).

What Are Splints Made of?

A splint can be plastic, metal, plaster, or fiberglass.

When Do Doctors Use Splints Instead of Casts?

Doctors use splints for broken bones if the area around the injury is swollen. When there’s swelling, splints are a better choice than casts because they are easy to loosen, if needed.

Health care providers usually replace a splint with a cast on a broken bone after the swelling goes down. The cast will provide more protection while a broken bone heals.

How Do I Take Care of a Splint?

• Tell your parent if the splint hurts or is uncomfortable.
• Do not get the splint wet. A wet splint might not support the bone, and also can cause a skin rash.
• Do not stick objects or pour lotions or powders inside the splint.
• Don’t scratch the skin inside the splint.
• Check the skin at the edges of the splint for blisters, sores, or redness.

Bathing With a Splint

If your doctor told you to keep the splint on during bathing, make sure it doesn’t get wet.

Here’s how to keep the splint dry during bathing:

• Baths are better than showers because it is easier to keep the splint dry in a bath.
• Before the bath, cover the splint with a plastic bag. Seal the top with a rubber band.
• Keep it completely out of the water by propping it up on the side of the tub.
• If the splint gets splashed, gently blow air into it from a hair dryer on the cool or fan-only setting. If some of the splint goes under water or gets very wet, your mom or dad should call your doctor.

Your mom or dad also should call your doctor if:

• You have a lot of pain.
• Your fingers or toes are swollen, changing colors, or feel numb.
• The splint feels too tight or too loose.
• The splint is damaged.

Looking Ahead

Take care of the splint so it stays in good condition. Soon, you’ll be back to doing everything you enjoyed before you needed a splint!

Splint – Physiopedia

A splint is a rigid or flexible device that maintains in position a displaced or movable part, also used to keep in place and protect an injured part^[1] to support healing and to prevent further damage^[2].

Thomas’s splint, commonly used for the immobilization of hip and thigh injuries

• Immobilization
• Support to promote healing
• Positioning or supporting during function
• Pain relief^[3]
• Substitute for weak muscles
• Correction and prevention of contracture & deformity^[4]
• Restoring or maintaining of range of motion^[5]
• Edema control^[6]

Different Types of Splints[edit | edit source]

Splints are classified based on the movement permissible as

• Static
• Dynamic
• Serial static
• Static progressive

Splints for Upper Extrimity

^[3][edit | edit source]

Splints for Lower Extrimity

^[3][edit | edit source]

Swollen sprained ankle, an indication for splinting

Splints are placed to immobilize musculoskeletal injuries, support healing, and to prevent further damage. The indications for splinting are broad, but commonly include:

• Temporary stabilization of acute fractures, sprains, or strains before further evaluation or definitive operative management
• Immobilization of a suspected occult fracture (such as a scaphoid fracture)
• Severe soft tissue injuries requiring immobilization and protection from further injury
• Definitive management of specific stable fracture patterns
• Peripheral neuropathy requiring extremity protection
• Partial immobilization for minor soft tissue injuries
• Treatment of joint instability, including dislocation^[2]

Contraindications of Splinting[edit | edit source]

No specific contraindications to splinting exist. However, certain injuries and patient-specific comorbidities require special attention:

• Injuries that violate the skin or open wounds: Antibiotic administration should be considered for these patients depending on the severity of the lesion. These patients also require additional soft tissue care, which may necessitate tissue debridement and skin closure before splint application.
• Injuries that result in sensory or neurologic deficits: The complications of splint placement such as compartment syndrome, pressure injuries, or malreduction may go unnoticed if the patient has a concurrent nerve injury. These patients should undergo evaluation by a surgeon before splint application as neurologic findings may be a sign of a surgical emergency.
• Injuries to the vasculature: This require special attention by vascular surgeons, as these may require urgent operative intervention. Furthermore, evaluation of the vasculature is essential both before and after splint application, as the reduction of some fractures may result in acute arterial injury or obstruction if trapped between the fracture fragments.
• Patients with peripheral vascular disease or neuropathy: Special care should be taken when applying lower extremity splints in these patients since their baseline sensation may be altered. These patients have difficulty detecting pressure sores, skin irritation, and possible vascular compromise.^[2]

• Excessive use of splints can lead to chronic pain, stiff joints or weak muscles^[7]
• Skin irritation^[8]
• Discomfort^[9]

Splint use offers many advantages over casting.

• Splints are faster and easier to apply.
• They may be static (i.e., prevent motion) or dynamic (i.e., functional; assist with controlled motion).
• Because a splint is noncircumferential, it allows for the natural swelling that occurs during the initial inflammatory phase of the injury.
• A splint may be removed more easily than a cast, allowing for regular inspection of the injury site.^[10]

Disadvantages of Splinting[edit | edit source]

Disadvantages of splinting include-

• Lack of patient compliance
• Excessive motion at the injury site
• Limitations in their usage, as in unstable or potentially unstable fractures^[10]

Complications of Splinting[edit | edit source]

Compartment Syndrome, a complication of splinting

• Compartment syndrome
• Ischemia
• Heat injury
• Pressure sores and skin breakdown
• Edema
• Infection
• Dermatitis
• Joint stiffness
• Decreased ROM, Strength, Sensation
• Neurologic injury^[10]

Considerations for effective splinting[edit | edit source]

• Creases provide for landmarks in splint fabrication
• Bony prominences may cause pressure
• Ensure three points of pressure
• Custom made splints to fit the contours of the body rather than ready made splints
• Patient education for better compliance

1. ↑ VanBlarcom CW, editor. The glossary of prosthodontic terms. Mosby; 1999.
2. ↑ ^2.02.12.2 Althoff AD, Reeves RA. Splinting. StatPearls [Internet]. 2020 May 24.
3. ↑ ^3.03.13.2 Boyd AS, Benjamin HJ, Asplund CA. Splints and casts: indications and methods. American family physician. 2009 Sep 1;80(5):491-9.
4. ↑ Singh KA, Shah H, Joseph B. Comparison of plaster-of-Paris casts and Woodcast splints for immobilization of the limb during serial manipulation and casting for idiopathic clubfoot in infants: a prospective randomized trial. The Bone & Joint Journal. 2020 Oct 3;102(10):1399-404.
5. ↑ Rezaei B, Mahdavinejad R. Massage therapy and Splint in males with Carpal Tunnel syndrome. Journal of Advanced Pharmacy Education & Research| Jan-Mar. 2020;10(S1).
6. ↑ Giang TA, Ong AW, Krishnamurthy K, Fong KN. Rehabilitation interventions for poststroke hand oedema: a systematic review. Hong Kong Journal of Occupational Therapy. 2016 Jun 1;27:7-17.
7. ↑ Gravlee JR, Van Durme DJ. Braces and splints for musculoskeletal conditions. American family physician. 2007 Feb 1;75(3):342-8.
8. ↑ Johnston JJ, Spelman L. Pressure-induced localised granuloma annulare following use of an elbow splint. Prosthetics and orthotics international. 2017 Jun;41(3):311-3.
9. ↑ So H, Chung VC, Cheng JC, Yip RM. Local steroid injection versus wrist splinting for carpal tunnel syndrome: a randomized clinical trial. International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases. 2018 Jan;21(1):102-7.
10. ↑ ^10.010.110.2 Boyd AS, Benjamin HJ, Asplund CA. Principles of casting and splinting. American family physician. 2009 Jan 1;79(1):16-22.

Splints & Casts for Bone Fractures or Injuries

What are casts and splints?

Casts and splints are orthopedic devices that are used to protect and support broken or injured bones and joints. They help to immobilize the injured limb to keep the bone in place until it fully heals.

Casts differ from splints because they provide more support and protection for a limb that is injured or broken. They are made from materials like plaster or fiberglass that can be easily molded to the shape of the injured arm or leg.

Splints, also known as half-casts, provide less support than casts, but are faster and easier to use. They also can be tightened or loosened easily if the swelling in the arm or leg increases or decreases.

Ready-made or off-the-shelf splints are available in many different sizes and shapes. In some cases, custom-designed splints must be used. Velcro straps make it easier for the patient or healthcare provider to put the splint on or take it off.

When are casts and splints used?

Casts and splints are used when a bone is broken. They can also be used following orthopedic surgery. Sometimes splints are used immediately following an injury due to swelling of the affected area. After the swelling goes down, then a full cast might be applied to the injured limb.

A cast might have to be replaced during the healing process if the injured area becomes less swollen and the cast gets looser. In that case, the cast might be replaced with a splint to provide more freedom of movement.

What types of casts and splints are available?

Casts are partly made from fiberglass or plaster, which form the hard layer that protects the injured limb and keeps it immobilized.

Fiberglass has several advantages compared to plaster. It weighs less, so the cast made from it will be lighter. More durable and porous, fiberglass allows air to flow in and out. Fiberglass is the better choice in case the limb must be X-rayed during the healing process. It is also available in a variety of colors.

Plaster costs less than fiberglass and is more malleable (is more easily shaped) than fiberglass in certain cases.

How is plaster and fiberglass casting done?

Before the casting material is applied, a stockinette is placed around the area that will be covered by the cast. Afterwards a layer of padding made of cotton or another soft material (Webril®) is rolled on to further protect the skin. The padding also provides elastic pressure to help healing.

Plaster comes in strips or rolls that are moistened and rolled on over the padding. Plaster materials are made from dry muslin that is treated with starch or dextrose and calcium sulfate.

After the process of applying the casting material is completed, the material will start to dry in about 10 to 15 minutes. The temperature of the skin might rise as the plaster is drying because of a chemical reaction that occurs. When plaster is used, it can take from 1 to 2 days for the cast to harden completely. The patient must be careful during this period because the plaster might break or crack while it is hardening. The cast will appear smooth and white after it hardens.

Like plaster, fiberglass materials come in rolls. Strips are moistened and applied to form the cast. The cast will appear rough after it has dried.

How do you relieve pain and swelling after the cast or splint is applied?

• Keep the injured arm or leg elevated for 1 to 3 days after the cast or splint is applied. The injured limb should be in a position higher than your heart to allow fluids to drain.
• Apply ice to the cast or splint at the site of the injury. The ice should be placed in an ice pack or a plastic bag to avoid direct contact with the cast or splint.

What are some tips for taking care of the cast?

• Avoid placing pressure or weight on the cast. If you have a leg injury and have a walking cast, make sure that the cast has hardened completely before you attempt to walk on it.
• Keep the cast clean and dry. A hair dryer with a cool setting may be used to dry a fiberglass cast if it becomes damp. Call your doctor if the cast does not dry or if the skin under the cast becomes wet.
• Cover or wrap the cast with a plastic bag before you take a shower or bath. Cast covers made from plastic with Velcro straps or rubber gaskets are sold at some medical supply stores or drug stores.
• Do not place any objects inside the cast. Avoid using lotions or powders on skin underneath the cast.
• Don’t attempt to scratch itchy skin under the cast with a sharp object. This might result in an infection if the skin is cut or broken.
• Call the doctor if you notice a strange or unpleasant smell coming from the cast. Perspiration or moisture under the cast can cause mold or mildew to grow. The skin can break down and become infected if it remains wet for a long time.
• Do not trim, file or break off rough areas around the edge of a plaster cast. A metal file may be used to smooth the rough edges of a fiberglass cast.
• Do not try to remove the cast yourself.

How are casts and splints removed?

Your doctor will remove the cast with a special cast saw when the bone has healed sufficiently. The cast saw has a flat, rounded metal blade that vibrates. It can cut through the cast without injuring the skin underneath. The doctor will cut the cast in several places, usually along both sides of the cast. The cast is then spread and opened and a special tool is used to lift it off. Scissors are used to cut through the protective padding and stockinette layers which then are removed.

What are some complications associated with casts and splints?

Complications can range from minor to severe and may vary according to the length of time that the cast is worn.

Pressure sores: A sore may develop on the skin under the cast. This can happen because the cast was too tight or did not fit correctly, causing excess pressure on one area.

Compartment syndrome: This is a major complication caused by a tight or rigid cast that constricts a swollen limb. When the pressure inside the cast builds up, it can cause damage to the muscles, nerves or blood vessels in the area covered by the cast. The damage may be permanent if it is not discovered and treated promptly. Call your doctor or visit the emergency room immediately if you notice any of the following symptoms.

• Numbness or tingling in the affected limb.
• Cold or pale skin or skin with a bluish tinge.
• Burning or stinging.
• Increased pain or swelling.

7 Essential steps for Emergency Splinting

How to create an emergency splint after fractures, broken bones or dislocation.

Should someone in your company break, fracture or dislocate a bone, and adequate splinting gear is unavailable, you will need to create a temporary splint to immobilise the affected area. A splint will give the patient some pain relief and prevent them doing further damage to themselves.

1. Don’t move the injured patient

Unless you are in danger, in the middle of a road or near falling rocks etc. you should splint the injury and immobilise its movement. Moving someone with a fracture could injure them further.

2. Assess the injury

Find out exactly where the fracture is, you must be sure of this to immobilise the area effectively. Before you apply a splint, you should also ensure that the patient has a pulse, motor and sensory abilities in their hands for an arm injury, or feet for a leg injury.

3. Straightening

A severely deformed fracture will require straightening, this should only be done with professional assistance. With the help of another, pull traction on the lower half of the the injured area and gently guide it back to a neutral position. Again check for pulse, motor and sensory abilities in their hands for an arm injury, or feet for a leg injury.

4. Materials

In an emergency, using a professional medical splint will always be the best solution but using materials you have at hand can create an adequate temporary option. Materials like strong sticks, boards and thick cardboard could do the job to stop movement, even a magazine wrapped around an injured forearm can help, while a bandana, rope, or torn bits of material and clothing could do the job of tying the splint in place.

5. Above and Below the Joint

To protect the damaged area the splint should immobilise both the bone above and the bone below the joint. So if the patient has broken their lower leg you’ll need to immobilise their ankle and their knee with your splint.

6. Placing the Splint

A splint should be placed to the left and right of a lower leg injury, or on the outside of an arm fracture. Use your tying materials to wrap completely around the splinted area securely. The ties should not be so tight as to block circulation. Fully immobilise an arm fracture in a sling.

7. Check Every Hour

Every hour, check that there is sensation and pulse below the splint. Release the wrapping completely and rewrap it more loosely if the patient complains about tightness or numbness at any point.

An Intro to Splinting Material

If you have ever sprained one of your limbs or broken a bone, then you know what a splint or a cast is. A splint is a piece of molded thermoplastic splinting material that used to keep an injured body part from moving to protect it from any further damage.

This material is usually applied by a medical professional who knows how to properly mold the splint so that it becomes rigid and stable around the injured area. Musculoskeletal conditions that induce inflammation, such as fractures or a sprain can be properly treated and healed with the aid of a splint.

Thermoplastic splinting materials, such as Orfit or Manosplint, can be molded to fit any part of the body with the right treatment process. With this material, thermoplastic splints can be formed by softening the material with heat. Melting down the material in hot water will make the material soft and allows it to easily conform around the injured area.

Thermoplastic splinting material come in various shapes and colors. Precuts and strips are meant for specific parts of the body. Precuts remove the hassle of cutting and molding the splint to conform the injured area. Strips, like precuts, are meant to support smaller body parts such as the fingers. Strips are perfect for quick and easy production of splints for fast stabilization of small injured areas. Thermoplastic splinting material also comes in large sheets to treat any body part that needs support. Doctors can measure, cut and mold these splint sheets to meet their patients’ needs.

Splinting material also comes in a variety of colors. If a patient wants his or her splint to look more appealing, thermoplastics such as Orfit offer more colors than just white or beige. Unique colors give more appeal to patients of all ages and can boost patient morale and improve compliance.

To see if your injury needs a splint, it is recommended to consult your doctor.

For more information on splints, click here.

Article written by William Graves.

Casts and Splints | Stanford Health Care

Many orthopaedic injuries that occur will be initially treated with some form of temporary immobilization as this will be the most comfortable for the patient and will maintain stability for the injured area. Most often, splints and casts are used for the treatment of fractures (broken bones).

A splint is a typically temporary device that is used to treat an acute fracture. They can be preformed materials such as rigid plastic or metal that is covered in various cloth materials (removable velcro splints are a common example), or made out of fiberglass or plaster. These are designed differently than actual casts so that they can allow for the swelling to occur (and this nearly always occurs immediately after the injury) without risk of complications. If an acute injury is treated with a rigid complete cast, there exists a risk of injury to the skin, nerves and blood vessels under the cast from too much compression as the tissue expands from the swelling. For this reason, a splint is typically used as it functions as “a half cast” where areas are left free to allow for swelling to occur safely. As the swelling process resolves, then this can be changed to a cast to allow more rigid support.

A cast is typically a fiberglass construct that can be molded specifically to the needs of the fracture and can be worn for several weeks as needed. This is more rigid than the temporary splint, but both may feel fairly heavy. Depending on the specific type of fracture, the splint or cast may be worn for anywhere from a few days to a couple of months. The purpose of the cast is to keep the bones in rigid alignment to allow the body to heal them over several weeks to months. Casts can realistically only be used if the bones are in the correct alignment for healing without complications, otherwise, other means such as surgery may be needed to achieve the correct and stable alignment (see the section on fracture fixation).

Splinting is … What is Splinting?

immobilization (immobilization) of damaged areas of the body with the help of special devices and devices – tires. All currently used tires can be divided into the following groups: by purpose – transport and medical; according to the principle of action – fixation and distraction; according to the terms of manufacture – standard (service), non-standard, improvised; for splinting individual segments of the limbs and trunk – splints for the upper and lower limbs, spine and pelvis, head and neck, chest and ribs.Tires used for transport immobilization are called transport tires, for medical and therapeutic. Fixation splints provide immobilization of damaged areas only by external fixation of nearby joints. Distraction splints provide immobilization through fixation and traction (distraction). In this case, not only immobilization is carried out, but also reposition of bone fragments in a stretched position. The tires produced by the industry are called standard or service tires. These tires are supplied to equip medical institutions, ambulances.Standard tires include ladder, plastic, plywood, Dieterichs tires, pneumatic and vacuum tires. Tires that are developed and used in individual healthcare settings, but not manufactured by the industry and not included in the standard tire set, are called non-standard tires. Tires made from various improvised means are called improvised, or primitive. The material for improvised tires can be wooden slats, bars, sticks, thick or multi-layer cardboard, bundles of brushwood, etc.Splinting is indicated for bone fractures, joint damage, injury to large vessels and nerves, extensive damage to soft tissues, burns, acute inflammatory processes on the extremities. The principles of splinting are to immobilize the damaged segment of the limb with the obligatory shutdown of movements in 2-3 joints adjacent to the area of ​​damage, and giving the limb an average physiological position. Physiological for the upper limb is the position of bringing the shoulder to the body and flexing the forearm at an angle of 90 °.Physiological for the lower limb is the position of slight flexion of the hip (5-7 °) in the hip joint and the lower leg in the knee joint. Sh. Of the spine and pelvis is carried out by fixing the body and limbs to a hard surface (stretcher, shield, etc.). In case of damage to the pelvic bones, a roller is placed in the popliteal region of the victim, which helps to relax the muscles and prevents secondary displacement of bone fragments. Sh. With injuries of the lower leg and neck is carried out by immobilizing the cervical spine, with injuries of the chest and ribs – by fixing special plastic plates to the chest.The splints are fixed to the injured limbs or torso, without removing clothes, with special fasteners or bandages.
Sh. Takes a special place in the treatment of damage to peripheral nerves, while the limbs give a special position: extension of the hand and fingers – in case of damage of the radial nerve, flexion of the main and extension of the middle and nail phalanges of the fingers of the hand – in case of damage to the ulnar nerve, flexion of the fingers and opposition I finger of the hand – with damage to the median nerve, abduction of the shoulder from the body – with damage to the axillary nerve, flexion of the hip – with damage to the femoral nerve, the average physiological position of the lower limb – with damage to the sciatic nerve.One of the frequent complications of splinting is pressure sores or compression of soft tissues, nerves and blood vessels in the places of the bony protrusions. Prevention of these complications consists in the preliminary protection of the bone protrusions with cotton-gauze pads.
Of the standard transport tires ( fig. 1 ) ladder, plastic, pneumatic and vacuum tires are the most important. Ladder bus (modified Cramer bus) is a closed rectangular structure made of metal wire.The tire is easy to model, has high plasticity, and is easily disinfected. Transport plastic tires – plastic strips reinforced with aluminum wire. According to their characteristics, these tires are close to the ladder.

Medical pneumatic tire consists of two layers of plastic film, equipped with a zipper and a valve for air injection. Forcing air between the sheets of polymer film creates a good immobilization of the injured limb. There are various types of pneumatic tires for the upper and lower extremities.

A medical vacuum splint consists of two layers of a rubber-fabric shell, inside which there are small plastic granules. When evacuating air from the cavity of the rubber-fabric shell with the help of a special pump, the tire acquires the necessary rigidity and provides good immobilization.

Among medical splints, splints designed for skeletal traction ( Fig. 2 ) for fractures of the thigh and lower leg, a diverting splint for the upper limb intended for skeletal traction for fractures of the bones of the upper limb are widely used: splint for traction for fractures of bones feet, tires made of polyvinyl chloride, made individually; abduction splint for the treatment of congenital dislocation of the hip; head holder made of foamed polyethylene for immobilizing the head and neck; plastic splint for the treatment of injuries to the fingers of the hand and a number of others.

Fig. 2a). Splints for skeletal traction of the lower limb: splint with removable hammock.

Fig. 1. Tires for transport immobilization of the lower limb.

Fig. 2b). Splints for skeletal traction of the lower limb: folding splint.

Splinting

To cure periodontitis, it is very important to normalize the functional load on the teeth. If the periodontium does not support the teeth, they can become loose. To distribute the chewing pressure as evenly as possible, a splinting procedure is used.

What is splinting

Splinting is the adhesion of adjacent teeth in order to strengthen them. The imposed splints are designed to fix the teeth in three planes and level their mobility. Teeth connected into a single whole tolerate chewing loads normally, since pressure is redistributed through splinting.

Due to the stiffness of the splint, the mobility of the teeth is reduced. The more healthy teeth have been splinted, the better the mobile teeth will be relieved.Since the splinting of the front teeth is a rather rigid structure, as a rule, the entire dentition is splinted to increase the rigidity.

Tires come in a wide variety of designs:

• Removable.
• Removable occlusal.
• Non-removable.
• Applied only to a part of the dentition.

The designs of removable splinting prostheses are quite complicated, and the installation of fixed ones requires the preparation of all teeth that are subject to splinting, often with the need to remove the nerve.

Today, when convenience and aesthetics of structures are paramount in dentistry, traditional splints are replaced by new ones made of adhesive materials. The most common of these are tires made from silk reinforcement, fiberglass and polyethylene. They are fixed in the oral cavity using a composite material, and their color does not differ much from the color of natural teeth.

Procedure for splinting using fiberglass

• The dental surface is cleared of plaque and stones.
• The teeth are isolated from the moist mucosal surface using rubber dam or caferdam.
• Grooves are cut on the surface of the teeth.
• Small wooden wedges are inserted into the interdental spaces to fix the teeth.
• The surface of the teeth is etched, a special compound is applied to it, which is polymerized with the help of light.
• The next step is to apply a composite to the tooth surface, and on top of it – a fiberglass strip of the required length.
• After the end of polymerization, the composite is again applied to the teeth and polymerized again.
• The final stage is polishing the tire.

Advantages of splinting

• It is carried out in one visit to the doctor.
• Does not cause discomfort due to the small volume of the structure.
• Maintaining the openness of the interdental spaces, which is important for maintaining oral hygiene and treating periodontitis, which requires access to periodontal pockets.

Operating time

Pivovarov Nikolay Alexandrovich
Dentist surgeon-implantologist, candidate of medical sciences

Teeth splinting, price in Nizhny Novgorod

Gum diseases are often not taken seriously, because they proceed smoothly and imperceptibly, almost without causing concern.But a measured chronic course can lead to very threatening consequences – periodontal disease, tissue subsidence and loosening of the teeth. Without a firm position, they are unable to cope with chewing food, and treatment is complicated by constant pressure on the damaged tissue.

Tooth splinting – tradition and innovation

The splinting procedure allows you to firmly fix the teeth in one position and exclude further damage to the periodontium. The SADCO clinic specialist chooses the position of the splint and the fixation stiffness in such a way that it would give the maximum therapeutic effect:

• Will achieve a redistribution of the main chewing load on healthy teeth, which will provide an opportunity for rapid restoration of damaged tissues.

• Will select the best option for reliable fixation, taking into account individual characteristics – the absence of teeth in a row, bite and other factors. This will help get rid of bleeding gums and allow you to achieve the most effective hygiene procedures.

• You don’t have to worry about aesthetics – we use modern materials that are almost invisible on the teeth

The application of a splint in many cases becomes the first and most important stage in the treatment of periodontal disease.This is one of the few ways to open the pathological circle of the disease.

SADCO Clinic: aesthetics and efficiency

A modern person is always in the center of attention – communication with relatives and partners, the need to smile to clients creates the need for a perfect smile. The specialists of the SADCO clinic consider it their duty to provide the client with a comfortable state of health in any situation. We use innovative technologies and materials to create a durable and efficient splint without compromising on aesthetics.

A friendly attitude and attentiveness to your needs allow us to create the most comfortable conditions during treatment.

You can find out all the details and sign up for a consultation with a specialist in the contact center by phone. (831) 4-120-120.

Teeth splinting – Prism – medical center for aesthetic cosmetology and rehabilitation

Moderate to severe periodontitis may result in tooth mobility. This problem begins with bone atrophy of more than 1/3 of the length of the dental root.The degree of tooth mobility is directly related to the amount of atrophy. One of the modern methods of eliminating this problem is teeth splinting.

What is splinting

Splinting of movable teeth is a method of treating periodontitis, the purpose of which is to strengthen teeth with mobility of I-III degrees. Thanks to the procedure, not only the chewing function is preserved, but also the aesthetics of the smile. The procedure is prescribed after visual inspection and radiographic findings.

Splinting in progress:

• in combination with other methods;
• together with restoration and closing three;
• on the anterior group of the teeth of the upper and lower jaw;
• to eliminate the mobility of the posterior teeth.

Indications for teeth splinting

There are a number of indications for the splinting procedure:

• periodontitis;
• displacement of the dentition;
• altered teeth position as a result of deformation;
• Exposure of the roots of the teeth;
• the severity of gingival pockets.

Materials used for splinting

The main requirement when choosing a material for long-term splinting is its biocompatibility with tissues. And, of course, matching the shade to the natural color of the teeth. In the clinic of aesthetic dentistry “PRISMA” the Dentapreg system is used.

Dentapreg are flexible, adhesive fiberglass threads impregnated with light-curing resin. After exposure to the filaments of a photopolymer LED lamp, the material becomes hard, durable and invisible.

Important to know

Teeth splitting with fiberglass is a long-term solution to the problem, provided that the doctor’s recommendations are followed correctly. It is necessary to visit the dentist every six months for a preventive examination.

In the case when there are no chewing teeth, prosthetics should be performed before splinting to normalize the bite. Otherwise, due to overloading of the anterior splinted teeth, there is a very high risk of splint breakage.

Make an appointment

Don’t wait for the problem to make itself felt. At the first sign of periodontitis, see your dentist for help. And if you have already noticed that your teeth have begun to loosen, do not postpone your visit to the clinic for a day! Make an appointment with our clinic in Kiev online or by calling the numbers listed on this website. You can see the prices for teeth splinting on this page. The cost of the service may vary depending on the specific case.

Prices for services

Laboratory, splinting of periodontal teeth followed by surgery with implantation | STOMATOLOGY “NUANCE”

We work closely with one of the best dental laboratories in Moscow Module Dental Laboratory.This laboratory uses technologies from leading manufacturers from Switzerland, Germany, Italy, England and Japan. All dentures and crowns are made on German equipment Schuetz-Dental.

As a result, any constructions or prostheses made here will ideally suit the patient, taking into account the anatomical features of the structure of his jaws, and, importantly, will have the expected aesthetic effect. The prosthesis will not spoil the geometry of the face, and the color of the crowns will not differ from the natural tone of the adjacent teeth.

We chose Module Dental Laboratory because:

• Dental technicians are highly qualified and capable of modeling structures of any complexity.
• They not only do the work competently and accurately, but also treat with the greatest attention to detail, like watchmakers or jewelers, striving to create the perfect product.

We are always confident that no matter what difficult task we face, whether it is splinting periodontal teeth followed by surgery with bone grafting or installing a removable prosthesis – a beam structure on multi-units, the laboratory will help us solve it in the shortest possible time, giving due attention to our case.After all, we are talking about the patient’s health, so that there is no rejection of foreign materials, so that it is convenient for him to chew and talk, so that healing goes quickly, and the problem with his teeth was solved for many years. The success of the treatment depends on how well the dentist and dental technician work together. We managed to create an excellent team, which we are really happy about.

The laboratory produces prostheses, metal-ceramic and all-ceramic crowns, stump inlays, individual crowns on implants, “caps” for them and other aesthetic “miniatures” for treating teeth and restoring their natural beauty.

Teeth splinting: price in Moscow, reviews, photo

Types of splinting

The splint is used to support, protect or immobilize the movable part of the dentition. The types of tires, depending on the degree of mobility, are classified as: flexible, semi-rigid and rigid.

Structures for splinting the dentition can be conditionally divided into:

1. Removable.
2. Fixed.

Spline types:

1. Temporary.
2. Therapeutic (for periodontal diseases).

Types of orthopedic splints

1. Glass fiber.
2. Crowns.
3. Clasp prostheses.
4. Aramid thread (cable-stayed splinting).

In addition to aesthetic and hygienic effects, current requirements for splinting methods for movable teeth also include ease of design and removal, as well as the use of devices that allow small movement of fixed units.

Advantages of different types of splinting

Cable-stayed splinting of mobile teeth is their sequential bonding with a thin but strong thread. Due to this method of fixation, a strong horizontal connection is made between them.

This type of splinting does not cause discomfort or other unpleasant sensations in a person. After a while, the patient forgets about the splint. The procedure requires pain relief.

For fixation in modern dentistry, a strong and durable material is used – aramid.Its advantage: it is able to maintain its properties for a long time. Aramid does not enter into physicochemical reactions with food lumps and saliva, does not swell in the presence of water, does not fray and does not have a negative effect on the tooth.

Clasp prosthesis is removable and is made individually, taking into account numerous features.

Procedure

When splinting into the prepared grooves, an aramid thread is placed on the teeth (above the gingival margin).Then it is “sealed” with a reflective composite material, which is matched to the color of the enamel. If the tire is applied to the bottom row, then the groove is made inside. As a result, splinting becomes invisible to the people around.

Reduction of the degree of mobility of the dentition can be performed using reinforced fiberglass. It has the following advantages: bioinert, elastic, chemically combined with the composite, does not swell, looks aesthetically pleasing. The fiberglass tape hardens after curing and keeps the tooth motionless.

Similar effects allow you to redistribute the load when chewing on the healthy side of the jaw. This subsequently provides conditions for the restoration of damaged tissues and elimination of the mobility of units. The fixation effect of the dentition is immediately visible.

After the procedure, the patient must observe oral hygiene and use special dental products for cleaning – an irrigator, floss, brushes.

Readings

Installation of splinting structures has a reading:

1. Periodontitis.
2. Bleeding gums.
3. Loose tooth.
4. The dentition is disturbed in the course of pathological development, injury or complications of the disease.
5. Tartar on the enamel.
6. Gum pockets.
7. Exposed roots.
8. Individual features of the dentition, including its deformation.

The indications for the splinting procedure are determined only by the dentist.It is necessary to take into account how severe periodontitis is, indications and contraindications for the procedure.

If periodontitis is at the earliest stages of development, and there is still no tissue damage, then splinting can be dispensed with.

Splinting effect with fiberglass and aramid thread:

• Preserves the tooth with periodontitis, even with its mobility.
• Minimal trauma to the dentition and soft tissues. The dentist does not perform preliminary depulpation and turning, composite materials do not spoil the tooth enamel.
• Allows you to maintain individual oral hygiene in full and professional cleaning and care for periodontitis.
• The thread fixes the prosthesis.
• Long-term and fast results.

Cost of teeth splinting

The price of the procedure for splinting movable teeth at Seline Clinic Moscow depends on the tasks assigned to the dentist and the fixing materials used. It is cheaper to install splints made of composite material, fiberglass, but the price varies depending on the mobility of the teeth that require fixation.It is necessary to take into account the cost of radiography and professional oral hygiene, as a mandatory procedure for examining the quality and condition of the oral cavity.

On our website you can get acquainted with the cost of splinting mobile teeth and see photos of patients and read their reviews.

If you have already contacted our Seline Clinic in Moscow, please leave your review.

Tooth splinting | ROSEK

The development of periodontitis or mechanical trauma to the tooth can lead to very unpleasant consequences, up to the complete loss of one or more teeth.To prevent this from happening, we perform teeth splinting.

Splinting of mobile teeth is a procedure that strengthens the teeth and prevents them from further loosening and falling out. Splinting allows you to distribute the load on the periodontium, allowing the periodontal tissues to recover. Most often, the lower and upper anterior teeth are splinted.

teeth splinting

Indications for teeth splinting:

The main indication is the presence of pathological mobility, loosening of the teeth as a result of inflammation of the tissues of the gums or bone.The installation of the splint reduces the mobility of the teeth and prevents re-inflammation in the periodontal tissues after treatment in the presence of chronic periodontitis.
Increasing the distance between the teeth. In this case, the splints tighten the teeth, therefore, the distance remains unchanged.
Presence of tartar and bleeding gums, which can lead to the development of serious diseases. Here, splinting is used for prophylaxis in order to prevent loosening and loss of teeth.

Previously, teeth were splinted using bridges or removable dentures, which was not very convenient for patients: perfectly healthy teeth had to be treated as support teeth.In modern dentistry, it has become possible to do splinting of teeth with non-removable structures using special tapes or threads.

Thread splinting technology includes the following steps:

Anesthesia – if necessary (local anesthesia is performed).
Removal of plaque from teeth to be splinted.
On the inner (lingual) surface of the teeth, a special groove is made up to 0.5 mm deep or roughness is created with a fine-dispersed bur.
A splinting thread or tape made of high-strength fiber is placed in the groove.
The thread is closed with a special filling material and becomes invisible to prying eyes.

Thus, several teeth are connected to each other in the desired position into a single whole. The splint eliminates the mobility of the teeth and prevents them from loosening, therefore, the likelihood of teeth falling out is reduced.

This technique is especially effective in the presence of a large number of healthy teeth.Moving teeth are firmly attached to healthy ones, and thanks to the connecting material, the chewing load is evenly distributed over all teeth. As a result, loose teeth will be less affected, which has an additional healing effect. Over time, they become more stable, stop staggering, and the inflammatory processes in the splinting area gradually decrease.

The positive moments of splinting with the help of special threads include the following:

Effectively reduces tooth mobility in all directions.
The thread is firmly attached to the teeth, providing reliability and rigidity.
The floss does not interfere with brushing your teeth and oral hygiene.
The design does not injure the nearest tissues of the oral cavity, does not interfere with other types of treatment of teeth and gums.
The splint is not noticeable to others, is aesthetic, does not cause discomfort when talking and while eating.

Installation of splint structures, as a rule, takes place in one visit to the dentist.

Splinting of teeth with prostheses

If one or more teeth are missing in the dentition, splinting is performed with bridges or removable dentures.Since the loss of a tooth (teeth) provokes periodontal disease, in this case it is necessary to solve two problems: restoration of the missing tooth (teeth) and the use of splinting for the prevention of periodontal disease.