1. Splinting is the process by which you join two or more than two teeth and convert them into rigid and fixed units. 
  2. Hence, this heals the periodontal tissue around the tooth
  3. Objective = Create an environment where tooth movement is restricted within physiological limits = hence improves the function and comfort of the patient 
  4. Rationale = 
    1. to control the forces on teeth and redirect forces on long axis of tooth = most damaging is torsional and horizontal forces 
    2. To establish physiological occlusion 
    3. To serve as stabilizing force
    4. To increase patient comfort when teeth are mobile
    5. To evaluate state of teeth 
  5. INDICATIONS 
    1. To prevent migration of teeth that have been repositioned 
    2. In severe periodontal cases 
    3. In surgical and nonsurgical procedure where teeth are difficult to stabilize 
    4. During orthodontic treatment when you are migrating teeth 
    5. TFO in lower anterior teeth 
    6. Grade 1 and 2 = check and evaluate the mobility status 
  6. CONTRAINDICATIONS
    1. Grade III mobility without eliminating causes such as inflammation
  7. Disadvantage 
    1. Maintenance of oral hygiene is compromised
    2. Phonetics 
    3. Tooth structure loss 
    4. Interproximal wear 
    5. Gingiva and perodontium can be damaged 
  8. BIOMECHANICS 
    1. Convert many mobile teeth into multirooted rigid unit 
    2. Hence, increases area of root resistance 
    3. It alters the center of rotation 
    4. Intrusive forces are tolerated better 
  9. REQUIREMENT 
    1. Have as many firm teeth as possible 
    2. It must not interfere with occlusion 
    3. It must not irritate the pulp 
    4. It must not compromise oral hygiene maintenance 
    5. Interdental embrasure must not be blocked by splint 
    6. Esthetically acceptable 
    7. Must not cause trauma to periodontium 
    8. Easy to fabricate 
  10. CLASSIFICATION 
    1. Temporary = 6 weeks
    2. Provisional = few months -6 months
    3. Permanent 
    4. Intracoronal = Into the enamel = remove the enamel and place the splint 
    5. Extracoronal = over the enamel
    6. According to material
      1. Bonded = with stainless steel wire and composite 
      2. Braided = like sutures