So, does the FreeBite make conventional water splints obsolete?
To be fair, the FreeBite has been optimized to relieve chronic muscle tension associated with compression of the TMJ, not to resolve every possible issue in what collectively is called ”TMJ Syndrome”. If you have an anterior open bite and only your back teeth come into contact, wearing a FreeBite may not be as comfortable as a shorter water splint, as it’s wedge shape may block your bite where it feels high already. If you are missing several of your back teeth, water splints may be of little benefit in general as they may fail to restore support between your teeth. On the other hand, if you are one of the vast majority of TMJ-patients with chronic joint compression and muscle tightness, the FreeBite may be exactly what you have been looking for.
When deciding on the version of the FreeBite ideally suited to your individual needs, first consider the filling.
FreeBite air:
Air is soft and compressible. A FreeBite air has quite a bit of give after your teeth contact it. This can be a very comfortable start into your treatment. Should you later decide to switch to a FreeBite balance, you will have a fairly clear ides which heigth to choose.
FreeBite balance:
Water is non-compressible, but can be displaced from one side to the other. Your teeth will contact the FreeBite balance in the back first (same as with the FreeBite air) and there will be some give until the water has been distributed such that all of your side teeth touch. At that point, the FreeBite balance will offer a fairly firm support to your bite as its case will not stretch perceptibly, even though it will return to its wedge shape as soon as you release it.
The FreeBite solid has been designed for bite registration and as a temporary bite splint. There is only one version available and it’s use will be discussed separately.
The FreeBite CMD in profile (top) as compared to the CCD (bottom).
Next, consider the two basic FreeBite shapes "CMD" and "CCD". For the majority of the TMJ-patients, CMD will be the best shape. However, the CCD-shape may be for you if:
- You have a deep overbite where your lower incisors hardly show anymore when you bite on your back teeth
- You have problems with a hyperlordosis of your cervical spine and/or a forward head posture
- You want to use your FreeBite for certain exercises, such as stretching TMJ ligaments.
Diagram not drawn to scale!
The above diagram shows the approximate thickness of the different FreeBite versions in Millimeter. There is no difference in shape between a FreeBite air and balance, but the former has quite a bit more give from the first point of contact. The correct thickness of the latter is therefore somewhat more critical and the FreeBite balance should be chosen 1-2 steps thinner than the FreeBite air in most cases. Please refer to the table below für selecting the form and heigth of your FreeBite:
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