Retention of 3-D-Printed, Milled, and Conventionally Fabricated Occlusal Splints.

Summary: Night guards (also known as occlusal splints) are a great way to protect your teeth from grinding and to help with jaw pain. Dentists can make these guards the old-fashioned way by hand, or they can use modern technology like 3D printing and computer milling. But which type stays in your mouth the best?

To find out, researchers tested 120 splints using a special machine that pulls them to see how tightly they hold. They discovered that the traditional, hand-made splints grip the teeth much tighter than the high-tech digital ones. However, there is good news: even though the 3D-printed and milled splints have a lighter grip, they still hold on well enough to do their job perfectly without hurting your gums or teeth. So, while the old way is stronger, the new digital ways work just fine!