Until now, splints were typically constructed from hard acrylic material that is subject to breakage and is difficult to work with. Now, with thermo-elastic acrylic, all that has been changed. Splints that have been constructed from this special acrylic become pliable when placed in warm tap water. As it cools, the splint returns to its original processed shape and conforms to the teeth.
Some of the advantages of thermo-elastic acrylic are:
- The fit of the thermo-elastic acrylic is such that chairtime is dramatically reduced
- Thermo-elastic acrylic is comfortable to wear, and is easy for the patient to insert and remove, therby increasing patient compliance
- Thermo-elastic acrylic has such an accurate fit that the need for metal clasps is practically eliminated
- Thermo-elastic acrylic can be chemically bonded with other types of acrylic, to produce a hard occlussal surface for the treatment of bruxism. This material can also be used in many other orthodontic applications