The muscles facilitating jaw closure are usually more potent than the muscles facilitating jaw opening and may sometimes stretch further than their counterparts. The disparity can be addressed by installing bite blocks, which address misaligned jaws and related problems. Bite blocks are installed alongside braces for more effective orthodontic treatment.
Bite blocks help relieve pain, improve sleep, and enhance dental safety, which misaligned jaws affect. Let’s learn more about how they work.
Table of Contents
Learn about bite blocks
The first step in understanding how to use bite blocks is learning the installation process, which involves several steps.
Using bite blocks starts with learning more about these tiny tools. If you are interested in dentistry, you should know what bite blocks are, how they are used, and what benefits they offer. You can enroll in a short course and internship to practice theoretical concepts for better understanding.
Purchasing bite blocks
Step two of using bite blocks is purchasing several, especially if you run a dental clinic. The tools come in different sizes and shapes to suit patients’ dental formulas and preferences. Just ensure you purchase from a reputable dealer to get high-quality pieces. Furthermore, you should be licensed to handle bite blocks and related tools for safety.
Prepare the patient
Suppose you’ve acquired all the certificates, permits, and licenses to handle and install bite blocks on patients and received your first client. It would help if you prepared them adequately regarding the process by clearly stating all the benefits and shortcomings.
The preparation stage also involves studying the patient’s dental formula to understand better how the devices can be installed. This is the ideal time to inspect the blocks for damages before installing them.
Place, secure, and examine
With your hands or tongs, place bite blocks between the jaws, especially in the affected area. Use the appropriate fasteners to secure the blocks, ensuring they’re tightly secured.
You can confirm their stability by moving them slightly and telling the patient to bite. If the blocks are properly fitted, you can complete the procedure by clearing the area and wiping away any residues.
Advice accordingly
Bite blocks are as sensitive as other medical tools. Hence, dentists should advise patients regarding various essentials after installation. Some key details include managing the first few days after installation and addressing multiple challenges. You should remind the patients about the importance of cleaning the tools in order to ensure better hygiene.
Check-ups
Bite blocks can be effective for between three and nine months, depending on the issue being solved. During these months, patients are encouraged to visit their dentists regularly.
Check-ups are intended to discover any developing issue and address it before it worsens. Dentists are also encouraged to make occasional calls to patients alongside physical visits.
Choose the Right Size
As highlighted earlier, bite blocks come in different sizes and shapes. To ensure maximum comfort for patients, dentists should install the right size. You can also consult them about what block style (permanent or removable) they desire while advising them appropriately.
Prescribe Painkillers
As a dentist, it’s essential to prescribe the right painkillers to the patient. After the installation of braces and bite blocks, patients often experience intense pain and discomfort. Painkillers would ease pain and allowing progressive healing.
Clean Regularly
Bite blocks should be kept clean to prevent bacteria and other microorganisms caused by poor dental hygiene. While general brushing would do, your dentist should advise you on avoiding dislocation or damage. Removable blocks can be cleaned separately.
Report Broken or Missing Blocks Immediately
It’s not advisable to stay with a broken block as it reduces the effectiveness of the entire procedure. Similarly, if a piece or section of your block becomes missing, you should visit the dentist for reinstallation or adjustment. This applies even if you feel ‘still comfortable’ with the defective block.
Take Soft Foods and Practice Your Speech
After bite block installation, the dentist will recommend what soft foods you can consume and for how long. Safety depends on adhering to them because hard blocks can easily misalign or break.
Bite blocks also affect speech. However, it would help you to beat the challenge by practicing your speech regularly and not being mute. It’s just a couple months, and you’ll be fine.
Barry Lachey is a Professional Editor at Zobuz. Previously He has also worked for Moxly Sports and Network Resources “Joe Joe.” He is a graduate of the Kings College at the University of Thames Valley London. You can reach Barry via email or by phone.
