Design and Material of Splint Protecting Teeth Fracture during Endotracheal Intubation or Endoscopic Inspection

Splints are sometimes used to prevent anterior tooth fracture or subluxation during endotracheal intubation or endoscopic inspection. This study aimed to determine the proper design and material of a splint to protect against tooth fracture and subluxation. Two splint designs were examined： a full dental arch and a partial dental arch design between the left and right first premolars. Likewise, three splint materials were examined： soft, hard, and a combination of the soft material inside and the hard outside（soft-and-hard）. Strain gauges for measuring the load were individually attached to each tooth of a dentition model. An endotracheal intubation or endoscope mouthpiece was set on the models protected by one of the various types of splints. A load of 50 N was then applied on the laryngoscope blade or the dentition model, and the loads on each tooth were recorded.The same tooth protection effect was observed with both partial and full dental arch designs. The combined soft and hard splint material provided the maximum tooth protection when compared with the other materials. The partial dental arch design using soft-and-hard splint material is recommended for tooth protection in cases of endotracheal intubation and endoscopic inspection.