UNDERSTANDING & ADDRESSING PARAFUNCTION WITH DR BARRY OULTON

My journey into parafunction and splint therapy began with a deeply personal experience. During a challenging period in my life - my divorce - I found myself repeatedly fracturing teeth without understanding why. It wasn’t until I lost my upper left 5 and needed an implant that Matt Everett, the owner of S4S, helped me recognise that I was parafunctioning.

Matt made me a splint, and the impact was life-changing. Not only did I stop breaking my teeth, but the majority of my head and neck discomfort, along with my persistent headaches, drastically reduced. This experience ignited my passion for understanding the root causes of parafunction. Through my connection with Matt and my deep dive into the SCi, my entire approach to dentistry transformed.

What I’ve learned has since helped thousands of patients and profoundly changed both my life and my family’s.

Shifting Perspectives on Parafunction

Throughout my career, my understanding of parafunction has undergone a significant shift. Initially, I focused on symptomatic patients - those who actively experienced discomfort or issues. However, I’ve come to realise that the majority of patients with parafunction are asymptomatic; they exhibit signs but don’t yet feel the effects.

In my experience, only about 25% - one in four - have noticeable symptoms, yet many don’t attribute their issues to parafunction. On the other hand, I estimate that 90–95% of patients show clear signs of parafunction, meaning that 70–75% are unaware of the potential risks they face.

This realisation has completely transformed my approach to treatment planning. Integrating an SCi into almost every treatment plan has been a game changer - not just for managing existing issues, but for long-term prevention. It’s no longer just about addressing current symptoms; it’s about helping patients preserve their teeth for 20+ years, protecting their oral health before irreversible damage occurs.

The Silent Epidemic in Dentistry

Recognising the signs and symptoms of parafunction is essential because it is the single biggest cause of both the need for dentistry and the failure of dentistry. It’s the leading contributor to dental breakdown, the number one cause of facial pain, and a key factor in the onset of headaches and migraines. Yet, despite its prevalence, most of us were never taught to identify, diagnose, or effectively treat it during our undergraduate training.

Parafunction isn’t just an issue - it’s the issue. It silently drives the deterioration of teeth and restorations, creating a cycle of ongoing treatment needs. But when we address it proactively, we’re not just fixing problems; we’re preventing them. By integrating parafunction management into our approach, we actually reduce the necessity for dentistry, shifting the profession from a needs-based model to a wants-based one.

This shift benefits everyone - patients experience long-term preservation of their teeth, and practices move toward a more sustainable, patient-centred model of care. It’s crucial that this understanding becomes standard in dentistry because once we see parafunction for what it truly is, everything changes.

The Role of Dental Practitioners

The role of dental practitioners is pivotal - they are the front line in detecting parafunction and preventing the damage it causes. Yet, despite its significance, parafunction is poorly covered in undergraduate education and rarely emphasised in postgraduate training. This gap in knowledge means many dentists are missing a crucial opportunity to protect their patients from long-term dental breakdown.

However, as awareness grows, so does the role of parafunction management in dentistry. Through our work with S4S, we’ve seen first-hand how transformative this knowledge can be. The feedback we receive from those we teach is phenomenal - dentists consistently describe it as life-changing for themselves, their patients, and their businesses. The more practitioners who understand and implement this approach, the greater the impact we can have on the future of dentistry.

A New Approach: Assume Parafunction Until Proven Otherwise

My key advice to practitioners integrating parafunction management into their practice is simple: assume that every patient parafunctions until you find clear evidence that they don’t. This approach makes diagnosis easier, as the reality is that fewer than 5% of patients show no signs of parafunction.

Even if there’s no immediate evidence, it’s still a conversation worth having. Parafunction isn’t static - it can develop at any point in life due to a variety of factors, including stress (both positive and negative, like marriage or divorce), hormonal changes (such as the menstrual cycle), illness, medications, and more.

By assuming parafunction is present and being proactive in recognising it, we can provide better care, protect our patients’ long-term dental health, and prevent the breakdown of teeth and restorations before it happens. This mindset shift is what I recommend for every dental practitioner - it’s a game changer.

Expanding Your Expertise in Splint Therapy

Dr Barry Oulton’s work continues to be instrumental in helping dentists better understand and manage parafunction through effective splint therapy. His expertise has empowered countless practitioners to recognise, diagnose, and treat bruxism, improving patient outcomes and practice success.

We’re excited to share that Dr Oulton will be leading a series of in-person seminars on Successful Splint Therapy for Bruxism & TMD. These comprehensive seminars will provide GDPs with essential insights into:

• The latest research and clinical techniques for managing bruxism and parafunction.

• How to implement splint therapy effectively in everyday practice.

• Practical, hands-on training to enhance diagnostic and treatment skills.

This is a unique opportunity to learn from one of the leading voices in parafunction management and take your practice to the next level. Don’t miss the chance to deepen your understanding and provide even better care for your patients. Book your spot here!