Development and Clinical Efficacy Study of a New Type of Elastic Compression Palatal Splint

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the clinical efficacy of a novel elastic compression palatal splint, independently developed by our team, following the surgical resection of palatal cysts and benign tumors. Methods: A total of 90 patients who underwent surgery for benign palatal lesions at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of our hospital between January 2023 and December 2025 were selected as study subjects. Using a random number table, they were divided into three groups, A, B, and C, with 30 patients in each group. Group A underwent postoperative compression fixation using a purse-string suture with iodoform gauze; Group B used a conventional rigid palatal splint for compression fixation; and Group C received postoperative intervention with the newly developed elastic compression palatal splint. Patients were followed up to observe their postoperative recovery, and comparisons were made across the three groups regarding the incidence of dental damage, wound infection rates, wound healing times, and postoperative comfort scores. Results: The incidence of dental trauma and wound infection in Group C was significantly lower than in Groups A and B; wound healing time in Group C was markedly shorter than in Groups A and B; and the visual analog scale (VAS) comfort scores for postoperative wear in Group C were significantly better than in the other two groups. The differences in data comparisons between the groups were all statistically significant (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The novel elastic compression palatal splint enables uniform elastic compression of the postoperative palatal wound, provides visual and adjustable pressure, and facilitates unobstructed drainage of wound exudate. It effectively mitigates the drawbacks of traditional surgical procedures, significantly reduces the incidence of postoperative complications, shortens the wound healing period, and improves the patient’s postoperative wearing experience. The structural design of this splint meets the clinical requirements for precision treatment; it is simple to use, highly safe, and widely applicable. It aligns with the trend towards precision medicine in dentistry and possesses significant value for clinical promotion and application.