Occlusal Splints

CONSISTENTLY SUCCESSFUL TMJ TREATMENT

SCDL provide splints and appliances used to alleviate the symptoms of TMJ dysfunction. Most of our splints are used primarily in the first phase of treatment to restore functional harmony and are fabricated with clear acrylic occlusal pads which allow for easy adjustment as treatment progresses. Our splints are made on either arch and provide skeletal support for the mandible and its musculature.

Patients that are suffering TMJ pain and symptoms often experience "clicking", locking" or internal derangement of the disc and condyle of one or both TMJ joints.

The patient can experience pain from the joint areas, along with the muscles of mastication. It is a normal relation of the muscles to go into painful spasm to help protect an injured joint or joints.

A stabilization appliance is needed to treat the patient for remission of pain and joint healing. Successful treatment can be accomplished using a prosthetic appliance of some type, splint or double splint (twin block). To be consistently successful with the stabilization appliance, accurate models of the mouth are needed. A proper bite is also required so the mandible can function and rest in the pain free position. A good starting point is taking a bite 2mm forward and 2 mm open.

The appliance (splint, double splint or prosthetic appliance) fabricated to this propertherapeutic construction bite will generally allow immediate remission of pain andsymptoms, along with proper joint healing.

GELB SPLINT

This is a popular mandibular splint with acrylic coverage over the posteriors. A metal lingual bar is usually the major connector, which allows for plenty of tongue room. Occlusion on the Gelb splint is upper lingual cusps touching a lower flat or indented occlusal pad. The Gelb splint should be made to a centric bite registration.

The Gelb splint is designed for closed - lock cases and is often used in conjunction with muscle relaxers or anti-inflammatory medication. The patient needs to relax the disc before moving to a pull forward splint. Patients should be seen every 30 days to check the range of motion.

A modified design covers the lower anterior teeth to prevent movement or shifting of lower anteriors.

Michigan Splint-used to prevent clenching and bruxing.
A full coverage splint with a flat occlusal plane

BRUXISM-MICHIGAN SPLINT

Our standard hard nightguard is used to alleviate clenching and bruxing. A full maxillary coverage splint with a flat occlusal plane and with vertical dimension opened 1.5mm in the posterior.
A Soft or Hard-Soft version is also available for increased patient comfort .

FARRAR SPLINT

This maxillary, pull forward splint is so named because it is an upper splint with an inclined plane in the anterior section. The inclined plane offers a more definite forward repositioning of the mandible and repositions the posteriorly displaced condyles down and forward, relocating them to what is known as a proper pain free, Gelb 4/7 position. Posterior contact is between the buccal cusp of the lower teeth and the upper acrylic occlusal pad.

Michigan Splint