Both the patient and the dentist in Murray Hill often face challenges when treating occlusal-related disorders. Since the presenting symptoms of many conditions can differ, treating them can be challenging.
One example of the science and art of dentistry is the design and operation of occlusal splints. This reversible, noninvasive therapy offers reduction and diagnostic information after the cause of occlusal-related illnesses has been identified, without the risks that often accompany conventional treatment techniques, such as surgery and prolonged medication therapy. For more information about Occlusal Splint, contact a dentist Murray Hill.
Do you need an occlusal splint?
A dental appliance, also known as an occlusal appliance or splint, is a type of therapy that dentists commonly provide. A variety of materials can be used to make the appliance, which can have a solid, soft, or intermediate feel and be designed to cover the occlusal surfaces of mandibular or maxillary teeth. Using the device only at night and for a few hours during the day is often preferred. Wearing the device at night had the most significant effect on the TMD symptoms that patients experience when they wake up. For patients with TMD symptoms, a splint may be made primarily to alleviate symptoms.
Techniques used for other muscle-related conditions usually work as well for temporomandibular disorder (TMD), which has many characteristics with musculoskeletal disorders of other body regions. The most often prescribed medications for TMD issues are muscle relaxants and painkillers, which simply reduce the symptoms. Although it is only an extra week in the process, symptom reduction is usually regarded as recovery from the problem.
Like other repetitive motion disorders, TMD self-management instructions often advise patients to limit their voluntary use of the masticatory muscles by avoiding chewy or hard foods and refraining from activities that cause them to be fatigued (such as chewing gum, clenching teeth, having tension in the masticatory muscles, yawning widely, and oral habits).
What are the types of splints available?
Soft rubber (silicone), hydrostatic, permissive, and nonpermissive splints are the types of splints now used in occlusal splint therapy. The teeth can move quickly throughout the biting or contact surface due to the permissive splints. These consist of stabilizing splints (Tanner, centric connection, flat plane, and superior repositioning) and bite planes (anterior deprogrammer, Lucia jig, and anterior jig).
Nonpermissive splints contain ramps or indentations that prevent the mandible from moving freely. Two examples are Anterior Repositioning Appliance (ARA) and Mandibular Orthotic Repositioning Appliance (MORA)
Hydrostatic splints (Aqualizer, Jumar Corp.) and soft rubber splints work by pushing the teeth apart. However, soft rubber splints lack the features required for effective splint therapy. Due to their inability to be balanced, these splints may cause premature posterior contacts, which may worsen bruxism.
How do splints work?
Splints protect your teeth and jaws from the damaging effects of bruxism, restore periodontal ligament proprioception, relax spasming muscles, and offer diagnostic information. Furthermore, these devices may allow the condyles and jaws to be repositioned into a centric relation (CR).
1. Providing Diagnostic Information
There are various ways that occlusal splints might offer diagnostic data. In addition to collecting information on vertical dimensions from patients using splints, the restorative dentist can ascertain the envelope of function, probable neutral zone impingements, parafunctional habits, and anterior guidance requirements.
2. Relaxation of Muscles
Studies have shown that posterior tooth disruptions during excursive mandibular movements result in hyperactivity of the closing muscles; lateral pterygoid muscles are activated by tooth interferences to the CR arc of closure; and elevator muscle hyperactivity is significantly reduced when posterior excursive contacts are removed by anterior guidance. Changes in synchronized muscle activity can be triggered by occlusal interferences as little as 50 µm.
3. Preventing Bruxism in the Jaws and Teeth
The term “bruxism” refers to “the grinding or clenching of teeth at occasionally than for the mastication of food.” According to some authors, it is only a nighttime activity. One way to defend against the potentially adverse effects of this parafunctional activity is using a CR-balanced splint.
