Splint Therapy

Question 1

What is a soft splint for?

Answer 1

• maxillary or mandibular
• thermoformed - disc of plastic put over model, heat with light element, starts to melt, vacuum former sucks down onto teeth
• quick and easy to make
• relaxation splint - soft, no occlusal adjustment
• wears - especially with nocturnal bruxists - can help some but can give something to chew on for others
• not good long term
• like a mouth guard

Question 2

What are stabilisation splints?

Answer 2

• hard splints, difficult to make
• designed to give stable occlusal contacts
• aim: RCP same as ICP
• ideal occlusion

Question 3

What is a michigan splint?

What is a tanner appliance?

Answer 3

Michigan splint: maxillary arch stabilisation splint

• ramps to create: canine guidance on lateral excursions
• anterior guidance on protrusion
• posterior disclusion on excursion

Tanner appliance: similar to michigan splint for mandibular arch

Question 4

Asides from michigan and tanner splints, what other splint can be made?

What are they used for?

Answer 4

Thermoformed splint:

• hard/soft laminate
• can produce similar features as michigan splint
• usually night time wear
• designed for bruxists to break the habit
• if occlusion is incorrect, can encourage patient to grind more

Question 5

What is the purpose of repositioning splints?

Answer 5

• record protruded positio in wax
• make a splint - anterior repositioning splint (ARS)
• has indentations for upper and lower teeth, tend to fit on mandibular arch
• teeth naturally guided into a forward position
• no clicking as disc is recaptured in place
• full time wear initially, eliminates click, gradually reduce splint use

Question 6

What is the problem with partial coverage splints?

Answer 6

• overeruption
• posterior open bite when splint removed
• never recommend partial coverage splints