Construction and preliminary clinical evaluation of digital stabilization occlusal splint system

Abstract

To established a digital workflow for stabilization occlusal splint with computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) methods. Two subjects were enrolled from April 2019 to May 2019 from Department of Prosthodontics, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (one male, 25 years old; one female, 24 years old). The working models of the participants' dentition were made. Two stabilization occlusal splints were manufactured for each participant using digital workflow and conventional workflow. With the digital workflow, the three-dimensional (3D) scanning of the cast, recording of the digital personalized mandibular movements and condyle trajectory, and the design and the 3D printing for the fabrication of the final appliance using CAD/CAM technologies were performed. With conventional workflow, conventional technologies were adopted based on requirements and experiment of designing and manufacturing of stabilization splint. During try-in, a checklist was built to compare the clinical performance of the two workflows. The digital workflow of the stabilization occlusal splint was built successfully. The total score of clinical primary evaluation by the two subjects were 26 and 26 for digital workflow splints, and 25 and 23 for conventional workflow splints. Digital stabilization occlusal splint workflow is feasible.