TMJ Splint Therapy; Then What?

Abstract

Submit Manuscript | http://medcraveonline.com appliance, we have to make permanent changes to the patient’s occlusion so that; the occlusion without the splint is that same as it is with the splint in situ. Even the role of occlusion is still controversial, but the clinician should be careful in changing the patient’s occlusion irreversibly from the beginning. Occlusal disturbances can set off a chain of reaction radiating to the musculoskeletal system. This is manifested in typical symptoms such as headache, neck pain and back ache. The second stage of treatment (Occlusion Stage) can be moved to after improvement of the TMJ-ID with the splint therapy which should be evaluated by post-treatment MRI beside the clinical results. While; in some cases the combination of the minor occlusal adjustment in combination with the splint therapy can lead to rapid improvement. Occlusion Stage can be achieved by one of the following procedures which should be selected independent according to the patient occlusion state. Occlusal Equilibration Occlusal Equilibration is a term utilized to describe the procedures of selective adjustment of the biting surface of the teeth by grinding the enamel (outer layer of the tooth) so that the upper and lower teeth fit together (the intercuspal position) harmoniously. Occlusal equilibration can provide selected patients with the most conservative, predictable, and safest treatment possible. Moreover; occlusal equilibration can avoid the need for additional complex treatments. Occlusal Equilibration requires proper case selection with occlusal analysis. Occlusion analysis is the study of the relationship of the occlusal surfaces of opposing teeth and their associated functional harmonies. An impression of the upper and lower jaws was made and models were created. The wax impression was use to mount the upper and lower models on the articulator. The primary purpose of occlusion analysis is to reveal interferences in articulation which cannot be observed directly in the mouth. Recently; one of newest and most exciting technologies is the T-Scan Computerized Occlusal Analysis System. The heart of T-Scan technology is a disposable, extremely thin, flexible sensor. By biting and chewing against the sensor, a three dimensional view of your bite is displayed on computer screen. Then the bite can be easily adjusted and checked with the sensor. The process is repeated until the biting forces are equalized.