Splint (Oral Orthosis) Adjustment, A Necessity?

Tags

Centric relation, condylar asymmetry recognition, Dentistry, Occlusal device, Occlusal splint, Retruded Position of the Mandible, Reversible treatment, TMJ rehabilitation

Absolutely not! In my opinion it is the initial sign of a pure failure in the first phase of the reversible treatment i.e. when the registration of the mandibular position, in which the device is going to be made, is taken.At the presence of a temporomandibular joint condylar asymmetry the higher condyle must be the guide in the registration. If this is not applied the splint will not provide bilateral oral stability and disturbing contacts will be the result.The never-ending trips to the dentist is being started.
A correctly made splint does not need any adjustments. It is a matter of how and when to wear the splint that will give the expected success.
There is one thing I cannot avoid to comment due to its absurdness. It was told in a discussion by a specialist in the field of facial pain that every splint needs to be adjusted regardless its fitness to the opposing jaw. Splint adjustment should show the patient the engagement and the involvment by the dentist. In other words, How stupid is that?

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Prefabricated occlusal devices,mouth guards or splints

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Bruxism, Dentistry, Occlusal device, Occlusal splint, Retruded Position of the Mandible

should in my opinion not be recommended or not even be considered. If there is a need for the above mentioned appliances there is always to be a diagnosis that can support their therapeutic aims. The dentist is the person who is qualified for the decision to be made before any intervention into the oral cavity. It is also of great importance that the oral device is made or fabricated in the correct mandibular position or in the correct relationship between the two jaws.

Most often the indication for an occlusal device is that the patient ( person in pain) is lacking an oral stability, which is being described by the patient as he/she does not know “how to bite”. This is mostly the reason why the patient is searching for a stable occlusion and this seems too often to  be the reason for the bruxing, used in advertisement as the indication for testing the prefabricated oral device.

When a prefabricated oral device is being applied or tried out by the patient him/herself the following is most likely to occur. The patient is biting into a mandibular position recognised and commonly  used as the bruxoposition. In other words, the patient does not get a new symmetrically balanced occlusion on the device. The search for stability will therefore go on. Another disadvantage with the kit for a prefabricated occlusal device is the softness of the material to be used.A soft material between the upper and lower jaws in a bruxer seems to function more as a resilient chewing gum instead of creating an oral stability. Thereby  the bruxing will continue and sometimes even increase. In conclusion, the promised relief in using the prefabricated splint will never occur.

A functioning splint definitely needs to be designed, checked, delivered and monitored by the dentist.

 

 

 

 

Splint adjustments

Tags

Asymmetry, Centric relation, Dentistry, Myogeneous origin of TMJ pain, Occlusal device, Occlusal splint, Oral Stability, Retruded Position of the Mandible

do not seem to be too efficient as once the first one has been performed the next one mostly come very soon thereafter often requested by the patient. Too many dentists fall into the trap and after three to four visits the splint does not look the way it originally was supposed to look and/or function.

In my opinion, when the splint is fabricated in the correct mandibular position, it does not need any adjustments. It only needs to be worn during that time the patient is bruxing. Some patients need to wear the splint during the day. Others need to use the splint during sleep. If the patient belongs in the category arthrogenous origin of pain the splint has to be worn full time except for chewing.

One reason for the initially not comfortable or not efficient occlusal device is most probably that it is made in the wrong mandibular position. One major cause is that an existing temporomandibular joint condylar vertical asymmetry ,when present, has not been taken into account at the design of the splint.

It is my experience and sincere advice that no single occlusal device or splint should be made unless the temporomandibular joint condylar (a)symmetry. has been analysed and determined.

Oral Orthosis (splint) Failure

Tags

Asymmetry, Bruxism, condylar asymmetry recognition, Dentistry, Occlusal device, Occlusal splint, Oral Stability, Retruded Position of the Mandible, TMJ rehabilitation

is a fact when the patient does not get any relief despite a faithful wearing of the splint. Numerous adjustments made by the dentistIt are reported by many patients and yet no positive result. It is my clinical experience and it is therefore my opinion that the failure is mostly due to an unsuccessful registration of the mandibular position in which the orthosis is supposed to be made as most orthoses seem to arrive from the dental laboratory in perfect condition. This unfortunate dilemma seems to happen very often when the intercuspal position has been chosen in the registration at the presence of a vertical temporomandibular joint condylar asymmetry.

To avoid unnecessary disappointments and frustrations for both parties (patient and the dentist) I therefore would like to emphasise the importance to recognise the vertical dimensions of the two temporomandibular joint condyles.The analysis of a panoramic X-ray is an easy tool to use. At a vertical dimensional difference between the two temporomandibular joint condyles the difference can easily be transferred into the Maaxloc by Dentatus. That instrument visualises the vertical difference in the intermaxillary relation between the the two sides of the mounted casts at the occlusal level and thereby may assist in finding the clinically correct mandibular position for the fabrication of the oral orthosis. In this way the thickness of the orthosis may be different between the two sides of occlusion. What is missing in vertical dimension on the shorter condylar side must be compensated for at the level of the teeth.Much less adjustments of the orthosis may be the result not to say adjustments of the orthosis will not be necessary at all.

Tinnitus and TMJ condylar asymmetry

Tags

condylar asymmetry recognition, Occlusal splint, Oral rehabilitation, Oral Stability, Retruded Position of the Mandible, Tinnitus

It seems, as if patients with tinnitus show a large lateral deviation of the mandible between the retruded position of the mandible and the intercuspal position, there might be a chance to influence the bothersome sound. A panoramic X-ray easily confirms or rejects the presence of a vertical temporomandibular joint condylar asymmetry. At an asymmety the lateral deviation of the mandible mostly occurs in the direction towards the “shorter” condyle side with that side condyle being forced upwards and backwards in the intercuspal position.
A stabilization splint fabricated in the correct mandibular position i.e. when the position is guided by the “higher” condyle and thereby making the splint thicker on the “shorter” condyle side and thus compensating for what is missing in vertical condylar dimension might be one solution to try. The splint is to be worn as much as possible. An immediate response is also most often not to be expected.
Thinking back of many patients my experience has been that many patients do not immediately feel a difference regarding their tinnitus. However , faithfully wearing the splint for a couple of weeks to months many patients have reported definitive relief. If so, the permanent solution of their problem may be to establish an oral stability via additional dentistry.

Migraine or ?

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Bruxism, Dentistry, Facial pain, Myogeneous origin of TMJ pain, Occlusal device, Occlusal splint, Retruded Position of the Mandible, Reversible treatment, Tension headache

Although the specific diagnosis of migraine is defined as a chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent moderate to severe headaches often in association with a number of autonomic nervous system symptoms it is often by our dental patients used as the general term for facial pain with often also no response to the prescribed medication. This experience I share with many colleagues and yet I have to tell you about the 36 years old man, who was referred for chronic left side facial pain he had suffered for 18 years, half of his life. He had visited many doctors and he had also been taking a lot of medication during the years.

The pain occurred almost every day and was described by the patient as migraine on the left side of his face covering the left side temple and cheek area. Mandibular movements were normal. A panoramic X-ray did not reveal any pathology and showed a temporomandibular joint condylar symmetry.Static pain could be provoked for closing of his mouth. During our conversation it became obvious that a left side latero-protrusion was an often used position for bruxism, which also could be confirmed by marked facets of his left side front teeth.

After information about the possibility to initially wear a stabilization splint part time ( during day time working hours )  in order to avoid his unilateral abuse of the left side mm temporalis and the deep portion of masseter he decided to try. The stabilization splint was designed around the retruded position of his mandible, inserted without any adjustments and checked after another 6 weeks. At that time the young man announced that he had been completely free from any facial pain since the day after the insertion of the splint. It had been worn during the day except for chewing. He also showed an oral stability without the splint in his mouth.

In conclusion: When the dental patient is telling about his or her migraine that is not responding to the, by the medical doctor, prescribed medication DO PERFORM A FUNCTIONAL EXAMINATION OF THE STOMATOGNATHIC SYSTEM. There might be a chance to help the patient and not only his or her teeth.

 

 

 

 

Indices for jaw registrations

Tags

Bruxism, Centric relation, condylar asymmetry recognition, Dentistry, Mounting casts, Occlusal device, Occlusal splint, Occlusion, Retruded Position of the Mandible, TMJ rehabilitation

Sometimes it can be difficult to get a relaxed mandible in the process of jaw registration in the retruded position of the mandible in as well the diagnostic phase as in the steps of treatment. It happens mostly when the patient is a heavy bruxer or when the patient seems to defend him/herself against the pressure from the hands of the dentist in the clinical situation. A condylar asymmetry may add to the clinical difficulty in getting the registration right.
With the measurements of the vertical dimensions of the temporomandibular joint condyles and the Maaxloc device at hands the above mentioned problems can definitely be reduced.It is my opinion, which to a great extent I have achieved from the dental technicians, that the registrations made in the Maaxloc system get into a more retruded position of the mandible in comparison with the manually taken clinical indices which often are protruded.This conclusion is based upon several years of cooperation with Ines Selimanovic T.I.C. laboratory, Malmoe ,Sweden, an experienced dental technician, with whom I have made comparisons of by me taken clinical indices and by her made registrations in the Maaxloc device.
In conc;usion: To avoid unnecessary and time consuming adjustments despite quality of the dental work in the ” difficult mouth “it might be worth while to become critical to the manually taken clinical registration and consider the advantage of the Maaxloc device.

Tinnitus and TMD

Tags

Asymmetry, condylar asymmetry recognition, Dentistry, Occlusal device, Occlusal splint, Oral Stability, Temporomandibular joint disorder, Tinnitus, TMJ rehabilitation, Treatment planning

Tinnitus in itself is not an indication for dental intervention. However,if tinnitus is mentioned at an examination of facial pain of either myogeneous or arthrogeneous origin there may be a chance to influence its existence. After reviewing some records of patients some years ago and present experience it is my opinion that it is about one third of the patients suffering tinnitus and TMD who will notice a reduction or even a total elimination of their tinnitus from oral stability initially from a stabilization splint compensating for a temporomandibular joint vertical condylar asymmetry, when present.

As it was just one third who reported a benefit regarding their tinnitus it must be up to the patient to decide if it is worth while to invest in an oral device fighting tinnitus. Objective information regarding a dubious result should precede the decision. It is also  important to tell the patient that very often the relief from tinnitus does not come immediately after the insertion of the device. It is reported by several patients that it could take a couple of months before they noticed a difference in their tinnitus. In conclusion: When a stabilization splint is being delivered  in trying to influence a tinnitus the patient might have to wear the splint several months before a change occurs  and before one actually knows if it was beneficial or not. 

Mounting casts

Tags

Asymmetry, Asymmetry Index, Centric relation, condylar asymmetry recognition, Dental laboratory work, Dentistry, Mounting casts, Occlusal adjustment, Occlusal device, Occlusal splint, Occlusion, Oral rehabilitation, Oral Stability, TMJ rehabilitation, Treatment planning

The other day I had to check the mounting of the casts of the upper and lower jaws of a patient with a condylar asymmetry of about 6%. The reason for my visit to the dental laboratory was that the right side lower four units bridge had been redone and several times before that adjusted. And yet the patient found it too low i.e. her teeth of her right side did not contact in occlusion unless she  forced her mandible to the right.

During the visit at the laboratory it became once again obvious to me from the discussions with two well experienced dental technicians that very often the indices to be used in mounting the casts cannot be used. The indices are perforated and mostly show slides in the material used indicating that the mandible of the patient has not been stable at the time of index registration.  Therefore the technicians try to analyze different facets of the occlusal surfaces of the casts. They try to fake the movements of the patients mouth that have created them and thereafter, still manually, they fix the casts in the position which seems to  be the starting point for the suspected movement.This position usually is looked upon as the intercuspal position and will be used for the subsequent mounting of the casts.

At a condylar asymmetry it is therefore easy to understand that with the above described mounting of the casts the crowns or bridges of the ” shorter condyle ” side will be too low. Clinically oral stability will be lacking despite the insertion of the prosthodontic work. Very often tooth contacts of the ” higher condyle  ” side will be looked upon as occlusal interferences and removed in an ” adjustment “.This actually results in a decrease of the vertical dimension and a not one hundred percentage satisfied patient.

The problem and frustration can easily be avoided if the vertical condylar asymmetry is transferred into the Maaxloc instrument. A registration at the clinic or at the laboratory is made  and used in mounting the casts with the result that mostly the prosthodontic work can be inserted  without any adjustment at its delivery.

Uneven Front Teeth Wear

Tags

Asymmetry, Bruxism, Centric relation, condylar asymmetry recognition, Dentistry, Occlusal device, Occlusal splint, Occlusion, Orthodontics, Preprosthetic occlusal adjustment, Retruded Position of the Mandible, Reversible treatment, Temporomandibular joint, Temporomandibular joint disorder, Temporomandibular joint pain, Treatment planning

may very well denote a temporomandibular joint condylar asymmetry and may therefore indicate the necessity of a panoramic x-ray in order to avoid negative consequences of a dental treatment. It is my experience that very often the front teeth ( the central and the lateral incisors ) of the quadrant of the ” higher condyle ” side are more worn than the equivalent teeth of the contra lateral side. The ” higher condyle ” side seems with a far more higher prevalence be used as the laterotrusive side ( working side ). The contra lateral side of the face then also looks bigger or thicker, most probably due to the unilateral hyperactivity of the superficial masseter muscle of that side. When this kind of an observation is made there is an absolute indication to proceed with a clinical examination in order to rule out whether pain or discomfort are involved.

If pain is present the stomatognathic system needs to get normalized. This is easily accomplished with the insertion of a correctly designed stabilization splint. The splint preferably already at the dental laboratory is  fabricated in the correct relation between the models i.e. the models have been mounted in an articulator according to the index ( registration ) made in the Maaxloc and thereby based upon the difference between the two condylar heights. Within a couple of weeks, not to say surprisingly often within a couple of days, the patient returns with markedly reduced pain or completely without pain. Also without any difficulties the patient normally finds his / her natural way in getting his / her teeth together. However,on the ” shorter condyle ” side tooth contacts are missing. This most often results in a slide between the mandibular reference position, RPM, and the intercuspal position and therefore often indicates a need for extended dental treatment or at least a change of direction of your earlier planned treatment.  The empty space between the teeth of the ” shorter condyle ” therefore needs to be filled in or the teeth of the ” shorter condyle ” side need to be built up. After four to six months and with a reversible approach in form of a partial and casted metal splint cemented on the not occluding teeth of the ” shorter condyle ” side oral stability is achieved. Personally I always have that splint casted in gold and made for the lower premolars / molars. The earlier worn stabilization splint is being adjusted to the new and reversible occlusion and is used part time, during sleep for an individually determined length of time. Finally permanent treatment can be considered at the choice of you and your patient.

Uneven front teeth wear occurs and is also sometimes observed in young patients.In these individuals it may be even more important to analyze the vertical dimensions of the two temporomandibular joint condyles. At a condylar asymmetry an index via Maaxloc may serve as an adequate guide to relate the upper and lower models of the teeth, indicating the correct vertical dimensions of the jaws after completed treatment and thereby contribute to the best outcome of the orthodontic treatment. In not addressing the condylar asymmetry, when present, in the initial phase of treatment planning there is always the risk to deliver a yet perfect occlusion but in a not perfect occlusal plane, i. e. a perfect smile what concerns the teeth but less perfect what concerns the smiling mouth of the whole face.