When prescribing a splint, are you choosing based on patient comfort, clinical function…or both? How do you know that it’s the right choice?
Making the right choice is critical to ensuring long-term performance and optimum results.
When weighing the options for which splint will yield the outcome you and your patient desire, begin by asking yourself the following key questions:
• Does the splint allow for precise occlusal adjustment?
• Will the splint effectively reduce occlusal stresses and protective restorative work?
• Can the splint provide anterior guidance and proper disarticulation in protrusive movements
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Occlusal splints do more than prevent wear –they can be both protective and diagnostic, serving to absorb abnormal occlusal forces, reprogram, and manage TMJ issues while also helping to identify parafunctional habits, occlusal discrepancies, and joint…
