Professional paper

Initial Treatment of Prosthetic Patients with a Michigan Splint

Tomislav Badel
Josip Pandurić
Sonja Kraljević
Nikša Dulčić

Abstract

The Michigan splint covers all occlusal surfaces of the dental arch and is used in initial prosthetic treatment during the diagnosis and treatment of temporomandibular disorders. The most frequent indication is myalgia of the masticatory muscles and arthralgia of the temporomandibular joint. The splint eliminates symptoms and realises self-positioning of the mandible into a new position, which is acceptable for the patient. It can be worn for a longer period with the object of protecting the hard dental tissue due to bruxism. Because of stability and retention on the base the upper dental arch is more frequently chosen. The occlusal surface of the splint is fabricated in the form of flat surfaces on which equal contacts of the working cusps of the antagonistic jaws are achieved in the area of freedom in the centric. In excursive movements of the mandible disocclusion of the remaining teeth is realised, guided by the canine. Interrupted wearing of the splint follows during an interval of gradual disuse and reduction in the period of wearing. Success of the treatment is conditioned by careful fabrication of the splint in the articulator, regular check-ups while wearing the splint and occlusal relations.

Keywords

initial prosthetic treatment; Michigan splint

Hrčak ID:

2570

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/2570

Publication date:

15.6.2003.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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