Establishing Occlussion TMJ

THE TMJ ORTHOTIC (SPLINT APPLIANCE)

Occlusal (bite) information obtained from Jaw Tracking movement and muscle function, along with the registration of the new bite position, our TMJ Dentist designs the orthotic appliance. It is prepared with detailed tooth anatomy to provide a stable biting position. The orthotic, commonly called a "splint," comfortably fits over the lower back teeth and passes behind the front teeth, where it can remain invisibly for several months.

Before the orthotic "try-in", the patient receives a 60 minute TENS session to relax the masticatory muscles. This re-establishes the rest position of the mandible as a "point of reference" before adjustment of the therapeutic occlusion. Worn 24 hours a day, this precise appliance is removed only for cleaning the teeth. The orthotic permits the jaws to come together in a muscularly healthy position, retraining the muscles to move along a more natural, muscularly oriented pathway into the new occlusion.

 

APPLIANCE ADJUSTMENTS

At this point, we typically see patients for three to six adjustment visits. At each visit a TENS session is used to relax muscles preceding any necessary occlusal adjustment. TENS is utilized during the adjustment as described in the "try in" of the orthotic process above.

RE-EVALUATION

Following three months of full-time use of the TMJ orthotic, patients return for a re-evaluation study to assess associated muscle function. This data assists in determining the effectiveness of the initial treatment. Upon the completion of the re-evaluation study, the majority of our patients have achieved a level of improvement that warrants the consideration of long-term treatment options.