The role of occlusal splints

The occlusal splint treatment is a removable appliance, which can be made of hard resin or soft elastic resin material, covering the surface of one side of the dental arch (occlusal) and the surface of the incisal edge, while maintaining a certain degree of the dental arch Contact relationship, also called occlusal splint, occlusal splint, occlusal guard, orthosis, etc. Bite plate treatment is to place the bite plate between the upper and lower dental arches, without changing the shape of the occlusion, but by adjusting the relationship between the jaw position and the contact state of the occlusion to treat the dysfunction of the oral and jaw system, which is a kind of reversibility. The non-invasive treatment method. Bite splint therapy is a common method of occlusal treatment, in oral and jaw system diseases such as occlusal trauma, temporomandibular joint disorders, bruxism, and as an adjuvant treatment for oral restoration, orthodontics, periodontal treatment, maxillofacial trauma, and implant surgery Methods and other aspects have been widely used, but there is still a lack of consistent understanding of the mechanism of bite plate treatment.

1. Reduce abnormal muscle activity and relieve the hyperfunction and hypertonic state of masticatory muscles induced by the stimulation of occlusal disorders. Change the habitual memory type of the original masticatory muscles, and re-establish the closed jaw type that conforms to the physiological state of the muscles. At the same time, by enhancing the opening reflex, the levator muscles are relaxed and the demandibular muscles are active, and the functional state of the masticatory muscles is improved.

2. Temporarily provide a more stable orthopedic position for the temporomandibular joint. After wearing the bite plate, the mandibular condyle moves forward, and the posterior and superior gaps of the joint are widened, which reduces the pressure of the condyle on the soft tissues of the joints; at the same time, it reduces the load on the joints and reduces the intra-articular pressure, which is conducive to recovery. The coordinated relationship between the various tissues of the joint and the stability of the joint position.

3. Protect teeth from being worn away, and protect periodontal tissues from abnormal force damage.

4. Reduce the frequency of side-function activities such as clenching and night grinding.

5. The loose anterior tooth splint has a certain function of correcting deep overbite.

6. Establish an appropriate vertical distance and an appropriate incisional guide relationship as an effective and reversible evaluation method before occlusal reconstruction.