Splint Therapy Flashcards

Question

What are the patient instructions for stabilization splints?

Answer 1

- When removing splint from mouth, tell patient that it may take a few minutes to “find their normal bite” - The patient should be accustomed to appliance within 1 to 2 weeks - Pain & Symptoms should begin to improve within 3 to 4 weeks (but may take longer & up to 2-3 months) - Keep appliance in case when not wearing - Keep appliance moist by placing small amount of water in case - HIDE from DOGS - Do NOT Wear >8 to 12 hours per 24 hours - Wear night time if pain is worse on awakening - Wear daytime if pain is worse during day or at end of day BUT remove at mealtime - Clean appliance with toothbrush, toothpaste or soak in Efferdent or orthodontic retainer solution UNLESS there is a soft liner inside the appliance

Answer 2

- Provide joint stabilization - Relaxes the elevator (closing) muscles - Provide stable occlusion - Increases awareness of jaw habits - Alters rest position of jaw to a more relaxed, open position

Answer 3

- Failure to show an initial positive response may be related to: --- Noncompliance --- Chronic pain behavior/bruxism --- Degree of TMJ pathology --- Misdiagnosis

Answer 4

- Indexing holds jaw anteriorly to unload posterior attachment, improve pain unloading posterior attachment and Possibly improve Disc position to seat onto condyle

Answer 5

- Primarily indicated for ACUTE TMJ pain associated with disc displacement with reduction - Anterior disc displacement with intermittent nonreduction (catching) - Anterior disc displacement without reduction with significant pain in TMJ

Answer 6

- Alters adverse loading in the TMJ (unloads the posterior attachment) - Alters the structural condyledisc relationship - Reduces associated muscle splinting

Answer 7

if locking with pain primarily occurs in daytime

Answer 8

if jaw locking primarily occurs on awakening

Answer 9

Replace with stabilization splint in 6-12 weeks once joint pain/dysfunction is controlled

Answer 10

a small segment of the maxillary anterior teeth, typically 2 to 4 incisors

Answer 11

- may lead to **irreversible changes in the occlusion** over time if not adequately supervised by a dental professional. - a chance for the **overeruption of the unopposed premolars and molars** which may lead to **anterior open bite**. The open bite could also happen from the intrusion of the anterior teeth which hold the NTI-tss - **Mobility of the mandibular anterior teeth** may also result - Occlusal forces may lead to the **displacement of the maxillary anterior teeth** which hold the NTI - may lead to **mouth dryness** during sleep, as it can keep the mouth slightly open - it **could be swallowed or inhaled**, which could be life-threatening; such severe incidents have been reported

Answer 12

- Effective in pediatric patients - Less effective in adults - Protects teeth from trauma - Does not decrease bruxism; may increase bruxism in adults - May be helpful for short-term use - Inexpensive

Answer 13

- Because the soft splint will not block the eruption of the permanent teeth - An Acrylic splint is rigid and may block the eruption of the permanent teeth and it will NOT fit after the teeth erupt

Answer 14

The soft splint is very inexpensive but inform parents that after the permanent teeth erupt, a new acrylic splint is needed so they know the cost up front

Answer 15

- 2 weeks - 1 month - 3 months - 6 months (as long as patient wears splint) --- Check fit and occlusal balance --- Check fit and LOOK for OCCLUSAL WEAR. Show patient wear patterns- EDUCATION. --- Follow-up with pain & adjust medications, f/u with physical therapy

Answer 16

- Wear patterns on the splint to determine how heavily your patient is clenching or grinding. Side-to-side markings indicate bruxism - Fractures in splint due to heavy clenching - Delamination of soft liner

Answer 17

1. Occlusal changes (i.e. open bite) 2. Speech difficulties 3. Caries 4. Gingival inflammation 5. Malodor 6. Psychological dependence

Answer 18

- It is your LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY - To correct for changes in occlusion as pain, muscle activity, inflammation, edema, or soft tissue relations change. - Malocclusion due to arthritis must be monitored once per month for 6 months and the splint serves a diagnostic purpose to see if occlusal contacts on splint are stable over time

Answer 19

- Limit wear to 8-12 hours long term - May improve clicking but not necessarily eliminate it - Do NOT promise the patient that it will “cure” their symptoms - Should decrease pain, tightness, & locking - Adjust splint on regular basis - Evaluate patient’s occlusion to ensure that it is not changing due to splint wea

Splint Therapy Flashcards

(44 cards)