A case report on occlusal splint prior to orthodontic therapy

Aims: The objective of this case report is to establish splint therapy prior to orthodontic treatment and stabilize the mandibular position for three months on symptomatic case.
Introduction: An occlusal appliance, called a splint, is a removable device, usually made of hard acrylic that fits over the occlusal and incisal surfaces of the teeth in one arch, creating precise occlusal contact with the teeth of the opposing arch. It is commonly referred to as a bite guard, night guard, interocclusal appliance, or orthopedic device. Splint therapy is indicated any time that there are symptoms present and when mandibular manipulation is difficult.
Case Description: This case report discussed the splint therapy in a 20 yr old male patient came to dept of orthodontics AJIDS, mangalore with chief complaint of forwardly placed upper front teeth with deviation, clicking sound and crepitus of TMJ on jaw movements. Treatment planned as splint therapy for 3months ie, muscle deprogramming flat plane splint for relaxing muscles of joint followed by PEA- MBT prescription. After 4months of splint therapy the patient experienced no symptoms of muscle tiredness, no clicking sound, no bulging of condyle laterally. On examination of postoperative TMJ view, improvement in articular eminence and hypermobility of condyle on wide opening were noticed. After splint therapy, fixed orthodontic treatment was advocated.
Conclusion: Establishing a stable occlusal reference point prior to initiating orthodontic therapy is the key to preventing undiagnosed skeletal discrepancies.
Clinical Significance: Careful diagnosis and pretreatment planning may help to eliminate unsuspected occlusal relationships that would otherwise result in treatment surprises that require embarrassing alterations of the original treatment plan.