Category: Resource Links

  • ALF wire material: Elgiloy

    People ask me what is the “magic” of the ALF, and is it all in the design? While the design does indeed need to match the patient’s individual needs, the material used is equally important. The body wire of the ALF is made of Elgiloy, a cobalt-based alloy; the blue Elgiloy often selected at the…

  • Negative Impact of Mouth Breathing in Children

    This video is an excellent resource to understand why we care so much to convert kids to nasal respiration!!    

  • National Sleep Foundation Recommendations for Kids

    “Get your Beauty Rest.” “Take 40 winks.” How much sleep should we get? Fortunately, the NSF (National Sleep Foundation) has posted its recommendations on how much sleep children need for healthy growth and development to occur. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/excessive-sleepiness/support/how-much-sleep-do-babies-and-kids-need

  • Tongue Tie and MTHFR Mutation

    Tongue Tie and MTHFR Mutation

    Tongue tie and the MTHFR mutation are the topic of many continuing education classes these days. Tongue tie (or ankyloglossia) is often associated with MTHFR genetic mutation. The condition of tongue tie is often accompanied by lip ties (labial ties), cheek ties (buccal ties), and sometimes with other midline defects. The genetic mutation of MTHFR…

  • Splint for Scissors Bite

    Splint for Scissors Bite

    Making a splint for a patient with a scissors bite follows the same principles as in most other cases. A scissors bite is also called a buccal cross bite, wherein the maxillary molar is more than halfway across the mandibular molar; the lingual (tongue-side) cusp of the upper molar is touching the buccal (cheek-side) surface…

  • PT to Dentist Referral

    PT to Dentist Referral

    First and foremost, many patients demonstrating symptoms of R TMCC patterning will NOT need dental intervention! But it is helpful to know how to recognize those who will. We hope this stepwise chart will aid in decision making. STEP 1: LOCATION OF SYMPTOMS FROM HISTORY Headache – almost always! Neck pain – possibly. Depends on…

  • Splint for Gag Reflex

    Splint for Gag Reflex

    The idea of wearing a lower bite splint is a challenge for patients with a significant gag reflex, particularly if their gag reflex is stimulated by anything touching the side of the tongue. The Gag Reflex (or pharyngeal reflex) is a hypersensitivity to anything touching the muscles involved with swallowing – the soft palate, the…

  • PRI explained in 6 mins

    Many patients who find their way to our practice will ultimately be recommended to have postural therapy in conjunction with traditional TMJ therapy. This video was created by Voices of America and gives a great overview of what Postural Restoration Institute concepts are all about!

  • Bite splint requires Molar Support

    Bite splint requires Molar Support

    A bite splint requires molar support, and particularly at the most distal tooth location. However, due to the shape of the upper and lower jaws’ relationship to one another, this is the portion of the bite splint that most frequently becomes thin and brittle, and thus, broken. Below is a case of fractured acrylic over…

  • Splint Repair and Tips

    Splint Repair and Tips

    Ideally the splint is designed to prevent failures from happening.  But when they do, it is good to be able to understand how and why the failure occurred, and to know what to do about it. Splint repair and tips to prevent failure are helpful to predict and manage the occasional difficulties in splint therapy. Understanding…

  • Splint for Canine Transposition

    Splint for Canine Transposition

    Canine transposition means the canines are in the position of missing lateral incisors — or in the switched position of upper premolars. This rare but non pathologic variation of tooth position can be challenging to determine how the biting forces should be spread across the teeth.    In general, a splint for canine transposition can be managed…

  • Splint for Posterior Open Bite

    Splint for Posterior Open Bite

    Patients managing an airway problem with night-time use of a mandibular advancement device may develop a posterior open bite.  Attempting to reapproximate the posterior teeth in this occlusal distortion involves mandible retrusion and OA flexion, thus reversing the natural lordosis of the neck. Accurately mounted study models taken after the cervical curvature has been supported…

  • Sphenoid position | Splint design

    Sphenoid position | Splint design

    Sphenoid position is a prominent feature of a R TMCC positional pattern. In that position, the greater wing of the sphenoid is more superior on the Right side, than on the Left. Without regard for the position a patient is in (R TMCC versus neutrality), even the most conscientious dentist will adjust a bite splint…

  • Splint for Posterior Crossbite

    Splint for Posterior Crossbite

    Patients with bilateral posterior crossbites tend to have deep palates and bilaterally extended cervical chains. Depending on the degree of interdigitation of the teeth, the balancing interferences of the lingual cusps of the lower molars against the buccal cusps of the upper molars can make the canines out of position from a functional standpoint.   …

  • Reestablishing lordosis reveals bite distortion

    Reestablishing lordosis reveals bite distortion

    Lordosis of the neck is the normal curvature needed for a person to have a full range of motion in rotation, flexion, and extension. Patients with a loss of that cervical l0rdosis can mask the degree of bite distortion present.  Patients with bilaterally displaced TMJ disks will frequently have masked the severity of the anterior open bite distortion…