18 Oct 2016

This anterior bite distortion shows an uneven amount of anterior open bite. The upper right canine looks as if it never touches the tooth below, and is called a non-functional tooth. However, even a canine out of position can receive sensory input from a food bolus. Designing a splint to engage this tooth with “kissing” contact during lateral excursions will reawaken the sensation of normal function on this otherwise out-of-position tooth. This sensory processing of tooth engagement is important for normal neck mechanics.

 

Patient cannot engage this R canine at all in any of her tooth-to-tooth jaw functions.
Patient cannot engage this R canine at all in any of her tooth-to-tooth jaw functions.

 

Bite splint is designed to functionally reduce the distortion in the unilateral anterior open bite.
Bite splint is designed to functionally reduce the distortion in the unilateral anterior open bite.

 

Note in picture with patient sliding lower jaw to Right (photo on right) how there is slight contact.

 

Processing contact to the lingual side of upper canine is necessary for normal lateralization of neck. With a tooth previously out of reach, contact is scant or "kissing"
Processing contact to the lingual side of upper canine is necessary for normal lateralization of neck. With a tooth previously out of reach, contact is scant or “kissing”

 

While contact on lingual of upper canine is desirable on bite splint, contact across canine tip is not. Quickly engaging, then disengaging, from the splint is shown here.
While contact on lingual of upper canine is desirable on bite splint, contact across canine tip is not. Quickly engaging, then disengaging, from the splint is shown here.

 

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