Tag: Atlanta TMJ Dentist
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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…
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Splint for anterior open-bite distortion
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”…
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Bite splint to manage cross-bite
Unilateral cross-bite in the anterior segment frequently represents an exaggerated midline shift. Using a bite splint deprograms the engrams that posture the jaw. In addition to revealing a less distorted midline, splint therapy commonly results in a more cusp-to-cusp tip orientation at the canine.
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How to Manage Alternate Occlusal Schemes
When a patient has an active R TMCC pattern that needs occlusal management, a lower MOOO style bite splint is my go-to intervention. But not all malocclusions are created equal, and the question comes up frequently on how to manage a bite with various degrees of malposition and alternate occlusal schemes. I have attached a…
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Lucky lady teaches Splint Therapy
How lucky am I? My journey learning about dental bite splints began 14 years ago at the Pankey Institute, and I have been honored to teach all about bite splints to other dentists for the past 8 years. In a matter of a few short days, our participants increased their understanding from basic concepts to…
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Bite splint acrylic handling
How we handle dental bite splint acrylic can literally make – or break – the final product. A lab processed acrylic is made strongest in a pressure pot using heat and pressure. That said, even with the strongest materials available, incorrect handling of the acrylic while it is in the wet phase can incorporated unwanted…
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Splint Detail Communication: 4 Steps
Splint Communication From Physical Therapist to Dentist As a dentist who learned to modify splints from my physical therapist colleague, I hope these suggestions will pave the way to a smooth working relationship. 1. Lead with what you need. Once you have diagnosed your patient to need an oral appliance to control her body, be direct and make that…
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Splint improved my vision
I started having issues with my vision—being bothered by light and glare and just not seeing as clearly and I knew it was time for a new prescription. I went for an eye exam and my eye doctor was surprised I even wore glasses. He said my prescription was way too strong and gave me…
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Fitting a Bite Splint
Fitting a bite splint to achieve its original design requires attention to how the splint fits over the teeth it engages – as well as the opposing row of teeth. This installation shows some postural concepts in positioning the patient within the dental chair to optimally improve the cranio-cervical relationship prior to adapting the maxillary-mandibular…
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Visiting Faculty Pankey Institute
Since 2002 I have engrossed myself in higher learning at the Pankey Institute for Advanced Dental Education, and since 2004 have served in a Facilitator-In-Training and later, Visiting Faculty to Pankey Institute role for other dentists. As an Atlanta Dentist, I was well supported in my learning, as there are many dentists here who not…
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Clear, Thin & Strong splints
In order for a bite splint to function as it should, it needs to be comfortable to the patient, strong enough to withstand a heavy bite, and have the correct occlusal pattern to fit that particular patient’s objectives. Feel free to view this PDF file to learn about the technique I’ve used with success –…
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Teaching Bite Splint Therapy
My learning journey with bite splint therapy started in 2002 when I took the second level course at the Pankey Institute. . . this is a class that really tied some concepts together for me and gave me both a rationale and a method for helping patients with occlusal trauma (bite and/or TMJ jaw joint…
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I’ve done a really good thing for my teeth
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Bite splint therapy
In this brief video, here an explanation of how a bite splint can be used therapeutically. Whether someone has had a recent trauma like whiplash, or a chronic condition like arthritis, a dental bite splint between the teeth can support and stabilize both the jaw joints and the neck.
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Can a dentist treat snoring or sleep apnea?