After being extensively used in various forms, indications of occlusal splints are reduced, today, essentially to three types: the Anterior Bite Splint (ABS), the Muscle Reconditioning Splint (MRS) and the AntePositioning Splint (APS). Through these different forms, the authors describe the current knowledge on the temporomandibular disorder treatment by occlusal splint therapy in answering the questions: why, how and when an occlusal splint should be used?We know there is insufficient evidence either for or against the use of stabilization splint therapy for the treatment of the temporomandibular pain dysfunction syndrome.In such a situation it is difficult for the practitioner to find clear academic recommendations, so the authors would like to propose a tutorial paper about the different types of splint, and their reasonable utilization to the reader.The management of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) is often confusing resulting in the etiopathogenic phenomena complex and multi-factorial. Diagnosis is sometimes unclear or has misunderstood success (placebo, natural resolution). The masticatory apparatus is not a simple mechanical system but a complex biological entity, multi-functional, in direct touch with its environment and strongly influenced by the individual psychosocial aspects. Any therapeutic approach must be used carefully, for a normalization of the function rather than a pseudo structural ideal.Occlusal splints, which have the advantage of being noninvasive, constitute one of the most therapeutic responses used in the treatment of TMD.So, according to McNeill [23], the first occlusal splint was described in 1881 by Goodwillie; its popularization however developed only as from the Sixties, with the "Michigan-type" occlusal splint of Ramford and Ash [3].Today the use of the occlusal splint is usual, as some international literature attests, and its forms or its terms are so various [12], that an actualization of basic knowledge could be of interest for the general practitioner. Based on concrete questions, the answers suggested are founded in a synthesis, which should be logical, updated data from scientific literature. These last ones having a low level of proof, so this article presented only slightly validated opinions. The occlusal splint: is it useful?An occlusal splint can be used to test a therapeutic position [8] before any definitive occlusal change, like a modification of vertical dimension [34] or the creation of a mandibular anteposition.An occlusal splint can be used for protecting teeth or prosthetic restorations against sleep pressures.But an occlusal splint is mainly used for therapeutic means [31]. Its principle use is to prevent the patient from finding his usual occlusion of maximal intercuspal position (ICP) and to oblige him to place his mandible in a new posture, thus, resulting in a new muscular and articular balance. The patient, disturbed in his habits, will not tighten his teeth any more, like before.He will change his clenching habits and then he will not tighten any more,...

No abstract

No abstract

The determinants of the morphology of the mandibular tubercle of the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) have been the subject of numerous investigations but remain poorly understood.It has been hypothesized that the lingual surfaces of the maxillary anterior teeth could influence the growth, the development, and the shape of the mandibular tubercle.Nonetheless, there is disagreement concerning the existence of a functional relationship between the condylar path and the anterior guidance of the mandible.The objective of the study was to find a correlation between the mean Functional Incisal Path (FIP) of the maxillary anterior teeth and the Functional Condylar Path (FCP).Materials and methods: Subjects included in the study consisted of randomly selected dental students (n ¼ 50).For each student, the following was performed:-The tracing of multiple cuts of silicone of maxillary anterior block which were analyzed by an odontometry software program. -A mechanical axiography to register the protrusive path bilaterally.Results: A statistically significant correlation (r ¼ 0.8; p ¼ 0.0000; FCP ¼ PIF Ã 0.661 þ 9.799) between anterior guidance on the incisors (FIP mean value ¼ 56.96 AE 7.86) and sagittal condylar path inclination (FCP mean value ¼ 47.46 AE 6.56) was found during the protruding movement.Conclusion: The clinical application is interesting in the areas of both anterior restorative reconstruction and orthodontic treatment, classically by increasing by 10 the anterior guidance in relation to the condylar path or more precisely by using a regression formula.