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Vertical jaw separation for vertical thickness of occlusal stabilization splint

  • original article
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international journal of stomatology & occlusion medicine

Abstract

Objectives

Occlusal stabilization splints are commonly used for temporomandibular disorders (TMD) related to muscular origins. The aim of the study was to assess the vertical thickness of occlusal stabilization splints under the aspect of maximal therapeutic effectiveness. An attempt was made to establish optimal jaw separation for vertical thickness of occlusal stabilization splints based on bite force (BF) and facial skeletal morphology.

Methods

A total of 28 patients diagnosed as having myofascial pain (MFP) were eligible for this study and 3 acrylic occlusal stabilization splints of different vertical thickness were fabricated for each patient. Clinical and subjective examinations were carried out to assess the treatment effectiveness of the splints. Using in-house methods the BF was measured in different vertical jaw separations (VJS). The lateral cephalograms of selected factors were assessed. The relationship between splint thickness, BF and facial skeletal morphology was evaluated.

Results

There was statistically significant correlation between vertical thickness of the splint and treatment effectiveness as well as between the VJS at which the first minimum BF generated in patients was measured and the VJS for the vertical thickness of the splint with maximum therapeutic effectiveness.

Conclusions

The VJS for vertical thickness of occlusal stabilization splints should be established individually for each patient. The VJS at the first minimum BF is essential for establishing the vertical thickness of occlusal stabilization splints to obtain the maximum treatment effectiveness.

Clinical Significance

It is possible to establish the VJS for vertical thickness of occlusal stabilization splints individually for each patient using a formula generated from BF measurements and lateral cephalometric analyses.

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Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that there is no current or potential conflict of interest in relation to this article.

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Author notes

  1. Jolanta Kostrzewa-Janicka D.D.S., Ph.D.

    Present address: Department of Prosthodontics, Medical University of Warsaw, Nowogrodzka 59, pavilion XI A, 02–006, Warsaw, Poland

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Head of the Department of Prosthodontics, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland

    Elżbieta Mierzwińska-Nastalska D.D.S., Ph.D.

  2. Metal Casting Department, Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland

    Grzegorz Jarzębski M. Sc.

  3. Department of Prosthodontics, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland

    Piotr Okoński D.D.S., Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Jolanta Kostrzewa-Janicka D.D.S., Ph.D.
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  2. Elżbieta Mierzwińska-Nastalska D.D.S., Ph.D.
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  3. Grzegorz Jarzębski M. Sc.
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Correspondence to Jolanta Kostrzewa-Janicka D.D.S., Ph.D..

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Kostrzewa-Janicka, J., Mierzwińska-Nastalska, E., Jarzębski, G. et al. Vertical jaw separation for vertical thickness of occlusal stabilization splint. J. Stomat. Occ. Med. 5, 20–27 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12548-012-0034-y

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