A Clinician’s Guide to Occlusal Splint Therapy

by DeWitt C. Wilkerson, DMD

Occlusal splint therapy has been used for many years for the diagnosis and treatment of various disorders of the masticatory system. Many designs are described in both the literature and educational lectures. The purpose of this article is to clarify the reader’s understanding of the basic splint designs and identify which factors are important in deciding how to use these effectively in daily practice. An overview of the examination and differential diagnosis is described to lead to a decision regarding the appropriate role of splint therapy for each problem. After reading this article, clinicians should be better equipped to successfully implement splint therapy into their armamentarium of treatment options in managing masticatory system disorders.

Download Article: Guide to Occlusal Splint Therapy

LEARNING OBJECTIVES After reading this article, the reader should be able to: have an awareness of the basic types and designs of occlusal splints. appreciate the appropriate use of the splint described. understand the common problems that can be treated with occlusal splint therapy. describe how to systematically evaluate and diagnose masticatory system problems.