Appliances – Artisan Master Creations

NIGHT GUARD (OKESON’S STABILIZATION APPLIANCE)

Description:

Our standard night guard can be fabricated for the maxillary or mandibular arch although we have found for most patients a well done mandibular guard is the most comfortable. All teeth opposing the appliance contact simultaneously with canine disocclusion of the posterior teeth during eccentric movement.

What we need:

Re-pourable maxillary and mandibular impressions
If the appliance is to be fabricated in centric relation, a centric relation bite record is necessary. Models must be hand articulatable if one is not provided.

ANATOMIC BITE SPLINT (PANKEY INSTITUTE)

Description:

Also known as the Tanner appliance, this bite splint is fabricated for the mandibular arch. Maxillary teeth contact simultaneously upon closing. Lateral movements are initiated with canine guidance and then “cross-over” to the central incisor. Protrusion is smooth and balanced with the anterior teeth. Departure angles are kept to a minimum. We strive for a uniform 2mm thickness.

What we need:

Re-pourable maxillary and mandibular impressions
An open centric relation bite record

ANTERIOR DEPROGRAMMER

Description:

This category of appliance has as many names as there are ways to design and fabricate them. Anterior deprogrammer, anterior bite plate, Nociceptive Trigeminal Inhibition Tension Suppression System (NTI appliance) all fall into this category. The general principle is an acrylic appliance worn over the maxillary teeth that only has contact with the mandibular anterior teeth. When making an NTI appliance, contact is further reduced to include only mandibular central incisors. Posterior teeth are not in contact and thus are eliminated from influencing the masticatory system.

Our standard anterior deprogrammer is usually fabricated with maxillary coverage from canine to canine. We deviate from this when retention is inadequate. Contact can be on all anterior teeth or just the central incisors. Please specify occlusal scheme and desired maxillary coverage if canine to canine coverage is undesirable.

What we need:

Re-pourable maxillary and mandibular impressions
If appliance is to be fabricated in centric relation, a centric relation bite record is necessary. Models must be hand articulatable if one is not provided.

ANTERIOR POSITIONING APPLIANCE (OKESON)

Description:

This maxillary appliance is primarily used to treat disc displacement and disc dislocations with reduction. It works by guiding the mandible to a more anterior position, i.e. anterior to the intercuspal position, to improve the condyle-disc relationship. This improved condyle-disc relationship promotes retrodiscal tissue adaption and healing.

What we need:

Re-pourable maxillary and mandibular impressions
Bite registration taken at the intercuspal position (not necessary if models are hand articulatable)
Bite registration taken at desired protrusive position