How are splints adjusted? - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

taape · 08-17-2008, 11:59 AM

I was wondering how the splints are adjusted each time. I was told that I would get my new splints tomorrow and then go back in 2 weeks to get these adjusted. Does it involve drilling the teeth or working on the splint?

pipdog · 08-17-2008, 12:39 PM

When you get your splint fitted he/she will have you bite down on carbon paper, the tips of your teeth will leave black dots on the appliance and where you hit harder will be filed down until all these dots all equal in intensity. This represents a harmonious bite.

But as splints are made just from acrylic they wear down very quickly and require frequent building up and readjustment to maintain this ideal bite. Another issue to factor in is that during the therapy your bite/ mandible position will shift so the splint needs to be constantly monitored as this movement/shift is taking place.

With my appliance I get good relief after an adjustment but after a few weeks of wear the pain starts creeping back. One weird thing I notice and its now become kind of diagnostic for me is my smile: When I am in pain its crooked, the bad side doesn't curve up. When the splint is freshly adjusted, smile is normal and symmetrical. I reckon its the facial muscles on the sore side cramping up. It was worse before I started wearing the splint but its still off.

taape · 08-17-2008, 08:16 PM

Pipdog,
Thank you for the information. I wanted to be alittle bit informed before go to my app't in the morning.

temera2 · 08-18-2008, 01:07 AM

i just wanted to comment i know exactly how you feel, i have to get mine adjusted monthly, and i have a device in which i adjust it by myself weekly.. but every week i have to use this device which turns the splint, in turn opening the splint wider..but when i get adjustments i think im ok and then 3 weeks into it , im suffering

When should our pain vanish...? Is that a real fact or am i living in wishful thinking..?

Does anyone know?

xo

taape · 08-18-2008, 06:17 PM

I got my new hard plastic splint today and that even had to be adjust. The orthodontist put that Methy Methysylate? stuff and mixed it up with a powder and put it on the outside.

The smell of that polymer stuff makes me ill, last time it burned my lips, and I was wheezing while wearing it. I thought I was going to die. It seems like it's toxic. I told the doctor that I would be letting the splint sit out in the air for a few days before trying to wear it. Does the stuff they are using to adjust my splint seem like the same type stuff your splint is adjusted with? The smelly stuff?