A new occlusal splint design for protection of anterior aesthetic rehabilitation in patients with sleep bruxism: technical note

This dental technique note describes the manufacture of a new design of occlusal splint for protection of shear forces in anterior aesthetic restorations in patients with sleep bruxism, using the computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technique. Maxillary and mandibular arches were scanned and a Jig with polyvinyl siloxane material was made to maxillomandibular relationship record. For interocclusal device planning, the anterior limits must not cover the buccal surfaces of the anterior teeth, extending only on the incisal of these dental elements. The device is then virtually designed, and the CAD file of splint is sent to CAM milling process. The occlusal splint was tested for stability, insertion and removal, the distribution of occlusal contacts and care instructions were given to the patient. This device design avoids contact between splint and anterior aesthetic restorations during occlusal forces decreasing potential of failure, which increases the success rate of these previous aesthetic rehabilitations.