A Full Digital Workflow to Design and Mill a Splint for a Patient with Temporomandibular Joint Disorder

Abstract

In the rehabilitation of a patient with loss of vertical dimension, repositioning of the condyle may be crucial to avoid loading on the retrodiscal area of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). However, establishing a new position of the condyle within the glenoid cavity is not a simple procedure, and several indications exist in the literature. Digital techniques and 3D visualization using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) can help. In this clinical case, the procedure for the repositioning of the condyle is described on the basis of the restoration of the normal widths of the intra-articular spaces using a recently introduced software (Avantis3D). After the end of the rehabilitation with the splint, a second examination confirmed the accuracy of the repositioning with this full digital procedure which represents, in selected cases, a useful choice.

Keywords

• splint
• temporomandibular joint disorders
• temporomandibular joint
• gnathology
• occlusal vertical dimension
• anterior repositioning splint