Thermoforming Discs

The following technique demonstrates how to create bite splints for your patients using ERKODENT thermoforming discs. This beneficial service allows you to provide bruxing splints to your patients, which some consider to be one of the most rewarding treatments in dentistry today. Not only will you help relieve the pain experienced by bruxing patients, you'll also help them reduce further tooth destruction.

Place two cotton rolls behind the cuspids and instruct the patient to close until resistance is felt.

Another technique for the open bite uses softened base plate wax to achieve a desired opening of 3 mm in the posterior area.

With the patient closed in this open centric relation, inject bite registration into the posterior opening of both quadrants.

Inject bite registration material into the anterior opening to capture a complete open construction bite at centric relation.

Using a properly fitting impression tray, take upper and lower alginate impressions using correct water-to-powder ratios.

Upper and lower stone models with open construction bite. Note the opening between anterior teeth.

The upper or lower model is placed in the Erkoform-3d to thermoform the splint and create the flat bite table.

After thermoforming, the splint is trimmed and polished with carbide burs, felt wheels and acrylic polish.

Seat the splint and evaluate fit, retention and occlusion. Adjust with a carbide bur or Lisko-S disc, and then polish if necessary.

After completely seating splint, check bite using marking tape to identify premature occlusion.

Instruct patients to care for their splints by rinsing with water after every use and storing dry.