The height, width,
occlusal morphology, relation with
occlusal plane of the teeth and their position in the arch are the factors which determine the guidance of the mandible in different directions.1 Various arrangements of
occlusal schemes found mostly are the canine guided/mutually protective, group function and balanced occlusion.
[4] All teeth are arranged at an angle to the
occlusal plane and each has an optimum inclination mesiodistally to best perform its individual and collective functions.
Scientific literature has examined the effects of oral devices, such as mouthguards and
occlusal splints, on performance variables and exercise capacity (7-15).
The oral health conditions of Brazilian preschoolers are worrisome, since although there have been slight improvements in the last two epidemiological surveys carried out in the Brazilian population (1,2), such as around 6% increase in caries-free 5-year-olds, this population segment is still affected by a history of untreated disease, responsible for more than 80% in the index composition, and has different dental treatment needs besides the presence of
occlusal problems (2).
Successful orthodontic treatment is not only to establish a balanced, stable and beautiful
occlusal relationship, but also to achieve coordinated soft tissue profile and appearance.
This is aimed at achieving achieve an overall reduction in the height of the
occlusal surface of at least 2 mm in the axial direction and to get a cervical margin or "cervical sidewalk" in the form of a butt joint.
Clinical examination and 3-dimensional CT scans showed unilateral hypoplasia of the mandibular condyle, ramus, and body; retrognathic mandible deviated toward the ipsilateral side; large
occlusal plane angle with a hyper-divergent facial morphology; hypoplasia of the ipsilateral maxilla and temporal bone; Class II skeletal and Class II
occlusal relation; canting of the
occlusal plane; ear anomalies and ipsilateral soft tissue deficiency affecting skin, subcutaneous, muscular, and glandular tissues; decreased ipsilateral facial height.
In complicated
occlusal situation, dentists often rely on the patients' subjective feelings.
One of the most widely used treatments of TMD are
occlusal splints (6).