[A clinical protocol for stabilization splint construction]. / Een protocol voor de vervaardiging van een stabilisatie-opbeetplaat.

Occlusal appliances are used as a reversible treatment modality of temporomandibular disorders. This article describes a protocol to produce a stabilization splint with a minimum of chair time, and an improved compliance, aiming at an overall improvement of the therapeutic potential. Maintaining the existing occlusion in stead of using centric relation is part of the procedure. The main phases of the protocol are the initial clinical phase of impressions and recording treatment position of the mandible, the technical phase, the control phase, and the insertion of the appliance.

[Jaw position in stabilization splint treatment of musculoskeletal disorders]. / Kaakrelatie bij de behandeling van musculoskelettale stoornissen met een stabilisatie-opbeetplaat.

Stabilization splints are often used to treat musculoskeletal disorders of temporomandibular joints. Historically, the centric relation is advocated as the reference position for a stabilization splint. Centric relation as the reference position is subject of discussion, since this position has been defined for a healthy stomatognathic system. In case of temporomandibular disorders, the temporomandibular joints and muscles are compromised. Apart from degenerative changes in all components of the temporomandibular joints, the presence of pain may influence the establishment of a therapeutic position. In this article the biological plausibility of the centric relation as a reference position in patients suffering from temporomandibular disorders, is discussed. It is advocated to maintain the existing occlusion.