The Availability and Fabrication of Acrylic Splints

Kang, Nak Heon; Oh, Hyun Bae; Oh, Sang Ha

Abstract

PURPOSE: The primary objective in applying surgical splints is the restoration of normal occlusal relations through proper positioning of the teeth and bony structures. The splints were fabricated by specially educated physicians and personnel with dental training or a dental laboratory. The aim of this article is to introduce the easy availability and fabrication method of acrylic splints.
METHODS
Acrylic is the most easily, rapidly, and cheaply obtained material among various splints. Acrylic splints are especially rigid, strong, easily adjustable and repairable, translucent, light-weighted, and well tolerated by the oral mucosa. Thus, the use of acrylic occlusal splints have been popularly applied.
RESULTS
Surgical prosthetic splints have been used in the following; treatment of complex facial bone fractures, correction of maxillomandibular disharmonies, segmental maxillary osteotomies, reconstruction of the mandible, treatment of mandibular fractures in children, night guards in sleep bruxism, and repairment of TMJ dysfunctions.
CONCLUSION
The use of acrylic splints have been popularly applied because of its good aspects and various purposes. However, its use is restricted because the process is time consuming, costly, and absolutely dependent on a dental technician in plastic surgery. This article presents the easy construction of splints made directly by the operator so that it may help analyze the patient's occlusion on dental casts and aid in building an operation plan.