Aesthetic restorative dentistry and splint therapy – case 4
- Splint therapy
- Digital smile design
- Ceramic and zirconia restorations
Case overview
Treatment of heavily worn teeth and temporomandibular joint complaints — from splint therapy to definitive ceramic and zirconia restorations.
- Starting point: A 56-year-old male patient presented for treatment of heavily worn teeth and intermittent temporomandibular joint complaints.
- Treatment plan: After determining the ideal jaw relationship, we planned splint therapy. Once joint symptoms resolved after wearing the splint for an appropriate period, onlays, table tops and crowns could be made to the established vertical dimension of occlusion.
- Course of treatment: Tooth wear had placed the temporomandibular joint under long-term strain. We determined the ideal distance between the lower and upper arches, then fabricated a custom hard acrylic night splint. With strict follow-up, the joint complaints resolved. We then built the teeth up to the determined height with aesthetic restorations; the patient wore this for 3 months. After digital tooth form determination and smile design, and with the patient’s approval, we prepared the teeth. Following a digital impression, the temporary restoration was already made in the final form. Finally the pressed ceramic and zirconia ceramic restorations were definitively cemented.
- Treatment outcome: During regular check-ups the patient’s joint complaints have not returned; he uses his restorations with satisfaction.