" ANTHONY HAS TAKEN A COMPLEX SUBJECT AND MADE IT LOOK SIMPLE " RICH BRENNER D.D.S.
TIP OF THE MONTH
THIS MONTH'S TIP IS ON DISCLUSION The two main determinants of posterior disclusion are condylar inclination (which is recorded by providing me with a protrusive record) and anterior guidance. We know we can change the amount of posterior disclusion by increasing the steepness of the anterior guidance. We also know the larger the condylar inclination the easier it is to clear posterior teeth. If the true condylar angle is small then steeper guidance may be needed. With flat plane splints we normally like to keep the disclusion as minimal as possible so muscles will not have to work as hard. The steeper the hill the more energy needed to climb it. Where we run into trouble is when we fail to recognize patients who are heavy grinders. Why is this important? Heavy grinders can groove the appliance and decrease the amount of disclusion! These are high maintenance patients. We can change the setting to 20 degrees to create a little insurance with our disclusion. We can provide a metal inlayed appliance. The big thing we want to remember about disclusion is you really want to provide the lab with a protrusive record. We can use the arbitrary 20 degree setting but it will impact the design of the splint or nightguard. Steeper guidance may need to be built into the appliance when if the true reading was 30 degrees we wouldn't need to- why create an anterior ramp when you don't need it. thanks for reading, Anthony Calonico.
