Occlusal Splints for Painful Craniomandibular Dysfunction

Therapy for painful craniomandibular dysfunction (CMD) is a field of dentistry that is quite different from traditional subjects in dental medicine (eg, periodontics, restorative dentistry, or oral surgery). In these subject areas, innovation essentially means adapting clinical procedures to new technologies, such as the use of digital resources. However, better basic treatment of CMD cases cannot be achieved simply by better technique but by a new way of thinking that emphasizes patients, their suffering, and what they tell their dentists. Therefore, this book offers a clear guide to help practitioners address the issue of CMD in theory and practice and provide their CMD patients with the best possible treatment. The book is split into two parts: first a practical guide to the basic treatment of CMD patients, followed by chapters that build on that basic knowledge by exploring scientific and theoretical principles in more depth. The two parts complement each other to form a rounded and complete picture. A series of detailed charts, diagrams, and sample forms are included to supplement the important history-taking section, and chapters on splint fabrication and rehabilitation include step-by-step photographs. The book concludes with chapters on neurobiology to discuss CMDs and their treatment at an anatomical level for a more thorough understanding.

Hans Jürgen Schindler, Prof Dr Med Dent, is a professor in the Department of Prosthodontics at the University of Würzburg, Germany, and senior researcher at the Institute of Mechanics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany.