Mechanical evaluation of splint therapy in treatment of the edentulous patient.

Many edentulous patients have temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction that affects the use of their complete dentures. During the diagnostic and treatment-planning phase an ordered series of procedures must be performed. An arbitrary axis mounting, needlepoint and pantographic tracings on stabilized record bases will aid the dentist in determining the functional state of the TMJ and associated muscles. If no pathosis is found, a conventional denture technique can be used. If TMJ dysfunction is noted on the basis of an analysis of the tracings, an interim mandibular denture can be modified to correct the TMJ and musculature before new complete dentures are made. The occlusal scheme chosen for each patient can be based on a careful analysis of the tracings over a period of months.