Interocclusal splint designed to reduce tenderness in lateral pterygoid and other muscles of mastication.

When a patient has discomfort in the muscles of mastication, a palpation test of the lateral pterygoid muscles is positive, and a stress test is positive, the dental occlusion may be a partial cause. The resin splint described here is designed to permit interocclusal contact exclusively at the center of the arches. This device has been shown to reduce tenderness in the lateral pterygoid and other muscles of mastication quickly, usually in 5 to 10 minutes. The splint and its advantages and disadvantages are described.