3D Printed Splints an Innovative Method to Treat Temporomandibular Joint Pathology

Abstract

3D printing is a new technology with a particular resonance in dentistry which will become an important tool for all dental fields. In patients with TMJ pathology splints are used very often used to release the pain and to put the mandible in a centric relation. Conventional splints are made from acrylic designed by the dental technician with salt and pepper method or composite resins also designed by a dental technician on plaster model casts while 3D printed splints are computer designed so they can be preview resulting thus a much more accuracy in form and contact points.