Applying Computational Geometry To Designing An Occlusal Splint

The occlusal splint is one of the methods of treatment of discrepancies between the centric relation and maximal intercuspation (CR/MI), and other temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. It is also a method of reducing the effects of bruxism. Designing an occlusal splint for a given relation between the maxilla and the mandible involves: creating partial surfaces, integrating them, and producing the splint on a 3D printer. The paper presents and compares some techniques used to design splint surfaces under a required therapeutic maxilla-mandible relation. Our main effort consisted in understanding the orthodontist's way of forming the splint and choosing - or creating - computational geometry tools to support his work.