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Splint Mechanism for Bruxism — NDEB AFK MCQ

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ModerateDental Anatomy & OcclusionSplint Mechanism for BruxismNDEB AFK

The use of an occlusal splint (stabilisation splint) for bruxism management works primarily by which mechanism?

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Correct answer: AProviding a protective barrier for the teeth, redistributing occlusal forces, reducing muscle hyperactivity, and creating diagnostic separation between the arches

The stabilisation splint provides multiple therapeutic effects: (1) creates a flat, even occlusal platform that eliminates deflective contacts and distributes forces across the arch; (2) reduces masticatory muscle hyperactivity (possibly through altered periodontal proprioceptive feedback); (3) protects teeth and restorations from abrasive damage; (4) provides diagnostic separation between the dental arches, allowing the clinician to identify the patient's true centric relation position. It is reversible and does NOT permanently alter the occlusion.

Reference: Okeson – Management of Temporomandibular Disorders, 8th ed., 2019