Reflections on the Michigan splint and other intraocclusal devices.

It seems obvious in retrospect that the treatment of disorders by interocclusal devices followed two paths: stabilization splints and functional orthopedic appliances. The dividing line between them is not always clear. Both have some function related to the position of the mandible.

Reflections on the Michigan occlusal splint.

Specific features related to the development, design and use of the Michigan splint have been described. Additional benefits from the Michigan splint beyond what can be expected from conventional stabilization splints and bite planes have been suggested. Important aspects of corrections and maintenance care of the Michigan splint have been stressed.

The influence of molar furcation involvement and mobility on future clinical periodontal attachment loss.

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of furcation involvement (FI) and mobility (MO) on change in probing periodontal attachment level (AL) on molar teeth. Twenty-four patients were selected from The University of Michigan longitudinal periodontal clinical trial. The patients who met the entry criteria received a baseline examination and were treated by periodontal scaling and root planing followed by different periodontal surgical approaches in a split-mouth design.

Maintenance care and supportive periodontal therapy.

This paper presents a review of the literature and clinical observations concerning the long-term professional care of all dental patients. Gingivitis, ubiquitous in the adult population, is often without significant consequences to the dentition; however, gingivitis may develop into periodontitis. Patients with gingivitis, therefore, should be monitored professionally, especially those patients with other risk factors (attachment loss, age, smoking, and abnormal tooth mobility).

A randomized trial of occlusal adjustment in the treatment of periodontitis patients.

The purpose of the randomized clinical trial was to test; (1) the influence of occlusal adjustment (OA) in association with periodontal therapy on attachment levels, pocket depth, and tooth mobility, (2) whether OA was of greater significance in non-surgically treated periodontal defects, and (3) whether initial tooth mobility or disease severity had an affect on post-treatment attachment levels following OA. After hygienic-phase therapy, 50 patients received OA/No OA according to random assignment; 22 patients received an OA and 28 were not adjusted. 2 months after OA, either modified Widman flap surgery or scaling and root planing by a periodontist were done according to random assignment within each patient in a split-mouth design.