Michigan Splint
Full-coverage maxillary stabilization splint, designed and verified in a virtual articulator.
ASO mounts every case from the centric relation record you supply, then draws the occlusal table and the anterior guidance to the generally accepted design criteria for this appliance. The excursive movements are simulated in the virtual articulator as part of that design step.
- Arch
- Maxillary (mandibular available on request)
- Material
- Rigid printed resin or heat-cured acrylic
- Thickness
- Per prescription
- Guidance
- Canine guidance (default) or group function
Full specifications are listed further down this page.
Stabilization splints of this type are prescribed in the management of bruxism and temporomandibular disorders. Indication, diagnosis, and treatment planning are determined by the prescribing dentist. ASO fabricates to the prescribed occlusal scheme.
What Defines a Michigan Splint
Four features are generally accepted as defining this appliance. They describe the occlusal scheme we build to.
Full-arch maxillary coverage
Hard acrylic or printed rigid resin. Complete coverage prevents unopposed tooth movement. Every tooth in the arch is covered, so no tooth is left free to move against an uncovered antagonist.
Even, simultaneous contacts in centric relation
All supporting cusps of the opposing arch contact a flat occlusal plane at the same time, with uniform intensity. The plane is drawn flat rather than indexed, so the opposing cusps meet a table instead of seating into a mold.
Anterior guidance with immediate posterior disclusion
A canine ramp (or group function, when prescribed) separates all posterior teeth as soon as the mandible leaves centric. Ramp inclination is set case by case so that separation occurs immediately in protrusive and in both lateral excursions.
Freedom in centric
A small flat zone around the centric position allows slight movement without deflective contact. The zone is drawn into the occlusal table itself rather than added as a separate feature after the fact.
Our Design Protocol
Seven steps, the same on every case, from the records you send to the finished appliance.
Intake
Intraoral scan or desktop-scanned models. Direct connections available for iTero, Medit Link, DS Core, DEXIS IS Connect, and Shining 3D.
Mounting
The CR bite registration you provide is used to mount the case in a virtual articulator. Facebow records are honored; average values are used when none is supplied.
Vertical dimension
Set to the minimum clearance required by your prescription.
Flat occlusal plane
Contacts are equalized across the arch and mapped.
Anterior guidance
Ramp inclination is set to produce immediate disclusion of all posterior contacts in protrusive and both lateral excursions.
Dynamic simulation
The occlusal surface is shaped against the opposing arch swept through protrusive and lateral excursions in a virtual articulator, so that guidance is built into the geometry rather than adjusted afterward.
Finish
Smooth, polished occlusal surface with no indexing of opposing cusps.
What We Need From You
- Upper and lower scans (full arch)
- Bite registration in centric relation
- Deprogramming method used, if any (leaf gauge, Lucia jig, anterior deprogrammer)
- Facebow record, or a note to use average values
- Target thickness at the first molar
- Guidance preference: canine guidance or group function
- Any teeth to be kept out of contact
- Existing implants, crowns, or bridges
Manufactured to the prescribing dentist’s specification. ASO International Hawaii does not provide diagnosis or treatment planning.
Not to Be Confused With
| Appliance | Coverage | Occlusal scheme | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan splint | Full-arch maxillary | Flat plane, CR contacts, anterior guidance | Rigid material |
| Soft night guard | Full-arch, either arch | No defined occlusal scheme | Thermoformed EVA |
| Tanner appliance | Full-arch mandibular | Same principles, opposite arch | Prescribed by arch preference |
| Anterior-only device | Partial coverage | Anterior contact only | Posterior teeth unopposed |
Michigan splint
- Coverage
- Full-arch maxillary
- Occlusal scheme
- Flat plane, CR contacts, anterior guidance
- Notes
- Rigid material
Soft night guard
- Coverage
- Full-arch, either arch
- Occlusal scheme
- No defined occlusal scheme
- Notes
- Thermoformed EVA
Tanner appliance
- Coverage
- Full-arch mandibular
- Occlusal scheme
- Same principles, opposite arch
- Notes
- Prescribed by arch preference
Anterior-only device
- Coverage
- Partial coverage
- Occlusal scheme
- Anterior contact only
- Notes
- Posterior teeth unopposed
We fabricate all of the above. The distinction matters because the occlusal scheme, not the material, defines the appliance.
Build Specifications
Manufactured to the prescribing dentist’s specification. ASO International Hawaii does not provide diagnosis or treatment planning.
Send us a case
Submit scans and the prescription through the ASO Hawaii Doctor Portal — case history, status, and the digital contact map stay in one place. Not set up yet? Send it through the online form and we will get you connected.