What is the difference between a Michigan splint and a mouth guard?

Michigan Splint vs. Mouth Guard: Key Differences

A Michigan splint is a therapeutic dental appliance designed to treat temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and related jaw dysfunction, while a mouth guard is a protective device primarily intended to prevent dental trauma during sports activities. 1, 2

Michigan Splint: Therapeutic Device

Purpose and Function

• The Michigan splint is specifically designed to stabilize, reposition, and equilibrate the jaw for patients with functional disturbances of the masticatory system. 3
• It serves as both a diagnostic and therapeutic tool for TMD, helping to relax masticatory musculature and facilitate proper mandibular positioning. 4, 3
• The device is used to manage orofacial symptoms, TMJ dysfunction, and pain related to temporomandibular disorders. 1

Design Characteristics

• The Michigan splint is a maxillary, full-coverage, heat-cured acrylic-resin appliance that is custom-fabricated from an impression of the patient's maxillary arch. 5
• It is constructed on an articulator with precise attention to occlusal relationships and requires careful adjustment and checking appointments. 3
• The appliance is typically worn at night and provides hard, full-coverage stabilization that takes occlusion into account. 1

Clinical Application

• Occlusal splints may be beneficial in patients with orofacial symptoms and/or TMJ dysfunction, with longitudinal studies documenting significant improvement in JIA-related orofacial dysfunction. 1
• The treatment is considered reversible, safe, and relatively low cost in most healthcare settings. 1
• Approximately 82% of patients who received occlusal splints found them helpful for their symptoms. 5

Mouth Guard: Protective Device

Purpose and Function

• Mouth guards are designed to prevent or reduce trauma to the teeth, gingival tissue, lips, and jaws during sports participation. 2
• The device works by separating the maxillary and mandibular dentition, protecting teeth from surrounding soft tissue, and absorbing or redistributing shock during impact. 2
• The use of mouth guards for reducing the risk of dental trauma is well established, with impact studies showing that wearing any type of mouth guard reduces the risk of tooth injury compared with not wearing one. 1

Design Characteristics

• Mouth guards fall into three categories: stock mouthguards (ready-made), mouth-formed "boil and bite" types (heated and molded), and custom-made varieties. 2
• They can be made from various materials including polyvinyl acetate-polyethylene, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, polyvinylchloride, latex rubber, or polyurethane. 1
• Custom-made mouth guards, particularly pressure-laminated varieties, afford the most protection against dental injuries. 6

Clinical Application

• The American Dental Association recommends mouth guards for 29 sports/exercise activities, with mandatory use in NCAA sports including ice hockey, lacrosse, field hockey, and football. 1
• Mouth guards are typically worn during sports activities rather than continuously or at night. 1
• The role of mouth guards in preventing concussions remains controversial, with no conclusive evidence demonstrating reduction in concussion risk, though they are definitively recommended for dental trauma prevention. 1

Critical Distinctions

Fabrication and Fit

• Michigan splints require professional dental fabrication with precise occlusal adjustments and regular maintenance care, whereas mouth guards can be purchased over-the-counter or custom-made. 4, 3
• The Michigan splint demands careful construction on an articulator with specific attention to functional analysis. 3

Duration and Context of Use

• Michigan splints are worn primarily at night as part of ongoing TMD management. 1
• Mouth guards are worn during specific sports activities for acute trauma prevention. 1

Treatment Philosophy

• The Michigan splint addresses underlying dysfunction and pathology in the masticatory system, serving as part of a comprehensive treatment approach for chronic conditions. 1, 3
• Mouth guards provide passive protection against external forces without treating underlying conditions. 2

Common Pitfall

A critical error is assuming these devices are interchangeable—using a sports mouth guard to treat TMD will not provide the therapeutic benefits of a properly fabricated Michigan splint, as mouth guards lack the precise occlusal relationships and stabilization features necessary for TMD management. 1, 4 Conversely, wearing a Michigan splint during contact sports may not provide adequate protection against high-impact trauma that sports-specific mouth guards are designed to absorb. 1, 2