WHAT IS THE ANTI-BRUXISM DEVICE?
The MFS anti-bruxism device combines the use of the muscle relaxant with the bite plate. These two devices are fixed together by the bite plate’s mounting brackets which allow the device to be fixed to the anterior rectangular groove located at the muscle relaxant’s anterior middle tape.
The following clinical results are obtained with the use of the MFS anti-bruxism device:
a) Muscle relaxant-related results:
- Relaxes the masticatory muscles through the action of its lateral discs, which are vertically elevated to keep the mouth half open and the masseter muscle stretched and with less tone.
- It relaxes the buccinator muscle by pushing the cheeks outwards.
- It relaxes the orbicular muscles of the mouth by pushing the lips forward.
b) Bite plate-related results:
- Reduces depth of anterior overbite
- Generates extrusion of posterior teeth from occlusion
- Creates posterior rotation of the jaw
INDICATIONS
The MFS anti-bruxism device is indicated in:
- Patients with bruxism
- Patients who have strong masticatory muscle activity patterns (brachycephalic)
- Patients with deep dental overbite. The device may be used in combination with fixed orthodontic appliances, and is mucho more comfortable to use than standard orthodontic appliances.
WHEN AND HOW TO USE THE ANTI-BRUXISM DEVICE?
Guidelines to ensure that the MFS anti-bruxism device is correctly used:
1. Select the muscle relaxant size to be used in combination with the MFS anti-bruxism device taking the measurement from the mold of the patient’s dental configuration.
2. Assemble the MFS anti-bruxism device, fitting the bite plate to the muscle relaxant’s anterior groove.
3. Insert the medical device into the patient’s mouth, placing the muscle relaxant at the buccal vestibule, outside the dental arches. The bite plate must be inserted between the lower and upper incisors.
4. A night-time regimen is indicated, although the patient may start wearing the device at home and during daytime, to get used to the device.
SIZES
The MFS anti-bruxism device comes in six sizes, num-bered from one to six. The smaller sizes are used in the pediatric population, while the larger sizes have been designed for use in adult patients.
There are no size specifications for this device, however, it must be underscored that the bite plate works passively, while the muscle relaxant works actively on cheek and lip muscles, pushing the muscles outwards (cheek) and forward (lips).
OBSERVATIONS
It is convenient to separate both elements (muscle relax-ant and bite plate) whenever the anti-bruxism device is not being used in order to maintain the relaxant’s planar shape and ensure maximum effectiveness when it is inserted into the mouth again.
This device may be used in combination with fixed orth-odontic appliances.