INFLUENCE OF STABILIZATION OCCLUSAL SPLINT ON CRANIOCERVICAL RELATIONSHIPS .1. CEPHALOMETRIC ANALYSIS

This study was conducted in order to determine the effect of an occlus al splint on craniocervical relationships, in subjects with muscle spa sms in the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles. A full-arch maxi llary stabilization occlusal splint was made for each of the 15 subjec ts. Two lateral craniocervical radiographs were taken for each subject , with and without an occlusal splint. Cephalometric analysis showed t hat the splint caused a significant extension of the head on the cervi cal spine. There was also a significant decrease in the cervical spine lordosis in the first, second and third cervical segment. These cervi cal changes could be a compensation mechanism caused by the extension of the cranium on the upper cervical spine. The change in the curvatur e implies that it is necessary to periodically evaluate the changes oc curring in the craniocervical relationships after the occlusal splint has been inserted.