Occlusal adjustment by selective grinding and use of an anterior deprogrammer

A method of occlusal adjustment that incorporates an anterior deprogrammer was used in 15 patients with temporomandibular joint dysfunction and a discrepancy between centric relation and the maximal intercuspation position. Temporomandibular joint dysfunction was first treated by means of a bite plate, and then the new position of the mandible was perpetuated by equilibration according to the proposed technique. The technique was found to facilitate selective grinding and provided the patients with easy lateral movement of the mandible; gradual control of occlusal contact, allowing grinding to be performed progressively on the balancing and working sides and in centric position; and control of the vertical dimension on both sides, obtained through a deprogrammed neuromuscular system.