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Short Answer

The miniComfort^® restores canine disclusion and disrupts the habit of parafuctional activity through a process of biofeedback.

Long Answer

The miniComfort^® is based upon the longstanding principles of canine protection and disclusion. The maxillary canines are strategically employed because of their unique root and hence having been distinguished years ago as the “cornerstone” of the human dental apparatus. Undoubtedly the canine’s root has unique cross-sectional dimensions, suitable for forces that both a molar or anterior tooth would encounter. With that strength and position the canine has protected dentitions for many years. However, when it loses its discluding ability from wear, it can no longer prevent other tooth wear.

The miniComfort^® is 100% soft inside and out, biocompatible and extremely patient friendly. It restores canine disclusion and disrupts the habit of parafuctional activity. It has no posterior contact to incite muscles of closure hyperactivity. The miniComfort^® provides no hard acrylic for opposing teeth to habitually grind or brace upon. There is purposely no interface for opposing teeth to interact with. The miniComfort^® allows activity much like chewing food or gum. Hence there is no pattern for muscles to be familiar with. Ideally, as the mandible closes in the maximum intercuspation position (MIP) or centric occlusion (CO) or centric relation (CR) the muscles respond with less memorized, habitual contact, avoiding muscle over activity and stress. Ideally the discluding elements will contact the mandibular teeth approximately at the same instance, it is not imperative they do so. For daytime wear the miniComfort^® provides protection and a means of enhancing awareness of any day time clenching. Patients may utilize this awareness as a form of biofeedback to attenuate or eliminate the extremely harmful and unnatural habit of day time bracing.

Short Answer

It is patient-friendly, comfortable and unique in utility, especially in that it has a disruptive effect upon the bruxing, clenching, and bracing habits.

Long Answer

The miniComfort^® is extremely patient friendly and of course comfortable. It is unique in utility, especially in that it has a disruptive effect upon the bruxing, clenching, and bracing habits that so many patients are experiencing. Most guards allow the involved muscles to find a “groove” for their activity and the hard occlusal interface of the traditional guards merely act as skating pond for over activity. The miniComfort^® has no “sweet spot or end point” for the muscles and hence can discourage the dysfunctional familiarity of involved muscles.

Although these traditional guards do help protect the teeth, the inability or unwillingness of the patient to comply also has always been a concern for most dentists.

Even the most perfectly designed occlusal scheme, teamed up with practically unbreakable restorative materials, can still prove to be problematic because of the wide spread prevalence of patients with waking hours parafunctional habits. Even with “unbreakable” restorative materials, bruxism will eventually cause damage to the patient. If the crown cannot break then the root might. If the crown or the hybrid implant full arch cannot break then maybe the implant screw or entire fixture might fail. Then there’s always the TMJ. Something has to give eventually. Protect the dentistry you work so hard to provide.

Help patients realize as they see the wear on the miniComfort^® and not their teeth. After demonstrating the cuspid wear with the “Puzzle Picture”, be certain to show the patient the guard and its comfortable and miniature attributes. No need to push because they will rediscover at home. Young females are especially tuned in to even the slightest cuspid wear. Of course, as dentists we know that after enough cuspid wear comes cross over wear and then the anteriors start chipping and wearing and damaging a beautiful, orthodontically finished smile. Although the “Puzzle Picture” can demonstrate wear of the anteriors due to cross over, often times those patients with extensive anterior wear assume it is simply wear and tear from eating chips etc. Even those cases are more easily convinced as the patient realizes the wear began in the lateral excursion as the demonstration depicts a much larger puzzle. Be consistent with your message. Stuff the patient’s take home bag at every recare visit with the miniComfort^® pamphlet. A non-patient may realize the puzzle and seek your help.

Short Answer

Typically one-to-three years. Heavy chewers may require a new one in a shorter period of time.

Long Answer

Many patients may use one appliance from one to three years without need for replacement. There will be some patients who will exercise or unknowingly chew on the appliance when awake to an extent that they literally destroy the guard in one-to-two months. It is suggested there be a very brief two-week follow up appointment for heavy premature wear through.

The solution in these cases is an early warning to the patient to the effect that some patients may have such a severe waking habit that they may wear through the appliance prematurely. This warning is best given prior to sale and delivery of the first appliance. If the warning comes after the fact it may appear as a provider’s excuse and less like a result of the patient’s dysfunction. Early identification of an uncontrollable habit will help the patient be more responsible for the excess wear of the guard. These patients should be advised to wear the guard only when sleeping and to never chew or grind on the guard when awake although they may be in bed.

Patients with such tendencies should be referred to a physical therapist for helpful exercises and relaxation and awareness training. On average, most patients will probably need a new appliance about every three years. If the patient cannot produce the appliance at a recare visit then they may not qualify for your particular replenishment and loyalty program. In these cases the provider may want to charge the patient a nominal fee for replacement especially since usually no new impressions are required.

Short Answer

miniComfort^® can help with the analysis.

Long Answer

Estimates are as high as 75% of all people do some bruxing during sleeping hours. Most patients will deny they brux because it is extremely rare that one awakens during the bruxing events. Many patients incorrectly excuse themselves as they report “I am a mouth breather”. Unfortunately mouth breathers do brux and possibly more than others.

Even more insidious is the lack of awareness or misunderstanding that teeth are not meant to be touching during the waking hours. The healthy mantra should be “lips together teeth apart”. In any event the night time bruxism parafunction appears to foster more and more day time clenching and bracing. The miniComfort^® at the very least will disrupt the night time habit. It may be instrumental in attenuating a patient’s propensity for day time clenching and bracing. Although unknown presently, it may be that the high quantity of day time clenching is affecting the night time parafunction. Definitive relationships will be established as studies continue.

Short Answer

Daytime, nighttime, anytime. This appliance must be left out of the mouth for at least 8-10 hours each day.

Long Answer

Day time wear can be encouraged and should be used as an aid for relaxation and not as a chewing or punching bag. Patients should avoid bracing daily whether it is with or without the miniComfort^® in place. Some patients may like another miniComfort^® to use when working out and or exercising. Bracing during these times is understandable yet the miniComfort^® may show premature wear. Changing the outer overlay and increasing the thickness of the DE is recommended protection during exercise. Patients should never wear the miniComfort^® 24 hours a day. This appliance must be left out of the mouth for at least 8-10 hours each day.

Short Answer

The ideal interocclusal dimension of a discluding element is such that the posterior occlusion is ever so slightly open when in MIP or CO.

Long Answer

The ideal interocclusal dimension (thickness) of a discluding element (DE) is such that the posterior occlusion is ever so slightly open when in MIP or CO. Too much disclusion may give rise to MPD (myofascial pain disorder) especially if the patient intentionally chews and abuses the DE's as punching bags for clenching. A taller than needed DE dimension is usually not a problem for most patients, however those patients that consciously chew and engage the appliance while not in sleep may tend to create some muscle discomfort. In cases of an exaggerated “curve of spee” the miniComfort might have taller discluding elements to eliminate posterior contact.

Be aware that some patients will consciously engage, flatten, and macerate the discluding elements to engage their back teeth into contact. These patients may require awareness and biofeedback therapies to learn to relax their jaw muscles. Another important note is to alert the patient of these potential tendencies at initial delivery so that, in the event they prematurely wear through the miniComfort^® additional remake charges will be more acceptable. A parallel might be drawn as to hair care or manicures etc. The requirement for such services certainly varies per individual and lifestyle. Some require these services more frequently than others.

Short Answer

Teach your staff and challenge your patients.

Long Answer

First and foremost, use show and tell. Be certain that ALL staff members understand the substance of these Frequently Asked Questions. Encourage all staff members to be familiar with the “Puzzle Picture”. Tremendous reinforcement for creating patient awareness of parafunctional habits including unabated daily clenching is to have it on the patient’s medical history update at every recare visit. (Ex: “Have you ever caught yourself clenching or bracing your teeth during the day?) Chances are 50% of the time the patient will respond “I might”. A great exercise is to then ask the patient to attempt to catch themselves in the upcoming week. If they catch themselves just once or twice they are definitely clenching too often. That’s better than (Ex:“Have you ever awakened clenching your teeth?” ) because that answer is 99% of the time answered with a resounding NO. However, patients are becoming aware of day time habits somewhat. As incredible as it may seem, many patients think that their teeth should be touching all day long.

Short Answer

The most obvious is wear on the discluding elements of the miniComfort^® .

Long Answer

The most reliable ways to monitor patient compliance with the miniComfort^® are:

1. Notation of the obvious wear of the discluding elements (wear ranging from NO WEAR – with no wear with shiny discluding elements to SLIGHT WEAR – with slightly scuffed elements and finally to EXTREME WEAR – macerated and torn elements.)
2. Encouragement in participation of a replacement / loyalty program will enhance patient’s compliance and promote the provider as the source of replacement guards. Participation in such programs can complement the patient’s perception of prevention as they also maintain their dental cleaning appointments.
3. Demanding or suggesting that they bring the appliance to all recare visits allows the provider to document worn elements and educate and re-educate each patient personally. This information may prove valuable if patients fracture teeth and or continue to wear anterior teeth or develop more serious problems such as TMJD. The loyalty program agreed upon between the patient and providing dentist is specific for each dental practice. Notably, patient wear-compliance increases as the patients themselves see the obvious wear.

Short Answer

Provide the patient the miniComfort^®  “Wear and Care” sheet. It lists all patient pertinent information.

Long Answer

Alert all patients to the damage caused by hot water. Be certain to give all patients the included “Wear and Care” sheet so they will avoid undue damage to their appliance.

Pets are also apt to eat or help lose the appliance.

Warn all patients to stop wearing the appliance if it has become distorted in such a way as to easily be dislodged without the use of their hands. Initially, the VPS impression supplied must be accurate and include labial and lingual reflections. The appliance gains much retention from the hydro seal effect including the soft tissue reflections. When impressing for this appliance always include the tori if possible so that the extension of the flange ends below the tongue so that the tongue is less likely to dislodge the appliance.

When initially delivering the miniComfort for a patient be certain to observe how easily the appliance can be dislodged with only using their tongue. Some patients may be able to eventually remove the appliance in this manner however it should require some conscious effort. If the guard is easily dislodged with little tongue effort then do not deliver the appliance. Re-impress, capturing more undercuts for better fit. Also the “Wear and Care” information given to the patient at delivery warns against wearing an appliance that may have become distorted etc.

The miniComfort^® is 100% biocompatible (even used to coat oral meds) and if uneventfully swallowed would represent no great danger to the patient. What most providers fail to realize is that typically all other guards are made of acrylic. Acrylic is never meant to be ingested, even including the daily grindings that bruxers swallow.

Short Answer

16 – 17 years old.

Long Answer

Although many pre-adolescent children clench and brace their teeth, the earliest recommended age for miniComfort^® is 16 – 17 years of age and post orthodontic status. A miniComfort^® could be fabricated for any patient providing it will not dislodge during sleep. To prevent growth interruption with this appliance, it could be made at three-month intervals with a new impression for each. For even younger patients, retention may be an issue.

Short Answer

The miniComfort^® is perfect for all implant cases.

Long Answer

The miniComfort^® is perfect for all implant cases. Although the materials that dentistry uses in fabrication of these restorations is virtually indestructible, the implant screws and fixtures, the restorations, and the opposing dentition are all subject to the extreme forces of parafunctional activity.

Short Answer

Yes.

Long Answer

Oftentimes complete removable dentures are worn all night long. The miniComfort^®  will help redistribute undue forces on the patient’s anterior maxillary ridge when appropriately placed discluding elements shift forces more posteriorly. Usually, with completely edentulous cases in which the patient insists on night time wear, it is best to place broader discluding elements more distal to the upper canines. These discluding elements will contact the upper denture at or near the middle of anterior-posterior fulcrum of the upper denture. This design will greatly reduce the traumatic forces being directed to the maxillary edentulous area. With partial dentures, the elements should interact with the maxillary canines as usual.

Short Answer

Yes.

Long Answer

Absolutely. The post orthodontic patient can wear the miniComfort^® . The only contraindications would be: 1) that the orthodontist objects and 2) the existing hawley appliance is made with an anterior deprogrammer. The miniComfort^® is ideal for use with lower bonded retainers. Its soft nature is perfect for engaging the lower wire in a most gentle manner.

Short Answer

Yes.

Long Answer

Yes, many patients that wear these breathing devices still clench and brace their teeth during sleep. The minimal opening of the vertical dimension allows for lip continence.

Short Answer

Any typical daytime behavior that initiates patient stress.

Long Answer

Some notable situations for daytime wear are during stressful driving, gaming, motorbike riding. Essentially any situation that has high levels of stress connected to it. Because the miniComfort^®  feels so good and is practically invisible many patients do find themselves keeping the miniComfort^®  by their side daily. Also, the miniComfort^®  is ideal for breaking habits such as finger nail biting, cuticle biting, and lip and cheek biting.

Short Answer

miniComfort^® can help with the analysis.

Long Answer

One the most troublesome complications involved when diagnosing the need for endodontics is the presence of occlusal trauma. A miniComfort^® worn at night time and maybe some day time will certainly help your decision process.