This year, in response to the request of our members to control meeting costs, we have arranged for our meeting to be held at the beautiful Westin Hotel, Michigan Avenue in Chicago, Illinois. Hotel reservation forms will be available on-line next week, and we encourage you to plan well in advance and to make your reservations for the February 2012 meeting.

The hotel will accept reservations in our room block until the January 31, 2012 deadline. Rooms go fast, so we encourage you to book early. It is highly encouraged that you plan to stay at the Westin Hotel, Michigan Avenue. Our meeting registration fee is closely linked to the amount of members we have staying at the hotel. Please help support the meeting and the academy by booking your room at the Westin. Book a Room

Monday February 27, 2012

8:30 A.M. - 9:30 A.M.
William H. McHorris, B.S., D.D.S., F.A.C.D., F.I.C.D
"TMD Splints- When, Why & How"

The overwhelming majority opinions of TMD experts in well refereed dental journals agree that reversible conservative splint therapy should precede any irreversible treatments such as occlusal adjustments (equilibration) or invasive restorative procedures. In managing the patient suffering from a TMD problem, the choice of the type and design of occlusal orthotics (splints) is numerous. There are therapeutic splints, prophylactic splints, sleep apnea appliances, anterior positioning splints, full coverage splints and segmental splints.

Some advocates of certain types of splints boast of their ability to cure migraine headaches. This presentation will attempt to simplify the practitioner’s choice of a splint and its effect on the stomatognathic system. Patient compliance is of utmost importance during treatment. If the splint design results in better compliance, resolution of TMD problems can predictably be achieved. The clinician cannot stop patients from bruxing but.... Read More