[Temporomandibular joint, occlusion and bruxism]. / Articulation temporo-mandibulaire, occlusion et bruxisme.

Temporomandibular joint and dental occlusion are joined for better and worse. TMJ has its own weaknesses, sometimes indicated by bad functional habits and occlusal disorders. Occlusal analysis needs to be addressed simply and clearly. The term "malocclusion" is not reliable to build epidemiological studies, etiologic mechanisms or therapeutic advice on this "diagnosis". Understanding the impact of pathogenic malocclusion is not just about occlusal relationships that are more or less defective, it requires to locate them within the skeletal framework, the articular and behavioural context of the patient, and above all to assess their impact on the functions of the masticatory system. The TMJ-occlusion couple is often symbiotic, developing together in relation to its environment, compensating for its own shortcomings. However, a third partner may alter this relationship, such as bruxism, or more generally oral parafunctions, trauma or an interventionist practitioner.

[Occlusal splint: state of the art]. / Gouttières occlusales. Mise au point.

Occlusal splint are defined as intra-oral devices mostly indicated to modify the occlusal relationship between maxillar and mandibular dental arches. Among the different shapes of occlusal splint, an updating seemed necessary to the authors. The main indications for occlusal splint are represented by temporomandibular disorders and teeth protection. Occlusal splints are usually made of hard resin and are, generally, carried on the mandibular jaw. Total occlusal splint are preferable to partial occlusal splint, except in some emergent cases. The smooth occlusal splints are needed for musculo-articular disorders when the indentated splints are reserved for mandibular repositioning in articular temporomandibular joint disorders.