Learn the Right Occlusal Appliance for Every Patient

Whether you’re looking to improve your treatment planning, increase success with appliance therapy, or boost your confidence managing TMD patients, this course will give you the practical tools you need to incorporate occlusal appliances into your everyday practice.
Dennis B Hartlieb, DDS, AAACD
Managing patients with muscle or joint discomfort, parafunction, or occlusal instability has long presented a challenge in everyday dentistry. Selecting the right occlusal appliance—and knowing how to use it effectively—requires clinical insight, confidence, and a clear understanding of patient anatomy and risk factors.

Fortunately, advancements in appliance design and diagnostic protocols now give clinicians practical tools to better manage occlusal disorders and protect restorative outcomes.

To help dentists navigate this complex but critical area of care, we’re excited to introduce our upcoming on-demand course: A Realistic Approach to Occlusal Appliances with Dr. Jim McKee.

This course offers a step-by-step, clinically grounded approach to help you select, fabricate, and adjust appliances with confidence—while improving outcomes for your TMD and occlusal patients.

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When to Consider Each Occlusal Design

Occlusal appliances are not one-size-fits-all—and understanding the purpose behind each design is key to selecting the right one for your patient. In this upcoming course, Dr. Jim McKee walks through the most common appliance types, including:

Flat-Plane AppliancesThese are among the most widely used appliances that can be fabricated for either the mandibular or the maxillary arch. They are designed to reduce muscle hyperactivity, protect teeth from bruxism, and stabilize the occlusion.
When to use: Ideal for patients with muscle-related TMD symptoms, bruxism, or when trying to create occlusal stability.

Michigan Appliance
A type of maxillary stabilization splint, the Michigan appliance is designed with a flat occlusal surface and precise canine guidance to control jaw movement and minimize parafunction.
When to use: Effective for patients with muscle-based TMD, bruxism, and when occlusal equilibration is desired.

Anterior Repositioning Splint
The anterior repositioning splint advances the mandible forward in an effort to reduce pressure inside the joint space, and help to position the condyle on to an anteriorly displaced disc.
When to use: This splint might be used for patients that have displaced discs to reduce pain and potentially “recapture" the discs. The anterior repositioning splint can be used to help with growth and development of the condyles in children and adolescents.

Tanner Appliance
A mandibular version of a stabilization appliance, often preferred for its comfort and minimal impact on speech.
When to use: The Tanner Appliance is used by dentists to pre-determine bite shape and occlusal position prior to restorative treatment.

Essix Appliances
Thin, transparent appliances typically used for post-orthodontic retention or minor occlusal protection. While not suitable for heavy bruxers, they can serve as temporary or aesthetic options.
When to use: Best for short-term or low-risk situations, or when a discreet appliance is preferred.

What You’ll Learn in This Course

This On-demand course is designed to provide a clear, step-by-step approach for clinicians looking to incorporate occlusal appliances into their practice. Whether you’re new to appliance therapy or looking to refine your current protocols, this course offers a comprehensive foundation through lecture-based learning, clinical case examples, and hands-on demonstration.

You'll also learn:
-Options for fabricating occlusal appliances
-Insertions and adjustments

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Types of Nerve Blocks

Understanding which nerve block to use—and when—is essential for effective diagnosis and patient comfort. In this course, Dr. McKee covers key nerve block techniques, including:

🔹 Diagnostic Nerve Blocks – Learn how to use targeted anesthetic blocks to help differentiate muscle vs. joint sources of pain.
🔹 Greater Occipital Nerve Block – Explore how this block can be used to manage tension-type headaches and referred pain patterns.
🔹 Greater Auricular Nerve Block – Understand its role in evaluating and managing TMJ and ear-area discomfort.

Each technique is reviewed with clinical context to help you make informed decisions in your diagnostic and therapeutic workflow.

Step-by-Step Technique

The course will guide you through step-by-step techniques to build a strong foundation in occlusal appliance therapy.

Dr. McKee walks you through the entire process—from evaluating patient anatomy and selecting the appropriate appliance, to appliance delivery, checking contacts, and making precise adjustments for optimal function and comfort.

Hands-On Demonstration

In the hands-on portion of the course, Dr. McKee provides a detailed demonstration on how to seat, check contacts, and adjust an occlusal appliance.

With your hands-on kit, you’ll be able to follow along step-by-step, gaining practical experience and confidence in delivering appliances with accuracy and efficiency in your own practice.
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How to Join the Course

This course will be included in our basic and premium memberships and it is designed to fit your schedule, with detailed video demonstrations and insights that you can apply immediately in your practice. 

This course is designed for dentists of all experience levels who want to enhance their skills in occlusal appliance therapy.

Whether you’re looking to improve diagnosis, increase success with appliance treatment, or feel more confident managing TMD patients and those with parafunctional habits, this course will give you the practical tools to integrate occlusal appliances into your everyday practice.

The course is now live! Check it out here.
Yours for better dentistry,
Dennis Hartlieb, DDS, AAACD
Co-Founder, Dental Online Training