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Suburban Dental

THE MAY SPLINT

This is an appliance that we use when our patients have TMJ joint problems and who may also grind or clench their teeth. The appliance is made of acrylic and fits on your lower teeth. It can be worn both day and night but usually night time wearing is sufficient. I learned to make this appliance from Dr. Willie May about 25 years ago. Dr. May in conjunction with Dr. Leeds a physician in New Mexico treated over 1000 patients with this appliance that also had chronic medical problems. To their surprise many of the medical problems cleared up and went away when they wore the appliance.

What is so special about this appliance? The appliance plays an important part in what has been called the face-body link. Not only do areas of the tongue relate to various parts of the body but the vertical position of the jaw is important as well. In most people we find that the skull is underdeveloped both vertically and horizontally. When the jaw operates in this environment it can cause stress in the muscles. This is why headaches are often associated with TMJ problems.

When we make the May splint we use the reflex swallow to determine the correct vertical dimension for the jaw. This swallow captures where your jaw should have been if everything grew properly.

When our patients have their splint in their mouth we also do kinesiologic testing of the thymus gland. We find that the thymus gland always tests strong when wearing the splint. It has been said that the thymus relates to the emotions of love, joy, youth , and enthusiasm. It is also a very vital part of our immune system.

Not only does the May splint help to correct TMJ problems but it is an important part of the face-body link. We recommend it not just for those who grind or clench their teeth or have TMJ problems but we recommend it for everyone to help keep their immune system strong.