Dentaltown August 2018 - 59

Tell us about your backgrounds and
what inspired the QuickSplint device.
Dr. Brad Eli: I regularly see patients with chronic
temporomandibular disorders. It prompted me to invent
the QuickSplint temporary oral appliance so I could
help get patients out of pain quickly and on a path to
wellness. It proved so useful in my own practice that
I wanted to share it with other dentists. That's how it
started. Our mission got bigger when I began working
with Drs. Lee Ann Brady and John
Nosti and other dental colleagues
to better understand the needs of
general dentists for practical tools for
diagnosing parafunction, for initiating
treatment for acute jaw pain, and for
determining when to refer to orofacial
pain specialists.
Dr. James Fricton: Most people
who have had jaw pain for 30 days
continue to report pain five years
later-and they suffer with pain,
disability, work loss, addiction to
opioids and high health care costs. Pain becomes
increasingly difficult to manage when it persists. But
if we can promptly diagnose and treat sudden onset
acute jaw pain with a "speed-to-treat" approach, an
estimated 90 percent of cases can be improved in four
weeks. Dr. Eli and I realized that we could make an
important contribution to preventing chronic pain if
we gave dentists a better understanding of how to react
to jaw pain on the front lines of dentistry, and how to
prevent jaw joint and muscle sprain/strain (JAMSS)
that can result from trauma of the jaw during dental
procedures.

What are QuickSplint's practical
applications? How does it work?
BE: It's a type of anterior bite plane (ABP) that
works similarly to an anterior deprogrammer, preventing
contact between posterior teeth, interrupting occlusal
memory, allowing for condylar seating, unlocking
interference and helping the pericranial musculature to
relax and recover. Unlike other anterior deprogrammers,
QuickSplint distributes occlusal forces across eight
anterior teeth, instead of only two, making it more
comfortable for the patient and providing complete
anterior coverage and protection. It also records bruxing
and clenching marks, serving as an objective visual
identification of parafunctional behavior. Some of its
practical applications include acute jaw pain, diagnosing

bruxism, endodontic diagnosis, protecting provisionals,
the LANAP protocol, and as a temporary night guard.

Let's talk about some of the science behind
the design of the bite plane. What was the
research and development like?
BE: Credit for more than 50 years of science goes
to Drs. Nathan Allen Shore, William Solberg, James
Fricton and Glenn Clark for our understanding of ABPs
for short-term use for deprogramming
and pain. ABPs function by reducing
muscle tension and quieting the neurological process by dampening the pain
pathways-helping both relax muscles
and reduce the possible escalation of
pain. Several variations of ABPs have
been made, but only a few ABPs are
suitable for immediate use-and only
QuickSplint is purposely designed for
transitional use.

What kind of feedback have you
had from dental professionals regarding
QuickSplint?
JF: We have had overwhelmingly positive feedback
from dentists who note the ease of use and practicality
of the product. QuickSplint was named a "clinical
problem solver" and a "top innovative product" by
leading dental magazines. We've also had favorable
reviews from leaders in dentistry.

What would you consider to be the
"best-kept secret" of the company?
JF: Our best-kept secret is that we have developed
treatment protocols for dental professionals. For example,
the JAMSS Speed-to-Treat Protocol takes dentists
step-by-step through a four-week treatment plan for a
JAMSS injury. Our SAFE Protocol, for prevention of
JAMSS injuries during dental treatments, helps dental
teams prevent jaw injury as a result of dental care.

How can a practice begin working with you?
JF: We invite dentists and dental team members
to visit quicksplint.com to learn more and download
treatment protocols. ■

dentaltown.com \\ AUGUST 2018

59
http://www.quicksplint.com http://www.dentaltown.com
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Dentaltown August 2018
