Dahl appliance
Encyclopedia
A Dahl appliance is a dental
appliance that includes a flat anterior bite plane that causes a planned posterior disclusion. The Dahl appliance causes Dahl effect
dental adaptation; posterior overeruption and mild intrusion of the anterior teeth, creating anterior interocclusal space which may be desired for either orthodontics
, restorative dentistry such as restoring non-carious tooth surface loss, or for fixed prosthodontics
.
When first described the Dahl appliance was a removable appliance, but fixed cobalt-chrome
castings, gold
castings have also been used. More recently direct bonded dental composite
has been used, especially in when restoring anterior tooth wear.
Patients who have lost their Vertical Dimension of Occlusion (VDO) due to the attrition, so their periodontium become so stronger that the desirable movements of the teeth (i.e. intrusion, extrusion) of the selected teeth is difficult.
Patient with known history of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), periodontal disease, missing molar occlusal units, previously treated with Dahl's appliance are not good candidate for this sort of treatment modality.
It is very important in patients who have lost their VDO due to any underlying disorder like stress, anxiety, depression, parafunctional habits. So it is very important to treat the underlying pathology first and then the symptoms. If the underlying pathology is not treated, then the problem may arise again which leads to the more severe problem.
Recent advancements in this type of treatment modality i.e. fixed dahl's appliance has given the operator, remarkable control over the movements of the teeth.
The other method for increasing VDO is provision of the Onlay crown, restorative management i.e. with dental composite.
Due to the increase level of stresses in the paedetric population that will lead to the loss of VDO, so in the paedetric patient, Dahl's appliance treatment is not the treatment of choice because that appliance might interfere with the growth resulting into the growth retardation.
Dentistry
Dentistry is the branch of medicine that is involved in the study, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions of the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and the adjacent and associated structures and their impact on the human body. Dentistry is widely considered...
appliance that includes a flat anterior bite plane that causes a planned posterior disclusion. The Dahl appliance causes Dahl effect
Dahl effect
The Dahl effect or Dahl concept is a concept used in dentistry where changes are planned in the occlusion of the dentition. Dahl first described this phenomenon: a Dahl appliance uses an anterior bite plane to increase the available interocclusal space available for restorations.It is of great...
dental adaptation; posterior overeruption and mild intrusion of the anterior teeth, creating anterior interocclusal space which may be desired for either orthodontics
Orthodontics
Orthodontics, orthodontia, or orthodonture is the first specialty of dentistry that is concerned with the study and treatment of malocclusions , which may be a result of tooth irregularity, disproportionate jaw relationships, or both...
, restorative dentistry such as restoring non-carious tooth surface loss, or for fixed prosthodontics
Prosthodontics
Prosthodontics, also known as dental prosthetics or prosthetic dentistry, is one of nine dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association, Royal College of Dentists of Canada, and Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons...
.
When first described the Dahl appliance was a removable appliance, but fixed cobalt-chrome
Cobalt-chrome
Cobalt-chrome is a metal alloy of cobalt and chromium. Cobalt-chrome has a very high specific strength and is commonly used in gas turbines, dental implants, and orthopaedic implants....
castings, gold
Gold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...
castings have also been used. More recently direct bonded dental composite
Dental composite
Dental composite resins are types of synthetic resins which are used in dentistry as restorative material or adhesives. Synthetic resins evolved as restorative materials since they were insoluble, aesthetic, insensitive to dehydration, easy to manipulate and reasonably inexpensive...
has been used, especially in when restoring anterior tooth wear.
Patients who have lost their Vertical Dimension of Occlusion (VDO) due to the attrition, so their periodontium become so stronger that the desirable movements of the teeth (i.e. intrusion, extrusion) of the selected teeth is difficult.
Patient with known history of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), periodontal disease, missing molar occlusal units, previously treated with Dahl's appliance are not good candidate for this sort of treatment modality.
It is very important in patients who have lost their VDO due to any underlying disorder like stress, anxiety, depression, parafunctional habits. So it is very important to treat the underlying pathology first and then the symptoms. If the underlying pathology is not treated, then the problem may arise again which leads to the more severe problem.
Recent advancements in this type of treatment modality i.e. fixed dahl's appliance has given the operator, remarkable control over the movements of the teeth.
The other method for increasing VDO is provision of the Onlay crown, restorative management i.e. with dental composite.
Due to the increase level of stresses in the paedetric population that will lead to the loss of VDO, so in the paedetric patient, Dahl's appliance treatment is not the treatment of choice because that appliance might interfere with the growth resulting into the growth retardation.