The Occlusal Guard Blueprint: Appliance Function Through Design & Adjustment
Friday, January 29, 2027
1:00 – 4:00 pm
Course Code:
501RH
Cost:
$389
Credits:
3
CE Hours
Please Note: This course has been modified since the Course Catalog went to print. Please review the updated course information below.
Successful occlusal appliance therapy begins long before delivery. Selecting the appropriate appliance design requires an understanding of diagnosis, treatment goals, occlusal considerations, and the functional mechanics of each guard design.
In this course, attendees will learn a practical clinical decision tree for selecting the most appropriate occlusal guard based on patient presentation and therapeutic objectives. Once a design is selected, attendees will adjust and modify an occlusal guard through multiple occlusal schemes to reinforce key concepts in appliance design, function, and occlusal management.
While attendees will gain experience adjusting an appliance, the primary goal of this course is to deepen one’s understanding of how occlusal guards should function and why specific design features matter. By adjusting and evaluating an appliance firsthand, clinicians will develop greater confidence in prescribing, adjusting, and communicating their desired appliance design to laboratory partners. Attendees will leave with a practical framework for selecting and designing occlusal guards that deliver more predictable clinical outcomes.
*Attendance at the Thursday lecture, course code 402TL is strongly recommended.
Speakers
In this course attendees will:
- Utilize a clinical decision tree to select the most appropriate occlusal guard design based on patient diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment objectives
- Compare common occlusal appliance designs and identify the indications, contraindications, advantages, and limitations of each
- Describe the design features that influence therapeutic effectiveness
- Adjust and evaluate an occlusal guard to better understand appliance mechanics, functional design principles, and effective communication with laboratory partners
Supplies Needed
Loupes (optional)
Thanks to Great Lakes Dental Technology for course materials.
The Massachusetts Dental Society is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider
ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry. Concerns or complaints about a CE provider may be directed to the provider or to the Commission for Continuing Education Provider Recognition at
ADA.org/CERP