What is an Anterior Deprogramming Device?
An anterior deprogramming device is used to relax the masticatory muscles and eliminate theinfluence of posterior tooth contacts on the jaw position.
Key Differences:
- NTI is minimalist and focused on muscle inhibition by allowing only incisor contact — great for severebruxers.
- Lucia Jig is used mostly in-office or short-term to find centric relation and relax muscles.
- Kois Deprogrammer allows for longer use to stabilize neuromuscular position and evaluate occlusion.
- Dawson Splint (or centric relation splint) offers full-arch stabilization and is often used to retrainocclusion to a more harmonious bite.
Anterior Deprogramming Device
| Features | NTI | Lucia Jig | Kois Deprogrammer | Dawson Splint (Occlusal Splint) |
| Covers | Only anterior teeth (typically central incisors) | Anterior teeth only | Maxillary anterior teeth (palatal coverage) | Full upper arch (maxillary full coverage) |
| Contact Points | Single point on anterior teeth | Flat platform for lower incisor contact | Flat bite surface for lower incisors | Even contacts across all teeth |
| Main Use | Bruxism, TMD, headache relief | Short-term deprogramming | Long-term deprogramming & diagnostic tool | Long-term stabilization, TMD, bruxism |
| Muscle Deprogramming | Yes (strong inhibition) | Yes (temporary) | Yes (very effective, longer-term) | Partial (Depends on occlusion adjustment) |
| Wear Duration | Typically night-time | Chairside or 1–2 days | Several days to weeks (diagnostic phase) | Often worn at night, can be daytime |
| Stability | Less stable due to minimal coverage | Less stable (short use only) | More stable due to palatal support | Very stable (full arch coverage) |
| Adjustable? | Limited | Not typically | Yes | Yes (custom adjusted to centric relation) |