Where nocturnal bruxism is confirmed, a full coverage hard acrylic occlusal splint should be constructed. An example is a Michigan splint or a Tanner appliance, as shown by Figures
10 to 13. The splint should be fabricated to provide an ‘ideal occlusion’ incorporating the presence of even centric stops (with at least one centric stop per opposing tooth), a canine guidance (by virtue of the presence of canine risers) to provide posterior tooth separation during lateral excursive and protrusive mandibular movements and an even/shared anterior guidance on protrusion (provided by an anterior ramp) with posterior teeth disclusion. It is hoped that the latter splint will permit muscle activity to return to normal function by disrupting the habitual pathway of closure into centric occlusion by removing the unwanted guiding effects of cuspal inclines and also by causing tooth separation.37