The typical anterior deprogrammer contacts the four lower incisors upon closure (1), thereby reducing muscle contraction intensity and allowing a musculoskeletally optimal condylar position.  However, if used therapeutically, the canine can easily occlude on the deprogrammer in an excursive movement (2), allowing for near maximal temporalis contraction.  With the condyle being slightly translated, the disc is at serious risk of strain, compaction, and damage.
     By simply modifying the deprogrammer (by removing the portion of the deprogrammer that the canine occludes with (3)), the occluding contact point returns to a lower incisor, thereby maintaining suppression of contraction intensity and avoiding disc damage (5). Previous Slide          Next Slide
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