You Should Know: Orofacial Therapeutics by Kyle Patton

by Kyle Patton, associate editor, Dentaltown magazine

At Dentaltown, we’re lucky to meet many people who do great things in the name of dentistry, and our recurring You Should Know feature introduces them to our readers. For this installment, we spoke to Drs. James Fricton and Brad Eli of Orofacial Therapeutics. They’re on a mission to reduce orofacial pain by providing dentists with diagnostic aids and treatment protocols designed to quickly diagnose and treat patients. Eli, the founder of Orofacial Therapeutics, has advanced training in orofacial pain and sleep disorders. Fricton, a professor emeritus at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, is the author of three books on TMJ and craniofacial pain. Together, these docs are working to get the word out about QuickSplint, the company’s flagship device and all-around dental aid designed to get patients out of pain quickly and effectively.

Tell us about your backgrounds and what inspired the QuickSplint device.

Dr. Brad Eli: I regularly see patients with chronic temporomandibular disorders. It prompted me to invent the QuickSplint temporary oral appliance so I could help get patients out of pain quickly and on a path to wellness. It proved so useful in my own practice that I wanted to share it with other dentists. That’s how it started. Our mission got bigger when I began working with Drs. Lee Ann Brady and John Nosti and other dental colleagues to better understand the needs of general dentists for practical tools for diagnosing parafunction, for initiating treatment for acute jaw pain, and for determining when to refer to orofacial pain specialists.

Dr. James Fricton: Most people who have had jaw pain for 30 days continue to report pain five years later—and they suffer with pain, disability, work loss, addiction to opioids and high health care costs. Pain becomes increasingly difficult to manage when it persists. But if we can promptly diagnose and treat sudden onset acute jaw pain with a “speed-to-treat” approach, an estimated 90 percent of cases can be improved in four weeks. Dr. Eli and I realized that we could make an important contribution to preventing chronic pain if we gave dentists a better understanding of how to react to jaw pain on the front lines of dentistry, and how to prevent jaw joint and muscle sprain/strain (JAMSS) that can result from trauma of the jaw during dental procedures.

What are QuickSplint’s practical applications? How does it work?

BE: It’s a type of anterior bite plane (ABP) that works similarly to an anterior deprogrammer, preventing contact between posterior teeth, interrupting occlusal memory, allowing for condylar seating, unlocking interference and helping the pericranial musculature to relax and recover. Unlike other anterior deprogrammers, QuickSplint distributes occlusal forces across eight anterior teeth, instead of only two, making it more comfortable for the patient and providing complete anterior coverage and protection. It also records bruxing and clenching marks, serving as an objective visual identification of parafunctional behavior. Some of its practical applications include acute jaw pain, diagnosing bruxism, endodontic diagnosis, protecting provisionals, the LANAP protocol, and as a temporary night guard.

Let’s talk about some of the science behind the design of the bite plane. What was the research and development like?

BE: Credit for more than 50 years of science goes to Drs. Nathan Allen Shore, William Solberg, James Fricton and Glenn Clark for our understanding of ABPs for short-term use for deprogramming and pain. ABPs function by reducing muscle tension and quieting the neurological process by dampening the pain pathways—helping both relax muscles and reduce the possible escalation of pain. Several variations of ABPs have been made, but only a few ABPs are suitable for immediate use—and only QuickSplint is purposely designed for transitional use.

What kind of feedback have you had from dental professionals regarding QuickSplint?

JF: We have had overwhelmingly positive feedback from dentists who note the ease of use and practicality of the product. QuickSplint was named a “clinical problem solver” and a “top innovative product” by leading dental magazines. We’ve also had favorable reviews from leaders in dentistry.

What would you consider to be the “best-kept secret” of the company?

JF: Our best-kept secret is that we have developed treatment protocols for dental professionals. For example, the JAMSS Speed-to-Treat Protocol takes dentists step-by-step through a four-week treatment plan for a JAMSS injury. Our SAFE Protocol, for prevention of JAMSS injuries during dental treatments, helps dental teams prevent jaw injury as a result of dental care.

How can a practice begin working with you?

JF: We invite dentists and dental team members to visit quicksplint.com to learn more and download treatment protocols.