Michigan Splints and Tanner Splints Explained for Dentists across London and the UK

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If you have ever tried explaining splints to patients and felt like you were describing a mysterious creature from the dental underworld, you are not alone. Bite splints can seem complicated, but once you break them down they become one of the most predictable and valuable appliances in restorative dentistry. At Bremadent Dental Laboratory in London we design, CAD mill and finish a full range of hard occlusal splints that help your patients protect their teeth, manage parafunctional habits and improve comfort. Two of the most popular appliances we provide are the Michigan Splint and the Tanner Splint. Both have their own place in dental treatment planning and both are crafted using our fully digital CAD and milling workflows for maximum precision.

This blog covers what they are, when they are used, how they differ and why our digital process produces a better and more consistent result than traditional analogue splints. The price for both splints in our updated 2025 price list is £155 and this includes 3D printed models and Denar articulations as standard.

What is a Michigan Splint
A Michigan Splint is a hard acrylic full coverage maxillary appliance designed to create stable bilateral posterior contacts with smooth guidance on excursions. It is commonly prescribed for patients with bruxism, TMD symptoms, muscle tension or occlusal instability. The aim is to reduce the strain on the masticatory system by providing balanced contacts and predictable guidance that allows the muscles to relax. When designed precisely and milled accurately a Michigan Splint can be life changing for a patient who has been suffering with chronic clenching or grinding.

The classic design provides flat centric stops, canine and incisal guidance pathways and a smooth easy glide that feels comfortable and controlled. Michigan Splints can also support restorative planning for complex rehabilitations by offering a stable temporary occlusion that allows you to stage treatments with confidence. They are one of the most loved appliances across London, Essex, Hertfordshire and the wider UK because they just work.

What is a Tanner Splint
A Tanner Splint is similar in its purpose but slightly different in its design philosophy. Instead of creating flat surfaces like a Michigan, a Tanner Splint incorporates cuspal anatomy on the occlusal surface of the appliance. This makes it feel more natural for some patients and can be especially useful for those who struggle with flat plane appliances. The constructed occlusal anatomy can help guide the mandible into a more idealised position and reduce muscle hyperactivity without the flat plane feel.

Tanner Splints are great for patients who need a little more proprioception, or who benefit from a more tooth guided design rather than a completely smooth platform. Like the Michigan, the Tanner Splint helps protect restorations, reduce wear and assist with the management of TMD symptoms.

Digital Design and CAD Milled Precision at Bremadent
This is where Bremadent stands out. Every occlusal splint that leaves our laboratory is fully CAD designed and CAD milled from a solid puck of high strength acrylic. We do not hand craft occlusal surfaces, we do not guess angles and we do not rely on traditional boil and bite methods. Our digital workflow gives you consistency, repeatability and accuracy on every case.

Using 3Shape and our digital design protocols we can produce articulate occlusal pathways with a level of detail that is extremely difficult to achieve by hand. The splint is then milled using our industrial milling units which carve the design precisely from a durable acrylic puck for a more dimensionally stable appliance. Patients benefit from improved comfort, clinicians benefit from predictable fits and the appliance lasts longer under heavy parafunctional load.

Included with Every Splint for £155
Our new 2025 pricing keeps things simple. Michigan Splints and Tanner Splints are £155 and this includes:

• 3D printed models
• Denar articulations
• CAD design
• CAD milling
• Finishing and polishing

Everything is included so there are no surprises. Whether you are a practice in London, Walthamstow, Essex, Hertfordshire or further across the UK, you receive the same premium quality, the same predictable workflow and the same reliable turnaround times.

Why Digital Splints Outperform Traditional Analogue Splints
The traditional method of fabricating a splint involves waxing, hand articulation, manual shaping and a lot of technician skill. While this is an art that has served dentistry for decades it is also prone to variation. Human hands naturally create inconsistencies and analogue materials can shrink, warp or distort during processing.
With CAD and milling we remove those limitations.
The benefits include:

• Better dimensional stability
• Better control of occlusal guidance
• Better contact points
• Better longevity due to the density of milled acrylic
• Better repeatability for future replacements
• Better accuracy that reduces chairside adjustments
  
  

Digital splints are simply more predictable. When a patient loses a splint or needs a duplicate, we can produce an identical replacement from the saved design file. When you need fine tuning on future restorations, the digital record helps guide your planning. When you are working through full mouth rehabilitations, you have a stable reference that never warps or distorts.

When to Choose a Michigan Splint vs a Tanner Splint
You can think of both splints as tools with slightly different personalities. The Michigan Splint is ideal for patients who benefit from a flat plane appliance with smooth guidance. It is excellent for muscle deprogramming and stabilisation. The Tanner Splint is ideal for patients who prefer a more anatomical feel or where the restoration plan benefits from a guided occlusal pathway with cuspal form.

Clinically both appliances can achieve similar therapeutic outcomes. The decision often comes down to patient comfort, functional habit patterns and clinician preference. At Bremadent we are always happy to advise based on the case notes provided or discuss the needs of specific patients to help you select the right appliance.

Why Practices Across London, Essex and Hertfordshire Choose Bremadent
Our laboratory has been serving dental practices since 1969 and our team handles thousands of custom appliances every year. We combine decades of technician experience with modern digital systems to produce high quality splints with consistent accuracy. Practices trust us because our splints fit, our guidance is precise and our service is reliable.
Whether you are a private clinic in Harley Street, a mixed practice in East London, a cosmetic clinic in Essex or a busy general practice in Hertfordshire, you can depend on Bremadent for predictable results.

Ready to Send Your Next Splint Case
If you need a Michigan or Tanner Splint for £155 including 3D printed models and Denar articulations, send your case to Bremadent Dental Laboratory. We are always here to support your clinical workflow and make your patients smile with comfort and confidence.

To send a case or set up an account contact Bremadent Dental Laboratory:
📍: 25a St James Street London Walthamstow E17 7PJ
📞: 020 8520 8528 
📧: [email protected] 
🌐: www.bremadent.co.uk
🌐: Michigian / Tanner splints