| abstract |
A dental retaining splint is disclosed including a bar-like body member having preferably two tubular members extending perpendicularly therefrom, where the tubular members have axial openings extending therethrough. The body member has an H-shaped configuration with the front and rear walls being serpentined to define sections therein. These sections can be removed, such as by cutting, to provide a shorter splint. In use, the splint is first temporarily held in a channel formed in adjacent teeth, where the tubular members function as guides for a drill to form pilot holes in the teeth. The splint is then removed, and the pilot holes function as lead holes for the formation of enlarged bores to receive the tubular members therein for retaining the adjacent teeth in a fixed position. The splint is then replaced so that the tubular members are disposed in the bores formed therefor. An inlay fills in the channel and covers the splint in the final procedure step. Accordingly, the splint structure can be formed wider, longer, and include additional tubular members to fulfill particular dental requirements. |