The MORA appliance (Mandibular Orthopedic Repositioning Appliance) was originally designed by Dr. Gelb to help patients suffering from TMJ. However, a study published in the Journal of Physical Therapy Science offers an intriguing alternate benefit.

Made of clear acrylic bite pads and designed to cover the molars and bicuspids, The Mora repositions the lower jaw to achieve neuromuscular balance. In the aforementioned study, a team of researchers led by Sang-Yeol Lee tested ten male and ten female Korean adults by measuring their maximum isometric contraction in their upper limb and neck muscles -- with and without the MORA appliance. The researchers found significant increases in the adults’ ability to contract their upper muscles while wearing the splint. They postulate that improving the stability of the TMJ can improve muscle strength, muscle activation, and muscle stability during exercise.

So next time an athlete walks into your office, consider offering them a MORA appliance to help improve their game! And go to SMLglobal.com for the location of a Mora-manufacturing lab near you.