Abstract: An occlusal device for maintaining the vertical separation of opposed teeth in the oral cavity of a patient wearing the occlusal device. The occlusal device has a trough or partial trough for containing at least some of the upper teeth or lower teeth. In the locality of the front teeth is a spacer member affixed to an outer surface opposite of the trough. In the locality of the rear teeth are forming plates removably affixed to the outer surface of the occlusal device. After taking an impression of the set of teeth within the trough, the forming plates are removed from the outer surface of the occlusal device, thereby providing gap between the wearer's rear teeth and the outer surface of the occlusal device.