APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REDUCING BRUXISM AND OCCLUSAL FORCES

• US 20170304108A1
• Filed: 04/20/2017
• Published: 10/26/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vivos Therapeutics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Advanced Facialdontics, LLC
• Inventors: Simonetti, Scott A.
• Granted Patent: US 10,639,187 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 7/08 Mouthpiece-type retainers or positioners, e.g. for both the lower and upper arch arch-shaped medicament applicators for teeth or gums A61C19/063; mouthguards for protecting the teeth of sportsmen A63B71/085
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 7/10 Devices having means to apply outwardly directed force, e.g. expanders
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2005/563 Anti-bruxisme
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/566 Intra-oral devices

Abstract

An orthotic device for redefining an occlusal plane includes a left portion, a right portion including an upper surface, a bite block coupled to either the left portion or the right portion, and a lingual portion coupled to the left portion and the right portion. The orthotic device is configured to engage teeth located along a left portion and a right portion of a mandible. The bite block is disposed along the upper surface of either the left portion or the right portion and extends upward relative to an upper surface of the left or right portion.

Claims

1. An oral orthotic device for redefining an occlusal plane, the orthotic device comprising:

a left portion;

a right portion including an upper surface;

a bite block coupled to either the left portion or the right portion; and

a lingual portion coupled to the left portion and the right portion,

wherein the bite block is disposed along the upper surface of either the left portion or the right portion and extends upward relative to an upper surface of the left portion or the right portion.

2. The orthotic device of claim 1, wherein the bite block extends upward between two and seven millimeters from an occlusal plane defined by teeth of a patient.

3. The orthotic device of claim 1, further comprising a first wire enclosed along the lingual portion and configured to apply counter force when torsional force is applied to the orthotic.

4. The orthotic device of claim 3, further comprising a second wire braided about the first wire.

5. The orthotic device of claim 1, wherein the left portion defines a left arc and the right portion defines a right arc, wherein the left arc is configured to contour to teeth located along a left portion of a mandible, and the right arc is configured to contour to teeth located along a right portion of the mandible.

6. The orthotic device of claim 5, wherein the left arc and right arc are dimensioned to contour teeth located in a mouth of a patient.

7. A retainer appliance which redefines an occlusal plane, the retainer appliance comprising:

a retainer body including a frame extending therefrom;

a left clasp extending from a left portion of the body and configured to couple to teeth located in a mouth of a patient;

a right clasp extending from a right portion of the body; and

a bite block coupled to either the left clasp or the right clasp,

wherein the bite block encloses either the left clasp or the right clasp and extends toward opposing teeth located in the mouth of the patient.

8. The retainer appliance of claim 7, wherein the bite block extends toward opposing teeth between two and seven millimeters from an occlusal plane defined by teeth of the patient.

9. The retainer appliance of claim 8, wherein the retainer body includes a left portion and a right portion.

10. The retainer appliance of claim 9, further comprising a spacer mechanism,

wherein the spacer mechanism couples the left portion and the right portion of the retainer body.

11. The retainer appliance of claim 10, wherein the spacer mechanism includes a screw configured to expand or contract a gap between the left portion of the retainer mechanism and the right portion of the retainer mechanism.

12. A method of augmenting an occlusal plane with an orthotic device, the method comprising:

providing an orthotic device to a patient, the orthotic device having a left portion, a right portion, a lingual portion, and a bite block;

positioning the orthotic device in a mouth of the patient; and

applying pressure to the orthotic device to cause the left portion and the right portion to engage teeth located along a mandible of the patient.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

removing the orthotic device from the mouth of the patient; and

augmenting a height of the bite block,

wherein the height of the bite block is adjusted in response to visual inspection of the orthotic when located in the mouth of the patient.

14. A method of augmenting an orthotic plane with a retainer appliance, the method comprising:

providing a retainer appliance to an individual, the retainer appliance having a retainer body including a frame extending therefrom, a left clasp, a right clasp, and a bite block enclosing either the left clasp or the right clasp;

positioning the retainer appliance in a mouth of a patient;

applying pressure to the retainer appliance to cause the left clasp and the right clasp to engage teeth located along a maxilla of the patient.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

removing the retainer appliance from the mouth of the patient; and

augmenting the height of the bite block,

wherein the height of the bite block is adjusted in response to visual inspection of the orthotic when located in the mouth of the patient.