Mandibular stabilizer

• US 4,457,708 A
• Filed: 04/19/1982
• Issued: 07/03/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gerald Dufour
• Original Assignee: Gerald Dufour
• Inventors: Dufour, Gerald
• Primary Examiner(s): Peshock, Robert
• Application Number:
  US06/369,608
• Time in Patent Office: 806 Days
• Field of Search: 433/6, 128/62 A, 128/136, 128/76 R, 128/68
• US Class Current: 433/6
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 7/00 Orthodontics, i.e. obtaining or maintaining the desired position of teeth, e.g. by straightening, evening, regulating, separating, or by correcting malocclusions

Abstract

The invention is an oral orthopedic appliance for relieving maxillo-mandibular imbalance. The appliance comprises in its simplest form an arcuate preformed portion of a unitary size and shape, adapted to fit all size mandibles, and a pair of moulded portions, each moulded portion extending from an end of the preformed portion and being adapted to fit the wearer of the appliance. The preformed portion in use extends adjacent a side of the mandibular teeth and overlies the mandibular molar or premolar teeth, or both; the moulded portion is bonded to the preformed portion and is shaped to the contour of the top surface of the mandibular molar or premolar teeth, or both. A means for relieving maxillo-mandibular imbalance by means of such an appliance is also disclosed.

Claims

1. An orthopedic appliance for relieving maxillo-mandibular imbalance, comprising:

a flexible, preformed structure having an arcuate first portion adapted to extend along and be adjacent to the surface of the mandibular teeth, and two flange portions each integrally connected to a respective end section of the first portion and adapted to overlie the tops of a respective set of either the mandibular premolar teeth or the mandibular molar teeth, or both, and

two moulded inserts, each bonded to a respective one of the flange portions and adapted to extend from that flange portion toward the respectively associated set of mandibular teeth, each insert having a surface contour corresponding to that on the respectively associated set of mandibular teeth, said flange portions and moulded inserts, in use, being disposed between such set of mandibular teeth and the corresponding teeth in the upper jaw, and providing a selected spacing between the mandible and the upper jaw, and, over an extended period of use, providing for stabilization and normalization of the position of the mandible relative to the upper jaw.

4. The orthopedic appliance of claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein the arcuate first portion of the preformed structure extends along the inner surface of the mandibular teeth.

5. The orthopedic appliance of claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein the preformed structure is of a unitary size and shape adapted to fit all wearers.

6. The orthopedic appliance of claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein the preformed structure is formed from acrylic.

2. An orthopedic appliance for relieving maxillo-mandibular imbalance, comprising:

a flexible, preformed structure having an arcuate first portion adapted to extend along and be adjacent to the surface of the mandibular teeth, and two flange portions, each integrally connected to a respective end section of the first portion and adapted to overlie the tops of a respective set of either the mandibular premolar teeth or the mandibular molar teeth, or both, and

two mouldable inserts, each bonded to a respective one of the flange portions and adapted to extend from that flange portion toward the respectively associated set of mandibular teeth, each insert adapted to be moulded under pressure to create therein a surface contour corresponding to that on the respectively associated set of mandibular teeth, said flange portions and mouldable inserts, when adapted for use, being disposed between such set of mandibular teeth and the corresponding teeth in the upper jaw, and providing a selected spacing between the mandible and the upper jaw, and, over an extended period of use, providing for stabilization and normalization of the position of the mandible relative to the upper jaw.

3. An orthopedic appliance for relieving maxillo-mandibular imbalance, comprising:

a flexible, preformed structure having an arcuate first portion adapted to extend along and be adjacent to the surface of the mandibular teeth, and two flange portions each integrally connected to a respective end section of the first portion and adapted to overlie the tops of a respective set of either the mandibular premolar teeth or the mandibular molar teeth, or both,

two moulded inserts, each bonded to a respective one of the flange portions and adapted to extend from that flange portion toward the respectively associated set of mandibular teeth, each insert having a surface contour corresponding to that on the respectively associated set of mandibular teeth, and

two additional moulded inserts, each bonded to a respective one of the flange portions and adapted to extend from that flange portion toward the respectively associated set of teeth in the upper jaw, each additional insert having a surface contour corresponding to that on the respectively associated set of teeth in the upper jaw, said flange portions, moulded inserts, and additional moulded inserts, in use, being disposed between such set of mandibular teeth and the corresponding teeth in the upper jaw, and providing a selected spacing between the mandible and the upper jaw, and, over an extended period of use, providing for stabilization and normalization of the position of the mandible relative to the upper jaw.

7. An orthopedic appliance for relieving maxillo-mandibular imbalance, comprising:

a flexible, preformed structure having an arcuate first portion adapted to extend along and be adjacent to the surface of the mandibular teeth, and two flange portions, each integrally connected to a respective end section of the first portion and adapted to overlie the tops of a respective set of either the mandibular premolar teeth or the mandibular molar teeth, or both,

two mouldable inserts, each bonded to a respective one of the flange portions and adapted to extend from that flange portion toward the respectively associated set of mandibular teeth, each insert adapted to be moulded under pressure to create therein a surface contour corresponding to that on the respectively associated set of mandibular teeth, and

two additional mouldable inserts, each bonded to a respective one of the flange portions and adapted to extend from that flange portion toward the respectively associated set of teeth in the upper jaw, each additional insert adapted to be moulded under pressure to create therein a surface contour corresponding to that on the respectively associated set of teeth in the upper jaw, said flange portions, mouldable inserts, and additional mouldable inserts, when adapted for use, being disposed between such set of mandibular teeth and the corresponding teeth in the upper jaw, and providing a selected spacing between the mandible and the upper jaw, and, over an extended period of use, providing for stabilization and normalization of the position of the mandible relative to the upper jaw.

10. The orthopedic appliance of claim 7, 8, or 9, wherein the arcuate first portion of the mouldable structure extends along the inner surface of the mandibular teeth.

11. The orthopedic appliance of claim 7, 8, and 9, wherein the mouldable structure, prior to moulding, is of a unitary size and shape adapted to fit all wearers.

12. The orthopedic appliance of claim 7, 8 or 9, wherein the mouldable structure is formed from thermoplastic resin mouldable under pressure at an elevated temperature.

8. An orthopedic appliance for relieving maxillo-mandibular imbalance, comprising:

a mouldable structure having an arcuate first portion adapted to extend along and be adjacent to the surface of the mandibular teeth, and two flange portions, each integrally connected to a respective end section of the first portion and adapted to overlie the tops of a respective set of either the mandibular premolar teeth or the mandibular molar teeth, or both, each flange portion being adapted to be moulded by closing of the jaws to create in the flange portion a surface contour corresponding to that on the respectively associated set of mandibular teeth, said flange portions, when adapted for use, being disposed between such set of mandibular teeth and the corresponding teeth in the upper jaw, and providing a selected spacing between the mandible and the upper jaw, and, over an extended period of use, providing for stabilization and normalization of the position of the mandible relative to the upper jaw.

9. An orthopedic appliance for relieving maxillo-mandibular imbalance, comprising:

a mouldable structure having an arcuate first portion adapted to extend along and be adjacent to the surface of the mandibular teeth, and two flange portions, each integrally connected to a respective end section of the first portion and adapted to overlie the tops of a respective set of either the mandibular premolar teeth or the mandibular molar teeth, or both, each flange portion being adapted to be moulded by closing of the jaws to create on one surface of the flange portion a surface contour corresponding to that on the respectively associated set of mandibular teeth and on an opposite surface of the flange portion a surface contour corresponding to that on the respectively associated set of teeth in the upper jaw, such flange portions, when adapted for use, being disposed between such set of mandibular teeth and the corresponding teeth in the upper jaw, and providing a selected spacing between the mandible and the upper jaw, and, over an extended period of use, providing for stabilization and normalization of the position of the mandible relative to the upper jaw.

13. A method for relieving maxillo-mandibular imbalance by repositioning of the lower jaw relative to the upper jaw, comprising the steps of:

spreading a malleable polymer mixture onto the flange portions of a flexible, preformed structure having an arcuate first portion and two flange portions, each flange portion being integrally connected to a respective end section of the first portion;

inserting the preformed structure between the jaws, the structure being positioned such that the arcuate first portion extends along and is adjacent to the surface of the mandibular teeth and the malleable polymer mixture on each flange portion rests on a respective set of the mandibular premolar teeth or the mandibular molar teeth, or both;

closing the jaws to conform the shape of the malleable polymer mixture to the shape of the biting surfaces of the respective sets of mandibular teeth and to promote bonding between the preformed structure and the malleable polymer mixture;

removing the preformed structure with the malleable polymer mixture bonded thereto after commencement of hardening of the mixture, the mixture surfaces retaining the contour of the biting surfaces of the respective sets of mandibular teeth; and

periodically reinserting the structure between the jaws to rest on the respective sets of mandibular teeth after hardening of the mixture.

15. A method for relieving maxillo-mandibular imbalance as in claim 13 or 14, wherein the arcuate first portion of the preformed structure extends along the inner surface of the mandibular teeth during use.

16. A method for relieving maxillo-mandibular imbalance as in claim 13 or 14, wherein the preformed structure is of a unitary size and shape adapted to fit all wearers.

17. A method for relieving maxillo-mandibular imbalance as in claim 13 or 14, wherein the preformed structure is formed from acrylic.

18. A method for relieving maxillo-mandibular imbalance as in claim 17, and, prior to the step of periodically reinserting the structure between the jaws, additionally comprising the steps of:

spreading a further amount of the malleable polymer mixture onto the other side of each flange portion of the flexible, preformed structure from that side on which polymer mixture was first placed;

closing the jaws to conform the shape of the further amount of the malleable polymer mixture to the shape of the biting surfaces of the corresponding teeth on the upper jaw and to promote bonding between the preformed structure and the further amount of the malleable polymer mixture; and

,

removing the preformed structure with the further amount of the malleable polymer mixture bonded thereto after commencement of hardening of that further amount of mixture, the surfaces of that further amount of mixture retaining the contour of the biting surfaces of the corresponding teeth on the upper jaw.

19. A method for relieving maxillo-mandibular imbalance as in claim 18, and, prior to the step of periodically reinserting the structure between the jaws, additionally comprising the steps of:

spreading a further amount of the malleable polymer mixture onto the other side of each flange portion of the flexible, preformed structure from that side on which polymer mixture was first placed;

closing the jaws to conform the shape of the further amount of the malleable polymer mixture to the shape of the biting surfaces of the corresponding teeth on the upper jaw and to promote bonding between the preformed structure and the further amount of the malleable polymer mixture; and

,

removing the preformed structure with the further amount of the malleable polymer mixture bonded thereto after commencement of hardening of that further amount of mixture, the surfaces of that further amount of mixture retaining the contour of the biting surfaces of the corresponding teeth on the upper jaw.

20. A method for relieving maxillo-mandibular imbalance as in claim 18 or 19, wherein the arcuate first portion of the preformed structure extends along the inner surface of the mandibular teeth during use.

21. A method for relieving maxillo-mandibular imbalance as in claim 18 or 19, wherein the preformed structure is of a unitary size and shape adapted to fit all wearers.

22. A method for relieving maxillo-mandibular imbalance as in claim 18 or 19, wherein the preformed structure is formed from acrylic.

14. A method for relieving maxillo-mandibular imbalance by repositioning of the lower jaw relative to the upper jaw, comprising the steps of:

spreading a malleable polymer mixture over each set of mandibular premolar teeth or mandibular molar teeth, or both;

inserting a flexible, preformed structure between the jaws, the structure having an arcuate first portion and two flange portions, each flange portion being integrally connected to a respective end section of the first portion, the structure being positioned such that the arcuate first portion extends along and is adjacent to the surface of the mandibular teeth and each flange portion rests on the malleable polymer mixture over a respective set of the mandibular teeth;

closing the jaws to conform the shape of the malleable polymer mixture to the shape of the biting surfaces of the respective sets of mandibular teeth and to promote bonding between the preformed structure and the malleable polymer mixture;

removing the preformed structure with the malleable polymer mixture bonded thereto after commencement of hardening of the mixture, the mixture surfaces retaining the contour of the biting surfaces of the respective sets of mandibular teeth; and

periodically reinserting the structure between the jaws to rest on the respective sets of mandibular teeth after hardening of the mixture.