Appliance adapted to fit many mouth and tooth sizes for orthodontic correction and other uses
First Claim
1. An orthodontic appliance comprising:
- a labial-buccal flange having a generally U-shaped configuration and a generally smooth inner labial surface;
a lingual flange also having a generally U-shaped configuration and generally smooth inner lingual surfaces being spaced from said inner labial surface of said labial-buccal flange;
an isthmus interconnecting said labial-buccal flange and said lingual flange;
a tooth receiving trough defined adjacent said isthmus between-said inner labial surfaces and said inner lingual surface for receiving at least one of an upper or a lower row of teeth, said tooth receiving trough sized to act as a sole means for retaining the orthodontic appliance in an individual'"'"'s mouth; and
wherein said tooth receiving trough in an incisor area has a width which narrows toward said isthmus sufficient to apply pressure against an individual'"'"'s incisors as said incisors erupt.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An orthodontic appliance for assisting in properly positioning teeth within the mouth of an individual which is capable of fitting various mouth and tooth sizes. The appliance includes a labial-buccal flange, a lingual flange spaced from the labial-buccal flange, both of which define a generally U-shaped configuration in the occlusal view, and an isthmus interconnecting the two flanges. At least one tooth trough is defined between the labial-buccal flange and the lingual flange for receiving either an upper or a lower row of the individual'"'"'s teeth. The appliance includes no individual tooth sockets but instead utilizes pressure applied by the labial-buccal flange, the lingual flange, and the relative angles and material thicknesses to properly position the teeth. The appliance is capable of fitting mouths and teeth of various sizes because it includes no individual tooth sockets. The appliance is also useful as a device for preventing sleep apnea, snoring and bruxism as well as an athletic mouth guard.
-
Citations
31 Claims
-
1. An orthodontic appliance comprising:
-
a labial-buccal flange having a generally U-shaped configuration and a generally smooth inner labial surface; a lingual flange also having a generally U-shaped configuration and generally smooth inner lingual surfaces being spaced from said inner labial surface of said labial-buccal flange; an isthmus interconnecting said labial-buccal flange and said lingual flange; a tooth receiving trough defined adjacent said isthmus between-said inner labial surfaces and said inner lingual surface for receiving at least one of an upper or a lower row of teeth, said tooth receiving trough sized to act as a sole means for retaining the orthodontic appliance in an individual'"'"'s mouth; and wherein said tooth receiving trough in an incisor area has a width which narrows toward said isthmus sufficient to apply pressure against an individual'"'"'s incisors as said incisors erupt. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
-
-
24. An orthodontic appliance for use in a mouth of an individual comprising:
-
a labial-buccal flange having a generally U-shaped configuration and an inner labial surface; a lingual flange also having a generally U-shaped configuration and an inner lingual surface being spaced from said inner labial surface of said labial-buccal flange; an isthmus interconnecting said labial-buccal flange and said lingual flange; at least one tooth receiving trough defined adjacent said isthmus between said inner labial surfaces and said inner lingual surface for receiving at least one of an upper or a lower row of teeth; and wherein said tooth receiving trough in an incisor area has a width which narrows toward said isthmus sufficient to apply pressure against an individual'"'"'s incisors as said incisors erupt and said width is about 1 mm or less adjacent said isthmus for a distance of about 2 mm or greater therefrom.
-
-
25. An orthodontic appliance for use in a mouth of an individual comprising:
-
a labial-buccal flange having a generally U-shaped configuration and an inner labial surface; a lingual flange also having a generally U-shaped configuration and an inner lingual surface being spaced from said inner labial surface of said labial-buccal flange; an isthmus interconnecting said labial-buccal flange and said lingual flange; at least one tooth receiving trough defined adjacent said isthmus between said inner labial surfaces and said inner lingual surface for receiving at least one of an upper or a lower row of teeth; and wherein said tooth receiving trough in an incisor area has a width which narrows toward said isthmus sufficient to apply pressure against an individual'"'"'s incisors as said incisors erupt and said width is greater than 1 mm adjacent said isthmus for a distance of about 2 mm or greater therefrom.
-
-
26. An orthodontic appliance for use in a mouth of an individual comprising:
-
a labial-buccal flange having a generally U-shaped configuration, a superior labial segment having an inner labial surface, and an inferior labial segment having an inner labial surface; a lingual flange having a generally U-shaped configuration, a superior lingual segment having an inner lingual surface being spaced from said inner labial surface of said superior labial segment, an inferior lingual segment having an inner lingual surface spaced from said inner labial surface of said inferior labial segment; an isthmus interconnecting said labial-buccal flange and said lingual flange and having an upper isthmus surface and a lower isthmus surface; a maxillary tooth receiving trough defined by said upper isthmus surface between said inner labial surface and said inner lingual surface of said superior segments; a mandibular tooth receiving trough defined by said lower isthmus surface between said inner labial surface and said inner lingual surface of said inferior segments; wherein one of said maxillary tooth receiving trough and said mandibular tooth receiving trough in an incisor area has a width which narrows toward said isthmus sufficient to apply pressure against an individual'"'"'s incisors as said incisors erupt; and wherein said inner labial surface of said superior labial segment and said inner labial surface of said inferior labial segment are inclined relative to one another defining an angle therebetween which is less than that of average incisors adapted to receive therein varying shapes and sizes of teeth, and further adapted to assist in guiding said teeth to their proper occlusal position. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28)
-
-
29. An orthodontic appliance for use in a mouth of an individual comprising:
-
a labial-buccal flange having a generally U-shaped configuration, a superior labial segment having an inner labial surface, and an inferior labial segment having an inner labial surface; a lingual flange having a generally U-shaped configuration, a superior lingual segment having an inner lingual surface being spaced from said inner labial surface of said superior labial segment, an inferior lingual segment having an inner lingual surface spaced from said inner labial surface of said inferior labial segment; an isthmus interconnecting said labial-buccal flange and said lingual flange and having an upper isthmus surface and a lower isthmus surface; a maxillary tooth receiving trough defined by said upper isthmus surface between said inner labial surface and said inner lingual surface of said superior segments; a mandibular tooth receiving trough defined by said lower isthmus surface between said inner labial surface and said inner lingual surface of said inferior segments; wherein one of said maxillary tooth receiving trough and said mandibular tooth receiving trough in an incisor area has a width which narrows toward said isthmus sufficient to apply pressure against an individual'"'"'s incisors as said incisors erupt; and wherein said superior labial segment in said incisor area has a thin wall thickness adapted to permit said labial-buccal flange in said incisor area to stretch thereacross to a degree sufficient to apply pressure to upper incisors of said individual'"'"'s mouth. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31)
-
Specification