System and method to bioengineer facial form in adults
First Claim
1. A method for changing in an individual at least one craniofacial feature selected from a group consisting of an osteological feature, a dental feature, an anatomical feature, or a cosmetic feature, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a device having a plate body that fits within the mouth of the individual, a flap spring that projects from the plate body, and an overlay extending from the plate body;
placing the device within the mouth of the individual so that the overlay is in a position between at least an upper and lower tooth of the individual, the flap spring presses against at least one selected tooth that is out of place, and the plate body is spaced from the individual'"'"'s tissues, including the palate; and
arranging the shape and placement of the device such that contact of the individual'"'"'s upper tooth and lower tooth or teeth with the overlay causes the individual'"'"'s facial muscles to intermittently pull on at least one facial bone when the individual swallows, thereby causing a change in a craniofacial feature,wherein the anatomical feature is at least one of the form of an airway space behind the jaws, the form of the nose, the form of the nasal passages, the form of the sinuses, or the quality of the voice.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus are provided for changing the form of the jaw and facial bones of an adult patient that did not develop fully during childhood. The method utilizes a device having a plate body with an expansion screw that fits within the mouth of the patient; flap springs that project from the plate body, and an overlay extending from the plate body. The device is placed within the mouth of the patient so that the overlay is in a position between at least two opposing teeth. In this position, opposing teeth contact the overlay during function (e.g. swallowing). This intermittent, unilateral application of force to the facial bones causes these bones to further develop, positioning out of place teeth into more proper positions, and inducing a more symmetrical and enhanced appearance of the face, as well as increasing the airway space behind the jaws. Concomitantly, the flap springs gently press against selected teeth that are out of alignment in order to guide those teeth into place. Simultaneously, the expansion device maintains these forces on the teeth, while assisting the jawbones to expand to accept the teeth in their proper position. The expansion device can be adjusted by small motors under the control of a microprocessor located on the body plate based on readings from sensors on the flap springs. The expansion device can be adjusted by remote signaling, using a global position satellite technology and global position coordinates.
125 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method for changing in an individual at least one craniofacial feature selected from a group consisting of an osteological feature, a dental feature, an anatomical feature, or a cosmetic feature, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a device having a plate body that fits within the mouth of the individual, a flap spring that projects from the plate body, and an overlay extending from the plate body; placing the device within the mouth of the individual so that the overlay is in a position between at least an upper and lower tooth of the individual, the flap spring presses against at least one selected tooth that is out of place, and the plate body is spaced from the individual'"'"'s tissues, including the palate; and arranging the shape and placement of the device such that contact of the individual'"'"'s upper tooth and lower tooth or teeth with the overlay causes the individual'"'"'s facial muscles to intermittently pull on at least one facial bone when the individual swallows, thereby causing a change in a craniofacial feature, wherein the anatomical feature is at least one of the form of an airway space behind the jaws, the form of the nose, the form of the nasal passages, the form of the sinuses, or the quality of the voice. - 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)
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Specification