JP2003190185A - Occlusion supporting device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an occlusion supporting device with which an occlusal state is easily corrected and a preferred occlusion function can be provided. <P>SOLUTION: The device 2 for occlusion is mounted over molars and equipped with a mutual occlusion contact part 4 which generates a counter occlusion contact in the part corresponding to the second baby molar of the upper jaw and can be mounted over the molar of the upper jaw (the part corresponding to the second baby molar of the upper jaw). By the use of the device, the mutual occlusion contact can be surely provided in the part corresponding to the second baby molar of the upper jaw, so that not only the balance of the occlusion but also the balance of the whole body can be maintained. Thus, the preferred occlusion function can be provided. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an occlusal assisting device, and more particularly, to an occlusal assisting device capable of restoring or improving an occlusal function so that an occlusal function originally possessed by an individual can be exhibited.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a causal relationship between abnormal occlusion and systemic symptoms (headache, stiff neck, back pain, etc.) has been studied. For example, it has been reported that various systemic symptoms have been improved by correcting the occlusal state of the patient by adjusting the denture and mounting a splint in the oral cavity (for example, Shoji Nakamura “ Factors of Occlusion-related Diseases and Their Diagnosis and Treatment ": PJAOcclusion.Heal
th.Vol.1 (1995)). Such occlusal-related diseases occur in young to old people regardless of whether they have natural teeth or wear dentures. In addition, the treatment mainly focuses on occlusal adjustment and correction by a dentist.

[0003]

However, treatment of occlusal diseases often involves long-term treatment because the treatment itself may be technically difficult. An occlusal defect causes not only mastication but also various systemic symptoms, which may cause a serious obstacle from the viewpoint of the quality of personal life. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an occlusal assistance device that can easily modify the occlusal state and develop a preferable occlusal function.

[0004]

Means for Solving the Problems The present inventor has conducted a study focusing on muscle groups and jaw structures related to occlusal movement,
It was found that the original occlusal function is achieved by anti-bite contact at the site corresponding to the upper second molar region. That is, it was found that the occlusal balance, and thus the whole body balance, would be maintained by surely bringing the upper and lower molars into bite contact at the site corresponding to the upper second molar region. Then, based on these findings, they found that the above-mentioned problems can be solved, and completed the present invention. That is, according to the present invention, the following means are provided. (1) An occlusal device to be attached to a molar tooth, which is provided with a occlusal contact portion capable of causing an occlusal contact at a portion corresponding to the upper second deciduous molar so as to be attachable to the molar portion. (2) The device according to (1), wherein the anti-bite contact portion is protruded toward the occlusal surface side to the extent that occlusal can be suppressed in portions other than the upper second molar molar equivalent site. (3) The device according to (1) or (2), wherein the anti-bite contact portion has a hardness that does not elastically deform due to occlusion. (4) The device according to any one of (1) to (3), which is a mouthpiece-shaped body. (5) The device according to (4), wherein the anti-bite contact portion is a plate-like body fixed to the occlusal surface side of the mouthpiece-like body. (6) The mouthpiece-shaped body has at least 3 on the upper jaw side.
The device according to (4) or (5), which covers an individual molar.

According to these occlusal assisting devices, it is possible to cause occlusal contact at the site corresponding to the upper second deciduous molar. That is, it is possible to cause the bite contact in the site where the bite contact is not obtained or is incomplete in the site corresponding to the upper second deciduous molar. Therefore, the wearer can restore the original occlusal function. As a result, various occlusal symptoms can be reduced. In addition, according to the present device, it is possible to perform training such that the muscle groups and joints related to occlusion function properly by such an anti-bite contact.

[0006]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below. The device of the present invention can be applied to denture wearers as well as deciduous tooth holders and permanent tooth holders. Further, the present device can be applied to patients with occlusal diseases, persons at high risk of occlusal diseases, patients with occlusal adjustment after wearing dentures or artificial teeth, patients with oral cavity treatments such as tooth decay, etc. Then, based on the above-mentioned action, the occlusion of these patients can be improved or assisted to form a preferable masticatory state, and occlusion-related symptoms can be reduced, treated, or prevented. Further, in any of these patients, the occlusal muscle groups and joints can be trained. Therefore, the present device, in addition to the occlusal assist device for contacting the upper second deciduous molar equivalent site to bite, further as a mastication improving device, further, a device for treating occlusal-related symptoms,
It can be used as a preventive device. It can also be used as a training device for occlusal or masticatory functions.

Next, an embodiment of the device of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 exemplifies a conceptual form of the present device, and is an upper second premolar (more specifically, a second premolar mesial) to a first upper second molar molar portion-first to first A device configuration is shown with anti-bite contact at the mesial lingual cusp apex of the molar. In addition, the device form shown in FIG. 1, the form of the bite contact portion,
The form of the mounting means 2 does not limit the present invention. Further, in any of FIGS. 1 to 11 exemplifying the present device,
It is configured to be attached to the upper molars. This is because when it is attached to the upper molars, it is possible to easily secure the bite contact in the region corresponding to the upper second primary molars. Also, the occlusal pressure by the muscle groups and joints related to the occlusion can be transmitted upward without being dispersed. As described above, the device of the present invention is preferably mounted on the upper jaw side, but the invention is not limited to this, and a form applicable to the upper jaw side may be similarly mounted on the lower jaw side. When it is attached to the lower molars, it may be easily or stably attached. Therefore, in the following description,
This device, which is described as being attached to the upper molars,
Any of them can be adopted as a form to be attached to the lower molars.

The present device 2 has an anti-bite contact portion 4 which causes anti-bite contact at the site corresponding to the upper second deciduous molar.
The anti-bite contact part 4 can be configured to selectively or positively generate anti-bite contact in a region corresponding to the upper second molars when the device is attached. Preferably, it is configured such that the inter-occlusal contact of the molars is generated substantially only at the corresponding portion. The bite contact portion 4 is sufficient if it can generate bite contact at the corresponding part, and therefore does not necessarily have to have a size corresponding to the entire part, and a size at which the bite contact can be obtained. That's enough. However, if it has a size that substantially corresponds to the entire region, position adjustment at the time of mounting can be easily performed, and anti-bite contact can be easily obtained. Further, it is possible to form the entire upper molar region beyond the range of the corresponding part. In this case, in addition to the above, it is possible to reliably avoid bite contact by other molars and obtain a stable occlusal state.

Further, the anti-bite contact portion 4 can be constructed so as to mainly function as an anatomical occlusal surface (a portion surrounded by the cusp and the edge and facing the occlusal tooth). That is, it can be configured as a planar portion capable of receiving the cusp (apex) and / or the peripheral portion of the molar teeth on the opposite side (lower jaw or upper jaw) to the side on which the anti-bite contact portion 4 is arranged. Here, the part corresponding to the upper second deciduous molar part means a part where the upper second deciduous molar exists (or has existed) at present or in the past. That is, in the deciduous tooth holder, it is the existing upper second deciduous molar portion, and in the permanent tooth holder, in most cases, the upper second deciduous molar (more specifically, the second premolar mesial) ~ It is the mesial lingual cusp apex of the first molar, and in most cases for denture wearers, the upper second premolar of the denture (more specifically, the second premolar mesial) to the first major. The mesial lingual cusp apex of the molar.

[0010] Substantially occlusal contact only in the part corresponding to the upper second deciduous molar means that no occlusal contact occurs in other molars, or even if occlusal contact occurs, occlusal contact due to occlusal contact in the corresponding part ( Especially when biting and /
Or, it means that the contact is such that it does not hinder the chewing). In order to form a preferable anti-bite contact state with the present device 2, the anti-bite contact part 4 is occluded (particularly at the time of clenching and / or chewing) other than the part corresponding to the upper second deciduous molars.
It is preferable that the occlusal surface is projected to the side of the occlusal surface where the bite is suppressed.

The anti-bite contact portion 4 that artificially creates the anti-bite contact in this manner can take various forms within a range in which the above-mentioned anti-bite contact state can be exhibited. Examples of the shape of the occlusal surface portion (face portion to bite) of the anti-bite contact portion 4 include, in addition to a flat surface, a gentle convex curved surface shape, a hemispherical shape, a semicircular cross section, or a convex shape having a planar top portion. Can be a convex surface such as. Further, it may be a gentle concave curved surface, a mortar-shaped curved surface, or a concave surface having a flat bottom. In order to surely and easily obtain anti-bite contact, it is preferable that the whole is flat or at least the central portion is flat. In addition, it is preferable that the portion where the cusp against the bite abuts is flat or concave with a gentle curved surface. In addition, there is no irregularity to the extent that the anti-bite cusp (top) does not get caught, and it is a smooth surface that does not interfere with anti-bite contact with the anti-bite cusp (top) or mastication (forward movement, lateral movement, etc.). It is preferable that

Further, the anti-bite contact portion 4 can take various forms in relation to the mounting means 2. That is, (1) a mode in which the anti-bite contact portion is fixed in advance to a part of the attachment means to the molar teeth (an embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 6 and 7), and (2) an anti-bite contact portion in the attachment means. A form that is planned to be fixed (means a set form that makes it possible to fix the anti-bite contact portion to the mounting means during use) (a form illustrated in FIG. 8), (3) It is possible to adopt a form (a form illustrated in FIG. 9) in which the surface layer part of the mounting means and / or the inside thereof is configured so that a part thereof functions as an anti-bite contact part.

When the anti-bite contact portion 4 has the above-mentioned configuration (1) or (2), the mounting side of the anti-bite contact portion 4 can take various forms as long as the attachment to the molar teeth is not hindered. . For example, it may be flat or may have a convex shape that can be fitted into the occlusal surface portion of the mounting means 10 or the like. From the above, the anti-bite contact portion 4 in the form of (1) or (2) is a plate-like body having approximately the same rectangular cross section as a whole, or has a concave portion (preferably a flat surface portion) on the anti-bite side. It is preferable that the plate-shaped body is provided with

When the anti-bite contact portion 4 has the form (3), it is preferable that the anti-bite contact part 4 has the above-mentioned anti-bite contact side form on the anti-bite contact function portion (surface) of the mounting means 2.

Further, it is preferable that the anti-bite contact portion 4 has a hardness such that it is not elastically deformed by occlusion. This is because, if elastically deformed due to occlusion, the state of contact with the bite may change over time, and it may not function sufficiently.
Further, the elastic deformation may cause the occlusal pressure not to be sufficiently transmitted to the upper jaw side.

The preferred hardness of the anti-bite contact portion 4 is, for example,
The Vickers hardness can be 15 or more and 60 or less. When the hardness is within the range, the occlusal surface side is worn so that a good occlusal state can be obtained in accordance with the wearer's masticatory movement and other lifestyles related to occlusion. Therefore, it is easy to obtain a good occlusal state for each wearer. When it is less than 15, it is difficult to obtain a favorable occlusion,
When it exceeds 60, it is hard to be worn, and it is difficult to obtain a preferable wearing feeling (feeling of occlusal) by use. The Vickers hardness can be measured according to JIS Z2244. The test condition is 15 kg / kg load.
Seconds. The more preferable upper limit is 30, and the more preferable upper limit is 25. The more preferable lower limit is 20.
Is.

The anti-bite contact portion 4 is compliant with JIS K720.
In the abrasion resistance test according to No. 4, it is preferable that the abrasion loss is 10 mg or less. When the wear amount is within this range, the occlusal surface is appropriately worn due to the masticatory movement of the wearer of the artificial tooth when wearing the artificial tooth. If it exceeds 10 mg, it is easy to grind and wear, but the wear is so severe that it is difficult to obtain proper occlusion. More preferably, it is 5 mg or less. In addition, the measurement conditions of the above-mentioned abrasion resistance test are 300 revolutions,
The rotation speed is 60 rpm, the temperature is 23 ° C., and the wear wheel is CS17.

Since the anti-bite contact portion 4 has the above-mentioned hardness and / or abrasion resistance, it is easy to perform processing such as polishing with a dental instrument by a dentist or a dental technician. Therefore, the dentist or the dental technician can easily adjust the occlusion when the device is attached.

The material of the anti-bite contact portion 4 having such abrasion resistance and / or hardness is not particularly limited, but is preferably a (meth) acrylic resin such as polyalkyl (meth) acrylate. And The alkyl group preferably has 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Copolymers of (meth) acrylate monomers having different carbon numbers can also be preferably used. Further, preferably, the main component is polymethyl (meth) acrylate. Further, the constituent material can be crosslinked by adding a crosslinking agent or the like to adjust the degree of crosslinking.
Further, various fillers such as various inorganic fillers may be added to adjust wear resistance and / or hardness. It is particularly preferable to use silica or the like as the filler.
In addition, according to such a material, the adhesion resistance of dirt is also improved,
Discoloration and plaque adhesion are suppressed.

The anti-bite contact portion 4 is provided in the device 2 so that it can be attached to the upper and / or lower molars such as the upper second deciduous molar equivalent site or the site that bites against it. In order to mount the anti-bite contact part 4 on the molar part, various mounting means 10 can be adopted. For example, bridges, mouthpieces, blankets, etc., which have been adopted in the field of dentistry, can be adopted. From the viewpoint of ease of mounting and demounting operations, it is preferable to use a mouthpiece or a form conforming to the mouthpiece (herein referred to as a mouthpiece-shaped body). In addition,
In the present specification, the mouthpiece-like body means a concave cross-sectional body that can be worn by covering a molar, and in addition to a general mouthpiece in the dental field, its material, external form, wearing form, etc. It includes those modified into materials and forms that are not common in the field.

The form of the mouthpiece is not particularly limited, and various forms can be adopted. In order to obtain a stable anti-bite contact, it is preferable that at least the upper second molar molar equivalent site or the corresponding lower jaw site is covered. Preferably, at least 2 or 3
The shape is such that it covers over individual molars. Further, it is preferably in a form of covering over four molars. Specifically, in deciduous tooth holders, the first and second deciduous molars are covered, and in permanent tooth holders, the first premolar, second premolar, first molar,
And a form that covers the second molar. It should be noted that it is preferable that the tongue side surface of the mouthpiece-shaped body be lower than the cheek side surface.

The material of the mouthpiece is not particularly limited, but an elastic resin such as silicone resin can be adopted from the viewpoint of wearability. Further, from the viewpoint of occlusal stability, it is preferable to use a highly rigid material,
For example, thermosetting resin or thermoplastic resin or resin,
Further, metals and ceramics can be used. In addition, when the wearer performs the mounting work by himself, it is preferable to use a soft or elastic resin material with an emphasis on the wearability, and for a dentist, a highly rigid material may be used. preferable. In addition, when the mouthpiece-shaped body is used as the mounting means 10, in addition to the case where the mouthpiece-shaped body is mounted and fixed, a fixing composition or the like used in the mouthpiece-shaped body suitable for dentistry is used. Can be fixed. Therefore, such a composition can be preliminarily filled in the concave portion of the mouthpiece. The form for fixing can be appropriately selected according to the form and material of the mouthpiece.

2 to 9 illustrate various aspects of the present device 2. 2 to 6 show a device configuration in which the anti-bite contact portion 4 is previously fixed to the mouthpiece which is the mounting means 10.
4 is a view of the upper molar part viewed from the occlusal surface side, and FIG. 5 is a view of the upper molar part viewed from the buccal side.
[Fig. 4] is a view of the upper molar region viewed from the lingual side. In this form, the device 2 is in the form of a mouthpiece as a whole, and can be used in the same procedure as using a mouthpiece. As shown in FIG. 3, the device 2 is formed such that the mounting means 10 has a high cheek side (left side in the drawing) and a low tongue side (right side in the drawing). Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the mouthpiece is attached to the upper second premolar to the second molar. That is, the mounting means 10 is mounted over three molars or four molars,
The anti-bite contact portion 4 is stably held, and a stable occlusal state can be realized and maintained.

The form of the device shown in FIG. 7 is a modification of the device 2 of FIG. 2 and is shown in FIG. 2 except that the mounting means 10 corresponds only to the site corresponding to the upper second primary molars. It is similar to the device. According to this aspect, the device 2 can be made compact. Therefore, there is an advantage that the discomfort in the oral cavity can be reduced. It is also easy to attach and detach. FIG. 8 shows a set form in which the anti-bite contact portion 4 is supplied separately from the mounting means 10. In this form,
The dentist, the technician, and the user themselves can fix the bite contact part with an adhesive or the like. The attached anti-bite contact portion 4 may be supplied so that it can be fixed or replaceable as necessary. For example, it can be replaced by wear of the anti-bite contact part 4, or can be replaced by the opposed contact part 4 having different thickness and hardness depending on the wearer's preference and the occlusion state.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 to 8,
The anti-bite contact portion 4 is fixed to the surface of the attachment means 10 on the occlusal surface portion (the surface portion that opposes the bite), but is not limited to this. A concave portion into which the anti-bite contact portion 4 can be inserted may be formed in the portion, and the anti-bite contact portion 4 may be inserted and fixed in the concave portion (Modification a).
This form has an advantage that the anti-bite contact portion 4 can be stably fixed. Further, the anti-bite contact portion 4 is the mounting means 1
It is not limited to the form of being mounted on the outer side of the occlusal surface portion side of 0. That is, when a mouthpiece-shaped body or the like is adopted as the mounting means 10, it may be fixed to any of the portions forming the occlusal surface side of the mouthpiece-shaped body. For example, the anti-bite contact portion 4 may be fixed inside the mouthpiece-shaped body at the corresponding position, that is, in the concave portion (Modification b), and the range of the thickness thereof on the occlusal surface side of the mouthpiece-shaped body. A slit or a recess into which the anti-bite contact portion 4 can be inserted or fitted can be formed therein, and the anti-bite contact portion 4 can be inserted and fixed in that portion (Modification c). The modifications b and c also have an advantage that the anti-bite contact portion 4 can be easily held. In any of the modified examples a to c, it is preferable that the anti-bite contact portion 4 be detachable. It can be said that these various aspects (modification examples a to c) are such that the lower jaw occlusal surface side of the mounting means 10 can function as the anti-bite contact portion 4 as illustrated in FIG. 9.

FIG. 9 shows a form in which the lower jaw occlusal surface side of the mounting means 10 can function as the anti-bite contact portion 4. That is, the lower jaw occlusal surface side of the mouthpiece-shaped body as the mounting means 10 constitutes the anti-bite contact portion 4. In this form,
The device 2 will have a mouthpiece shape as a whole. Therefore, it can be used in the same procedure as using a mouthpiece. In order to form the mandibular occlusal surface side of the mouthpiece-shaped body so that it can function as the anti-bite contact portion 4 and have a predetermined hardness or the like, a resin having a high hardness is used for the portion, or the mouthpiece-shaped body is formed. It is possible to adopt a method such as providing a high hardness part inside or in the mouthpiece-like body (inside the concave portion).
When the lower jaw occlusal surface side of the mouthpiece is made to function as the anti-bite contact portion, it is a preferable mode to use the hardness and material preferable for the anti-bite contact portion as the surface layer.

The forms shown in FIGS. 2 to 9 were all mounted on the upper molars, but they can be easily converted to the form mounted on the lower molars. That is, the form of the mounting means 10 of these devices 2 may be replaced with a form adapted to the mandibular molar part to be mated.

The present apparatus as described above can be manufactured by a conventionally known manufacturing technology in the dental field, general molding technology of resin or other material, and the like. That is, the mounting means can be easily manufactured by adopting the manufacturing technique of the dental instrument, particularly, the mounting method in the dental area as exemplified above. Further, the anti-bite contact portion can be manufactured by a conventionally known molding technique using resin or the like. Also, these bonding can be easily realized by using a bonding technique in the dental field or the like. In addition, even when a part of the mouthpiece-shaped body is provided with an anti-bite contact part, it can be manufactured by utilizing the mouthpiece molding technique.

Next, a method of mounting this device on the upper jaw of the user will be described. 10 and 11 show a mounting example of the device 2 including a mouthpiece-shaped body as the mounting means 10, and the anti-bite contact portion 4 is fixed to the mouthpiece-shaped body in advance. The mouthpiece-shaped body of this example is made of resin and has a high rigidity. As shown in FIG. 10, when such a highly rigid mouthpiece-shaped body is used as the mounting means 10, a fixing composition 2 such as a wax for fixing is provided in the concave portion of the mouthpiece-shaped body.
0 can be supplied. Such a composition is usually blended so as to soften and exhibit adhesiveness when heated to a temperature higher than body temperature, and to solidify near body temperature. The fixing composition 20 may be supplied in advance to the concave portion of the mouthpiece-shaped body, or when it is attached,
It may be separately prepared for supply.

Then, the mouthpiece-like body having an appropriate amount of the fixing composition 20 held in the concave portion is attached to a predetermined portion of the upper dentition. When the mouthpiece-shaped body is strongly pressed against the upper jaw side and the predetermined time elapses, the fixing composition 20 is cooled and solidified, and the mouthpiece-shaped body is mounted and fixed. Before mounting the device 2, it is preferable to determine the mounting site so that the anti-bite contact part 4 is located at the site corresponding to the upper second molar. It is possible to adjust the position of the device 2 even during the process of mounting and solidifying the fixing composition 20.

Although the fixing composition is used in the examples shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, when the mouthpiece-shaped body is adopted as the mounting means 10, it can be fixed and mounted depending on the form and material of the mouthpiece itself. . Also, another mounting means 1
When 0 is adopted, a mounting method according to the type of the adopted means can be adopted. Further, the bite contact portion 4
When the mounting means 10 is prepared separately from the mounting means 10, these may be integrated before mounting, or the mounting means 10
After attaching to the dentition, the anti-bite contact portion 4 may be fixed. Any of these operations and order can be appropriately selected depending on the mounting means 10 and the bite contact portion 4. In addition, in the case of the device 2 that is mounted on the mandibular molars, FIG. 10 and FIG.
It suffices to carry out the procedure described in 1 for the mandibular molars, and to apply it similarly to the device 2 of other forms.

The device can be mounted on either the left or right molars, but is preferably mounted on the left or right. In this case, the present device can also adopt a form in which the anti-bite contact portions corresponding to the left and right molars are integrally connected. The anti-bite contact portions mounted on the left and right molars can be connected via a connecting portion along the front teeth. Furthermore, in order to secure the left and right occlusal balance, by adjusting the thickness of the anti-bite contact portion and / or the thickness of the mounting means, and adjusting the anti-occlusal height position of the anti-bite contact portion, a preferable occlusion is obtained. You can also get the left and right balance.

[0033]

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, it is possible to secure anti-bite contact in the region corresponding to the upper second deciduous molar and to develop a preferable occlusal function in the wearer.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the device of the present invention.

3 is a diagram showing a cross-section of the device shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a state in which the device shown in FIG. 2 is attached to an upper molar tooth portion as seen from an occlusal surface side.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which the device shown in FIG. 2 is attached to an upper molar tooth portion, as viewed from the buccal side.

FIG. 6 is a view of the state shown in FIG. 2 attached to an upper molar region viewed from the lingual side.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a view showing still another embodiment of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a view showing still another embodiment of the device of the present invention. Is.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state before mounting the device of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a view showing a state after mounting the device of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 Bite assist device 4 Anti-bite contact part 10 Mounting means 20 Fixing composition

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A device for occlusal wear, which is attached to a molar, comprising an anti-bite contact portion capable of causing an anti-bite contact at a site corresponding to the upper second deciduous molar part, which is attachable to the molar. 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the anti-bite contact portion is projected toward an occlusal surface side that opposes to an extent that it can suppress occlusion in a region other than the upper second molar molar part. 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the anti-bite contact portion has a hardness that does not elastically deform due to occlusion. 4. The device according to claim 1, which is a mouthpiece-shaped body. 5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the anti-bite contact portion is a plate-like body fixed to an occlusal surface side of the mouthpiece-like body. 6. A device according to claim 4 or 5 wherein the mouthpiece extends over at least three molars.