CA1336375C - Tongue retaining device - Google Patents
Tongue retaining deviceInfo
- Publication number
- CA1336375C CA1336375C CA 586294 CA586294A CA1336375C CA 1336375 C CA1336375 C CA 1336375C CA 586294 CA586294 CA 586294 CA 586294 A CA586294 A CA 586294A CA 1336375 C CA1336375 C CA 1336375C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- tongue
- tongue cavity
- superior
- molding
- anterior
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F5/00—Orthopaedic methods or devices for non-surgical treatment of bones or joints; Nursing devices ; Anti-rape devices
- A61F5/56—Devices for preventing snoring
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Otolaryngology (AREA)
- Pulmonology (AREA)
- Nursing (AREA)
- Orthopedic Medicine & Surgery (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Biomedical Technology (AREA)
- Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
- Vascular Medicine (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
- Orthopedics, Nursing, And Contraception (AREA)
Abstract
A tongue retaining device for holding the tongue projecting outward of the dental arches as a treatment for snoring and apnea includes a tongue cavity portion molded in a first step and dental trough portions molded in a second step using sheet material.
Description
SPECIFICATION
The present invention relates generally to an improved tongue retaining device for holding the tongue of an individual in a forward position during sleeping as a treatment for snoring and/or apnea.
Snoring and, in more severe cases, sleep apnea are the result of the loss of muscle tone during sleep in the tongue and the re~ions of the pharyngeal pillars, the soft palate and the uvula.
Not only does the sufferer of these maladies disturb those around him or her, but also these maladies are harmful to the health of the individual.
Various means have been proposed to treat snoring and apnea including devices which engage and hold the tongue in a forward position, thereby preventing the tongue from dropping back into the throat.
Known tongue retaining devices are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,169,g73; 4,304,227 and 4,593,686.
Such devices are formed as an integrally molded body of synthetic plastic resin such as ethylene vinyl acetate.
The 4,169,473 patent discloses a device having an elongated tongue receiving socket shown as an oval cylinder, as well as a plate covering the exterior of the mouth. The 4,304,227 patent is a continuation-in-part of the preceding patent and shows a further embodiment molded in one piece and having a continuous upper shelf and lower shelf. The 4,593,686 patent discloses a monitor system for a tongue retaining device.
The present invention provides an improved method for manufacturing a tongue retaining device in a two step process from two sheets of material. The present manufacturing method eliminates the need for custom dies and is simpler and easier to carry out than the known manufacturing methods for tongue retaining devices. The method can be carried out at less expense and can be performed in the common dental laboratory without unusual or specialized equipment.
The improved tongue retaining device manufactured according to the present method is more _omfortable to wear, as well as being lighter in weight and less bulky than the known devices. An increased area of contact with the tongue on both the superior and inferior surfaces reduces the chances of release of the tongue.
Furthermore, the tongue compartment is sized to accommodate the tongue sizes of the individual wearers and as such provides a generally custom fit. An improvement in the walls defining the tongue cavity better accommodates the hard palate of the individual, as well as adapting to variations in the width of the jaw.
ON THE DRAWINGS
Figure l is a bottom perspective view of a tongue retaining device according to the principles o~
the present invention;
Figure 2 is a cross section generally along the line II-II of the tongue retaining device of Figure l;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a tongue cavity portion produced from a first sheet of material according to the method of the invention;
Figure 4 is a cross section of the tongue cavity portion of Figure 3 generally along lines IV-IV;
Figure 5 is a perspective view, partially broken away, of the tongue retaining device, before trimming and after molding of a second sheet on the tongue cavity portion;
Figure 6 is a cross section generally along line VI-VI of the device shown in Figure 5; and Figure 7 is an end elevational view of the device of Figures 5 and 6 shown fKom the direction of the arrow VII in Figure 6.
In Figure 1 is shown a tongue retaining device 10 which has been manufactured according to the present method. The tongue retaining device 10, which is shown in perspective from the bottom for reasons which will be described later, includes an anterior tongue cavity wall 12 defining an anterior tongue cavity. The anterior wall 12 is a relatively wide, rounded-off structure extending across the front of the device 10. Extending rearwardly, or posteriorly, from the anterior wall 12 is an inferior tong~e cavity wall 14 and a superior tongue cavity wall 16. Each of the inferior and superior tongue cavity walls 14 and 16 include respective medial notches 18 and 20. The inferior or lower notch 18 (shown on top in the Figures) in the inferior tongue cavity wall 14 accommodates the lingular frenulum below the tongue when in use. Preferably, the notch 18 is large enough to clear the carunculae 1 or salivary gland opénings, at the base of the tongue. The superior or upper notch 20 in the superior tongue cavity wall 16 accommodates the hard palate of the individual wearer. The portions of the superior and inferior walls 16 and 14 adjoininy the notches 16 and 14 are flared outward to at least approximate the shape of the lingual cavity. As can be clearly seen in the bottom perspective view of Figure 1, the superior notch 20 has a V-shaped expansion or contraction cut 22 at the forward or anterior portion thereof to permit lateral spreading or contraction at the rear of the device and the~eby accommodate different jaw widths and, when heated, to mold closely to the surface contour of the hard palate. The superior and inferior tongue cavity walls 16 and 14 are joined together to form side walls 24 and 26 of the tongue cavity.
Extending externally from the inferior and superior surfaces of the tongue cavity walls are curved~
walls 28 and 30 which define respective lower and upper dental troughs. The curved walls 28 and 30 extend laterally beyond the sides of the tongue cavity walls toward the rear of the device 10 so that the tongue cavity portion lies between the lower and upper dental troughs 32 and 34 at the front center portion thereof but not on the sides. The rear-most portions of the dental troughs 32 and 34 have floors 35 formed by inwardly bent portions of the curved walls 28 and 30.
The floors 35 of the upper and lower troughs 34 and 32 are connected to one another by generally ~-shaped rear walls 36. The U-shaped rear walls 36 preferably do not extend as far back as the known tongue retaining devices. The floors 35 and the U-shaped rear walls 36 are joined to the side walls 24 and 26.
f ~, .
Not only do the dental troughs flex laterally to accommodate different jaw widths, the lateral spreading or contraction of the device being accommodated by the V-shaped notches 18, 20 and 22, but also the inferior and superior tongue cavity walls 14 and I6 are sufficiently flexible to permit spreading to fit the tongue. When the device Is being molded under heat and pressure.
In the cross section-of Figure 2 can be seen the anterior tongue cavity wall 12 extending beyond the curved walls 28 and 30. The anterior tongue cavity wall 12 forms an anterior tongue cavity 40 within which the distal end of the tongue is held by suction. The tongue is first inserted into the cavity 40 and then the air is sucked out to create a suction. Since the material of which the device is formed is somewhat flexible, the anterior wall 12 can be manipulated by the fingers to remove any remaining air and thereby assure the presence of a good suction. To assist in holding the tongue and in maintaining the suction, the cavity 40 is restricted on both the top and bottom by ridges 42 and 44 formed by inwardly directed ridges in the inferior and superior walls 14 and 16. The curved walls 28 and 30 are connected to the cavity walls 14 and 16 slightly forward of the ridges 42 and 4~. As can be seen by reference to Figure 1, the tongue cavity 40 is wider at the portions beyond the ridges 42 and 44 than behind them, so that the anterior cavity 40 is larger both vertically and laterally at the distal end of the tongue than at a more proximal location.
In Figures 3 and 4, is shown the tongue cavity portion 46 formed during an early step in the manufacturing p-rocess for the present invention. The separately molded tongue cavity portion ~6 is formed from a single sheet of material molded over a tongue cavity die (not shown) having the shape of the tongue cavity. The tongue cavity portion 46 includes the inferior cavity wall 14 and superior cavity wall 16 joined by the side walls 24 and 26. The side walls 24 and 26 have lateral ridges 48 and 50, which will eventually be joined with the curved walls 28 and 30 to form the dental troughs 32 and 34.
In Figure 4, the ridges 42 and 44 extending inwardly in the inferior and superior cavity walls 14 and 16 to define the tongue retaining cavity 40 anteriorly thereof. An anterior tongue cavity wall 12x is formed as part of the tongue cavity portion 46 during molding and is subsequently removed as shown by the dotted outlines. The tongue retaining portion of Figures 3 and 4 is molded from a sheet preferably a sheet of 1/8 inch medical grade vinyl by a vacuum pressure process or a positive pressure process over a mold. The edges of the sheet, indicated in dotted outline in Figure 4, are removed after molding.
As can be seen in Figure 3, the mold with which the tongue cavity portion is formed may be marked to form cut marks 52 and 54 on the molded portion 46.
The cut marks 52 and 54 indicate where the device is to be cut to form the notches 18 and 20. Ir addition, the mold is preferably marked to form a cut line at 56 where the anterior tongue cavity wall 12X is to be removed. It is also contemplated to mark cut lines on the cavity portion 46 by other means, such as by hand.
As a subsequent step in the molding process, the tongue cavity portion 46 as shown in Figures 3 and 4 is placed back over the tongue cavity mold and upper and lower dental arch portions are placed on the corresponding sùrfaces. A second sheet 60, preferably of 1/8 inch medical grade vinyl, is then molded over the assembled elements to form a structure as shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7. This second sheet 60 of vinyl, the edge portions of which are shown in Figures 5 through 7, molds a second anterior tongue cavity wall 12 over the anterior tongue cavity 40. Thus, the removal of the anterior wall 12x from the cavity portion 46 results in only a single thickness of the sheet material forming the anterior tongue cavity wall 12.
However, a double thickness of the sheet material encircles the anterior tongue cavity wall 12 at 62 and extends laterally inwardly to engage against the lateral ridges 48 and 50 and thereby form the dental troughs 32 and 34. In addition, this overlapping of layers at 62 securely holds the tongue cavity portion 46 to the portions formed by the second sheet of material, such as the curved walls 28 and 30.
In Figures 5 and 7 in particular, the circular face of the mold over which the second sheet was formed can be seen impressed into the rear surface of the sheet 60. The excess portions are subsequently trimmed away to shape the device as shown in Figures 1 and 2. As can be seen in Figure 7, lines 64 and 66 on the mold indicate approximate gum lines along which the curved walls 28 and 30 are trimmed.
~-- 1 3 3 6 3 7 5 ~...
After cutting the excess material from the molded embodiments of Figures 5 through 7, the device is custom fitted to the specific dental stone models of the individuals dental arches using a wax open bite registration obtained from the individual to guide mounting of the models on an articulator. The edges thereof are trimmed and then polished on a pumice rag-wheel to avoid gingival abrasion. Preferably, the procedure of molding and shaping the device is performed in an accredited dental laboratory such as a dental laboratory specializing in orthodonic appliances and positioners.
As can be seen by comparison of the embodiments shown in Figures 2 and 6, the embodiment of Figure 6 has a slightly larger anterior tongue cavity 40 than the embodiment of Figure 2. To achieve the best possible fit, the size of the anterior tongue cavity is selectable to accommodate different sizes of tongues. In a preferred embodiment, three different sizes of tongue compartments are available which will accommodate most, if not all, of the adult population.
The present device will work with individuals having different relative positions of their dental arches as established by obtaining an open centric wax construction bite registration. The apparatus also is effective with edentulous patients.
The method of the invention includes the steps of casting an impression of the upper and lower dental arches using an alginate material or other suitable material and thereafter making stone models of the respective dental arches. An open centric wax ~ ; `1 3 3 6 3 7 5 construction bite registration is obtained by having the individual bite down on a wax arch having a thickness of approximately 3/8 inch. This is the spacing of the dental troughs 32 and 34 from one another and so will register the relative positions of the teeth at this spacing. The tongue of the individual is then sized using models of only the anterior tongue cavity wall in different sizes. As mentioned above, three different sizes are preferred.
The stone models of the upper and lower arches, the bite impression and the tongue sizing is shipped to a dental laboratory which molds the tongue retaining portion 46 in the approp~iate size and cuts off the excess material of the first sheet as well as the anterior wall 12x. A second sl-eet of material is then used to mold the curved walls 28 and 30 and again mold the anterior 12 of the tongue portion. The excess is then cut away and the device trimmed and polished.
Shaping for a custom fit is then accomplished using the stone models of the dental arches as a guide while gently heating the device lO and flaring or compressing the walls 14 and 16. Final fitting is accomplished in the individual's mouth to assure a comfortable yet secure holding of the tongue.
Thus, there i~; provided an improved tongu~
retaining device and method for its manufacture which is smaller, has thinner walls, is lighter in weight and less bulky than the known tongue retaining devices.
The device is molded from two pieces in a generally two step process performed in a dental lab. Improved tongue suction is provided by an increase in the area - ~ 1 336375 of contact with the tongue on the superior and inferior surfaces, while still freeing the carunculae or salivary gland openings in the region of the lingual frenulum by the notch 18. The dental troughs in the improved device are sufficiently wide to allow jaw movement within limits.
` i 336375 Although other modifications and changes may be suggested by those skilled in the art, it is the intention of the inventor to embody within the patent warranted hereon all changes and modifications as reasonably and properly come within the scope of his contribution to the art.
The present invention relates generally to an improved tongue retaining device for holding the tongue of an individual in a forward position during sleeping as a treatment for snoring and/or apnea.
Snoring and, in more severe cases, sleep apnea are the result of the loss of muscle tone during sleep in the tongue and the re~ions of the pharyngeal pillars, the soft palate and the uvula.
Not only does the sufferer of these maladies disturb those around him or her, but also these maladies are harmful to the health of the individual.
Various means have been proposed to treat snoring and apnea including devices which engage and hold the tongue in a forward position, thereby preventing the tongue from dropping back into the throat.
Known tongue retaining devices are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,169,g73; 4,304,227 and 4,593,686.
Such devices are formed as an integrally molded body of synthetic plastic resin such as ethylene vinyl acetate.
The 4,169,473 patent discloses a device having an elongated tongue receiving socket shown as an oval cylinder, as well as a plate covering the exterior of the mouth. The 4,304,227 patent is a continuation-in-part of the preceding patent and shows a further embodiment molded in one piece and having a continuous upper shelf and lower shelf. The 4,593,686 patent discloses a monitor system for a tongue retaining device.
The present invention provides an improved method for manufacturing a tongue retaining device in a two step process from two sheets of material. The present manufacturing method eliminates the need for custom dies and is simpler and easier to carry out than the known manufacturing methods for tongue retaining devices. The method can be carried out at less expense and can be performed in the common dental laboratory without unusual or specialized equipment.
The improved tongue retaining device manufactured according to the present method is more _omfortable to wear, as well as being lighter in weight and less bulky than the known devices. An increased area of contact with the tongue on both the superior and inferior surfaces reduces the chances of release of the tongue.
Furthermore, the tongue compartment is sized to accommodate the tongue sizes of the individual wearers and as such provides a generally custom fit. An improvement in the walls defining the tongue cavity better accommodates the hard palate of the individual, as well as adapting to variations in the width of the jaw.
ON THE DRAWINGS
Figure l is a bottom perspective view of a tongue retaining device according to the principles o~
the present invention;
Figure 2 is a cross section generally along the line II-II of the tongue retaining device of Figure l;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a tongue cavity portion produced from a first sheet of material according to the method of the invention;
Figure 4 is a cross section of the tongue cavity portion of Figure 3 generally along lines IV-IV;
Figure 5 is a perspective view, partially broken away, of the tongue retaining device, before trimming and after molding of a second sheet on the tongue cavity portion;
Figure 6 is a cross section generally along line VI-VI of the device shown in Figure 5; and Figure 7 is an end elevational view of the device of Figures 5 and 6 shown fKom the direction of the arrow VII in Figure 6.
In Figure 1 is shown a tongue retaining device 10 which has been manufactured according to the present method. The tongue retaining device 10, which is shown in perspective from the bottom for reasons which will be described later, includes an anterior tongue cavity wall 12 defining an anterior tongue cavity. The anterior wall 12 is a relatively wide, rounded-off structure extending across the front of the device 10. Extending rearwardly, or posteriorly, from the anterior wall 12 is an inferior tong~e cavity wall 14 and a superior tongue cavity wall 16. Each of the inferior and superior tongue cavity walls 14 and 16 include respective medial notches 18 and 20. The inferior or lower notch 18 (shown on top in the Figures) in the inferior tongue cavity wall 14 accommodates the lingular frenulum below the tongue when in use. Preferably, the notch 18 is large enough to clear the carunculae 1 or salivary gland opénings, at the base of the tongue. The superior or upper notch 20 in the superior tongue cavity wall 16 accommodates the hard palate of the individual wearer. The portions of the superior and inferior walls 16 and 14 adjoininy the notches 16 and 14 are flared outward to at least approximate the shape of the lingual cavity. As can be clearly seen in the bottom perspective view of Figure 1, the superior notch 20 has a V-shaped expansion or contraction cut 22 at the forward or anterior portion thereof to permit lateral spreading or contraction at the rear of the device and the~eby accommodate different jaw widths and, when heated, to mold closely to the surface contour of the hard palate. The superior and inferior tongue cavity walls 16 and 14 are joined together to form side walls 24 and 26 of the tongue cavity.
Extending externally from the inferior and superior surfaces of the tongue cavity walls are curved~
walls 28 and 30 which define respective lower and upper dental troughs. The curved walls 28 and 30 extend laterally beyond the sides of the tongue cavity walls toward the rear of the device 10 so that the tongue cavity portion lies between the lower and upper dental troughs 32 and 34 at the front center portion thereof but not on the sides. The rear-most portions of the dental troughs 32 and 34 have floors 35 formed by inwardly bent portions of the curved walls 28 and 30.
The floors 35 of the upper and lower troughs 34 and 32 are connected to one another by generally ~-shaped rear walls 36. The U-shaped rear walls 36 preferably do not extend as far back as the known tongue retaining devices. The floors 35 and the U-shaped rear walls 36 are joined to the side walls 24 and 26.
f ~, .
Not only do the dental troughs flex laterally to accommodate different jaw widths, the lateral spreading or contraction of the device being accommodated by the V-shaped notches 18, 20 and 22, but also the inferior and superior tongue cavity walls 14 and I6 are sufficiently flexible to permit spreading to fit the tongue. When the device Is being molded under heat and pressure.
In the cross section-of Figure 2 can be seen the anterior tongue cavity wall 12 extending beyond the curved walls 28 and 30. The anterior tongue cavity wall 12 forms an anterior tongue cavity 40 within which the distal end of the tongue is held by suction. The tongue is first inserted into the cavity 40 and then the air is sucked out to create a suction. Since the material of which the device is formed is somewhat flexible, the anterior wall 12 can be manipulated by the fingers to remove any remaining air and thereby assure the presence of a good suction. To assist in holding the tongue and in maintaining the suction, the cavity 40 is restricted on both the top and bottom by ridges 42 and 44 formed by inwardly directed ridges in the inferior and superior walls 14 and 16. The curved walls 28 and 30 are connected to the cavity walls 14 and 16 slightly forward of the ridges 42 and 4~. As can be seen by reference to Figure 1, the tongue cavity 40 is wider at the portions beyond the ridges 42 and 44 than behind them, so that the anterior cavity 40 is larger both vertically and laterally at the distal end of the tongue than at a more proximal location.
In Figures 3 and 4, is shown the tongue cavity portion 46 formed during an early step in the manufacturing p-rocess for the present invention. The separately molded tongue cavity portion ~6 is formed from a single sheet of material molded over a tongue cavity die (not shown) having the shape of the tongue cavity. The tongue cavity portion 46 includes the inferior cavity wall 14 and superior cavity wall 16 joined by the side walls 24 and 26. The side walls 24 and 26 have lateral ridges 48 and 50, which will eventually be joined with the curved walls 28 and 30 to form the dental troughs 32 and 34.
In Figure 4, the ridges 42 and 44 extending inwardly in the inferior and superior cavity walls 14 and 16 to define the tongue retaining cavity 40 anteriorly thereof. An anterior tongue cavity wall 12x is formed as part of the tongue cavity portion 46 during molding and is subsequently removed as shown by the dotted outlines. The tongue retaining portion of Figures 3 and 4 is molded from a sheet preferably a sheet of 1/8 inch medical grade vinyl by a vacuum pressure process or a positive pressure process over a mold. The edges of the sheet, indicated in dotted outline in Figure 4, are removed after molding.
As can be seen in Figure 3, the mold with which the tongue cavity portion is formed may be marked to form cut marks 52 and 54 on the molded portion 46.
The cut marks 52 and 54 indicate where the device is to be cut to form the notches 18 and 20. Ir addition, the mold is preferably marked to form a cut line at 56 where the anterior tongue cavity wall 12X is to be removed. It is also contemplated to mark cut lines on the cavity portion 46 by other means, such as by hand.
As a subsequent step in the molding process, the tongue cavity portion 46 as shown in Figures 3 and 4 is placed back over the tongue cavity mold and upper and lower dental arch portions are placed on the corresponding sùrfaces. A second sheet 60, preferably of 1/8 inch medical grade vinyl, is then molded over the assembled elements to form a structure as shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7. This second sheet 60 of vinyl, the edge portions of which are shown in Figures 5 through 7, molds a second anterior tongue cavity wall 12 over the anterior tongue cavity 40. Thus, the removal of the anterior wall 12x from the cavity portion 46 results in only a single thickness of the sheet material forming the anterior tongue cavity wall 12.
However, a double thickness of the sheet material encircles the anterior tongue cavity wall 12 at 62 and extends laterally inwardly to engage against the lateral ridges 48 and 50 and thereby form the dental troughs 32 and 34. In addition, this overlapping of layers at 62 securely holds the tongue cavity portion 46 to the portions formed by the second sheet of material, such as the curved walls 28 and 30.
In Figures 5 and 7 in particular, the circular face of the mold over which the second sheet was formed can be seen impressed into the rear surface of the sheet 60. The excess portions are subsequently trimmed away to shape the device as shown in Figures 1 and 2. As can be seen in Figure 7, lines 64 and 66 on the mold indicate approximate gum lines along which the curved walls 28 and 30 are trimmed.
~-- 1 3 3 6 3 7 5 ~...
After cutting the excess material from the molded embodiments of Figures 5 through 7, the device is custom fitted to the specific dental stone models of the individuals dental arches using a wax open bite registration obtained from the individual to guide mounting of the models on an articulator. The edges thereof are trimmed and then polished on a pumice rag-wheel to avoid gingival abrasion. Preferably, the procedure of molding and shaping the device is performed in an accredited dental laboratory such as a dental laboratory specializing in orthodonic appliances and positioners.
As can be seen by comparison of the embodiments shown in Figures 2 and 6, the embodiment of Figure 6 has a slightly larger anterior tongue cavity 40 than the embodiment of Figure 2. To achieve the best possible fit, the size of the anterior tongue cavity is selectable to accommodate different sizes of tongues. In a preferred embodiment, three different sizes of tongue compartments are available which will accommodate most, if not all, of the adult population.
The present device will work with individuals having different relative positions of their dental arches as established by obtaining an open centric wax construction bite registration. The apparatus also is effective with edentulous patients.
The method of the invention includes the steps of casting an impression of the upper and lower dental arches using an alginate material or other suitable material and thereafter making stone models of the respective dental arches. An open centric wax ~ ; `1 3 3 6 3 7 5 construction bite registration is obtained by having the individual bite down on a wax arch having a thickness of approximately 3/8 inch. This is the spacing of the dental troughs 32 and 34 from one another and so will register the relative positions of the teeth at this spacing. The tongue of the individual is then sized using models of only the anterior tongue cavity wall in different sizes. As mentioned above, three different sizes are preferred.
The stone models of the upper and lower arches, the bite impression and the tongue sizing is shipped to a dental laboratory which molds the tongue retaining portion 46 in the approp~iate size and cuts off the excess material of the first sheet as well as the anterior wall 12x. A second sl-eet of material is then used to mold the curved walls 28 and 30 and again mold the anterior 12 of the tongue portion. The excess is then cut away and the device trimmed and polished.
Shaping for a custom fit is then accomplished using the stone models of the dental arches as a guide while gently heating the device lO and flaring or compressing the walls 14 and 16. Final fitting is accomplished in the individual's mouth to assure a comfortable yet secure holding of the tongue.
Thus, there i~; provided an improved tongu~
retaining device and method for its manufacture which is smaller, has thinner walls, is lighter in weight and less bulky than the known tongue retaining devices.
The device is molded from two pieces in a generally two step process performed in a dental lab. Improved tongue suction is provided by an increase in the area - ~ 1 336375 of contact with the tongue on the superior and inferior surfaces, while still freeing the carunculae or salivary gland openings in the region of the lingual frenulum by the notch 18. The dental troughs in the improved device are sufficiently wide to allow jaw movement within limits.
` i 336375 Although other modifications and changes may be suggested by those skilled in the art, it is the intention of the inventor to embody within the patent warranted hereon all changes and modifications as reasonably and properly come within the scope of his contribution to the art.
Claims (20)
1. A method for manufacturing a tongue retaining device, comprising the steps of: molding a tongue cavity portion, molding upper and lower dental troughs over said tongue cavity portion after said tongue cavity portion has been molded, trimming unwanted material from said upper and lower dental troughs.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said steps of molding said tongue cavity portion and molding said upper and lower dental troughs are undertaken starting with flat sheets of moldable material.
3. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein said flat sheets are sheets of medical grade vinyl.
4. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the steps of: removing an anterior portion of said tongue cavity portion before said step of molding said upper and lower dental troughs; and molding a second anterior portion of said tongue cavity during molding of said dental troughs.
5. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of: selecting a size of tongue cavity portion to be molded.
6. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of: forming a generally V-shaped cut-out in a superior surface of said tongue cavity portion.
7. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein said sheets of vinyl are of an initial thickness of approximately 1/8 inch.
8. A method for manufacturing a custom fitted tongue retaining device for an individual, comprising the steps of: forming a cast impression of upper and lower arches of the individual; making stone models of said upper and lower dental arches from said cast impression; obtaining a bite impression of the individual; molding a tongue cavity portion from a first sheet of moldable material; removing an anterior portion of said tongue cavity portion; molding upper and lower dental troughs from a second sheet of moldable material, said upper and lower dental troughs being molded on said tongue cavity portion and said second sheet forming an anterior portion of a tongue retaining cavity in place of said removed anterior portion; and trimming excess material from said upper and lower dental troughs.
9. A method as claimed in claim 8, further comprising: determining an approximate size of the individual's tongue; and selecting a size of tongue cavity portion to be molded approximately corresponding to the size of the individual's tongue.
10. A method as claimed in claim 8, further comprising: forming a V-shaped notch in a superior and surface of said tongue cavity portion and a U-shaped notch in an inferior surface of said tongue cavity portion to permit lateral flexing of said dental troughs during fitting to said individual.
11. A method as claimed in claim 8, further comprising: marking an approximate gum line on said upper and lower dental troughs during molding.
12. A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said second sheet overlies lateral faces of said tongue cavity portion when said second sheet is molded to form said dental troughs.
13. A method as claimed in claim 8, further comprising: trimming excess material from said tongue cavity portion before molding of said dental troughs.
14. A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said bite impression is an open centric registration.
15. A method as claimed in claim 8, further comprising: final fitting said trimmed tongue retaining device to the individual.
16. A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said molding steps include positive pressure molding.
17. A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said molding steps include vacuum pressure molding.
18. A tongue retaining device for engaging a tongue of an individual, comprising: an anterior tongue cavity wall for receiving an anterior portion of the individual's tongue; an inferior ridge and a superior ridge formed in corresponding inferior and superior walls posterior of said anterior tongue cavity; a superior tongue cavity wall extending posteriorly of said superior ridge, said superior tongue cavity wall having a generally V-shaped notch extending medially and forwardly, said superior tongue cavity wall lying between a top surface of the individual's tongue and the individual's hard palate when worn; an inferior tongue cavity wall extending posteriorly of said inferior ridge and having a generally U-shaped notch for receiving the individual's lingular frenulum; a superior curved wall extending upwardly from an external superior surface of said anterior tongue cavity wall and extending laterally and posteriorly beyond each side of said anterior tongue cavity wall to define a superior dental trough; an inferior curved wall extending downwardly from an inferior external surface of said anterior tongue cavity wall and extending laterally and posteriorly beyond each side of said anterior tongue cavity wall to define an inferior dental trough; said superior and inferior tongue cavity walls being formed from a first sheet of material; and said superior and inferior curved walls being formed from a second sheet of material.
19. A tongue retaining device as claimed in claim 18, wherein said anterior tongue cavity wall is formed from said second sheet of material.
20. A tongue retaining device as claimed in claim 18, wherein said first and second sheets of material are of vinyl.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 586294 CA1336375C (en) | 1988-12-19 | 1988-12-19 | Tongue retaining device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 586294 CA1336375C (en) | 1988-12-19 | 1988-12-19 | Tongue retaining device |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1336375C true CA1336375C (en) | 1995-07-25 |
Family
ID=4139316
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 586294 Expired - Fee Related CA1336375C (en) | 1988-12-19 | 1988-12-19 | Tongue retaining device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1336375C (en) |
-
1988
- 1988-12-19 CA CA 586294 patent/CA1336375C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
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