EP2651329A1 - Intra-oral device and method of relieving head, neck, facial, joint and tooth pain - Google Patents
Intra-oral device and method of relieving head, neck, facial, joint and tooth painInfo
- Publication number
- EP2651329A1 EP2651329A1 EP10860761.5A EP10860761A EP2651329A1 EP 2651329 A1 EP2651329 A1 EP 2651329A1 EP 10860761 A EP10860761 A EP 10860761A EP 2651329 A1 EP2651329 A1 EP 2651329A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- user
- rear wall
- incisors
- resin material
- contact
- 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.)
- Withdrawn
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
- A61F5/566—Intra-oral devices
-
- 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
- A61F2005/563—Anti-bruxisme
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to intra-oral devices and, in particular, a mass produced, semi-custom, intra-oral separator device intended to be worn by the user, for the elimination or relief of grinding, clenching, bruxing, and related parafunctional habits, as well as head, neck and jaw related pain. Grinding, clenching and bruxing and related parafunctional habits can produce structural damage to, and disease of, the teeth, gums and supporting structures including the temporomandibular joint.
- the prior art generally employs various platforms and protuberances to separate the teeth beyond the freeway space and beyond the physiologic rest position, making them less effective in eliminating pathologic muscle engrams and less likely to disrupt the cycle of pain and structural damage.
- the wider the mandible is forced to open by these platforms and protuberances the more neuromuscular feedback is created and the less likely these devices are to disrupt the existing pathologic muscle engrams.
- these devices often require fittings by dental professionals and are therefore inconvenient and expensive for mass usage.
- the present invention if available commercially at the retail level, would be relatively inexpensive and is customizable by the user.
- the present invention functions within the freeway space effectively deprogramming the neuromuscular system of the head and neck by preventing contact of the upper and lower posterior teeth.
- the present invention takes into account the necessity to minimize the
- the freeway space or interocclusal space, is defined as that distance between the physiologic rest position and the first point of contact of the upper and lower teeth when the jaws are brought together.
- the freeway space has been observed to usually be between 2 and 7 millimeters (mm) with an approximate average for adults of 3.5 mm.
- the physiologic rest position is the position assumed by the mandible when the head is in an upright position, the neuromuscular system is in equilibrium in tonic contraction and the condyles are at rest. The more an intra-oral device forces the mandible to open beyond the limits of the freeway space, the more active neuromuscular feedback mechanisms become. This feedback triggers pathologic engrams.
- An engram is a memorized pattern of muscle activity. Pathologic engrams may also be eliminated by occlusal adjustment, occlusal reconstruction, retraining or through the use of medication. Thus the cycle of pain and structural damage can be interrupted temporarily or permanently. The prior art cause invasion beyond the limits of the freeway space, making them less likely to interrupt the cycle of pain and structural damage. What is needed, then, is a device that minimizes invasion of the freeway space and prevents contact of the upper and lower posterior teeth. By effecting disclusion of the upper and lower posterior teeth while maintaining clearance within the freeway space, the present invention will eliminate or drastically reduce pathologic engrams.
- TMJ TMJ pain
- function beyond the limits of a person's freeway space allowing pathologic muscle engrams to remain, preventing the neuromuscular system from achieving the physiologic rest position.
- the current invention allows the user to customize the device to function within the freeway space.
- Posterior disclusion with an anterior bite device is simple and well understood. It is based on the concept that the temporomandibular joint will seat itself physiologically if the proprioceptive interferences of the teeth and periodontal ligaments are removed. Thus the neuromuscular system will function freely within the freeway space. Once a patient's pathologic muscle engrams have been eliminated, the temporomandibular joint becomes stable. An occlusal adjustment with or without occlusal reconstruction may be necessary to decrease the likelihood that the cycle of pain and structural damage returns.
- the external shell of the claimed device allows for the user to fit the device close to the incisal, lingual and labial surfaces of the upper anterior teeth.
- Contact on the device by lower anterior teeth within the freeway space promotes more predictable release of muscle engrams than contact on a device beyond the freeway space.
- this device does not require fittings by dental professionals and is designed for easy adaptation by a user. It is anticipated the device will be moderately priced and affordable by the great majority of those who need it.
- One embodiment of the present invention relates to an intra-oral device comprising a body having a substantially angled front wall and a substantially angled rear wall, the front wall having an inner and outer surface and the rear wall having an inner and outer surface; wherein the front and the rear walls are positioned to receive the incisal edges of a user's upper anterior incisors; wherein the outer surface of the rear wall is configured to contact at least one lower incisor at an area of contact to prevent contact of the user's upper and lower posterior teeth within the user's freeway space; wherein the inner surface of the front wall is configured to be placed adjacent to the labial surface of the user's upper incisors; and wherein the inner surface of the rear wall is configured to be placed adjacent to the lingual surface of the user's upper incisors.
- One embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for relieving head, neck, facial, joint and tooth pain, the method comprising placing a device within a user's oral cavity, the device having an angled front wall and an angled rear wall, each wall with an inner and outer surface, wherein the angles of the front wall and the rear wall form an apex with moldable thermoplastic resin disposed along the inner surfaces of the front and rear wall, the apex configured to receive the incisal edges of a user's upper anterior incisors; positioning the device such that the inner surface of the front wall of the device is adjacent to the labial surface of the user's upper incisors and the inner surface of the rear wall is disposed adjacent to the lingual surface of the upper incisors; and placing the device in contact with at least one lower incisor to prevent contact of a user's upper and lower posterior teeth within the freeway space.
- One embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an intra-oral device, the method comprising forming a hard plastic resin shell having an angled front wall and an angled rear wall, each wall with an inner and outer surface, wherein the angles of the front wall and the rear wall form an apex with moldable thermoplastic resin disposed along the inner surfaces of the front and rear wall, the apex configured to receive the incisal edges of a user's upper anterior incisors; configuring the front wall of the device to fit substantially flush against the labial surface of a user's upper incisors; configuring the inner surface of the rear wall to fit substantially flush against the lingual of a user's upper incisors; and adhering to the inner surfaces of the front and rear walls a moldable thermoplastic resin.
- One embodiment of the present invention relates to an intra-oral device comprising a body having a substantially angled front wall and a substantially angled rear wall, the front wall having an inner and outer surface and the rear wall having an inner and outer surface; moldable thermoplastic resin material disposed along the inner surface of the front and rear walls; wherein the front and the rear wall are positioned to receive the incisal edges of a user's upper anterior incisors; wherein the outer surface of the rear wall is configured to contact at least one lower incisor at an area of contact to prevent contact of the user's upper and lower posterior teeth within the user's freeway space; wherein the inner surface of the front wall is configured to be placed adjacent to the labial surface of the user's upper incisors; wherein the inner surface of the rear wall is configured to be placed adjacent to the lingual surface of the user's upper incisors; and wherein the moldable thermoplastic resin is capable of being molded by a user.
- Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention as seen from an inferior-anterior-lateral view with moldable thermoplastic resin material installed inside a hard plastic resin shell.
- Figure 2 shows a central section of the embodiment of the present invention of
- Fig. 1 with a user's upper anterior teeth in place in the device and the user's lower anterior teeth in contact within the freeway space on the outside rear surface of the device.
- Figure 3 shows an anterior perspective view of the embodiment of the invention of Fig. 1 in place on the user's upper anterior teeth.
- Figure 4 shows a rear perspective view of the embodiment of the invention of Fig.
- a semi-custom intra-oral separator device constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, is comprised of a hard plastic resin main body 10 with moldable thermoplastic resin disposed upon the inner surfaces of the main body 10 which is configured to be positioned on a user's teeth.
- the main body 10 is comprised of an angled front wall 11 and an angled rear wall 12.
- Front wall 11 approximates the angle and configuration of the labial surfaces of maxillary anterior incisors 19 and anterior maxillary dental arch and the rear wall 12 approximates the angle and configuration of the lingual surfaces of maxillary anterior incisors 19 and anterior maxillary dental arch.
- the front wall 11 is configured to fit substantially flush against the labial surface of a user's upper incisors 19.
- the rear wall 12 is configured to fit substantially flush against the lingual surface of a user's upper incisors 19. Contact is made on the device 18 by a lower anterior tooth 20 within the freeway space 21. While the main body is described above as being constructed of hard plastic resin, one skilled in the art recognizes that it may be constructed of any suitable material known or used in the art.
- the angle of front wall 11, and the angle of rear wall 12 forms an apex 15, approximating the angle of the labial and lingual surfaces of maxillary incisors.
- Apex 15 is configured to receive the incisal edges of a user's upper anterior incisors.
- the incisal edges of the lower anterior teeth contact outer surface 16, preventing the lower posterior teeth from coming into contact with the upper posterior teeth.
- the lower anterior teeth are in contact with the device as the mandible reaches the end of its hinge arc of closure in one embodiment.
- the thickness between outer surface 16 and inner surface 17 is approximately 1.25 mm.
- the thickness of the moldable thermoplastic resin 13 is approximately 0.5 mm.
- the moldable thermoplastic resin 13 may be comprised of moldable thermoplastic acetate co-polymer resin, such as Dupont Elvax® EVA resin or other material with similar properties, fixed in place on the inner surfaces of front 11 and rear 12 walls, by detents 14, as shown in Figure 2.
- the moldable thermoplastic resin may also be retained and/or adhered on the inner surfaces of walls 1 1 and 12 by use of adhesive, mechanical restraints, or any other similar attachment means known in the art.
- the device is placed in water at approximately 140-180° F to soften the moldable thermoplastic resin.
- the device is then fitted and molded by the user.
- the user pushes the softened moldable thermoplastic resin onto the anterior incisors until the teeth "seat" into the apex of the interior angle between the front 11 and rear 12 walls of the device.
- the user then closes the mandibular incisors against the outer surface 16, of the device to adapt the device against the lingual surfaces of the upper incisors 19 within the device.
- Figure 2 and Figure 4 show an embodiment of the present invention in place after molding and lower teeth 20 in contact at area of contact 18, with outer surface 16 of the device, a position from which the user can move the mandibular anterior incisors laterally, protrusively and retrusively along the area of contact 18, on outer surface 16.
- Figure 3 shows a front view of the extent of coverage of an embodiment of the present invention in place on the upper anterior teeth.
- Figure 4 shows an area of contact 18 of the mandibular incisors 20 which allows the mandibular incisors to proprioceptively sense contact with the outer surface 16 of an embodiment of the present invention, and to initiate release of parafunctional pathologic muscle engrams more particularly, the reprogramming of muscle engrams can lead to the reduction of symptoms of stress from occlusal or psychological initiators.
- the invention device may proprioceptively guide the user's mandible within the freeway space 21.
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)
- Dental Tools And Instruments Or Auxiliary Dental Instruments (AREA)
- Orthopedics, Nursing, And Contraception (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2010/003171 WO2012082090A1 (en) | 2010-12-15 | 2010-12-15 | Intra-oral device and method of relieving head, neck,facial,joint and tooth pain |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2651329A1 true EP2651329A1 (en) | 2013-10-23 |
EP2651329A4 EP2651329A4 (en) | 2014-06-11 |
Family
ID=46245670
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP10860761.5A Withdrawn EP2651329A4 (en) | 2010-12-15 | 2010-12-15 | Intra-oral device and method of relieving head, neck, facial, joint and tooth pain |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP2651329A4 (en) |
CN (1) | CN103370027A (en) |
CA (1) | CA2821903A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2012082090A1 (en) |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2003051280A2 (en) * | 2001-12-14 | 2003-06-26 | Boyd James P Sr | Intraoral discluder device and method for preventing migraine and tension headaches and temporomandibular disorders |
US20050022824A1 (en) * | 2003-07-25 | 2005-02-03 | Harry Ball | Occlusal splint |
AU2003227280A1 (en) * | 2003-07-25 | 2005-02-10 | Myohealth Pty Ltd | Clenching inhibitor mini-splint |
US20100009311A1 (en) * | 2006-01-25 | 2010-01-14 | Pelerin Joseph J | Mouth guard |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN2134846Y (en) * | 1991-06-21 | 1993-06-02 | 中国人民解放军第四军医大学口腔医院 | Preformed dental articulator for curing motar teeth |
ES1041163Y (en) * | 1998-10-21 | 1999-11-01 | Sempere Juan Jose Albert | LIP BALM. |
-
2010
- 2010-12-15 CA CA2821903A patent/CA2821903A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2010-12-15 WO PCT/US2010/003171 patent/WO2012082090A1/en active Application Filing
- 2010-12-15 EP EP10860761.5A patent/EP2651329A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2010-12-15 CN CN201080071210XA patent/CN103370027A/en active Pending
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2003051280A2 (en) * | 2001-12-14 | 2003-06-26 | Boyd James P Sr | Intraoral discluder device and method for preventing migraine and tension headaches and temporomandibular disorders |
US20050022824A1 (en) * | 2003-07-25 | 2005-02-03 | Harry Ball | Occlusal splint |
AU2003227280A1 (en) * | 2003-07-25 | 2005-02-10 | Myohealth Pty Ltd | Clenching inhibitor mini-splint |
US20100009311A1 (en) * | 2006-01-25 | 2010-01-14 | Pelerin Joseph J | Mouth guard |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
See also references of WO2012082090A1 * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP2651329A4 (en) | 2014-06-11 |
CN103370027A (en) | 2013-10-23 |
WO2012082090A1 (en) | 2012-06-21 |
CA2821903A1 (en) | 2012-06-21 |
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Legal Events
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PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
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A4 | Supplementary search report drawn up and despatched |
Effective date: 20140509 |
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RIC1 | Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant |
Ipc: A61C 7/36 20060101ALI20140505BHEP Ipc: A61C 3/00 20060101AFI20140505BHEP |
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17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 20151022 |
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GRAP | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1 |
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INTG | Intention to grant announced |
Effective date: 20180921 |
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STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN |
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18D | Application deemed to be withdrawn |
Effective date: 20190202 |