KR20220104950A - Tooth protection structure and mouth guard using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mouth guard. The mouth guard comprises: a main body part formed in a structure capable of accommodating teeth; and a protective structure formed inside the main body. The protective structure includes a plurality of protective layers; and a connection frame formed between the plurality of protective layers.

Description

Tooth protection structure and mouth guard using the same

The present invention relates to a tooth protection structure and a mouth guard using the same, and more particularly, to a technology for controlling the protective force and thickness of the mouth guard by using a tooth protection structure capable of absorbing shock.

Mouthguard is a device that absorbs energy directly and spreads the remaining energy widely to other places to prevent and relieve the concentration of impact force. Protection of alveolar bone, 2) Prevention of damage to lips, tongue, and cheek due to external force, 3) Protection of teeth, periodontal tissue, and prosthesis from external force when external force is applied to the mandible (mouth closing due to impact) Temporomandibular joint protection, 5) functions such as concussion or brain damage reduction.

Such a mouth guard may be formed in various shapes surrounding teeth, gums, alveolar bone, periodontal tissue, prostheses, and the like, and may be referred to by various terms such as a mouthpiece, a tooth protector, an oral protector, and the like.

On the other hand, the conventional mouth guard, depending on the thickness of the mouth guard to adjust the protective force against external impact. Therefore, the conventional mouth guard had to be formed with a very thick thickness to implement sufficient protection. For example, a conventional mouth guard has been tested for protective power according to the thickness of the mouth guard (eg, Masahiko Maeda et al., "In Search of Necessary Mouthguard Thickness. Part 1: From the Viewpoint of Shock Absorption") Ability", 2008), and was typically formed to a thick thickness of 3 mm to 4 mm. For reference, Figures 1 and 2 show an example of a conventional mouth guard formed to a thickness of 3mm.

However, the thick thickness of the conventional mouth guard made people who wear the mouth guard feel uncomfortable, and when the mouth guard was worn, the oral cavity was protruded, which adversely affected the aesthetics. Accordingly, the conventional mouth guard has been utilized only in very limited fields such as intense sports competitions, and application in a wider field is avoided.

Therefore, while providing sufficient protection against external impact, the development of a new technology capable of reducing the thickness of the mouth guard is required.

The present invention was invented based on the technical background described above, and it is invented to satisfy the technical needs salpinned above, as well as provide additional technical elements that cannot be easily invented by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs became

An object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of providing sufficient protection even when the thickness of the mouth guard is formed thin.

In addition, an object to be solved is to provide a protective structure capable of providing sufficient protective force even for a thin mouth guard.

On the other hand, the technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is not limited to the technical problem mentioned above, and various technical problems may be included within the range obvious to those skilled in the art from the content to be described below.

Mouth guard according to the present invention for solving the above problems, the body portion formed in a structure that can accommodate the teeth; and a protective structure formed inside the body part, wherein the protective structure includes: a plurality of protective layers; and a connection frame formed between the plurality of protective layers.

In addition, in the mouth guard according to the present invention, the connection frame may include a 3D grid structure or a 3D mesh structure.

In addition, in the mouth guard according to the present invention, the connection frame may form an air layer between the plurality of protective layers based on the 3D grid structure or 3D mesh structure.

In addition, in the mouth guard according to the present invention, the body portion, a first cover element to cover the outwardly facing surface of the tooth; a second cover element to cover the inner surface of the tooth; and a third cover element to cover the occlusal surface of the teeth, wherein the protective structure may be formed inside the first cover element or the second cover element.

In addition, in the mouth guard according to the present invention, the body portion may be formed to a thickness of 1.5 to 2.5 mm.

Next, the tooth protection structure according to the present invention for solving the above problems, a first protective layer formed on the inside of the tooth protection device for protecting the teeth; a second protective layer formed to face the first protective layer from the inside of the tooth protection device; and a first connection frame formed between the first passivation layer and the second passivation layer.

In addition, in the tooth protection structure according to the present invention, the first connection frame may include a 3D grid structure or a 3D mesh structure.

In addition, the tooth protection structure according to the present invention, a third protective layer formed in a shape facing the second hobo layer in the inside of the tooth protection device; and a second connection frame formed between the second passivation layer and the third passivation layer.

In addition, in the tooth protection structure according to the present invention, the first connection frame and the second connection frame may be formed in a symmetrical shape with respect to the second protection layer.

The present invention can provide a technology capable of providing sufficient protection even when the mouth guard is formed to a thinner thickness than in the prior art. Specifically, in the present invention, by forming a protective structure including a plurality of protective layers and a connection frame inside the mouth guard, it is possible to realize sufficient shock absorption power even if the mouth guard is formed to a thinner thickness than in the prior art.

In addition, the present invention can provide a protective structure capable of absorbing a sufficient impact even under a condition of a thin thickness. Specifically, the present invention provides a protective structure capable of absorbing sufficient shock even under a thin thickness condition by utilizing a plurality of protective layers and a 3D lattice structure or a 3D mesh structure formed between the plurality of protective layers can do.

In addition, the present invention may provide an additional technique for further improving the shock absorption of the mouth guard. For example, the present invention may further improve the shock absorption of the mouth guard by forming a multi-layered protective structure formed inside the mouth guard. In addition, the present invention, by allowing the protective structures formed of multiple structures to be formed in a shape symmetrical to each other, it is possible to further improve the shock absorbing power of the mouth guard.

On the other hand, the effects of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and various effects may be included within the range apparent to those skilled in the art from the description below.

1 is an exemplary view showing an example of a conventional mouth guard.
2 is an exemplary view showing a state of wearing a conventional mouse card.
3 is an exemplary view showing a mouth guard according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is an exemplary view showing a wearing state of the mouth guard according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 and 6 are views comparing a conventional mouth guard and a mouth guard according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 is an exemplary view showing a tooth protection structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is an exemplary view showing a tooth protection structure according to another embodiment of the present invention.
9 is an exemplary view showing a tooth protection structure according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, a 'tooth protection structure and a mouth guard using the same' according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The described embodiments are provided so that those skilled in the art can easily understand the technical spirit of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto. In addition, the matters expressed in the accompanying drawings may be different from the forms actually implemented in the drawings schematically for easy explanation of the embodiments of the present invention.

Meanwhile, each component represented below is only an example for implementing the present invention. Accordingly, in other implementations of the present invention, other components may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

In addition, the expression 'including' certain components merely refers to the existence of the components as an open expression, and should not be construed as excluding additional components.

The mouth guard according to the present invention, based on the protective structure formed inside the mouth guard, can implement sufficient shock absorption power even when formed to a thinner thickness than the prior art. Specifically, the mouth guard according to the present invention compensates for the decrease in shock absorbing power caused by the decrease in thickness through an additional protective structure, and is formed to a thinner thickness (eg, 1.5 to 2.5 mm thickness) than the conventional one. Sufficient shock absorption can be realized even in

For reference, as used herein, the term “mouth guard” refers to a protective device worn to protect teeth or gums. The term "mouth guard" may be used as a concept encompassing a mouthpiece, a tooth protection device, an oral protector, and the like, and in addition to these devices, it may be used as a concept encompassing various protective devices for protecting teeth or gums. .

Hereinafter, a mouth guard according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 .

The mouth guard according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a body portion 100 formed in a structure capable of accommodating teeth, and a protective structure 200 formed inside the body portion.

First, the main body 100 is configured to have a structure that can accommodate teeth. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the main body 100 may be formed in a shape corresponding to the external appearance of teeth and gums so as to accommodate and wrap the teeth when worn.

In addition, the body part 100 may be formed of a flexible material for primary shock absorption. For example, the body part 100 may be formed of a silicone material, a rubber material, an elastic material, or the like, and through these materials, a primary protective force capable of counteracting an external impact may be provided.

In addition, the body portion 100 may be formed to a thickness of less than 3mm. Specifically, the body portion 100 may be formed to a thickness of less than 3 mm, in contrast to conventional mouth guards formed to a thickness of 3 mm or more for sufficient protection. For example, the body part 100 may be formed to have a thin thickness of 1.5 mm to 2.5 mm. On the other hand, such a thin thickness of 1.5mm to 2.5mm of the body portion 100, the papers (eg, Masahiko Maeda et al., "In Search of Necessary Mouthguard Thickness. Part 1: From the Viewpoint of Shock Absorption Ability", 2008), it does not correspond to the thickness that can sufficiently absorb external shock. However, the mouth guard according to an embodiment of the present invention is based in addition to the primary protective force due to the material and thickness of the body part 100, as well as the secondary protective force of the protective structure 200 to be considered later. To implement the final protective power of the mouth guard, even if the body portion 100 is formed to a thickness of 1.5mm to 2.5mm thinner than the conventional one, it is possible to implement a protective force that can sufficiently absorb external impact.

In addition, the body portion 100, as shown in Figure 4, the first cover element 110 to cover the surface of the tooth in the external direction (opposite to the oral direction, the surface that can be exposed to the outside), the inside of the tooth It can be divided into a second cover element 120 to cover the surface in the direction of the mouth (surface in the direction of the oral cavity), and a third cover element 130 to cover the occlusal surface of the teeth (the surface in the direction of the mouth). This first cover element ( 110), the second cover element 120, and the third cover element 130 are formed in a state of being connected to each other without physical distinction, and through this, form a single body of the mouth guard. The first cover element 110 , the second cover element 120 , and the third cover element 130 may cover not only the teeth but also the gums and alveolar bone around the teeth.

Next, the protection structure 200 is a configuration for supplementing the shock absorption ability of the main body 100 , that is, the protection power. The protective structure 200 may be formed inside the main body 100 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 .

As described above, the protective structure 200 implements a secondary protective force that supplements the primary protective force of the body part 100, and through this, the thickness of the body part 100 is 1.5 mm to 2.5 mm. Even under the condition that it is formed with a thin thickness of mm, the mouth guard can realize sufficient protection.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 4 , the protection structure 200 may be formed inside the first cover element 110 or inside the second cover element 120 , and preferably, the third cover It may not be formed inside the element 130 . In other words, the protective structure 200 may be formed in an area to cover the outer surface of the tooth or the area to cover the inner surface of the tooth, among the inner areas of the main body 100 , Preferably, it may not be formed in the area to cover the occlusal surface of the teeth. When the protective structure 200 is also formed in the area to cover the occlusal surface of the teeth, a sense of heterogeneity or discomfort may be induced when the wearer of the mouthpiece chews, and the air layer of the protective structure 200 This is because the third cover element 130 of the main body 100 may be perforated. Meanwhile, according to an embodiment, the protective structure 200 may be formed only inside the first cover element 110 , and the inside of the second cover element 120 and the third cover element 130 . may not be formed inside of The impact generated inside the oral cavity is not much, and when the thickness of the second cover element 120 increases, discomfort in wearing may occur. may not be formed.

In addition, the protective structure 200 may include a plurality of protective layers and a connection frame formed between the plurality of protective layers, and a buffer operation for absorbing external shock using these structures can be implemented.

In addition, the connection frame may include a 3D grid structure or a 3D mesh structure, and an air layer may be formed between the plurality of protective layers based on these structures, through which, Additional protection to absorb external shocks can be implemented.

Hereinafter, a difference between a conventional mouth guard and a mouth guard according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 .

As described above, in the mouth guard according to an embodiment of the present invention, based on the protective structure 200 formed inside the main body 100 , the main body 100 has a thinner thickness than the prior art. Even when it is formed with a sufficient shock absorption power can be realized. Specifically, the mouth guard according to an embodiment of the present invention compensates for the decrease in the shock absorbing power caused by the decrease in the thickness of the main body 100 through the protective structure 200, and has a thinner thickness than the prior art. (For example, even when formed with a thickness of 1.5 to 2.5 mm), it is possible to implement sufficient shock absorption.

For example, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the mouth guard (B) according to an embodiment of the present invention has a thinner thickness (eg, 1.5 mm) than the thickness (eg, 3 mm) of the conventional mouth guard (A). ), it is possible to implement substantially the same or superior shock absorption power based on the protective structure 200 .

Therefore, the mouth guard (B) according to an embodiment of the present invention, unlike the conventional thick mouth guard (A) that excessively protrudes the wearer's pharynx in the worn state, using a thin thickness, It can significantly alleviate the protrusion of the pharyngeal region of

Hereinafter, a detailed example of the protection structure 200 will be described with reference to FIG. 7 .

Referring to FIG. 7 , the protective structure 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of protective layers 210 and 230 and a connection frame 220 formed between the plurality of protective layers. can In addition, the plurality of protective layers 210 , 230 and the connection frame 220 may be formed of a material having an elastic or flashable property while having a higher strength or hardness than the material of the main body 100 . can In addition, the plurality of protective layers 210 and 230 and the connection frame 220 may be formed of the same material or may be formed of different materials.

More specifically, the plurality of protective layers 210 and 230 include a first protective layer 210 formed inside the body part 100 , and the first protective layer inside the body part 100 . A second protective layer 230 formed to face the layer may be included.

In addition, the connection frame 220 may be formed between the first protective layer 210 and the second protective layer 230, and the first protective layer 210 and the second protective layer 230 through a frame structure. The protective layer 230 may be connected to each other and supported.

In addition, the connection frame 220 may include a 3D grid structure or a 3D mesh structure, and an air layer is formed between the first protective layer 210 and the second protective layer 230 based on these structures. can be formed Specifically, when the connection frame 220 is formed inside the body part 100, the air (not the material forming the body part 100) between the 3D grid structure or the 3D mesh structure. may be formed in a filled state. Accordingly, the connection frame 220 may additionally form an air layer inside the main body 100 to improve the impact absorption performance of the mouth guard.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 8 , a protective structure 300 that may be included in a mouth guard according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described.

Mouth guard according to another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figure 8, three or more protective layers (310, 330, 350) and two or more connection frames (320, 340) comprising a protective structure 300 consisting of can do.

More specifically, the three or more protective layers 310 , 330 , and 350 include a first protective layer 310 formed inside the body part 100 , and the first protective layer 310 inside the body part 100 . It may include a second protective layer 330 formed to face the protective layer, and a third protective layer 350 formed to face the second protective layer inside the main body 100 . have.

In addition, the two or more connecting frames 320 and 340 include a first connecting frame 320 formed between the first passivation layer 310 and the second passivation layer 330 , and the second passivation layer. A second connection frame 340 formed between the 330 and the third protective layer may be included.

In addition, the first connection frame 320 connects and supports the first protective layer 310 and the second protective layer 330 through a frame structure, and the second connection frame 340 is a frame structure. Through the structure, the second passivation layer 330 and the third passivation layer 350 may be connected to each other and supported.

The protection structure 300 may further improve the performance of shock absorption by implementing a multiple protection structure. Specifically, the protection structure 300 includes a 'first protection structure' implemented by the first protection layer 310, the first connection frame 320, and the second protection layer 330, The performance of shock absorption may be further improved through the 'second protection structure' implemented by the second protective layer 330 , the second connection frame 340 , and the third protective layer 350 .

Meanwhile, the first connection frame 320 and the second connection frame 340 may each include a 3D grid structure or a 3D mesh structure, and based on these structures, the first protective layer 310 A plurality of air layers may be formed between the second passivation layer 330 and the second passivation layer 330 and the third passivation layer 350 . Specifically, when the first connection frame 320 and the second connection frame 340 are formed inside the body part 100, between the 3D grid structure or the 3D mesh structure (the body part) It may be formed in an air-filled state (not the material forming 100 ). Accordingly, the first connection frame 320 and the second connection frame 340 may additionally form a plurality of air layers inside the body part 100 to further improve the impact absorption performance of the mouth guard. can

In addition, the first connection frame 320 and the second connection frame 340 may be formed in a symmetrical shape with respect to the second protective layer 330 . Accordingly, when an impact is applied, the first connecting frame 320 and the second connecting frame 340 can support each other, thereby improving the stability of the protective structure 300 and absorbing shock. can be further improved.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 9 , a protective structure 400 that may be included in a mouth guard according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described.

Referring to FIG. 9 , the protective structure 400 of the mouth guard according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a first protective layer 410 formed inside the body of the mouth guard, and the inside of the body of the mouth guard. may include a second passivation layer 430 formed to face the first passivation layer, and a connection frame 420 formed between the first passivation layer and the second passivation layer.

In addition, the connection frame 420 may include a frame structure in which three or more branch frames 422 intersect at one point (core) 421 in three dimensions.

Therefore, the connection frame 420 can more effectively absorb the impact between the first protective layer 410 and the second protective layer 420 by using this structure, and the air layer can be formed into a larger volume. can be formed.

The embodiments of the present invention described above are disclosed for purposes of illustration, and the present invention is not limited thereto. In addition, those of ordinary skill in the art for the present invention will be able to make various modifications and changes within the spirit and scope of the present invention, and such modifications and changes should be regarded as belonging to the scope of the present invention.

100: body part
110: first cover element
120: second cover element
130: third cover element
200: protection structure
210: first protective layer
220: connecting frame
230: second protective layer
300: protection structure
310: first protective layer
320: first connection frame
330: second protective layer
340: second connection frame
350: third protective layer
400: protection structure
410: first protective layer
420: connection frame
421: core
422: branch frame
430: second protective layer

Claims (9)

As a mouth guard,
a body portion formed in a structure capable of accommodating teeth; and
It includes a protective structure formed inside the body portion,
The protective structure is
a plurality of protective layers; and
Containing a connection frame formed between the plurality of protective layers,
mouth guard. The method of claim 1,
The connection frame includes a 3D grid structure or a 3D mesh structure,
mouth guard. 3. The method of claim 2,
The connection frame is based on the 3D grid structure or 3D mesh structure to form an air layer between the plurality of protective layers,
mouth guard. The method of claim 1,
The body part,
a first cover element to cover the outwardly facing surface of the tooth;
a second cover element to cover the inner surface of the tooth; and
A third cover element to cover the occlusal surface of the teeth
including,
wherein the protective structure is formed inside the first cover element or the second cover element;
mouth guard. The method of claim 1,
The body portion is formed to a thickness of 1.5 to 2.5 mm,
mouth guard. A tooth protection structure comprising:
a first protective layer formed on the inside of the tooth protection device for protecting the teeth;
a second protective layer formed to face the first protective layer from the inside of the tooth protection device; and
A first connection frame formed between the first passivation layer and the second passivation layer
containing,
Tooth protection structure. 7. The method of claim 6,
The first connection frame comprises a 3D grid structure or a 3D mesh structure,
Tooth protection structure. 7. The method of claim 6,
a third protective layer formed to face the second hobo layer from the inside of the tooth protection device; and
A second connection frame formed between the second passivation layer and the third passivation layer
further comprising,
Tooth protection structure. 9. The method of claim 8,
The first connection frame and the second connection frame are formed in a symmetrical shape with respect to the second protective layer,
Tooth protection structure.

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