초록 ▼

An intraoral device makes a new treatment of dental problems possible. The device includes electronic circuitry to sense unwanted or undesirable relative positions of body parts within the oral cavity. The undersirable position may be teeth clenched, jaw open with teeth unclenched, tongue pressed ag

An intraoral device makes a new treatment of dental problems possible. The device includes electronic circuitry to sense unwanted or undesirable relative positions of body parts within the oral cavity. The undersirable position may be teeth clenched, jaw open with teeth unclenched, tongue pressed against teeth or a retruded position of the lower jaw. When these positions have been assumed for too long, a signal reminds the patient. This automatic signal makes it possible for the patient to unlearn bad habits or learn new habits. The dentist may then treat the dental problems caused by the bad habit in a conventional way, knowing that because the habit is broken, recurrence of the dental problem is unlikely. The circuitry includes a proximity detector, a variable time delay and signal generator along with a power supply. When tongue thrusting is to be treated a cage is mounted in the mouth almost against the inside of the front teeth. Tongue contact moves the cage forward actuating the proximity detector.

대표청구항 ▼

An intraoral appliance comprising proximity detector means for sensing the relative positon of body parts in the oral cavity and signal means connected with the detector for signaling when body parts in the oral cavity are in an undesirable position, said signal means including time delay means for

An intraoral appliance comprising proximity detector means for sensing the relative positon of body parts in the oral cavity and signal means connected with the detector for signaling when body parts in the oral cavity are in an undesirable position, said signal means including time delay means for delaying a signal until the body parts have been in an undesirable position for a predetermined length of time.