초록 ▼

An oral appliance includes a one-piece tray system that fits over the posterior teeth of the user and is custom-made or customized using lining material that conforms to the dentition of the wearer. The device may position the lower jaw in a slightly protruded position with respect to the upper jaw.

An oral appliance includes a one-piece tray system that fits over the posterior teeth of the user and is custom-made or customized using lining material that conforms to the dentition of the wearer. The device may position the lower jaw in a slightly protruded position with respect to the upper jaw.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An oral appliance for positioning the mandibular portion of the jaw with respect to the maxillary portion of the jaw, the oral appliance comprising a unitary tray including: a mandibular portion comprising: a first mandibular receptacle,a second mandibular receptacle oriented in spaced relation f

1. An oral appliance for positioning the mandibular portion of the jaw with respect to the maxillary portion of the jaw, the oral appliance comprising a unitary tray including: a mandibular portion comprising: a first mandibular receptacle,a second mandibular receptacle oriented in spaced relation from the first mandibular receptacle, anda bridge member coupling the first mandibular receptacle to the second mandibular receptacle, wherein the first and second mandibular receptacles receive mandibular teeth; anda maxillary portion comprising: a first maxillary receptacle operable to receive maxillary teeth, wherein the first maxillary receptacle is coupled to the first mandibular receptacle;a second maxillary receptacle operable to receive maxillary teeth, wherein the second maxillary receptacle is coupled to the second mandibular receptacle;a first aperture formed in the first mandibular receptacle and the first maxillary receptacle, wherein the first aperture is defined by a through-hole providing fluid communication between the first mandibular receptacle and the first maxillary receptacle; anda second aperture formed in the second mandibular receptacle and the second maxillary receptacle, where the second aperture is defined by a through-hole providing fluid communication between the second mandibular receptacle and the second maxillary receptacle. 2. The oral appliance of claim 1, wherein the maxillary receptacles are offset from the mandibular receptacles such that each maxillary receptacle extends beyond a posterior edge of its associated mandibular receptacle. 3. The oral appliance of claim 2, wherein each mandibular receptacle extends beyond an anterior edge of its associated maxillary receptacle. 4. The oral appliance of claim 1, wherein: the tray comprises an occlusal base wall having first occlusal surface and a second occlusal surface opposite the first occlusal surface;the mandibular receptacles comprise: a buccal flange extending from the first occlusal surface, anda lingual flange extending from the first occlusal surface,wherein the mandibular receptacle forms an open channel; andthe maxillary receptacles comprise: a buccal flange extending from the second occlusal surface, anda lingual flange extending from the second occlusal surface, wherein the mandibular receptacle forms an open channel. 5. An oral appliance for opening the oro-pharyngeal airway of a wearer, the oral appliance comprising a unitary tray including: a mandibular receptacle operable to receive mandibular teeth;a maxillary receptacle operable to receive maxillary teeth; andan aperture for retention of lining material, the aperture extending through both the mandibular and maxillary receptacles,wherein the oral appliance supports a mandible such that it is vertically spaced from the maxilla and opens the oro-pharyngeal airway of the wearer,wherein the maxillary receptacle is offset from the mandibular receptacle such that the maxillary receptacle extends beyond a posterior edge of the mandibular receptacle to define a shoulder. 6. The oral appliance of claim 5 further comprising a plurality of apertures for retention of lining material, at least one aperture being formed into the shoulder. 7. The oral appliance of claim 5, wherein the aperture for retention of lining material is a through-hole aperture configured to retain the lining material in a homogenous unit by creating a mechanical bond of lining material via the through-hole aperture to the mandibular and maxillary receptacles. 8. A dental system for opening the oro-pharyngeal airway of a wearer, the system comprising: a generally rigid tray having a unitary structure, the tray comprising: a mandibular receptacle operable to receive mandibular teeth;a maxillary receptacle operable to receive maxillary teeth; andan aperture for retention of lining material; andlining material operable to cure from a conformable state to a non-conformable state, wherein the maxillary receptacle is offset from the mandibular receptacle such that an anterior end of the mandibular receptacle extends beyond an anterior end of the maxillary receptacle to define a shoulder and wherein the aperture defines a through-hole extending from the mandibular receptacle to the maxillary receptacle; and the lining material extends through the aperture to mechanically connect to the tray. 9. The dental system of claim 8 further comprising a bite gauge including: a first groove operable to receive mandibular anterior teeth; and a second groove operable to receive maxillary anterior teeth. 10. The dental system of claim 9, wherein the first groove is offset from the second groove to align the maxillary anterior teeth forward or rearward of the mandibular anterior teeth. 11. The dental system of claim 10, wherein the bite gauge device comprises: a handle portion to permit manipulation of the device; anda teeth-engaging portion defined by a first wall, an arcuate medial portion, and a second wall, wherein the first groove is formed in an exterior surface of the first wall and the second groove is formed in an exterior surface of the second wall. 12. The dental system of claim 11, wherein: the first and second walls define a gap;the bite gauge device further comprises a spacer disposed within the gap and between the first and second walls; andthe spacer maintains the spacing between the walls. 13. The dental system of claim 8, wherein: the tray comprises an occlusal base wall having first occlusal surface and a second occlusal surface opposite the first occlusal surface;the mandibular receptacle comprises: a buccal flange extending from the first occlusal surface, anda lingual flange extending from the first occlusal surface; andthe maxillary receptacle comprises: a buccal flange extending from the second occlusal surface, anda lingual flange extending from the second occlusal surface. 14. A method of adjusting the positioning of mandible with respect to the maxilla, the method comprising: (a) obtaining an oral appliance comprising unitary tray including: a mandibular receptacle operable to receive mandibular teeth,a maxillary receptacle operable to receive maxillary teeth, andan aperture for retention of conformable material, the aperture extending through both the mandibular and maxillary receptacles, wherein the maxillary receptacle is offset from the mandibular receptacle such that an anterior end of the mandibular receptacle extends beyond an anterior end of the maxillary receptacle to define a shoulder and wherein the aperture for retention of conformable material is a through-hole aperture configured to retain the conformable material in a homogenous unit by creating a mechanical bond of conformable material via the through-hole aperture to the mandibular and maxillary receptacles;(b) applying a curable reline material to the receptacles of the oral appliance;(c) filling the aperture of the oral appliance with conformable material;(d) curing the reline material to solidify the material; and(e) positioning the oral appliance within the mouth of a wearer. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein (d) comprises: (d.1) positioning the dental appliance into the mouth of the wearer;(d.2) positioning maxillary teeth within the maxillary receptacle;(d.3) positioning the mandibular teeth within the mandibular receptacle; and(d.4) curing the reline material while in contact with the teeth such that the material conforms to the dentition of the wearer. 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: (f) positioning a bite gauge between the anterior teeth of the maxilla and the anterior teeth of the mandible, the bite gauge including: a first groove operable to receive mandibular anterior teeth; anda second groove operable to receive maxillary anterior teeth;(g) positioning the anterior teeth of the mandible within the first groove; and(h) positioning the anterior teeth of the maxilla within the second groove, wherein the bite gauge engages the anterior teeth during the curing of the reline material. 17. The method of claim 14, wherein (b) further comprises (b.1) directing the curable material through the aperture.