Methods, devices, systems, assemblies, and kits for tissue retraction in an oral cavity

A soft tissue retraction device, comprising:

• a first frame extending between a first anterior end and a posterior end having a right posterior end and a left posterior end;
• a second frame extending between a second anterior end and the posterior end, the second frame being interconnected to the first frame at the right posterior end and at the left posterior end;
• a first lateral extension interconnected with the first and second frame at the left posterior end;
• a second lateral extension interconnected with the first and second frame at the right posterior end;
• and
• a tongue retractor attached to the first and the second lateral extensions and configured to at least partially cover a tongue of a patient to limit a movement of the tongue,
• wherein:
• the first and second frames form a flexible frame adaptable between a constrained shape in which the first and second anterior ends of the first and second frames are compressed together and an unconstrained shape in which the first and second anterior ends of the first and second frames come apart;
• the first lateral extension is posteriorly curved between the left posterior end and the tongue retractor such that the left posterior end is anterior to first lateral extension;
• the second lateral extension is posteriorly curved between the right posterior end and the tongue retractor such that the right posterior end is anterior to the second lateral extension;
• and
• the right posterior end and the left posterior end are configured to be positioned posterior to the patient's most posteriorly positioned teeth when the frame is in a mouth.

A soft tissue retraction device, comprising:

• a flexible frame selectively collapsible to facilitate insertion into a mouth and expandable to retract soft tissue when inserted in the mouth, the frame comprising:
• an upper frame element positionable around an outer surface of an upper dental arch and extending between an upper anterior end and a left posterior end and a right posterior end;
• a lower frame element positionable around an outer surface of a lower dental arch and extending between a lower anterior end and the left posterior end and the right posterior end;
• a first lateral extension connected to the left posterior end;
• a second lateral extension connected to the right posterior end;
• and
• a tongue retractor attached to the first and the second lateral extensions, the tongue retractor being configured to at least partially cover a tongue to limit a movement of the tongue,
• wherein:
• the upper and lower frame elements are interconnected at the left posterior end and the right posterior end that are positionable at the back of the mouth;
• each of the first and second lateral extensions are posteriorly curved between the left posterior end and the right posterior end and the tongue retractor such that the left posterior end and the right posterior end are anterior to the first and the second lateral extensions;
• and
• a shape of the upper and the lower frame generally coincide with an arch shape.