Dental appliance features for speech enhancement
AssigneeAlign Technology, Inc.
InventorEric Kuo
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Provided herein are orthodontic devices and methods for patients whose orthodontic devices are causing a lisp. The device can comprise an aligner configured to fit over a patient's dental arch and comprising an occlusal surface section positioned over an occlusal surface of the patient's teeth. The aligner can comprise a barrier portion extending laterally and adjacent to a region of the dental arch, the barrier portion allowing the patient's tongue to form a seal against the barrier portion when the patient is speaking while wearing the device.
Claims17
An orthodontic device to manage speech articulation of a patient, the orthodontic device comprising:
- an occlusal portion having a dentition-receiving cavity configured to receive the patient's teeth and to exert repositioning forces on the patient's teeth, the occlusal portion having an incisor region configured to receive the patient's incisors, wherein the occlusal portion has a first vertical height;
- and
- a barrier portion extending laterally and adjacent to the occlusal portion, wherein the barrier portion is positioned lingual to the incisor region of the occlusal portion while the orthodontic device is worn by the patient, wherein the barrier portion has a second vertical height that is greater than the first vertical height, wherein the barrier portion comprises a sealing surface that is laterally continuous at least along a lateral length of the incisor region to reduce or prevent air leakage and form a seal against the patient's tongue, wherein the sealing surface is configured to preventing lisping while the patient is speaking and wearing the orthodontic device in the patient's mouth;
- and
- wherein a lingual side of the incisor region is physically separated from the barrier portion by a space to reduce pushing forces applied to the patient's incisors from the patient's tongue.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.