Jaw-joint protective device

A jaw joint therapeutic and protective device composed of a first and a second material for protecting a wearer's lip, teeth, and other delicate structures of the head including the vital cranial triad (VCT), which is comprised of the bones and tissue structure found in the temporomandibular joint, temporal tympanic bone, and the inferior surface of the petrous temporal bone and related structures within the full maxillary and mandibular arches of the mouth, comprising

• a) a U-shaped base having a bilateral posterior dental region and a reinforced anterior dental region with integrated maxillary and mandibular components where the components are adapted for securement within the full maxillary and mandibular arches of the mouth, where the mandibular component is offset downwardly and forwardly from the maxillary component so that the mandible is set in a protruding position,
• b) a full arch occlusal impact chamber in the maxillary and mandibular components of the base filled with the first material which is a hard resilient material for dissipation and absorption of shock imposed upon the mandible, maxilla, head and facial structures, and the second material used for remainder of the device that is a thermoplastic material that softens when heated to a temperature greater than body temperature but less than or equal to 100.degree. C. and rigidly stiffens when cooled so that the device can be perfectly fitted in situ,
• c) the maxillary component comprising lingual, labial and buccal walls projecting upwardly from the base forming with the base a maxillary channel for seating and protecting the maxillary teeth, and the reinforced anterior dental region with a labial flange,
• d) an articulating rim in the lingual wall of the maxillary component in the anterior dental region of the device to support the maxillary anterior teeth, and permitting the tongue of the wearer to be placed against the lingual surface of the anterior maxillary teeth for articulating speech,
• e) the mandibular component comprising lingual, labial, and buccal walls projecting downwardly and forwardly from the base forming with the base a mandibular channel for seating and protecting the mandibular teeth, and the reinforced anterior mandibular dental region with a deep labial flange to support and guide the mandible such that the mandible is in an engineered functionally prognathic position creating a force attenuating recoil space of the jaw-joint, and
• f) a functional air passageway from canine to canine in the anterior of the integrated components to facilitate breathing and speech,
• wherein the reinforced anterior dental regions of the maxillary and mandibular components and the posterior components bilaterally maintains the framework and shape of the device and dissipates and absorbs shock imposed upon the wearer's head.