Intraoral electromuscular stimulating device and method

An electromuscular stimulating system comprising:

• (1) an intraoral dental appliance, comprising:
• a first member adapted to engage a structure associated with a patient's upper dentition,
• a second member adapted to engage a structure associated with the patient's mandible,
• a first electrode supported by the second member in a sublingual position posterior to a frenulum and generally proximate to one of a first molar, a second molar and a third molar off the patient,
• a second electrode supported by the second member in a sublingual position posterior relative to the first electrode, and
• a connecting assembly connecting the first member and the second member so as to limit movement of the first member relative to the second member.
• thereby controlling a position of the patient's mandible relative to the upper dentition
• during use of the intraoral dental appliance;
• and
• (2) a stimulation unit operatively coupled to the first electrode and the second electrode to provide stimulating energy to a portion of the patient via the first and the second electrodes such that current flow of the stimulating energy takes place in an anterior-to-posterior direction or a posterior-to-anterior direction.