Orthodontic appliance
AssigneeDynamax (UK) Limited
InventorNeville M. Bass
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Orthodontic appliance for limiting relative longitudinal movement between the upper and lower jaws to correct malocclusions and/or to prevent snoring. The appliance includes a first component for engaging the upper jaw, and a second component for engaging the lower jaw. A projection is provided on one of the first and second components to abut the other of the first and second components, laterally offset from the jaws.
Claims52
An orthodontic appliance arranged to hold one of the upper and lower jaws in a forward position, the appliance comprising:
- a first component for engaging the upper jaw;
- a second component for engaging the lower jaw;
- at least one of the first and second components including a wire comprising a central portion and opposed end portions, the opposed end portions defining fixed projections arranged to abut the other of the first and second components, the fixed projections providing an abutment disposed between each of the components, which abutments are offset laterally from the left side and right side of the jaws, respectively, towards the back of the mouth and restrict the relative longitudinal movement of the upper and lower jaw in one direction.
A wire for use in an orthodontic appliance, including a first jaw engaging component formed from at least two parts, the wire including a central portion for connecting the at least two parts of the first jaw engaging component, a portion for fixing the wire to the parts of the jaw engaging component, and end portions forming projections, each of which is arranged to extend from the first jaw engaging component to abut a second jaw engaging component.
A method of preventing snoring or correcting malocclusions, comprising providing an appliance having a first component for engaging the upper jaw, and a second component for engaging the lower jaw, one of the first and second components including a wire comprising a central portion and opposed end portions, the opposed end portions defining fixed projections providing an abutment disposed between each of the components, which abutments are offset laterally from the left side and right side of the jaws, respectively, towards the back of the mouth, engaging the first component with the upper jaw, engaging the second component with the lower jaw, and arranging the projections on one of the first and second components to abut the other of the first and second components laterally from the teeth of the jaws to restrict relative longitudinal movement of the upper and lower jaws in one direction.
An orthodontic appliance arranged to hold one of the upper and lower jaws in a forward position, the appliance comprising:
- a first component for engaging the upper jaw;
- a second component for engaging the lower jaw;
- at least one of the first and second components including a fixed projection arranged to abut the other of the first and second components, the fixed projection being arranged so that, in use, the abutment between the components is offset laterally from the left and right side of the jaws towards the back of the mouth and restricts the relative longitudinal movement of the upper and lower jaw in one direction and in which one or both of the jaw engaging components provide an expansive force.
A method of correcting malocclusions, comprising providing an appliance having a first component for engaging the upper jaw, and a second component for engaging the lower jaw, one of the first and second components including a projection, engaging the first component with the upper jaw, engaging the second component with the lower jaw, arranging the projection on one of the first and second components to abut the other of the first and second components laterally from the teeth of the jaws to restrict relative longitudinal movement of the upper and lower jaws in one direction, and progressively adjusting the relative position at which the first and second components abut as the malocclusion is corrected.
A method of correcting malocclusions, comprising providing an appliance having a first component for engaging the upper jaw, and a second component for engaging the lower jaw, one of the first and second components including a projection, engaging the first component with the upper jaw, engaging the second component with the lower jaw, and arranging the projection on one of the first and second components to abut the other of the first and second components laterally from the teeth of the jaws to restrict relative longitudinal movement of the upper and lower jaws in one direction, where one or both of the jaw engaging components is laterally resilient to apply a lateral spreading force to the upper and/or lower jaw.
An orthodontic appliance arranged to hold one of the upper and lower jaws in a forward position, the appliance comprising:
- a first moulding for engaging the upper jaw;
- a second moulding for engaging the lower jaw;
- at least one of the first and second mouldings comprising embedded in it a wire including a pair of projections arranged to abut the other of the first and second mouldings, the fixed projections providing abutments between each of the projections and mouldings, which abutments are offset laterally from the left and right side of the jaws, respectfully, towards the back of the mouth between the left and right sides of the jaw and restrict the relative longitudinal movement of the upper and lower jaw in one direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.