# US 7,607,438 B2 · Mouth guard

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 7,607,438 B2
- Document ID: US7607438B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/624,301
- Filed: 2007-01-18
- Published: 2007-08-09
- Granted: 2009-10-27
- Earliest claimed: 2006-01-25
- Inventors: Joseph J. Pelerin
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7607438B2

## CPC

- A61F 5/566: {Intra-oral devices}
- A61C 9/0006: {Impression trays}
- A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C)
- A61C: DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE (non-driven toothbrushes A46B; {tongue scrapers A61B17/24;} preparations for dentistry A61K6/00; preparations for cleaning the teeth or mouth A61K8/00, A61Q11/00)

## Abstract

A mouth guard having a tray with a trough dimensioned to receive at least the front two incisors. Impression material is disposed within the trough for creating a dental impression of the wearer's teeth. The tray further includes a stiffening element which concentrates the force transmission through the tray created by occlusion to an area between the upper and lower front incisors.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A mouth guard comprising:
a tray having a trough and dimensioned to receive at least two front mandibular incisors,
impression material disposed in said trough,
a stiffening element in said tray which concentrates the force transmission through said tray created by occlusion to the area between upper and lower front incisors, said stiffening element being aligned only with the two front incisors and constructed of a material harder than said impression material and harder than the portions of said tray extending rearwardly from the front incisors.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said impression material comprises a thermoplastic material which is pliable at an elevated temperature above 135° Fahrenheit and sets at a human body temperature.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said impression material comprises polycapralactone.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said impression material comprises polycapralactone with an ethylene co-vinyl acetate additive.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said stiffening element comprises a thickened portion of said tray.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein said thickened portion is about 4 millimeters thick.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein said thickened material comprises a hump which protrudes outwardly from said tray.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said tray comprises a flexible plastic material.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The invention as defined in claim 8 wherein said tray comprises polyethylene.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The invention as defined in claim 1 and comprising a ledge attached to and extending laterally outwardly from said tray.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The invention as defined in claim 10 wherein said ledge forms a tooth stop upon occlusion.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said impression material comprises polyvinyl silicone.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The invention as defined in claim 1 and comprising a string embedded in said impression material so that a portion of said swing extends outwardly from said impression material.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The invention as defined in claim 1 and comprising a string attached to said tray so that a portion of said string extends outwardly from said tray.