Abstract: A mouth worn apparatus is disclosed which includes a main body having upper and lower compartments which are generally U-shaped so as to conform generally to a patient's teeth, the upper compartment opening at least upwardly and the lower compartment opening at least downwardly so as to generally receive a patient's upper and lower teeth. A plurality of flexible protrusion members extend from at least part of the interior surface of at least one of the compartments so as to contact at least some of the patient's teeth when the device is worn. The device is used by placing it in the patient's mouth so that the upper and lower teeth are received in the upper and lower compartments respectively and retaining the device in the patient's mouth for a prescribed period of time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for dental treatment of jaw and tooth malformations. The apparatus is made of a soft, resilient material and includes upper and lower compartments which are shaped so as to conform to a patient's teeth. The upper compartment opens upwardly and the lower compartment opens downwardly, so that they can receive the patient's upper and lower teeth, respectively. Each compartment includes a plurality of flexible protrusion members which extend from its side walls so as to contact the teeth when the device is worn. Particular protrusions in the vicinity of selected teeth are enlarged or removed so as to achieve movement of those teeth in order to improve the alignment of the patient's teeth and jaw. The method involves placing the device in a patient's mouth so as to receive the patient's teeth and retaining the device within the patient's mouth for a predetermined period of time, during which the patient is at rest.