Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method and apparatus for use in diagnosing temporomandibular disorders. The apparatus includes separate maxillary and mandibular appliances, which are sized and configured to fit over and be retained on a subject's incisors. The two appliances both include generally flat, T-shaped platforms that face each other in a confronting relationship for all possible mandibular movements, including excursive movement and protrusive/retrusive movement. When properly fitted on the subject's opposing incisors, the two appliances effectively prevent contact between the subject's opposing upper and lower teeth, including the posterior and canine teeth, and thereby reduce the intensity of clenching of the temporalis muscles. The apparatus thereby can be used to provide an inexpensive way for determining whether an intraoral discluder of this kind will be effective in relieving tension headaches, common migraine headaches, or other temporomandibular disorders.

Abstract: An multipurpose mouthpiece assembly is disclosed for use in diagnosing and treating a variety of termporomandibular disorders. The assembly can include both a maxillary appliance and a mandibular appliance that are optionally configurable to function as a discluder, for diagnosing and treating wearers suffering from bruxism, tension headaches, and common migraine headaches, by preventing contact between opposing canine and posterior teeth and thereby reducing the intensity of clenching of the wearer's temporalis muscles. Alternatively, the two appliances are optionally configurable for use as a mandibular advancement device, for diagnosing and treating wearers suffering from obstructive sleep apnea by preventing excessive retrusion of the wearer's mandible. Alternatively, either the maxillary appliance or the mandibular appliance can be used individually to protect the teeth from nocturnal asymptomatic teeth grinding.

Abstract: An intraoral discluder for preventing chronic tension headaches, common migraine headaches, and temporomandibular disorders that are caused or perpetuated by chronic activity of the temporalis muscle. The discluder includes a trough, contoured to encompass at least one maxillary or mandibular incisor, from which extends a protruding platform, for engagement by the opposing incisors. The trough can be retained on the teeth by any adaptable material than can flow around the teeth and then maintain its shape. Once in place in the wearer's mouth, one or two opposing incisors will come into contact with the platform prior to the upper and lower posterior and/or canine teeth coming into contact, regardless of the position of the mandible, thereby reducing the intensity of the activity of the temporalis muscle.

Abstract: A semi-custom intraoral discluder device for preventing chronic tension and common migraine headaches and temporomandibular disorders that are caused or perpetuated by chronic activity of the temporalis muscle. The discluder includes a trough, contoured to encompass at least one maxillary or mandibular incisor, from which extends a protrusion, typically of a dome shape. The trough can be retained on the teeth by any adaptable material which can flow around the teeth and then maintain its shape. The adaptation of the retentive material can be performed by the end user, health care provider, or anyone trained in the art. Once in place in the wearer's mouth, one or two opposing incisor teeth will come into contact with the protrusion prior to the upper and lower posterior and/or canine teeth coming into contact, regardless of the position of the mandible, thereby reducing the intensity of the activity of the temporalis muscle.

Abstract: A semi-custom intraoral discluder device for preventing chronic tension and common migraine headaches and temporomandibular disorders that are caused or perpetuated by chronic activity of the temporalis muscle. The discluder includes a trough, contoured to encompass at least one maxillary or mandibular incisor, from which extends a protrusion, typically of a dome shape. The trough can be retained on the teeth by any adaptable material which can flow around the teeth and then maintain its shape. The adaptation of the retentive material can be performed by the end user, health care provider, or anyone trained in the art. Once in place in the wearer's mouth, one or two opposing incisor teeth will come into contact with the protrusion prior to the upper and lower posterior and/or canine teeth coming into contact, regardless of the position of the mandible, thereby reducing the intensity of the activity of the temporalis muscle.

Abstract: A semi-custom intraoral discluder device for preventing chronic tension and common migraine headaches and temporomandibular disorders that are caused or perpetuated by chronic activity of the temporalis muscle. The discluder includes a trough, contoured to encompass at least one maxillary or mandibular incisor, from which extends a protrusion, typically of a dome shape. The trough can be retained on the teeth by any adaptable material which can flow around the teeth and then maintain its shape. The adaptation of the retentive material can be performed by the end user, health care provider, or anyone trained in the art. Once in place in the wearer's mouth, one or two opposing incisor teeth will come into contact with the protrusion prior to the upper and lower posterior and/or canine teeth coming into contact, regardless of the position of the mandible, thereby reducing the intensity of the activity of the temporalis muscle.

Abstract: A method of making an occlusally retained mouthpiece. A mouthpiece substrate is coated with a resin precursor that is neither caustic nor irritating to teeth or gingival tissue. The resin precursor is curable to form a resin selected from the group consisting of Bisphenol A diglycidyl ether dimethacrylate and urethane dimethacrylate. The substrate is pressed against teeth with the teeth pressed into the resin coating. When the resin is partially cured to a shape retaining state, it is removed from the teeth and curing is completed to form a tough flexible material. Alternatively, the substrate may be held against the teeth and the resin precursor may be applied along the teeth-substrate interface with a mixing syringe. High intensity light may be used to cure the resin or enhance catalytic curing. For best results the substrate is made from the same material as is applied to the teeth.

Abstract: An intraoral semi-custom device for the prevention of chronic tension and common migraine headaches and temporomandibular disorders that are caused by chronic clenching of the posterior mandibular and maxillary teeth by the temporalis muscle. The device includes a trough, curved to correspond to the curvature of the maxillary incisors, from which distally extends a dome shape. The trough and dome are formed from a reshapable synthetic resin sheet material. The trough is retained by a cured in place acrylic resin, which is placed into the trough by a dentist and then placed over the maxillary incisors by the dentist. The cured, now substantially rigid, acrylic fits tightly and retains the device around the wearer's upper incisors. Once in place in the wearer's mouth, the dome will come into contact with one or two lower incisor teeth prior to the posterior teeth coming into contact.

Abstract: An intraoral semi-custom device for the prevention of chronic tension and common migraine headaches and temporomandibular disorders that are caused by chronic clenching of the posterior mandibular and maxillary teeth by the temporalis muscle. The semi-custom discluder is a small intraoral device which is obtained and modified by an individual wearer. The device includes a trough, curved to correspond to the curvature of the maxillary incisors, from which distally extends a dome shape. The trough is retained by a resilient material, usually silicone, which is placed into the trough by the wearer and then placed over the maxillary incisors by the wearer. The cured silicone acts as a gasket and retains the device around the wearer's upper incisors. Once in place and the wearer their mouth, the dome will come into contact with one or two lower incisor teeth prior to the posterior teeth coming into contact.

Abstract: An intraoral discluding device for the prevention of chronic tension and common migraine headaches and temporal-mandibular joint syndrome that are caused by chronic clenching of the posterior mandibular and maxillary teeth by the temporalis muscle. The discluder is a small intraoral device which is custom made for the individual. The device includes a small, typically acrylic, dome-shaped tab supported by a conventional palatal member which is retained by bent orthodontic wire. The device is inserted in the mouth and retained against the upper anterior teeth with the tab extending such that as the mouth is closed the tab will come into contact with the lower anterior incisal edges before the posterior teeth can touch each other. This renders the temporalis muscles ineffective, preventing high pressure clenching of the posterior teeth.

Abstract: A semi-custom intraoral discluder device for preventing chronic tension and common migraine headaches and temporomandibular disorders that are caused or perpetuated by chronic activity of the temporalis muscle. The discluder includes a trough, contoured to encompass at least one maxillary or mandibular incisor, from which extends a protrusion, typically of a dome shape. The trough can be retained on the teeth by any adaptable material which can flow around the teeth and then maintain its shape. The adaptation of the retentive material can be performed by the end user, health care provider, or anyone trained in the art. Once in place in the wearer's mouth, one or two opposing incisor teeth will come into contact with the protrusion prior to the upper and lower posterior and/or canine teeth coming into contact, regardless of the position of the mandible, thereby reducing the intensity of the activity of the temporalis muscle.