Abstract: An adjustable and customized dental appliance for the mouth of an athlete is comprised of a composite occlusal posterior pad for each side of the posterior teeth engageable with the occlusal surfaces to space apart the teeth and to absorb shock and clenching stress. An adjustable band or wire is provided connecting the posterior pads together in front of the anterior teeth and out of the way of the tongue to maintain the position of the occlusal posterior pads within the mouth during use and to prevent loss of the pads such as by swallowing.

Abstract: A performance enhancing and force absorbing dental appliance adapted to lie within the mouth of an athlete consists of an occlusal posterior pad made of triple composite material with a base having a top layer of impressionable material, an intermediate layer of hard material and a somewhat impressionable bottom layer, engageable with the occlusal surfaces to space apart the upper and lower teeth, to absorb shock and clenching stress. An adjustable arch adapted to expand and contract to be molded to the palate is provided connecting the posterior pads together within the mouth and out of the way of the tongue to maintain the position of the occlusal posterior pads within the mouth during use and to prevent loss of the pads such as by swallowing. An optional expandable stiffener may be embedded in the arch. Optional protrusions extend from the bottom layer through the intermediate layer and top layer to engage the central fossae of the molar teeth.

Abstract: An adjustable and customized dental appliance for the mouth of an athlete is comprised of an occlusal posterior pad for each side of the posterior teeth engageable with the occlusal surfaces to space apart the teeth and to absorb shock and clenching stress. An adjustable band is provided connecting the posterior pads together within the mouth and out of the way of the tongue to maintain the position of the occlusal posterior pads within the mouth during use and to prevent loss of the pads such as by swallowing.

Abstract: A composite bleaching tray has a U-shaped base composed of a nonsoftening, resilient, low compression elastomer. The U-shaped base has an upward outer labial wall. A flexible and tough, softenable thermoplastic sealing portion is molded to the top of the outer labial wall and forms an inner lingual wall. A handle is attached to the U-shaped base for immersing the tray in boiling water for softening the thermoplastic sealing portion. The handle is removable after the bleaching tray is fitted to the mouth. The bleaching tray also includes a sizing kit for selection of the correctly sized small to large bleaching tray for the user.

Abstract: A mouthguard sizing kit includes a dentition impression plate for placement into the mouth to receive a dentition imprint when forced against the upper dentition suitably by the lower jaw. A mouthguard sizing device is provided which indicates small to large mouthguards for comparison with the dentition imprint on the dentition impression plate for selection of the correctly sized small to large mouthguard for the user.

Abstract: A wishbone tether is provided for remote anchor attachment of the mouthguard assembly which is worn by the user to protect the teeth, tongue, mouth and lips of the user. The wishbone tether has a U-shaped portion extending from the canine regions of the mouthguard to permit clearance at the forward end of the mouthguard for the unhindered movement of the tongue and lips for clear speaking while wearing the mouthguard assembly. A tab remote connecting portion extends forwardly from the U-shaped portion having attachment structure for remote attachment of the wishbone tether and mouthguard assembly to a remote anchor chosen from a group comprising of a helmet, a headgear, a face mask and an user's neck.

Abstract: A composite mouthguard has a flexible and tough, softenable thermoplastic mouthguard portion with a U-shaped base having upward inner lingual and outer labial walls extending from the base. A shock absorbing and attenuating nonsoftening, resilient, low compression, elastomer framework is embedded in the mouthguard portion to absorb, attenuate and dissipate shock forces exerted on the mouthguard during athletic activity.

Abstract: A boiling and stabilization tray has a handle end, shank portion and mouthguard cradle end for supportably receiving and stabilizing a mouthguard for custom fitting. The mouthguard cradle end is connected to the shank opposite the handle end and has a platform for supportably receiving the mouthguard base. An upwardly curved crescent portion engages and supports the anterior and posterior portions of the upward inner lingual wall of the mouthguard. Upwardly curved tabs also extend from the cradle end for engagement with and support of the anterior portion of the upward outer labial wall of the mouthguard. The cradle supports and stabilizes the softened mouthguard during heating, assists in positioning and aligning of the heated mouthguard within the user's mouth, and assists the user in custom fitting of the mouthguard with respect to the user's upper and lower jaw teeth.

Abstract: A tethered, protective mouthguard assembly for attachment to a helmet or headgear including a mouthpiece portion, a connecting member integrally formed with the mouthpiece and provided with a tether attachment element therein, a separate breakaway tether constructed of a cord-like or strap-like material and a corresponding attachment element connected with the tether for selectively and easily attaching the tether to and detaching the tether from the connecting member.

Abstract: A thermoplastic mouthguard has a U-shaped base with top and bottom sides and upward inner lingual and outer labial walls forming a channel for the upper jaw teeth having posterior and anterior portions. Occlusal posterior pads are on the bottom side of the base along the posterior portions of the guard to space apart the anterior teeth of the lower jaw from the anterior portion of the bottom side of the U-shaped base and to lessen pressure and possible impact forces exerted at the temporomandibular joint. Occlusal impact chambers are located within the occlusal posterior pads for shock dissipation and absorption. Anteriorly directed ridges are located along the bottom of the impact surfaces of the occlusal posterior pads for custom fitting of the mouthguard and tending to move the lower jaw anteriorly when a force impact is imposed upon the lower jaw. An anterior impact brace is located along the anterior portion of the outer labial wall.

Abstract: A tethered, protective mouthguard assembly for attachment to a helmet or headgear including a mouthpiece portion, a connecting tab integrally formed with the mouthpiece and provided with a tether opening therein, a separate tether constructed of a cord-like material and an attachment element connected with the tether for selectively and easily attaching the tether to and detaching the tether from the connecting tab.