Abstract: An improved dental impression tray system provides a way to accommodate multiple arch sizes. The tray is adjustable and has an anterior section with two distal ends and a posterior section with two distal ends. The two sections are connected together at their distal ends. A mesh membrane extends between the sections to maintain the impression material. The ends of the posterior section include a plurality of vertical pins and a vertical opening is located adjacent each distal end of said anterior section. To adjust the size of the tray, the distal ends of the anterior section can be disconnected from said distal ends of the posterior section and then reconnected by inserting the pins into the opening. Further size adjustments can be made by removing additional pins and inserting the next remaining pins into the openings.

Abstract: Intraoral phototherapy devices receive light from an associated light source and propagate the light into an oral cavity of a patient. The device comprises a light guide that receives light from an external light source. The light guide comprises a main body portion made of an optically transparent soft flexible biocompatible polymeric material sized and shaped to conform to contours of the oral cavity when inserted therein to direct the light to targeted regions of the oral cavity. The main body portion comprises a pair of spaced apart side wings sized and shaped to be received between a patient's teeth and cheeks on opposite sides of the oral cavity and a center flap intermediate the side wings for transmitting and directing the light to targeted regions of the oral cavity. A controller delivers light to the light guide in a controlled manner.

Abstract: An oral appliance device for use within a human mouth, the human mouth including a tongue, includes an appliance member and a first tongue positioner. The appliance member selectively engages teeth within the human mouth. The first tongue positioner is configured to adjust positioning of the tongue, the first tongue positioner being removably secured to the appliance member. The oral appliance device can further include a second tongue positioner that is configured to adjust positioning of the tongue, the second tongue positioner being alternatively, removably secured to the appliance member. Additionally, the first tongue positioner can have a first size, and the second tongue positioner can have a second size that is different than the first size.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dental appliance composed of a thermo-plastic polymer with low compressibility, high toughness, and high tensile strength, with a low softening point. The appliance has perforations that enable it to be easily custom-fitted by the user or a health professional. The appliance begins as an unformed dental tray that is significantly thinner than existing dental appliances. Once fitted, the dental appliance provides superior protection against damage to the enamel of the teeth and abrasion of the teeth due to bruxism or other mechanism leading to biomechanical wear of dental surfaces. The perforations facilitate the custom-fitting process by allowing the user to suck air through the perforations, thus applying a negative pressure between the material and the teeth while the material is still soft and pliable.

Abstract: The present inventions relate to dental medicine, specifically to restorative, prosthetic and implant dentistry. The proposed innovations are a system comprised of a dental measuring device, method and developed algorithm for measuring the alveolar process of jaws and structurally optimizing measurements to determine the ideal position for dental implants. The system identifies precise implant locations in consideration of jaw size, chosen number of dental implants, and the applied forces and movements in all directions (Six degree of freedom) generated by mastication in fully or partially edentulous patients.

Abstract: Intraoral phototherapy devices receive light from an associated light source and propagate the light into an oral cavity of a patient. The device comprises a light guide that receives light from an external light source. The light guide comprises a main body portion made of an optically transparent soft flexible biocompatible polymeric material sized and shaped to conform to contours of the oral cavity when inserted therein to direct the light to targeted regions of the oral cavity. The main body portion comprises a pair of spaced apart side wings sized and shaped to be received between a patient's teeth and cheeks on opposite sides of the oral cavity and a center flap intermediate the side wings for transmitting and directing the light to targeted regions of the oral cavity. A controller delivers light to the light guide in a controlled manner.

Abstract: The invention relates to a prefabricated, two-part mandibular advancement splint for treating snoring and/or obstructive sleep apnea, a telescopically adjustable advancement mount for such a mandibular advancement splint, which is adjustable via a hexagonal nut located in its center, and a ready-to-use kit for producing such a mandibular advancement splint.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising: a tray for receiving a mouldable element and for insertion into a user's mouth to allow the user to apply a biting force to the mouldable element to provide an impression of the user's teeth, the tray comprising: opposed sidewalls extending from a base, wherein at least one of the opposed sidewalls is configured to move inwards when the user applies a biting force to the mouldable element received by the tray.

Abstract: A dental guard including a generally u-shaped band having a curved central portion and a pair of opposite aft ends, each of the aft ends of the band including a laterally extending cylindrical protrusion; and a pair of bite pad assemblies adjustably mountable onto the opposite aft ends of the band. Each of the bite pad assemblies includes a longitudinal channel configured for receiving one of the aft ends of the band for adjusting the location of the bite pad assembly on the band to adjust the length of the dental guard. Each of the bite pad assemblies also includes an elongate slot defined in a sidewall of the bite pad assembly adjacent to and open to the channel, the slot being configured to receive the laterally extending cylindrical protrusion of the aft end of the band and the slot including a plurality of spaced apart receivers for fixedly but releasably receiving the protrusion to enable adjustable positioning of the bite pad assembly relative to the aft end.

Abstract: The mouthpiece appliance includes an assembly for receiving teeth (12) which includes a plurality of cleansing portions, typically two opposing side portions (14, 16) and an intermediate center portion (18). The brushing portions include bristle sections which are adapted to clean teeth. The appliance includes at least one DC motor assembly (26) with an output shaft with an eccentric mass of crankshaft (28). The appliance further includes a mechanical motor cover comprising a plurality of arm members which are arranged to connect the DC motor assembly to the cleansing portions of the appliance so that as the unbalanced weight on the output shaft rotates, movement of the cleansing portions, toward and away from the teeth or along the surfaces of the teeth occurs, producing cleansing of the teeth.

Abstract: An apparatus including a bite frame and a bite shaped member is provided. The bite frame includes one or more arcuate frame elements defining an opening for accommodating a mesh element or the bite shaped member that receives a bite registration material for registering a bite impression. The bite shaped member has a geometrical body structure, upper and lower channels of configurable shapes, and upper and lower windows. The upper and lower windows are separated by a space for receiving and allowing flow of the bite registration material to register a vertical distance between the upper and lower jaws. An image processing system operably connected to the apparatus determines the three-dimensional relation between the upper and lower jaws with reference to temporomandibular joints using panoramic images of the upper and lower jaws, reference points provided by radio-opaque markers, three-dimensional scanned images of the bite impression, and three-dimensional head surface images.

Abstract: A mouthpiece appliance includes an assembly for receiving teeth which includes cleansing portions, such as two opposing side portions and an intermediate center portion. The brushing portions include bristle sections which are adapted to clean teeth. The appliance also includes at least one DC motor assembly with an output shaft with an eccentric mass of crankshaft. The appliance further includes a mechanical motor cover including arm members which are arranged to connect the DC motor assembly to the cleansing portions of the appliance so that as the unbalanced weight on the output shaft rotates, movement of the cleansing portions, toward and away from the teeth or along the surfaces of the teeth occurs, producing cleansing of the teeth.

Abstract: A fastener suitable for connecting two parts of a dental splint together in a prearranged or predetermined spatial relationship to treat a person suffering from a sleep disorder is described. In one form the fastener comprises a base member and a cover member arranged to define a cavity therebetween. A movable connector is located within the cavity, the movable connector interconnecting the two parts of the dental splint. The fastener has an adjustor movably connected to the connector such that the position of the connector is moved in response to movement of the adjustor by adjusting the position of the adjustor, the connector in the form of a hook moves the other part of the dental splint so as to reposition the jaws of a person being treated for the sleep disorder.

Abstract: The mouthpiece (10) includes receiving portions for receiving teeth from the upper and lower jaws. The teeth receiving portions includes two side portions (26, 28) which are joined by flexible members (32, 34) to a front portion (30). The two side portions move laterally relative to the front portion by the flexible members to accommodate a variety of dental arch configurations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an adjustable dual arch dental impression tray which accommodates a wide range of upper and lower individual arch sizes.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in treating a breathing condition includes a first dental arch, a second dental arch, two bodies coupled to the first dental arch, and two receivers coupled to the second dental arch. The first dental arch is configured to receive at least some of a wearer's teeth. The second dental arch is configured to receive at least some of a wearer's teeth. Each body includes a front stop, a rear stop, a threaded member, and a hook. The threaded member is configured to be coupled between the front stop and rear stop of the body and configured to rotate relative to the body. The hook comprises a threaded passage configured to engage the threaded member, and an arm configured to engage a second dental arch. The hook is configured to travel between the front stop and rear stop of the body in response to rotational adjustment of the threaded member to adjust the lower dental arch relative to the upper dental arch.

Abstract: An intra-oral device used for people that snore or have sleep apnea is designed to move a user's lower jaw forward relative to the user's immovable upper jaw and to prevent the user's mouth from inadvertently opening while sleeping. The device includes upper and lower appliances fitted to the user's respective upper and lower dental arches. The lower appliance possesses a partially embedded bracket. An adjustment element is integrated into the upper portion of the bracket. With the user's mouth closed and the upper and lower appliances positioned over the user's respective dental arches, the adjustment element is moved rearward by worm action into load bearing contact against the forward facing immovable vertical contact wall of the upper appliance. This action moves the lower appliance forward, and thus, the user's lower jaw with its anatomically attached tongue are also moved forward relative to the mouth which in turn opens the user's airway.

Abstract: A dental impression tray assembly includes an upper tray and a lower tray operable with the upper tray, and the lower tray includes a first piece configured to measure jaw relations of a patient's mouth and a pair of second pieces detachably attachable to the first piece. The first piece of the lower tray is inserted into the patient's mouth independently of the pair of second pieces of the lower tray to measure the jaw relations and to obtain a bite registration. After the first piece is connected to the pair of second pieces, the assembly allows a final gum impression of the patient's lower gum to be obtained.

Abstract: The present invention provides a plastic dental impression acquisition bite tray having a metallic reinforcement inserted into a central connection link and a body area of an impression acquisition frame; and in particular, a dental impression acquisition bite tray in which the top, bottom, left and right walls of the impression acquisition frame are divided into plural parts at regular intervals with respect to an impression acquisition film such that the profile of the plastic dental impression acquisition bite tray is adaptively bent little by little in correspondence with the curvature of teeth alignment, thereby enabling the acquisition of an impression of any type of teeth.

Abstract: The present invention describes systems and methods to provide dynamically adjustable dental impression devices. In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a dynamically adjustable dental impression device including a facial portion having at least a first wall and a lingual portion having at least a first wall. The facial portion is movably connected to the lingual portion to form an internal cavity enabled to receive a quantity of impression material. Furthermore, the size of the internal cavity can be reduced during the formation of an impression of a dental structure. In some embodiments, the facial portion can be contracted with the lingual portion during the formation on the impression of the dental structure, resulting in the reduction in the size of the internal cavity.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, an apparatus for treating a breathing condition includes a body, a threaded member, a hook, and a receiver. The body comprises a front stop, a rear stop, and a guide extending between the stops. The threaded member couples between the stops and rotates relative to the body. The hook couples to the guide, comprises a threaded passage and an arm that engages a lower arch, and travels in a forward direction along the guide to adjust the position of the lower arch. The receiver couples to the lower arch and comprises a shelf that engages the arm of the hook. The apparatus may include an extender coupled to the receiver and providing a shelf that is more rearward than the shelf of the receiver. The apparatus may include a post that couples the apparatus to another device.

Abstract: A method and systems for capturing digital intra-oral images, while automatically determining a location of an intra-oral sensor placed within a mouth of a patient, is disclosed. A spatial frame-of-reference is established with respect to teeth within the mouth of the patient. An intra-oral digital imaging sensor is placed within the mouth of the patient adjacent to at least one tooth within the mouth that is to be imaged using the intra-oral sensor. Spatial location information is automatically generated such that the spatial location information defines how the intra-oral sensor is placed with respect to the spatial frame-of-reference. A digital image of the at least one tooth is acquired using the intra-oral sensor and the spatial location information is automatically associated with the acquired digital image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the restoration of a decayed portion of an anterior tooth or re-restoration of a previously filled anterior tooth, and to dental matrices and composite resin dispensers that may be used in the methods for the restoration of a decayed portion of an anterior tooth.

Abstract: A universal impression tray can be reshaped shortened or lengthened allowing a clinician the ability to use one tray in any clinical situation. The tray itself can be used with patients requiring complete removable dentures, root supported and implant-supported overdentures and in some selected dentate cases. The tray can be infinitely modified allowing total control by the clinician. Trays in accordance with features of the present invention are made of a material composition including thermoplastic resin and thermochromic pigment. The material composition softens and changes color in warm water but tends to hold its shape until manipulated by the dentist. The thermoplastic resin portion of the tray can include polycaprolactone resin, styrene resin and dental modeling compound and can vary for specific uses to roughly 50% polycaprolactone /styrene resin and 50% dental modeling compound. Thermochromic pigment can represent up to 5% of the overall material composition of a tray.

Abstract: Impression devices are provided for making an impression of a desired feature. The impression devices include: a flexible bladder having a cavity formed therein, the flexible bladder being capable of conforming to the details of the desired feature; a rheological material, such as a magnetorheological fluid, disposed in the cavity of the flexible bladder; and an activator for applying an external stimulus to the rheological material to change the state of the rheological material and thereby capture an impression of the desired feature.

Abstract: Provided are impression trays having one or more breakaway segments that allow for convenient removal of a portion of the tray, while maintaining the overall dimensions of the tray. Also provided are methods making impressions that include removing at least one breakaway segment of the provided trays. Also provided are impression trays having novel handles and trays having novel slots for the extrusion of excess impression material and retention. Further provided are kits and systems that include such impression trays.

Abstract: An impression tray has panels supporting the dental impression material. The panels can be removed to allow a post protruding from the jaw to extend through the opening in the tray when the impression is made. The trays provide both flexibility and necessary strength of support.

Abstract: The invention relates to an adjustable impression tray (1) comprising a trough (2) in the form of an arch with a straight central portion (7) extended by two lateral branches (8,9), essentially matching the form of a dental arch and comprising several integral zones which may be deformed at the temperature of use in the form of a multi-directional extension means (12), for example an accordion-like bellows arrangement (13 to 16). The impression tray, preferably for single usage, advantageously comprises splitting zones (17, 18) which allow the production of impression trays of differing sectors, which by comprising one or several deformation zones are equally adjustable. The invention is of interest to dentists and prosthetic dentists and more generally to producers and users of dental equipment.

Abstract: A dental impression device (100) which has a buccal support (1a), a lingual support (1b), and a joining section (1c). The buccal support (1a) is disposed towards the buccal side of a dental arch; the lingual support (1b) is disposed towards the lingual side of the dental arch; and the joining section (1c), which connects the buccal and lingual supports, is disposed posterior in the mouth's no bite region. The supports (1a, 1b) form impression material holding areas which hold and secure dental impression material (9). The supports (1a,1b) and joining section (1c) form an open bite through area through which the lower and upper teeth's occlusal surfaces can make contact. Dental impression material (9) supported in the holding area by the supports is disposed in the open bite through area and is between the occlusal surfaces of the upper and lower teeth. The dental impression is then formed by a person making a closed bite into the impression material.

Abstract: A customized dental tray comprising ULDPE is formed using a person's own teeth as a template, or using a stone model of the person's teeth. A preformed dental tray or sheet comprising ULDPE is heated to become plastically deformable and placed over at least a portion of the person's teeth in order to form an impression of the person's teeth and yield an intermediate customized dental tray. Upon cooling sufficiently, the intermediate tray is removed from the persons' mouth and trimmed as needed to yield a finished customized tray corresponding to the person's teeth. The performed tray or sheet preferably comprises ULDPE, which yields a highly flexible and resilient final tray, although they may also contain other polymers or blends. The customized dental tray is useful for teeth bleaching and other dental treatments known in the art.

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: The invention relates to a series of single use print holders for obtaining prints of the maxillary arch and of the mandibular arch in edentulous patients; on the periphery the print holders (1;16) comprise a channel (4;17) which surrounds the gingival crest maintaining a certain gap between the surface of the print holder (1;16) and the surface of the gum for the material for obtaining the prints; to favor stability, the print holder is provided with gingival supports (11,12;25,32) and for better positioning it comprises a frond handle (14;32) and projections (33); by selecting a suitably sized print holder (1;16) among the ones in the series, the final print to realize the total prosthesis can be obtained directly without making the preliminary primary print.

Abstract: A dental impression tray comprises a mold shell made of synthetic material and having an inner space for receiving the impression material, and a support shell made of metal and surrounding the exterior of the mold shell in order to provide the overall impression tray with the rigidity and dimensional stability required for taking precisely fitting impressions. The support shell may be detachably connected to the mold shell by positive or non-positive engagement. While the mold shell including the impression material is passed on to the technician who will produce a model of the teeth from which the impression was taken and who may subsequently dispose of the mold shell including the impression material, the support shell will remain with the dentist, immediately ready for reuse upon sterilization.

Abstract: A dental impression tray having a continuous peripheral wall, including an anterior section which conforms generally to the anatomy of a person's maxillary dentition, and a posterior section having a height which is substantially less than that of the anterior wall section, and a floor adjoining the continuous peripheral wall, the floor having a substantially flat portion of arched plan shape, and an elevated portion which conforms generally to the anatomy of the person's hard palate.

Abstract: Improved dental stock trays capable of taking a precise impression without an individual tray are disclosed. The improved trays are made by newly adding several features to conventional stock trays. For a dentulous maxilla, the improved maxillary tray comprises the added features: a small through hole at the front and central position in a side wall, a projecting plate at the convex and central position in a base, projections at the rear edge positions in the base, and protuberances at the rear end positions in an outer surface of the side wall. The hole, plate, projections and protuberances are in the neighborhoods facing an incisive papilla (or a median frenum), a median palatine raphe (or a palatine foveola), a hamular notch and a maxillary tuberosity, respectively, when the tray is inserted in a mouth.

Abstract: A dental impression tray includes venting in the palatal area of the tray that permits excess impression material to be expelled downward and forward as the impression material and tray are forced upward against the patient's teeth when the impression is taken. At least one vent is located along the apex of the palatal shelf portion of the tray. A pressure plate is also employed which lies substantially in the plane of the base of the tray near the back of the tray. The pressure plate provides a reduced pressure against the impression material and also provides a convenient place in the center of the dental tray for the clinician to apply upward finger pressure to control the positioning and pressure of the tray against the patient's teeth as it is applied.

Abstract: A single use impression tray assembly has a dental impression tray (12, 100) with a separate but readily attachable handle (14, 114). Impression tray (12, 100) includes a handle securing element to selectively interlock handle (14, 114) to impression tray (12, 100). Additionally, impression tray (12, 100) includes a plurality of impression material retaining structure (68) for retaining impression material within the impression tray.

Abstract: An applicator for applying a bleaching agent in the form of a bleaching gel composition to the teeth of a user for purposes of whitening or brightening the teeth. The applicator is in the form of an arch or so-called "tray". The applicator is formed of a flexible and bendable plastic, such as a vinyl plastic, so as to be capable of being partially molded to conform to the teeth configuration of a user. A spacer or insert is located in the tray and contacts the front surfaces of the teeth when inserted on the teeth. The spacer is spaced slightly rearwardly from the front surface of the arch-shaped tray to create a reservoir when the tray is effectively molded to conform to the configuration of the user's teeth. The user of the applicator inserts the applicator into his or her mouth after heating the application and the insert and which causes the plastic to become somewhat moldable.

Abstract: An applicator for applying a bleaching agent in the form of a bleaching gel composition to the teeth of a user for purposes of whitening or brightening the teeth. The applicator is in the form of an arch or so-called "tray". The applicator is formed of a flexible and bendable plastic, such as a vinyl plastic, so as to be capable of being partially molded to conform to the teeth configuration of a user. A spacer or insert is located in the tray and contacts the front surfaces of the teeth when inserted on the teeth. The spacer is spaced slightly rearwardly from the front surface of the arch-shaped tray to create a reservoir when the tray is effectively molded to conform to the configuration of the user's teeth. The user of the applicator inserts the applicator into his or her mouth after heating the applicator and the insert and which causes the plastic to become somewhat moldable.

Abstract: A method for determining whether antiphospholipid antibodies are present in a sample is disclosed. The method comprises contacting the sample with a negatively charged phospholipid and with .beta.-2-glycoprotein-I or a homolog or analog thereof and determining whether any antiphospholipid antibodies have bound to the contacted phospholipid and .beta.-2-glycoprotein-I, wherein detection of binding of antiphospholipid antibodies to the phospholipid and .beta.-2-glycoprotein-I, is indicative that antiphospholipid antibodies are present in the sample.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for making either upper or lower dental impression of teeth for a mammalian patient by utilizing an impression tray having upstanding walls that are laterally and longitudinally adjustable. Those walls conform to the mouth of the patient but spaced from the exterior of the upper or lower teeth of the mammalian patient.

Abstract: An adjustable dual dental impression tray for taking full mouth impressions, and in one form for quadrant impressions of upper and lower teeth simultaneously is disclosed. The tray has an interior section with spaced apart vertical walls adjoined by a mesh cloth extending horizontally between the walls. The walls of the interior section extend rearwardly. Anterior extension sections which comprise spaced apart vertical inner and outer walls which are joined by a mesh cloth extending between the inner surfaces of the walls which are joined at their anterior ends by a flexible connector. The mesh extends between the walls at approximately mid height and the interior section has horizontal slots extending through the walls and forwardly from the rear ends of the walls below the mesh at the mesh of the extensions to move forward to overlap the mesh of the anterior section. This permits the simultaneous taking of dental impressions of the upper and lower teeth.

Abstract: A dental impression tray is made of thermoplastic material which may be heated in order to shape the tray to accommodate the patient's dental arch. The tray includes a channel for receiving impression material, and the channel has a folded section which may be unfolded when the tray is heated in order to increase the height, width or length of the channel. The folded section extends outwardly from the channel and provides convenient gripping structure for removing the tray from the mouth after the impression is taken.

Abstract: A dental impression tray has an outwardly extending flange that is connected to posterior portions of a trough or channel for receiving a quantity of impression materials. The flange permits the tray to be firmly gripped on the sides of the channel in areas adjacent opposite posterior regions of the patient's dental arch, so that the cured impression material may be disengaged from the arch without excessive permanent distortion of the impression. Preferably, the flange extends along the entire perimeter of the channel and adjacent an occlusal portion of the channel.

Abstract: A denture is made by providing an impression tray made of material malleable at less than 150.degree. F. and rigid at body temperature, heating said tray and inserting it in the mouth while malleable and at less than 150.degree. F., conforming it to the patient's mouth, measuring the vertical dimension of the patient's mouth, removing the tray, lining it with impression material, reinserting the tray to form a final impression, removing the tray, providing a bite block, attaching such blocks to the tray, inserting the tray in the patient's mouth, recording the bite registration, and using the resultant tray and bite blocks as the basis for forming a customized denture.A disposable dental impression tray is made of material which may be rendered malleable at temperatures of less than 150.degree. F., is substantially rigid at body temperature, has anterior teeth and is arranged to simulate a denture.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dental impression tray having a pair of spaced side walls which form a channel therebetween. A layer of wax or thermoplastic material extends between and rigidly secures the sidewalls together and divides the channel into a first and second subchannel. The first subchannel is adapted to receive a setable impression material, such as silicone, for making a dental impression.

Abstract: A device for producing precisely registered upper and lower dental impressions includes an impression tray having upper and lower impression cavities for receiving impression material. A slidably movable registration tab is located within the lower cavity to provide a guide for repositioning the lower jaw to a desired position. A simultaneous facebow transfer is an integral part of the device permitting an accurate relationship of upper and lower dental arches to the paired temporomandibular joints.

Abstract: A ring-like adjustment member having a plurality of adjustable elements is mounted in a tooth-encircling relationship with a prepared tooth having a finish line. Each element is adjustably movable so that its leading edges may be moved toward an attachment line defined by the neck of the tooth and its immediately adjacent gingival tissue below the visible gum line. The leading edges, after adjustment, define an impression line whose contour resembles the contour of the finish and/or attachment lines. Accurate custom-made impressions of the prepared tooth may be obtained. The adjustment member may also be mounted on the prepared tooth to assist in the formation of a temporary crown, and may further be mounted as a readily removable matrix on a tooth requiring filling.

Abstract: A preform consisting of a planar section of a thermoplastic having a glass transition temperature a few degrees above body temperature and a softening point below about 160.degree. F. is used to form custom, quadrant, dental impression trays. The preform is of uniform thickness except for a raised ridge, extending across both sides of the sheet, terminating in an elongated handle at one end, and dividing the preform into a pair of asymmetrical sections shaped to fit the buccal and the lingual musculature along a dental arch. The tray may be heated above its softening point and the side sections bent in a common direction about the central ridge so that their ends extend substantially parallel with one another to form a trough having a U-shaped cross-section.

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.