By Mouthpiece-type Retainer Patents (Class 433/6)
  • Patent number: 7963286
    Abstract: A combination bite block, tongue depressor/retractor and airway for establishing and maintaining an open airway while preventing emergence clenching and the resulting dental and soft tissue damage associated with emergence clenching in procedures where anesthesia and/or sedation are used, or when the patient is not in control of their own airway, regardless of the cause. The inventive subject matter includes a tongue depressor/retractor component in both right and left conformations; and a bite block component. The bite block component is a wedge shaped, compressible component that is inserted between the upper and lower molars on either the right or left side of the mouth. The tongue depressor component is comprised by a flat portion of that is inserted into the side of the bite block, and an optional curved portion that retracts the tongue off of the posterior pharynx when in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: InfoHealthNetwork, Inc.
    Inventor: Theodore James Burdumy
  • Patent number: 7963765
    Abstract: A system of dental appliances having various sizes and types and a method for treating malocclusions of patients of various ages without adjustments or appointments are provided. The dental appliances may be sized to treat, for example, patients in age ranges of less than six years; six years to twelve years; and twelve or more years. The dental appliances may have preformed and/or customized sockets and/or slots for more than one tooth, such as incisors and/or canines and/or molars and/or premolars and/or deciduous molars and/or adult molars. The dental appliances may be one-size-fits-all type dental appliances. The dental appliances may be used to treat a malocclusion, such as, for example, an overbite, an overjet, crowding, spacing, or temporomandibular joint problems, and may be distributed in an over-the-counter manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Ortho-Tain, Inc
    Inventor: Earl O. Bergersen
  • Patent number: 7954494
    Abstract: This invention is a device with actively-moving members external to the tongue that hold or move the tongue forward (using friction, compression, tension, pushing, pulling, adhesion, peristaltic motion, or a combination thereof) in order to reduce obstructive sleep apnea, snoring, or both. This device has advantages over Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), surgical procedures, tubes or stents, jaw-positioning appliances, devices that use suction, piercing the tongue, and devices using friction with static or passively-moving members. With actively-moving members, the places of pressure on the tongue can be moved throughout the night to avoid tissue injury. Also, the device can actively re-engage tongue when it slips out. A dynamic sleep apnea device with actively-moving members creates new treatment options for the millions of people suffering from sleep apnea.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Inventor: Robert A. Connor
  • Patent number: 7955075
    Abstract: A device has a metal wireframe with two lateral fastening elements which are connected through metal lingual and vestibular springs to a frontal fastening element and executed in the form of metal wireframes clasping teeth of dentition's lateral segments and performed of lingual and vestibular details located at necks of teeth from the one side and dispersedly mounted along the height of teeth from the other side and connected by crosspieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Mayadontics LLC
    Inventor: Pavel D. Mailyan
  • Patent number: 7954496
    Abstract: A custom-fitted dental appliance prevents grinding contact between upper and lower teeth of a wearer. The appliance includes a base member having a generally U-shaped horizontal portion with opposing posterior sections and an anterior section disposed between the posterior sections. The anterior section has an arcuate curvature substantially matching the curvature of the dental arch of most wearers. The base member has a vertical portion connected to a forward edge of the horizontal portion. The vertical portion of the base member has an arcuate curvature substantially following the curvature of the anterior section. The appliance includes over-molded anterior occlusal pads and molar pads that are attached to the upper surfaces of the base member. An over-molded anterior flange is attached to the vertical portion of the base member. The anterior occlusal pads, molar pads and anterior flange are formed from a thermoplastic material having a Vicat softening temperature below that of the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Dentek Oral Care, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Jansheski, Ronald W. Spencer
  • Patent number: 7950131
    Abstract: A robotic system for forming features in orthodontic aligners includes a control system, a platen for three-dimensional positioning of the aligner, a heating station for selectively heating a small region of the aligner, and a thermoforming station for manipulating the heated region to form a desired feature in the aligner. Optionally, a laser cutting and trimming station can also be included to trim excess material from the aligner or to cut features into the aligner. The control system can include a processor with CAD software to enable a user to design features for aligners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Inventor: Jack Keith Hilliard
  • Publication number: 20110123941
    Abstract: Embodiments include dental appliances, dental appliance systems, and methods of making and using such appliances. In one embodiment, a dental appliance includes a number of tooth apertures for the placement of teeth therein and a tab representing a position of a tooth that has not fully erupted and oriented to be received over the position of the tooth that has not fully erupted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Jon F. Moss, Rene M. Sterental
  • Patent number: 7947508
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are disclosed for intra-orally diagnosing a body condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Tricca, Benjamin M. Wu, Chunhua Li, Eric E. Kuo
  • Patent number: 7943079
    Abstract: Methods of making a removable dental positioning appliance include forming a sheet of transparent crystalline polymeric material into a shell having cavities shaped to receive and reposition teeth from a first orientation to a successive orientation. The polymeric material may then be annealed at a temperature above its glass transition temperature or cured if a curable material to enhance characteristics of the polymeric material. The polymeric material may be coated with a second transparent material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph M. DeSimone, Robert E. Tricca
  • Publication number: 20110091833
    Abstract: An orthodontic appliance 1 for promoting development of a dental arch form in a patient who has an underdeveloped dental arch form is disclosed. The appliance 1 includes an arch-shaped base member 2 that is made of a resiliently flexible material, and a teeth engaging member 5 that encloses at least part of the base member 2. The teeth engaging member 5 defines upper and/or lower dental arch receiving channels 46, 47 and is made of a resiliently flexible material that is softer than the base member and is deformable. The appliance 1 has a resting form in which the resilient materials of the base member 2 and the teeth engaging member 5 are in their resting condition. The appliance 1 can be flexed or deformed out of the resting form to fit the underdeveloped dental arch form into the dental arch receiving channel 46, 47.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventor: Christopher John Farrell
  • Patent number: 7918228
    Abstract: Musculoskeletal repositioning devices are described. The devices are worn in the mouth and cause the lower jaw of the wearer to move into an active optimal position that relieves stress on the temporomandibular joint, causing increased muscular strength and decreased muscular tension. The devices have ramps on their upper surfaces which contact the upper posterior teeth and lingual anatomy and cause the jaw to reposition from a passive bite position to an active optimal bite position. A casting device for forming a musculoskeletal repositioning device and a method for using the casting device are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Inventor: Gerald N. Smernoff
  • Patent number: 7914283
    Abstract: An activatable dental appliance. A concave trough conforms to a plurality of teeth when placed over the plurality of teeth. A first force applying region is configured to apply a first force to at least one tooth of the plurality of teeth for repositioning the tooth. A second force applying region is configured to be selectively activated, wherein when selectively activated the second force applying region applies a force to at least one tooth of the plurality of teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Kuo
  • Patent number: 7905724
    Abstract: The present invention provides devices, systems and methods for orthodontic treatment using elastic repositioning appliances while concurrently providing dental and periodontal therapies. Such therapies are traditionally provided with the use of a variety of accessories and devices which are applied when the repositioning appliance is removed from the patient's mouth. The present invention eliminates the need for such removal and additional devices by incorporating these therapies into the repositioning appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Kuo, Loc X. Phan
  • Patent number: 7901207
    Abstract: A system and method for repositioning teeth in a patient jaw includes an attachment bonded to a tooth. The attachment has at least one force receiving component for receiving a force. A polymeric shell repositioning appliance is positioned over at least some of the teeth in the patient jaw. The polymeric shell has at least one force transmitting component for engaging the force receiving component to form a locus of engagement. The locus of engagement transmits the force and moves but is maintained as the tooth is repositioned. In specific embodiments the locus of engagement is maintained over a substantial range of motion. The force transmitted at the locus of engagement increases in response to the tooth lagging an intended position. A space between the positioned appliance and the tooth permits the tooth to move into an intended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter G. Knopp, Aaron J. Miller, Rob Van Den Berg
  • Publication number: 20110039223
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes dental appliances and methods of making and using such appliances. One method for forming a dental appliance includes forming a liquid thermoset polymer material into a semi-solid first shape, thermoforming the semi-solid first shape of thermoset polymer material onto a dentition mold, and curing the thermoset polymer on the dentition mold with a curative trigger to complete a molecular cross-linking reaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventors: Chunhua Li, Yan Chen
  • Patent number: 7883334
    Abstract: Method and system for providing a first appliance configured for positioning substantially around one or more teeth during a first portion of a recurring time period to apply one of a first predetermined force or a predetermined tooth movement on the one or more teeth, the first appliance formed of a first material, a second appliance configured for positioning substantially around the one or more teeth during a second portion of the recurring time period to apply one of a second predetermined force or a predetermined tooth movement on the one or more teeth, the second appliance formed of a second material, where at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the recurring time period is repeated at least once such that at least one of the first appliance or the second appliance is positioned again substantially around the one or more teeth during the respective first or second portion of the recurring time period are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Chunhua Li, Eric Kuo
  • Patent number: 7878805
    Abstract: Embodiments include dental appliances, dental appliance systems, and methods of making and using such appliances. In one embodiment, a dental appliance includes a number of tooth apertures for the placement of teeth therein and a tab representing a position of a tooth that has not fully erupted and oriented to be received over the position of the tooth that has not fully erupted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon F. Moss, Rene M. Sterental
  • Patent number: 7878801
    Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring orthodontic treatment compliance includes an appliance adapted to be worn over one or more teeth; and a compliance indicator mounted on the appliance to indicate compliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Amir Abolfathi, Jennifer C. Chen, Chunhua Li, Robert E. Tricca, Benjamin M. Wu, Eric E. Kuo, Loc X. Phan
  • Publication number: 20110020761
    Abstract: An invisible removable orthodontic repositioning appliance with a lower modulus inner lining for systematically aligning teeth from an initial tooth arrangement to a final tooth arrangement while minimizing propensity for root and bone resorption due to the lower modulus is disclosed. The aligning of the teeth may be accomplished by taking impressions at various intervals for greater accuracy in the event of a distorted impression. Patient impression and/or model may then be digitally scanned. Using 3D software, tooth position may be incrementally modified toward idealized position and associated stress analyzed. Final modified model and associated appliance may be fabricated for orthodontic movement using 3D printing. Each appliance may be numerically identified to maintain uniformity of application from start of treatment to completion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventor: Thomas Kalili
  • Patent number: 7874836
    Abstract: Provided, among other things, is a system for progressive palatal expansion, the system comprising a series of incremental expanders, including: a) a first incremental expander having a geometry selected to incrementally expand the palate; b) one or more intermediate expanders having geometries selected to progressively expand the palate; and, c) a final expander, having a geometry selected to expand the palate to a target desired breadth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Inventor: David W. McSurdy, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20110005527
    Abstract: An orthodontic appliance comprising a generally u-shape tooth positioning shell (6,8) adapted for mounting on teeth of the upper or lower arch (2,4) of a patient. The shell (6,8) has a geometry shaped to receive and resiliently apply pressure to one or more teeth to reposition them and at least one additional formation (10,12) on or in the positioning shell adapted to perform a function other than repositioning teeth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: ORTHO-PRO-TEKNICA LIMITED
    Inventors: McCance Andrew, Caprani Joe
  • Patent number: 7861722
    Abstract: A dental oral appliance to reduce or eliminate snoring or obstructive sleep apnea and to open the airway for a sleeping patient. The appliance covers the inside (lingual) of the upper or lower teeth and has an open palate. Retention for the appliance is provided by an occlusal coverge of the upper or lower teeth. A raised incisor ramp that extends from the incisal tip of the incisors toward the lingual, or posterior ramps, separate the posterior teeth to open the airway. A transpalatal bar, which extends from the inside (lingual) of the right molars to the inside of the left molars, inhibits the upward and backward movement of the tongue. An anterior tongue restrainer which is attached to the transpalatal bar at one end and the front of the appliance at the other end, aids in inhibiting and restraining the upward and backward movement of the tongue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Inventor: Bryan Keropian
  • Patent number: 7861721
    Abstract: An appliance, a system and a method prevent snoring of a patient. The appliance opens an airway of the patient by advancing a lower jaw of the patient. A slot is formed on an upper shell and/or a lower shell of the appliance to receive teeth of the patient for wearing the appliance. A hinge connects the upper shell to the lower shell and resists the closing of the mouth of the patient to maintain the open airway of the patient. Wedges protrude from the hinge between the upper shell and the lower shell to further resist the closing of the mouth of the patient. Stiffer material of the hinge and/or the wedges relative to material of the upper shell and the lower shell requires more force to close the mouth of the patient and maintains the open airway of the patient during sleep. Extended margins may receive liner material to secure the appliance to the dentition. Lingual extensions on the lower arch help to maintain the lower jaw in a forward position relative to the upper jaw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Ortho-Tain Inc
    Inventor: Earl O. Bergersen
  • Patent number: 7861724
    Abstract: A dental oral appliance for use with patients who suffer with sleep disorders, to reduce or eliminate snoring and to open the airway for a sleeping individual who suffers with obstructive sleep apnea. The appliance covers the inside (lingual) of the upper teeth and has an open palate. Retention for the appliance is provided by either clasps placed over the upper right and left molars and a retainer in the anterior area or by an occlusal coverage of the upper teeth. A raised incisor ramp that extends from the incisal tip (biting edge) of the incisors toward the lingual, or posterior raised ramps, separate the posterior teeth to reduce spasm on the temporalis muscle. A transverse, transpalatal member, which extends from the inside (lingual) of the upper right molars to the inside of the upper left molars, covers the tongue, preventing it from moving upward or backward during sleep, opening the airway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Inventor: Bryan Keropian
  • Patent number: 7854609
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes method, system, apparatus, and indicator embodiments. For example, one system for monitoring orthodontic treatment includes an appliance for placement over one or more teeth and multiple wear indicators including at least a first wear indicator having a first wear rate and a second wear indicator that has a second wear rate that is different from the first.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jennifer C. Chen, Chunhua Li, Anthony Morefield
  • Patent number: 7844092
    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 at least one tooth is acquired using the intra-oral sensor and the spatial location information is automatically associated with the acquired digital image. The associated spatial location information may be used to automatically correlate the acquired image to a tooth or teeth within the mouth and/or to automatically orient the acquired image for display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Apteryx, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin M. Crucs
  • Patent number: 7836889
    Abstract: Provided is an airway maintenance apparatus that draws the lower jaw forward to forcibly maintain an airway during sleep, designed to allow quick and easy setting of a drawing extent for the lower-jaw side attachment suitable for each patient. The airway maintenance apparatus contains an upper-jaw side attachment 1 to be attached to the upper jaw side in the oral cavity, and a lower-jaw side attachment 2 provided separately from the upper-jaw side attachment 1, and to be attached to the lower jaw side in the oral cavity, the lower-jaw side attachment 2 being connected to the upper-jaw side attachment 1 via a stepless adjusting device 3 capable of moving the lower-jaw side attachment 2 in a stepless manner in the direction of drawing the lower jaw forward relative to the upper-jaw side attachment 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Kurume University
    Inventor: Jingo Kusukawa
  • Patent number: 7837469
    Abstract: An apparatus and method define a fit a set of upper and lower teeth in a masticatory system of a patient by generating a computer representation of the masticatory system of the patient; and determining an occlusion from the computer representation of the masticatory system using one or more keys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Muhammad Ziaullah Khan Chishti, Andrew C. Beers
  • Patent number: 7832402
    Abstract: A device for treating breathing problems is disclosed, including a shaped part fitting onto the teeth of the lower jaw, a shaped part fitting onto the teeth of the upper jaw, and at least one adjustable connecting device between the upper and lower shaped part for forward/backward and upward/downward adjustment of the upper shaped part relative to the lower shaped part. One of the shaped parts is provided at the front with a slide mechanism including a slide element which is slidable laterally to a limited extent along a guide element. Further, the adjustable connecting devices are fixedly connected to the other shaped part on one side and to the slide element on the other, thus allowing a precise forward/backward and upward/downward adjustment with a limited freedom of movement of the lower jaw in relation to the upper jaw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Inventor: Jozef Frans Nelissen
  • Patent number: 7832404
    Abstract: A dental appliance for prevention of Bruxism includes a U-shaped buccal strap having opposing right and left aft end portions. A right bite pad assembly is slidingly connected to and completely encloses the right aft end portion of the buccal strap. A left bite pad assembly is slidingly connected to and completely encloses the left aft end portion of the buccal strap. The right bite pad assembly can include a right upper bite surface member for contacting right upper molars of a wearer and a right lower bite surface member for contacting right lower molars of the wearer. The left bite pad assembly can include a left upper bite surface member for contacting left upper molars of a wearer and a left lower bite surface member for contacting left lower molars of the wearer. A right channel extends through the right upper bite surface member and the right lower bite surface member. A left channel extends through the left upper bite surface member and the left lower bite surface member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: DenTek Oral Care, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Jansheski
  • Patent number: 7827991
    Abstract: A method and system for preventing head injury by providing parallel alignment of a jaw are disclosed. A method of preventing a head injury comprises providing a dental appliance having a left body, a right body and a lingual bar engaging the left body and the right body; placing the dental appliance over a plurality of teeth of a lower jaw so the lower jaw and a upper jaw are approximately parallel; and absorbing a force applied to the lower jaw, wherein the dental appliance absorbs the force applied to the lower jaw while preventing a condyle of a mandible from transferring the force to a temporal bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Mahercor Laboratories, LLC
    Inventor: Gerald J. Maher
  • Publication number: 20100279246
    Abstract: An odontological device and device series to guide an individual's occlusion and a method to be used in selecting an occlusion guidance appliance device to be used in orthodontic treatment. This kind of device contains a U-shaped arch with a lower surface on the side of the lower jaw and a higher surface on the side of the upper jaw, an in both of which there are concaves in which to place the individual's teeth, and where the bottoms of the concaves form of the isthmus separating the concaves from one another. According to the invention, the isthmus includes blanks meant for individual teeth and uniform, continuous hollows meant for at least two teeth to guide the teeth in the required direction, and the lower jaw side surface has a lower wing constricting the tongue at least sideways, and it helps the device to remain in place in the individual's mouth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: LM-INSTRUMENTS OY
    Inventors: Katri Keski-Nisula, Juha Varrela
  • Publication number: 20100279245
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method of forming an orthodontic appliance includes forming an arch configured to custom fit a plurality of teeth. The method may further include coupling a plurality of wire receptors to at least two of: a first surface of the arch corresponding to the lingual surfaces of the plurality of teeth; a second surface of the arch corresponding to the labial surfaces of the plurality of teeth; and a third surface of the arch corresponding to the occusal surfaces of the plurality of teeth. Selected portions of the composite arch may be separated. A first pair of the plurality of wire receptors may be coupled together using a first orthodontic wire. A second pair of the plurality of wire receptors may be coupled together using a second orthodontic wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventor: Carlos F. Navarro
  • Patent number: 7824180
    Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring orthodontic treatment compliance includes an appliance adapted to be worn over one or more teeth; and a compliance indicator mounted on the appliance to indicate compliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Amir Abolfathi, Jennifer C. Chen, Chunhua Li, Robert E. Tricca, Benjamin M. Wu
  • Patent number: 7819659
    Abstract: A system for organizing dental aligners for a subject includes a plurality of dental aligners configured to move the subject's teeth at different steps of an orthodontic treatment and one or more connectors (including frangible connectors) configured to connect a plurality of dental aligners in an order that is consistent with the sequence in which the dental aligners are to be used by the subject in the orthodontic treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Huafeng Wen
  • Publication number: 20100266975
    Abstract: A dental appliance for correcting tooth alignment. The appliance includes a body for seating on an arch of teeth. The body is at least partially elastically deformable and has a seated condition into which it is elastically deformable to be seated on an arch of teeth. The body is constructed, when seated on an arch of teeth, for applying, by virtue of said elastic deformation, a correction force on one or more misaligned teeth, at or adjacent a base of the crown of each misaligned tooth, in a direction in which each misaligned tooth is to be moved to correct its alignment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventor: Joseph Geenty
  • Patent number: 7814914
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for avoiding leakage from the mouth when nasally supplying a respiratory gas on a pressure level lying above ambient pressure. The device comprises a base body made from an elastomeric material and comprises an inner edge portion and an outer ring edge portion, wherein the two ring edge portions are coupled with each other via a web portion, and wherein furthermore the base body, in combination with the two ring edge portions and the web portion, is configured in such a manner that in the application position of the base body the latter defines a lip receiving area for receiving the lips of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: MAP Medizin-Technologie GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Christoph Lang, Achim Biener, Martin Bechtel
  • Patent number: 7810503
    Abstract: Mandibular advancement splint against snoring and sleep apnea. The splint is made of two thermoformable trays (1, 2) designed to envelop the upper and lower arch. In order to be able to adapt to individual variations in conformation, the advancement splint includes an articulated frame having rigid and flexible elements, immersed in the thermoformable flexible material or molded around it. The frame's articulations (12, 13, 23) allow the splint to fit the curve of the dental arch and to adapt to irregularities in the teeth's position. The inventive splint is equivalent in terms of comfort and efficiency to a personalized splint made by an orthodontist or dental technician, but its cost is 6 to 10 times lower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Inventor: Georges Magnin
  • Patent number: 7810502
    Abstract: An anti-snoring and obstructive sleep apnea device for preventing one's lower jaw from receding and preventing one's tongue from blocking the air passageway thus eliminating one's snoring. The anti-snoring and obstructive sleep apnea device includes an first support being removably retained by a user's upper teeth; and also includes a second support being supported by a user's lower teeth; and further includes an assembly being retained to the first support for positioning the second support and preventing the lower jaw from receding and the tongue from blocking the air passageway of a user and to allow the user to open one's mouth and to move one's lower jaw forwardly and laterally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Inventors: Nghiep V. Nguyen, Corinee J. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7802987
    Abstract: A system for repositioning teeth comprises a plurality of individual appliances that are treated with a lubricious composition. The appliances are configured to be placed successively on the patient's teeth and to incrementally reposition the teeth from an initial tooth arrangement, through a plurality of intermediate tooth arrangements, and to a final tooth arrangement. The system of appliances is usually configured at the outset of treatment so that the patient may progress through treatment without the need to have the treating professional perform each successive step in the procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Loc X. Phan
  • Publication number: 20100239993
    Abstract: Anchor apparatus for a flexible and resilient clear orthodontic appliance constructed to be removably fitted over the teeth of a user by friction in a predetermined position. One or more first anchor devices are secured to the bone in the mouth of the user in a position to be adjacent to the orthodontic appliance when fitted over the teeth. The orthodontic appliance is constructed to removably engage the first anchor device or devices when the orthodontic appliance is fitted on the teeth in the predetermined position to removably secure the orthodontic device in the predetermined position. The orthodontic appliance may comprise one or more second anchor devices mounted thereon for removable engagement with the first anchor devices. The first and second anchor devices comprise female recessed portions or male heads that are complementary in shape to facilitate the removable engagement thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: Bi-Corticle LLC
    Inventors: David Baughman, Jack Fisher, John M. Sparaga
  • Publication number: 20100239992
    Abstract: Methods and devices utilizing a dental appliance for dental retainer wire attachment are disclosed. One such wire attachment appliance includes a shell having one or more cavities formed therein and shaped to receive one or more teeth, at least two wire attachment members provided on the shell, and at least one attachment material reservoir provided on the shell, wherein the attachment material is provided to attach a wire to a tooth adjacent to a particular reservoir of the at least one attachment material reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Douglas Brandt, Rick M. Matty
  • Patent number: 7798149
    Abstract: A method and system for training a patient to improve swallowing, for retraining jaw muscles and for holding or keeping the jaw in a correct bite position. All of this in-turn causing an improvement in posture. The system includes a combination of exercise and oral apparatus pieces or mouth-guards to retrain and balance the facial muscles and to develop a correct swallow. The mouth-guards of the present invention can improve biomechanical imbalance, posture and in turn athletic performance. A particular embodiment of an oral apparatus of the present invention includes top and bottom troughs for receiving top and bottom teeth into the apparatus. The troughs can be adapted to hold the upper canine teeth lower than the central and lateral incisor teeth and hold the upper teeth outside the lower teeth from the incisors to the molars. The apparatus can be pre-fabricated or custom made for a particular patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Inventor: Han Haduong
  • Publication number: 20100227289
    Abstract: An orthodontic appliance that is particularly useful for correcting a class occlusion is disclosed. The appliance includes a mounting arrangement for mounting over an upper arch of a user having a front region and two arm regions extending rearward from the front region. The mounting arrangement includes an outer wall and an inner wall and a web extending there between. The outer wall, the web and the inner wall collectively define an upper channel within which the upper arch and teeth of a user are received to mount the appliance. They also define a lower channel for receiving the lower arch and teeth. The outer wall has an upper portion spaced forward of the upper arch teeth and gums forming an outer spacing formation for holding the buccal mucosa away therefrom. The appliance also includes a tongue elevator on a lower portion of the inner wall for raising position corresponding to an arch form will tend to return to the desired arch form. Further the resilient flexibility assists fitting of the appliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventor: Christopher John FARRELL
  • Patent number: 7775214
    Abstract: An interocclusal sports prophylaxis includes a core having an arch shaped occlusal plate with upwardly extending buccal and lingual walls. A labial force dispersal shield and molar framing braces extend downwardly from the plate at incisor and lingual zones of the plate. The occlusal plate is thickened at the molar and incisor zones so that breathing spaces are provided between mandibular occlusal surfaces not registered with the zones and a mandibular face of the plate. A shock absorption dentition encasement is molded over the upper surface of the core and also covers the molar and incisor zones. The prophylaxis is heated in water, seated in the mouth and then biting pressure is applied to embed the maxillary dentition in the encasement and the lower incisor and molar occlusal surfaces in the encasement covering the zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Medtech Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Lesniak, Naushirwan R. Mehta, Gerard Kugel, Ayman Aboushala
  • Patent number: 7771195
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for producing a digital model by providing a digital model of a tooth; providing a digital model of at least one attachment device having two or more portions, the digital model of the attachment device having the two or more portions extending through two or more surfaces of the tooth; and positioning the digital model of the attachment device on the digital model of the tooth to produce a combined computerized model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Knopp, Loc X. Phan
  • Patent number: 7771640
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for creating a mold of a patient's teeth to which are installed orthodontic appliances with a support assembly bonded to a tooth. The appliances may include a corresponding corrective assembly with a wire engaging portion removably coupled to the support assembly. The systems and methods may include removing a corrective assembly from a support assembly, applying unset molding compound to the patient's teeth and corresponding support assemblies, setting the molding compound into a mold, and nondeformably removing the mold from the patient's mouth. The support assemblies may include a marker portion to indicate the position of the wire engaging portion of a corrective assembly that may be removed prior to making a mold and/or installed after making the mold. Marker assemblies adapted to removably engage a support assembly, and including such a marker portion, may be temporarily coupled to support assemblies prior to making a mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Inventor: Christopher C. Cosse
  • Patent number: 7770582
    Abstract: A comfortable and viable and removable device of channel-type tongue position correction for anti-snoring. The device is made of wire or band material, including a fixer, an upper and nether force-components which are connected with the fixer. The device is mostly applied on upper jaw. The force end of the upper force-component is designed to be suitable to the soft palate palatine velum, and acts to raise up the soft palate palatine velum and uvula upward/upward and backward suitably. The force end of the nether force-component is designed to be suitable to the normal configuration of the corpora linguae (anterior tongue), and acts on the portion in front of the sensitive position of the hind half of the corpora linguae (anterior tongue) to press the big tongue downward/downward and forward. Thus, depending on the co-action of the upper and nether force-components, the blocked respiratory tract could be expanded to prevent snore and remit sleep apnoea syndrome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Shanghai Guang Ren Anti-Snoring Health Center
    Inventors: Haidong Chen, Yueyang Chen
  • Publication number: 20100196837
    Abstract: An orthodontic appliance 1 for promoting development of a dental arch form in a patient who has an underdeveloped dental arch form is disclosed. The appliance 1 includes an arch-shaped base member 2 that is made of a resiliently flexible material, and a teeth engaging member 5 that encloses at least part of the base member 2. The teeth engaging member 5 defines upper and/or lower dental arch receiving channels 46, 47 and is made of a resiliently flexible material that is softer than the base member and is deformable. The appliance 1 has a resting form in which the resilient materials of the base member 2 and the teeth engaging member 5 are in their resting condition. The appliance 1 can be flexed or deformed out of the resting form to fit the underdeveloped dental arch form into the dental arch receiving channel 46, 47.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventor: Christopher John Farrell
  • Patent number: 7766658
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for detecting or diagnosing diseases by sampling and testing intra-oral fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Tricca, Benjamin M. Wu, Chunhua Li, Eric Kuo