By Device Having Means To Apply Outwardly Directed Force (e.g., Expander) Patents (Class 433/7)
  • Patent number: 8215312
    Abstract: An upper tray adapted to receive a wearer's maxillary teeth. A lower tray adapted to receive the wearer's mandibular teeth. A first upper ridge is carried on a maxillary occlusal surface of the upper tray. A second upper ridge is carried on the maxillary occlusal surface of the upper tray posterior to and spaced from the first upper ridge. A lower ridge is carried on a mandibular occlusal surface of the lower tray received between the first upper ridge and the second upper ridge. The lower tray is movable to a forward position where the lower ridge abuts the first upper ridge to limit forward movement of the lower tray in relation to the upper tray, and the lower tray is movable to a rearward position where the lower ridge abuts the second upper ridge to limit rearward movement of the lower tray in relation to the upper tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Inventors: Charles Garabadian, Renee McPhee
  • Patent number: 8205617
    Abstract: An oral appliance is provided for the treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. The oral appliance includes an upper tray adaptable to conform to a user's maxillary dentition and a plurality of lower trays, each of the lower trays adaptable to conform to the user's mandibular dentition. At least some of the lower trays are structured to engage the upper tray, each of the lower trays are structured to impart a different fixed amount of mandibular advancement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Eugene N. Scarberry, Gary Lotz, Lance Busch, Robert Dale Parks, Christopher Stygar, Ronald B. Kemnitzer
  • Patent number: 8201560
    Abstract: A flexible dental appliance a left posterior occlusal pad having a base and an outer wall including a plurality of loops; a right posterior occlusal pad having a base and an outer wall including a plurality of loops; and a support bridge between the left posterior occlusal pad and the a right posterior occlusal pad. The plurality of loops create gaps in the outer wall and extend over a buccal aspect of the teeth of an upper jaw for enhancing retention of the dental appliance. The plurality of loops engage the teeth at interproximal spaces and cementoenamel junctions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Inventor: Jay L. Dembro
  • Patent number: 8192196
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention consists of a non-rigid, epigenetic-pneumopedic appliance comprising a wire-type framework supporting bow, bands, brackets or a clasp. The appliance includes active elements adapted to provide brief doses of cyclic forces to induce sutural osteogenesis. The active elements are vibrational, ultrasonic or oscillatory components. The epigenetic-pneumopedic appliance cooperates with an actuator or other expansion mechanism, such as suture spring, that straddles the midline of the appliance. The appliance further includes tooth-contacting material having high-elasticity, such as pre-formed alloys that form 3-D axial springs, which adapt to the long axis of the palatal/lingual surfaces of the teeth. The appliance also includes a plurality of micro-screws 2 along with driving means preferably consisting of either an electrical, ultrasonic (vibrational) meso-motor, or, alternatively, a micro-motor. The epigenetic-pneumopedic appliance may be used with directional bite props.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Inventor: Gurdev Dave Singh
  • Publication number: 20120129117
    Abstract: An Orthodontic teeth positioning appliance comprising an anterior positioning component, a posterior component and a resilient means connecting the anterior and posterior components. The anterior positioning component is configured to be in contact with, in order to push against, the lingual faces of a plurality of anterior teeth, when worn by the user and the posterior component is configured to be anchored to at least one posterior tooth, when worn by the user in order that the resilient means urges apart the anterior positioning component from the posterior component. The appliance is preferably removable by the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: ORTHO-PRO-TEKNICA LIMITED
    Inventor: Andrew McCance
  • Patent number: 8146601
    Abstract: A bite block is to be positioned between opposing upper and lower teeth in a patient's mouth. The bite block includes an elongate member having a top and a bottom. First and second sidewalls are coupled to the elongate member on opposite sides thereof. Each sidewall extends above and below the top and bottom of the elongate member to define upper and lower teeth spaced apart transverse notches defined in an upper surface thereof. In addition, the second sidewall has a second set of spaced apart receiving channels. The first sidewall has a first set of transverse notches defined in an upper surface thereof. The first sidewall may also have a third set of spaced apart transverse notches defined in a lower surface thereof. In addition, the second sidewall may also have a fourth set of spaced apart transverse notches defined in a lower surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Inventor: John M. James, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8113826
    Abstract: A biased palatal bone expander attaches directly to the palatal bone in the roof of the mouth of a patient. The expander has dual, biased, mutually parallel rods. The rods extend from coaxial tubes and have coaxial springs. The expansion of the springs urges the rod outwardly from the center of the expander thus widening the maxillary arch incrementally without a connection upon the teeth. The tubes and rods each attach to two mutually parallel bars perpendicular to the rods. Each bar has two opposite ends with an eyelet upon each end. The eyelets receive screws for securing the expander to a patient. Additionally, the appliance may include a thermoformed shell that a surgeon or orthodontist uses to guide positioning the appliance for installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventor: Michael O. Williams
  • Patent number: 8100131
    Abstract: A “boil and bite” mouthguard including projections to improve moulding of the mouthguard to the user's teeth is described. The mouthguard also includes a base-wall configuration that acts to minimise thinning of the base during moulding and use of the mouthguard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: OPRO International Ltd.
    Inventors: Paul Swann, Peter Searle
  • Publication number: 20120003600
    Abstract: An orthodontic corrective appliance for correcting malpositioned molars, wherein one end of the appliance is mounted on a supporting device, and the other end is applied to the given molar with spring loading includes a pusher element which is guided axially in a sleeve and is acted upon by a compression spring, and the free end of the pusher element extends from the sleeve and is provided with a connecting piece which is applied to the supporting device. Several small tubes on the outer surface of the sleeve have inner bores that guide and support a spacer bar that extends parallel to the sleeve. The end of the spacer bar that points towards the connecting piece is supported on one of the tubes, and the end of the spacer bar that faces away from the connecting piece is supported on a transpalatal arch, a Gashgarion lock or similar element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicants: PROMEDIA A. AHNFELDT GMBH
    Inventors: Heinz WINSAUER, Hartwig AHNFELDT
  • Patent number: 8074656
    Abstract: An oral device for improving airway patency comprises a tongue constraint and a negative pressure source. The tongue constraint engages the patient's tongue to maintain a clear region below the palate in an oral cavity. By applying a negative pressure in the clear region, an airway behind the soft palate or tongue of the patient can be maintained. The tongue constraint is usually connected to an anchor. The anchor may be held between the patient's teeth or may engage the inferior surface of the palate. Another oral device for improving airway patency comprises a lateral tongue structure and a negative pressure source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Apnicure, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthias Vaska, Jonathan Podmore, John Edwards Crowe
  • Publication number: 20110287377
    Abstract: A new and useful orthodontic clasp that is more resistant to breakage, and when in use is unlikely to separate from its associated orthodontic appliance should breakage occur, comprising two metal wires crossed at an angle and held together with a weld/solder joint, said weld/solder joint having four wire segments extending from said two metal wires crossed at the weld/solder joint, two of said wire segments adjacent and longer in length and two of said wire segments adjacent and shorter in length, said four wire segments each having a clasp wire bend.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventor: William M. Hang
  • Patent number: 8028705
    Abstract: A tongue retaining system is disclosed herein generally having, in one variation, a two-part system. A covering can be sized to fit at least partially over or upon a tongue of a patient, where the covering has an engagement mechanism positioned thereon. A retaining device, sized to fit within a mouth of the patient, may be positioned upon the teeth and have a corresponding engagement mechanism positioned thereon for temporarily coupling with the engagement mechanism on the covering. Such a system can be used to maintain or hold a natural position of the tongue within the mouth of the patient to maintain patency of the airway passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Inventor: Kasey K. Li
  • Patent number: 7975700
    Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for manipulating the tongue. An implant is positioned within at least a portion of the tongue and may be secured to other surrounding structures such as the mandible and/or hyoid bone. In general, the implant is manipulated to displace at least a portion of the posterior tongue in an anterior or lateral direction, or to alter the tissue tension or compliance of the tongue. Methods and devices are also disclosed for manipulating other soft tissue structures, including the soft palate and pharyngeal airway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Andrew Frazier, Mark Hirotsuka, Chad C. Roue, Jasper Jackson, Erik van der Burg, Michael Dineen
  • Publication number: 20110143300
    Abstract: A dental device for the correction of upper jaw transversal micrognathism in adult patients, which makes it possible to apply a slow expansion orthopedic technique, without osteotomy with osseo fixation by means of micro-implants, which comprises an expansion component, bilateral palatine support components, and a fixation component. The expansion component is an expansion screw joined to the palatine support components by means of lateral arms that extend out of it, where said palatine support components have perforations for receiving the fixation components defined by the micro-implants. The invention also provides a procedure for building the device and for setting up a surgical guide for said device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventor: Raul Horacio VILLAALBA
  • 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: 7887324
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an osteogenetic-orthodontic appliance, device, system, and method optimizes craniofacial homeostasis by means of a 3-D axial spring that influences the patient's genome and thereby addresses problems existing primarily within the mid-facial region, as well as the other contiguous regions. Growth and development of the craniofacial structures can be influenced by foundational (skeleto-dental) correction in concert with functional (myo-spatial) correction, according to the genome of a particular patient by means of the method and systems of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Inventor: Gurdev Dave Singh
  • 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: 7841346
    Abstract: An orthotic device (100) for retaining a patient's mandible in an advanced or protrusive position comprises an intraoral anterior mandibular abutment surface (125) for resisting mandibular retraction by abutting the gingiva covering the mandible and an extramaxillary anterior maxillary abutment surface (115) against which the intraoral anterior mandibular abutment surface (125) is braced. In order to resist rotation of the dental orthotic produced by the interaction of the intraoral anterior mandibular abutment surface and the extramaxillary anterior maxillary abutment surface, the orthotic device is provided with an intraoral posterior maxillary abutment surface (140). The relative positions of the maxillary and/or mandibular abutment surfaces may be adjusted to suit the requirements of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Quiesco Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Guoping Yan
  • Patent number: 7837465
    Abstract: An orthodontic expansion screw having two bodies whose distance from each other can be changed by means of a spindle that engages both bodies. The spindle includes an actuation part for effecting a torque for readjusting the spindle, and a straight-line guide for engaging both bodies and guiding the bodies along two guide axes that are parallel to each other while preventing a relative rotation of the bodies when their distance from each other is being changed. A friction brake is provided that presses onto the actuation part of the spindle and thus generates a frictional force that renders a rotation of the spindle in both directions of rotation more difficult in order to prevent inadvertent readjustment of the spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Bernhard Förster Gmbh
    Inventor: Rolf Förster
  • Publication number: 20100261130
    Abstract: A biased palatal bone expander attaches directly to the palatal bone in the roof of the mouth of a patient. The expander has dual, biased, mutually parallel rods. The rods extend from coaxial tubes and have coaxial springs. The expansion of the springs urges the rod outwardly from the center of the expander thus widening the maxillary arch incrementally without a connection upon the teeth. The tubes and rods each attach to two mutually parallel bars perpendicular to the rods. Each bar has two opposite ends with an eyelet upon each end. The eyelets receive screws for securing the expander to a patient. Additionally, the appliance may include a thermoformed shell that a surgeon or orthodontist uses to guide positioning the appliance for installation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventor: Michael O. Williams
  • Patent number: 7780445
    Abstract: The present invention embodies to a palatal expansion device that includes one or more stabilizers attached to the blocks; a ratchet that engages the screw; and a built-in activator that communicates with the ratchet. This design allows essentially unidirectional rotation of the screw. The ratchet system embodies a pin/pocket arrangement, or a ratchet wheel/spring arrangement. The present invention involves kits and methods for expanding the maxillary arch or mandible using the palatal expansion devices of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Inventor: Ahmet Ozlem Keles
  • Patent number: 7771196
    Abstract: An orthodontic appliance for distalizing opposed molars (2, 3) of the upper jaw of a patient, in which the device (4) has a bracing plate (5), which in its intended use rests on the palate of the patient, and which can be secured, via wire elements (6-9) disposed on the bracing plate (5), to opposed teeth (10-13) that are located anteriorly of the molars (2, 3) to be distalized. The appliance (4), with which the molars (2, 3) to be distalized can be moved individually backward as needed, includes a one-piece bracing plate (5), on the posterior end (14) of which two force modules (15, 16), spaced laterally apart from one another and adjustable independently of one another, are connected to the bracing plate, each being connectable via a respective elastic spring arm (17, 18) to one of the molars (2, 3) to be distalized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Inventor: Klaus Weissbach Otte
  • Publication number: 20100151402
    Abstract: A slide on connector for positioning upon an arch wire between the teeth of an orthodontic patent is provided. This connector works in conjunction with maxillary and mandibular arch expanders and other orthodontic appliances. The connector includes a base casing with a body segment and a base segment where both include a threaded bore. A screw is then threadedly engaged through the body and into the base segment. The base segment has tubes attached thereto for the insertion of an arch wire and the screw turns upon the arch wire for securement. The tubes can be preangulated to assist in root angulation or other orthodontia when the arch wire is inserted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventor: Michael O. Williams
  • Publication number: 20100136497
    Abstract: This invention is related to easily maintain the mesio-distal dimension of the lost deciduous tooth and at the same time providing the appliance to be adjusted to any posterior space even at the first visit. If necessary it can also re-gain the lost space. The apparatus can be manufactured of Cr-Ni, titanium or similar metals. The appliances has two bondable surfaces to bond the appliance to the buccal surfaces of the teeth adjacent to the extraction space, the anterior and posterior vertical connecting arms extending from these surfaces to the vestibular side of the teeth, adjusted to the dental and gingival contours. The posterior tubular arm conforming to its name possesses two. The thinner one which is soldered at the bottom of the front side is called the “guide tube” and it has wider internal diameter than the other tube. While gaining space, it guides the “anterior piston arm” directly to the second tube of the “posterior tubular arm”, when these two arms are angulated due to the bended adjacent teeth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2007
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventor: Enis Yasar Guray
  • Patent number: 7717707
    Abstract: An improved transpalatal arch wire assembly comprising a transpalatal arch wire, wherein the transpalatal arch wire comprises a first vertically sloping component, a second vertically sloping component, and a intermediate adjustment section disposed between the first and second vertically sloping components; and a first auxiliary wire coupled to the transpalatal arch wire, wherein the first auxiliary wire is substantially rigid and defines a first attachment arm approximate to an end of the first auxiliary wire, wherein the first attachment arm is suitable for receiving an orthodontic force module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Under Dog Media, L.P.
    Inventor: Jason B. Cope
  • Publication number: 20100112507
    Abstract: An expansion screw for regulating teeth has two expansion-screw bodies, the spacing between which can be changed by means of a spindle, and has at least one guide pin which is aligned parallel to the spindle and engages in guide openings of the two expansion-screw bodies, the spindle having a first and a second threaded portion, each of which is connected to an expansion-screw body, and an actuating portion, with at least one point for application of a tool for rotating the spindle, and the expansion screw has a locking mechanism which interacts with the actuating portion in order to secure the spindle against unintended rotation. In order to develop the expansion screw such that it requires a smaller amount of installation space, it is proposed that the locking mechanism has at least one locking element with a locking member which is disposed laterally alongside the actuating portion and subjects the actuating portion to an axial spring force when the spindle is rotated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: DENTAURUM J.P. WINKELSTROETER KG
    Inventors: Walter Ehrenberger, Simon Trautwein
  • Publication number: 20100104999
    Abstract: Described herein are various embodiments of a bone distraction osteogenesis system and associated apparatus and methods that overcome at least some shortcomings of the prior art. According to one representative embodiment, a bone distraction system for distracting a portion of bone from a source bone includes a first anchor portion couplable to an anchor bone and a second anchor portion couplable to a distractable bone segment of the source bone. The system includes a distractor coupling the first anchor portion and the second anchor portion. The overall length of the distractor is decreasable to pull the distractable bone segment toward the anchor bone for distracting the bone segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventors: Scott E. Bulloch, Russell G. Olsen
  • Patent number: 7677886
    Abstract: A maxillofacial orthotic appliance comprises: a maxilla expander fixed to the maxilla in the mouth of a human and a towed-unit which is connected to the maxilla expander and is towed in an anterior direction from the human. The towed-unit includes: a left wire whose one end is inserted into the left hole of the maxilla expander and the other end is protruding out of the mouth, a right wire whose one end is inserted into the right hole of the maxilla expander and the other end is protruding out of the mouth, a connecting tube provided on the left or right wire and extending in the direction of the distance variation, caused by the maxilla-expander adjusting mechanism, between the left and right contact parts and a connecting wire provided on the other of the left and right wires and inserted into the connecting tube slidably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Inventor: Yasushi Mitani
  • Patent number: 7661955
    Abstract: A removable dental appliance having a base adapted for locating inside of an arch of teeth of a wearer and an arch wire coupled to the base, wherein an outer surface of the base is contoured for contact with inner surfaces of the teeth, and wherein when in use the arch wire extends around an outer periphery of a set of the wearer's teeth such that no interconnection between the arch wire and the base exists intermediate the set of teeth. A removable dental appliance having a base adapted for locating inside of an arch of teeth of a wearer and an arch wire coupled to the base, wherein an outer surface of the base is contoured for contact with inner surfaces of a set of teeth on one side of the wearer's jaw, and wherein when in use the arch wire extends around an outer periphery of the set of teeth such that no interconnection between the arch wire and the base exists intermediate the set of teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Inventor: Joseph Da Cruz
  • Publication number: 20100015565
    Abstract: Orthodontic splint devices may include one or more bases and connectors. Various attachment members configured to, during use, couple the device to a portion of the patient's mouth may also be included on the device. In some implementations, a base may include an attachment member that includes a conduit and a sheath. Also provided are orthodontic devices comprising peripheral members and transpalatal members. The various orthodontic device may move teeth individually or as a set in the subject's mouth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventors: Roberto J. Carrillo Gonzalez, Roberto Carrillo Fuentevilla
  • Patent number: 7637262
    Abstract: An oral appliance for treating sleep apnea and bruxism is formed of a maxillary tray and a mandibular tray. The maxillary tray carries a maxillary bite pad projecting downwardly toward an opposed mandibular occlusal surface. The mandibular tray carries a mandibular bite pad projecting upwardly toward an opposed maxillary occlusal surface. The maxillary bite pad is posterior to the mandibular bite pad such that upon sufficient relative posterior movement of the mandibular tray, the maxillary bite pad engages the mandibular bite pad and limits posterior movement of the mandibular tray. At least one surface, chosen from the anterior face of the maxillary bite pad and the posterior face of the mandibular bite pad, defines a guide plane disposed at an upward and forward slant. The maxillary bite pad and the mandibular bite pad are engageable at the guide plane for advancing the mandibular tray along the guide plane upon vertical closure between the trays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Inventor: Dennis R. Bailey
  • Publication number: 20090311646
    Abstract: An orthodontic corrective appliance for correcting malpositioned molars, wherein one end of the appliance is mounted on a supporting device, and the other end is applied to the given molar with spring loading includes a pusher element which is guided axially in a sleeve and is acted upon by a compression spring, and the free end of the pusher element extends from the sleeve and is provided with a connecting piece which is applied to the supporting device. Several small tubes on the outer surface of the sleeve have inner bores that guide and support a spacer bar that extends parallel to the sleeve. The end of the spacer bar that points towards the connecting piece is supported on one of the tubes, and the end of the spacer bar that faces away from the connecting piece is supported on a transpalatal arch, a Gashgarion lock or similar element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: Heinz Winsauer, Hartwig Ahnfeldt
  • Patent number: 7621922
    Abstract: A system for midface distraction including a left side distraction mechanism and a right side distraction mechanism, each including: an implantable anchor configured to be coupled to a bone of the malar region, an implantable anchor configured to be coupled to a bone of the cranium, and a distraction rod coupling the anchors. The system also includes a maxillary bridge configured to couple the left side distraction mechanism with the right side distraction mechanism and wherein couplings between the maxillary bridge and the right and left distraction mechanisms are configured to be internal to a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: OsteoMed L.P.
    Inventors: Stephen A. Schendel, Shaher A. Ahmad, Lisa Regina Thornhill, Viorel Mocanu
  • Patent number: 7607438
    Abstract: A mouth guard having a tray with a trough dimensioned to receive at least the front two incisors. Impression material is disposed within the trough for creating a dental impression of the wearer's teeth. The tray further includes a stiffening element which concentrates the force transmission through the tray created by occlusion to an area between the upper and lower front incisors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Inventor: Joseph J. Pelerin
  • Patent number: 7607439
    Abstract: A tongue retaining system is disclosed herein generally having, in one variation, a two-part system. A covering can be sized to fit at least partially over or upon a tongue of a patient, where the covering has an engagement mechanism positioned thereon. A retaining device, sized to fit within a mouth of the patient, may be positioned upon the teeth and have a corresponding engagement mechanism positioned thereon for temporarily coupling with the engagement mechanism on the covering. Such a system can be used to maintain or hold a natural position of the tongue within the mouth of the patient to maintain patency of the airway passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Inventor: Kasey K. Li
  • Publication number: 20090148804
    Abstract: A medical apparatus for intermaxillary fixation or stabilization has a bar with a first attachment loop, a second attachment loop, and a plurality of hooks, wherein the bar is an arch bar and the first attachment loop and the second attachment loop are located distally to one another. Another medical apparatus has a bar having a first attachment loop assembly, a second attachment loop assembly, and a plurality of hooks, wherein the bar is an arch bar and the first attachment loop assembly and the second attachment loop assembly are movably engaged to the bar. The bar may also have one or more additional attachment loop assemblies located between the first and second attachment loop assemblies. The attachment loop assemblies may each have a bracket, an attachment loop, a stem, and a set screw. The attachment loops are capable of receiving a screw to attach the arch bar to a mandible, a maxilla, and/or a prosthedontic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventor: Jeffrey R. Marcus
  • Publication number: 20090148803
    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: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventor: Eric Kuo
  • Publication number: 20090142723
    Abstract: Orthodontic device for activating the growth of the lower jaw for use in combination with fixed orthodontic appliances, comprising two plastic bodies, each provided with at least one counter-surface corresponding to the chewing surface of molars in the upper jaw, and at least one counter-surface corresponding to the chewing surface of molars in the lower jaw, and further attaching means for attaching to the upper jaw, wherein each plastic body comprises at least two parts which can be displaced and fixed relative to each other substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the respective counter-surfaces, wherein each part is provided with at least one of said counter-surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: BV/BVBA L. Govaert Orthodontist
    Inventor: Luc Maria Prudent Govaert
  • Publication number: 20090130620
    Abstract: The appliance comprises a machined or cast interface that secures the appliance to bone by means of an appliance connection and a bone connection. The connection is a cylindrical sleeve into which each arm of the expansion appliance is inserted. This connection is maintained by crimping the sleeve over the easily modified activating rods of the expansion appliance, thus preventing separation or rotation of the device. The bone connection is a threaded hole in the connector sleeve into which a self-drilling screw is inserted. The screw engages the bone in a manner determined by the design and location of the expansion appliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: Mohamadreza Yazdi, Robert J. Relle
  • Publication number: 20090130635
    Abstract: An orthodontic appliance is provided for controlling positioning of a patient's teeth. The appliance includes at least one dental encasing component formed to overlay at least one of the patient's teeth and at least a portion of a palate of the patient. The at least one dental encasing component has a lingual surface and a labial surface. The appliance also includes at least one rigid component fused to an entire length of the lingual surface of the at least one dental encasing component and over a portion of the at least one dental encasing component overlaying a portion of the palate of the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventor: Joseph Tortorici
  • Patent number: 7527642
    Abstract: This invention relates to devices for insertion into the mouth for the application of heat or cold to oral tissue to provide a therapeutic effect. The device 10 includes an upper member 11 substantially conforming to a contour of an upper gum line, a lower member 12 substantially conforming to a contour of a lower gum line, a first hinge member 13, and a second hinge member 14, wherein at least one hinge member 13, 14 is configured to exert a compressive force to maintain the upper member 11 substantially in contact with an upper gum and the lower member 12 substantially in contact with a lower gum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Inventors: Greg J. VanSkiver, Roxanne R. VanSkiver
  • Publication number: 20090098501
    Abstract: The invention relates to a dental retraction device to be used for retracting the gingiva from a prepared tooth structure, the retraction device having the shape of a cord with a radial (x- and y-direction) and longitudinal direction (z-direction) and comprising an absorbing agent and optionally a retarding agent, wherein the retraction device is able to expand in the radial direction (x- and/or y-direction), but essentially does not expand in the longitudinal direction (z-direction) upon contact with fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas Klettke, Ruediger Hampe, Robert F. Peez, Jens Gramann, Marc Peuker, Helmut Pauser
  • Publication number: 20090081602
    Abstract: An automatic Maxillary Expander, which is a bone-borne distractor for expanding the maxillary bone in adult and adolescents having transversal maxillary hypoplasia. It fixes itself to the palatal vault in a way without any need for screwing, by the asymmetrical triangular prism-shaped spikes on the anterior, posterior columns. Both being hygienic and not wasting a bulky space in the mouth, it provides a high patient comfort. The maxillary expanding process does not interrupt orthodontic treatment of patients and minimizes damage to the texture of the mouth. An automatic Maxillary Expander Transferring Apparatus enables the practitioner to place the Automatic Maxillary Expander into the palatal surface with ease and precision into the palate under local anesthesia quickly, without any surgical operation. In addition, this apparatus is composed of a very simple mechanism. It has rounded ends in order not to hurt the practitioner or patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventor: Mustafa Ayan
  • Patent number: 7500851
    Abstract: An orthodontic arch expander joins to a mouthpiece proximate to the rear of the mouthpiece. The transparent mouthpiece has a desired arc that fits over the teeth of the upper jaw. The mouthpiece has two wings that join near the incisors and then become parallel and spaced apart around the molars. Near the molars, an arch expander joins to the mouth piece. The arch expander has two telescoping shells with a threaded jack and cooperating springs. Each shell joins to a corresponding wing of the mouthpiece. Turning the jack lengthens a rod that pushes the shells outwards against the mouthpiece thus widening the maxillary arch without brackets or bands upon the teeth. An alternate embodiment has the arch expander attaching directly to the palatal bone through screws placed through a grommet at the end of each shell by an orthodontist or oral surgeon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Inventor: Michael O. Williams
  • Publication number: 20090042158
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating bone loss in the posterior maxilla. Adequate bone is required in the posterior maxilla to facilitate tooth replacement with dental implants. The Lateral wall of the maxilla is exposed and an osteotomy is performed to expose the sinus membrane. Pneumatic pressure is utilized to detach the membrane from the lateral wall of the sinus. Once detached fluid bone graft material is injected between the bone of the maxilla and the sinus membrane thereby lifting the membrane with hydraulic pressure. The combination of pneumatic pressure to detach the membrane and hydraulic pressure to create a void for grafting material presents numerous benefits to the patient and surgeon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventor: Gregory Gene Steiner
  • Publication number: 20090029309
    Abstract: An orthodontic force mechanism includes a jack screw having a pair of ends, at least one of which is threaded, and a central spindle between the ends, which spindle has two intersecting radial through-holes therein. A pair of nut housings are mounted on the end portions of the jack screw, at least one of which is threadedly coupled to a threaded end portion of the jack screw. A lock mechanism mounted on the central spindle section includes a spring-loaded detent configured to engage an end opening of each of the through holes in the spindle when the through hole is in alignment with the detent, such that the spindle cannot rotate relative to the lock mechanism when the detent is inserted into a through hole. The detent can be moved out of engagement with a through hole using a tool inserted into that through hole from its opposite end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventor: Stephen D. Hanks
  • Patent number: 7451767
    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 coverge 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 ramp, which extends from the inside (lingual) of the upper right molars to the inside of the upper left molars, covers the tongue and holds it down, opening the airway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Inventor: Bryan Keropian
  • Publication number: 20080220388
    Abstract: An orthodontic appliance for distalizing opposed molars (2, 3) of the upper jaw of a patient, in which the device (4) has a bracing plate (5), which in its intended use rests on the palate of the patient, and which can be secured, via wire elements (6-9) disposed on the bracing plate (5), to opposed teeth (10-13) that are located anteriorly of the molars (2, 3) to be distalized. The appliance (4), with which the molars (2, 3) to be distalized can be moved individually backward as needed, includes a one-piece bracing plate (5), on the posterior end (14) of which two force modules (15, 16), spaced laterally apart from one another and adjustable independently of one another, are connected to the bracing plate, each being connectable via a respective elastic spring arm (17, 18) to one of the molars (2, 3) to be distalized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventor: Klaus Weissbach Otte
  • Publication number: 20080176179
    Abstract: A dental apparatus is provided. Such dental apparatus includes two dental band members operably connected together at a predetermined location thereon for placement between two adjacent teeth of a patient. Such two dental band members are manufactured from a first predetermined material and have a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape. Such dental apparatus also includes a mechanism for at least one of separating such two adjacent teeth of such patient and engaging such patient's teeth such that each dental band member sits closely adjacent a respective tooth of such patient in a manner conducive to a dentistry procedure including at least restorative dentistry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventor: Paula Coffee
  • Publication number: 20080171300
    Abstract: The invention relates to an orthodontic expansion screw having two bodies whose distance from each other can be changed by means of a spindle that engages both bodies, whereby the spindle comprises an actuation part by means of which a torque can be effected for readjusting the spindle, and having straight-line guiding means that engage both bodies and guide them along two guide axes that are parallel to each other while preventing a relative rotation of the bodies when their distance from each other is being changed. The invention provides a friction brake that presses onto the actuation part of the spindle and thus generates a frictional force that renders a rotation of the spindle in both directions of rotation more difficult in order to prevent inadvertent readjustment of the spindle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Inventor: Rolf Forster