Patent ID: 6161542
Filing Date: 2000-12-19
Classification: A61F,Y10S

Abstract:
A method of treating snoring and obstructive sleep apnea by adjustably maintaining a patient's mandible in a protruded position comprising the steps of:(a) casting an upper bite block by taking a mold of the patient's maxillary dentition;(b) casting a lower bite block by taking a mold of the patient's mandibular dentition;(c) securing a first retention element to an undersurface of said upper bite block in an anterior region thereof;(d) securing a second retention element to an upper surface of said lower bite block in an anterior region thereof, said second element comprising an upwardly projecting connector having a lower end loosely captured within a cavity formed in said second element;(e) determining the preferred degree of mandibular protrusion required to alleviate the patient's sleep apnea and snoring symptoms; and(f) releasably securing an upper end of said connector to said first retention element at a fixed position corresponding to the patient's preferred degree of mandibular protrusion as determined in step (e).