Patent ID: 6012919
Filing Date: 2000-01-11
Classification: A61F,A63B

Abstract:
A performance enhancing and force absorbing dental appliance adapted to lie within the mouth of an athlete having an upper jaw with anterior teeth, posterior teeth with occlusal surfaces, a palate and fossae with cartilage forming sockets, a tongue, and a moveable jaw with anterior teeth, posterior teeth with occlusal surfaces and condyles movably fitted with connective tissues and muscles within the socket forming the temporomandibular joints through which the auricula-temporalis nerves and supra-temporal arteries pass, the appliance comprising:(a) a pair of occlusal posterior pads made of triple composite material with a base having a top layer of impressionable material, an intermediate layer of hard material and a somewhat impressionable bottom layer; and(b) a continuous vertical arch open anteriorly and posteriorly, extending from the occlusal posterior pads and adapted to expand and contract to be molded to the palate and adapted to lie along the palate out of the way of the tongue extending directly across to and connecting the posterior pads together within the mouth.