Abstract:
A dentally retained intra-oral appliance worn at night for treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea and its fabrication process. The appliance maintains the patient&#39;s mandible in an anterior, protruded position to prevent obstruction of the pharyngeal airway. The appliance allows a limited degree of lateral movement of the mandible relative to the upper jaw in the protruded position to prevent aggravation of the patient&#39;s temporomandibular joint and associated muscles and ligaments. The appliance includes a lower bite block conforming to the patient&#39;s mandibular dentition, an upper bite block conforming to the patient&#39;s maxillary dentition, and a hinge connecting the upper bite block to the lower bite block. The upper bite block and the lower bite block are thin walled polyamide eliminating the need for dental wires to maintain them to the mandibular detention and the maxillary dentition and the problems associated therewith.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a method of fabricating. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method of fabricating a flexible retentive bite block. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Snoring and Obstructive sleep apnea are typically caused by complete or partial obstruction of an individuals pharyngeal airway during sleep. Usually, airway obstruction results from the apposition of the rear portion of the tongue or soft palate with the posterior pharyngeal wall. 
     Obstructive sleep apnea is a potentially lethal disorder in which breathing stops during sleep for 10 seconds or more, sometimes up to 300 times per night. Snoring occurs when the pharyngeal airway is partially obstructed, resulting in vibration of the oral tissues during respiration. These sleep disorders tend to become more severe as patients grow older, likely as a result of a progressive loss of muscle tone in the patient&#39;s throat and oral tissues. 
     Habitual snoring and sleep apnea have been associated with other potentially serious medical conditions, such as hypertension, ischemic heart disease and strokes. Accordingly, early diagnosis and treatment is recommended. 
     One surgical approach, known as uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, involves removal of a portion of the soft palate to prevent closure of the pharyngeal airway during sleep. This operation, however, is not always effective and may result in undesirable complications, such as nasal regurgitation. 
     A wide variety of non-surgical approaches for treating sleep disorders have been proposed including the use of oral cavity appliances. It has been previously recognized that movement of the mandible (lower jaw) forward relative to the maxilla (upper jaw) can eliminate or reduce sleep apnea and snoring symptoms by causing the pharyngeal air passage to remain open. 
     Several intra-oral dental appliances have been developed which the user wears at night to fix the mandible in an anterior, protruded (i.e. forward) position. Such dental appliances essentially consist of acrylic or elastomeric bite blocks, similar to orthodontic retainers or athletic mouth guards, which are custom-fitted to the user&#39;s upper and lower teeth and which may be adjusted to vary the degree of anterior protrusion. 
     While prior art dental appliances have proven effective in maintaining the mandible in a protruded position to improve airway patency, they often result in undesirable side effects. One of the most common side effects is aggravation of the temporomandibular joint and related jaw muscles and ligaments, especially in individuals who have a tendency to grind their teeth during sleep. 
     Aggravation of the temporomandibular joint has been associated with a wide variety of physical aliments, including migraine headaches. Accordingly, many individuals suffering from sleep apnea and snoring disorders are not able to tolerate existing anti-snoring dental appliances for long periods of time. 
     The need has therefore arisen for a dental appliance for treatment of snoring and sleep apnea which will maintain the mandible in a preferred anterior position, allow a limited degree of lateral excursion of the mandible relative to the upper jaw to avoid discomfort to the temporomandibular joint and related muscles and ligaments, and be replaceably maintained on the user&#39;s teeth by virtue of its own flexibility and thereby eliminating the need for dental wires that can aggravate the teeth and gums and which require the appliance to have thick walls for their support which can lead to further discomfort for the user, such as gum and cheek irritation and gagging. 
     Numerous innovations for mouthpieces have been provided in the prior art that will be described. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, however, they differ from the present invention. 
     FOR EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,203,324 to Kinkade teaches a mouthpiece for use in diving or medical equipment, among others made of moldable resilient material having an offset between upper and lower jaw, a bite plane which is tapered with the bite plane formed by wings which have varying thickness to create the taper in which the wing members have substantially vertical surfaces on either side thereof for contacting the lateral surfaces of the user&#39;s cuspids and bicuspids and in which the main body portion has upper and lower apron and eminence skirts for avoiding contact with the user&#39;s frenum and cuspid eminence and in which the internal wing members have a range in size, at the cuspid, from about 6 to about 12 mm in width, from about 14 to about 40 mm in length and from about 2 mm to about 8 mm in thickness. The greater the offset, the shorter the length of the internal wind members. 
     ANOTHER EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,365,945 to Halstrom teaches a dentally retained intra-oral appliance worn at night for treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. The appliance maintains the patient&#39;s mandible in an anterior, protruded position to prevent obstruction of the pharyngeal airway. The appliance allows a limited degree of lateral movement of the mandible relative to the upper jaw in the protruded position to prevent aggravation of the patient&#39;s temporomandibular joint and associated muscle and ligaments. 
     STILL ANOTHER EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,409,017 to Lowe teaches a mandible repositioning appliance formed by an upper bite block and a lower bite block interconnected by an adjustable mechanism including a posterior section connected to the rear portion of the upper bite block and an anterior section connected to the front portion of the lower bite block and an adjustable interconnection between the anterior and posterior sections. Preferably, the adjustable interconnection includes a double thread element rotation of which changes the relative positions of the posterior and interior sections axially of the appliance and abutments to define each incremental rotation of the element. The comfort of the wearer is further improved by using a heat sensitive material in the tooth retention sections and by permitting limited relative lateral movement between the bite blocks. 
     YET ANOTHER EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,499,633 to Fenton teaches an adjustable oral device for placement within the mouth of a user to reduce or eliminate snoring. The device comprises an upper member having a substantially curved shape and defining an upwardly oriented channel for receiving at least some of the upper teeth of a user. A lower member has a substantially curved shape and defines a downwardly oriented channel for receiving at least some of the lower teeth of a user. The upper member is adjustably coupled by the user to the lower member in a spaced relationship such that the lower member is positioned relative to the upper member so that when the user&#39;s teeth are retained within the device, the user&#39;s lower jaw is biased substantially forward of its normal biting or resting position to reduce snoring. The device can include an anterior tongue space between the upper and lower members, and can further include moldable material positioned within at least one of the channels for substantially conforming to a shape of the teeth, thus allowing the device to be customized for individual users. 
     YET STILL ANOTHER EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,562,106 to Heeke et al. teaches a non-surgical oral appliance for improving breathing, and abating or completely alleviating snoring sounds and symptoms while sleeping. The patient is pre-tested and pre-fitted for the appliance so that the appliance positions the mandible in an open position and protrusive position to hold the mouth partially open. The appliance has a right and left extension wherein each extension has upper and lower surfaces pre-molded to the contour of the patient&#39;s back teeth. A bridge connects the right and left extensions having been pre-molded to conform to the upper palate of the patient&#39;s mouth. The upper and lower surfaces of each extension are spaced to provide optimum mouth height that was pre-tested to alleviate the snoring sound. Upon insertion, the appliance facilitates an air passage for breathing and also allows the patient to talk while remaining virtually invisible to an observer. 
     STILL YET ANOTHER EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,194 to Lampert, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, teaches a dentally retained intra-oral appliance  5  worn at night for treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea and its fabrication process. The appliance  5  maintains the patient&#39;s mandible in an anterior, protruded position to prevent obstruction of the pharyngeal airway. The appliance  5  allows a limited degree of lateral movement of the mandible relative to the upper jaw in the protruded position to prevent aggravation of the patient&#39;s temporomandibular joint and associated muscles and ligaments. The appliance  5  includes a lower bite block  5 A conforming to the patient&#39;s mandibular dentition  5 B, an upper bite block  5 C conforming to the patient&#39;s maxillary dentition, and a hinge  5 D connecting the upper bite block  5 C to the lower bite block  5 A. The upper bite block  5 C and the lower bite block  5 A are thin walled polyamide eliminating the need for dental wires to maintain them to the mandibular detention and the maxillary dentition and the problems associated therewith. 
     It is apparent that numerous innovations for mouthpieces have been provided in the prior art that are adapted to be used. Furthermore, even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, however, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     ACCORDINGLY, AN OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a method of fabricating a flexible retentive bite block that avoids the disadvantages of the prior art. 
     BRIEFLY STATED, STILL YET ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a dentally retained intra-oral appliance worn at night for treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea and its fabrication process. The appliance maintains the patient&#39;s mandible in an anterior, protruded position to prevent obstruction of the pharyngeal airway. The appliance allows a limited degree of lateral movement of the mandible relative to the upper jaw in the protruded position to prevent aggravation of the patient&#39;s temporomandibular joint and associated muscles and ligaments. The appliance includes a lower bite block conforming to the patient&#39;s mandibular dentition, an upper bite block conforming to the patient&#39;s maxillary dentition, and a hinge connecting the upper bite block to the lower bite block. The upper bite block and the lower bite block are thin walled polyamide eliminating the need for dental wires to maintain them to the mandibular detention and the maxillary dentition and the problem associated therewith. 
     The novel features which are considered characteristic of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of the specific embodiments when read and understood in connection with the accompanying drawing. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     The figures of the drawing are briefly described an follows: 
     FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the prior art device taught by U.S. Pat. No.: 5,823,194 to Lampert; 
     FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of the prior art device installed on a tooth; 
     FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of STEPS  2 ,  3 ,  18 , and  19  of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of STEPS  6 ,  8 ,  9 ,  10 ,  22 ,  24 ,  25 , and  26  of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of STEP  15  of the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is an exploded diagrammatic perspective view of STEPS  13  and  14  of the present invention; 
     FIG. 6A is a diagrammatic perspective view of STEP  14  of the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is an exploded diagrammatic perspective view of STEPS  72 ,  73 , and  74  of the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 is an exploded diagrammatic perspective view of STEPS  40 ,  41 , and  42  of the present invention; 
     FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic perspective view of STEPS  66 ,  100 , and  101  of the present invention; 
     FIG. 10A is a diagrammatic bottom plan view of the area generally enclosed by the dotted curve identified by ARROW  10 A in FIG. 9; 
     FIG.  10 AA is a diagrammatic bottom plan view of the area generally enclosed by the dotted curve identified by ARROW  10 AA in FIG. 9 of a finished upper bite block without the ball clasp and the reinforcing wire; 
     FIG. 10B is a diagrammatic bottom plan view of the area generally enclosed by the dotted curve identified by ARROW  10 B in FIG. 9; 
     FIG.  10 BB is a diagrammatic top plan view of the area generally enclosed by the dotted curve identified by ARROW  10 BB in FIG. 9 of a finished lower bite block without the ball clasp and the reinforcing wire; 
     FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic cross sectional view taken along LINE  11 — 11  in FIG. 9; and 
     FIGS. 12-A to  12 - 0000  is a block diagram of the process flow of the present invention. 
    
    
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS UTILIZED IN THE DRAWING 
     Prior Art 
       5  appliance 
       5 A lower bite block for confronting to patient&#39;s mandibular dentition  5 B 
       5 B patient&#39;s mandibular dentition 
       5 C upper bite block for conforming to patient&#39;s maxillary dentition 
       5 D hinge connecting upper bite block  5 C to lower bite block  5 A 
     Present Invention 
       10  original lower casting 
       12  lower duplicate casting 
       14  gum of original lower casting  10   
       16  teeth of original lower casting  10   
       18  supra bulges of teeth  16  of original lower casting  10   
       20  posterior portions of teeth  16  of original lower casting  10   
       22  bite surfaces of posterior portion  20  of teeth  16  of original lower casting  10   
       24  teeth of lower duplicate casting  12   
       26  surveying line of original lower casting  10   
       28  extended surveying line of original lower casting  10   
       30  lower ball clasp 
       32  heat pressure former 
       34  at least one plastic spacer sheet 
       38  conformed plastic spacer layer of lower duplicate casting  12   
       38  articulator 
       40  flat plastic spacer on bottom  42  of female hinge pert  44   
       42  bottom of female hinge part  44   
       44  female hinge part 
       46  wax luting agent 
       48  male hinge part 
       50  assembly 
       54  lower assemblage 
       56  original upper casting 
       58  Upper duplicate casting 
       60  gum of original upper casting  56   
       62  teeth of original upper casting  56   
       64  supra bulges of teeth  82  of original upper casting  56   
       68  posterior portions of teeth  62  of original upper casting  56   
       68  bite surfaces of posterior portions  66  of teeth  62  of original upper casting  56   
       70  teeth of upper duplicate casting  58   
       72  surveying line of original upper casting  56   
       74  extended surveying line of original upper casting  56   
       76  upper ball clasp 
       82  conformed plastic spacer layer of upper duplicate casting  58   
       84  upper assemblage 
       86  upper U-shaped reinforcing wire 
       88  lower U-shaped reinforcing wire 
       90  separating medium 
       94  stone 
       98  lower portion of flask  98   
       98  flask 
       100  upper portion of flask  98   
       101  wax sprue 
       106  upper bite block mold 
       108  boiling water 
       110  heat lamps 
       112  polyamide material 
       114  preheated polyamide material 
       116  upper bite block 
       118  rough edges of upper bite block  116   
       119  finished upper bite block 
       120  final upper assemblage 
       122  temporary stylus 
       124  exposed portions of lower assemblage  54   
       128  additional amount of stone  94   
       130  lower bite block mold 
       132  lower bite block 
       134  rough edges of lower bite block  132   
       136  finished lower bite block 
       138  final lower assemblage 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to FIGS. 3 to  12 - 000 , in which like numerals indicate like parts, the method of fabricating a flexible retentive bite block comprises the steps of: 
     STEP  1 : As shown in FIG.  12 -TT, make a duplicate of an original lower casting  10 , forming a lower duplicate casting  12 , wherein the original lower casting  10  has a gum  14 , teeth  16  with supra bulges  18  and posterior portions  20  with bite surfaces  22 , and wherein the lower duplicate casting  12  has teeth  24 . 
     STEP  2 : As shown in FIGS.  3  and  12 -UU, survey the original lower casting  10 , forming a surveying line  26  thereon. 
     STEP  3 : As shown in FIGS.  3  and  12 -VV, extend the surveying line  26  approximately 1 mm past the supra bulges  18  of the teeth  16  of the original lower casting  10 , toward the gum  14  of the original lower casting  10 , forming an extended surveying line  28 . 
     STEP  4 : As shown in FIG.  12 -WW, set the original lower casting  10  aside. 
     STEP  5 : As shown in FIG.  12 -WW, determine if a lower ball clasp  30  is to be used. 
     STEP  6 : As shown in FIGS.  4  and  12 -XX, put the lower ball clasp  30  on the lower duplicate casting  12 , if answer to STEP  5  is yes and proceeding to STEP  8 . 
     STEP  7 : As shown in FIG.  12 -XX proceed directly to STEP  8 , if answer to STEP  5  is no. 
     STEP  8 : As shown in FIGS.  4  and  12 -XX, put the lower duplicate casting  12  in a heat pressure former  32 . 
     STEP  9 : As shown in FIGS.  4  and  12 -YY, position at least one plastic spacer sheet  34  on the teeth  24  of the lower duplicate casting  12 . 
     STEP  10 : As shown in FIGS.  4  and  12 -ZZ, activate the heat pressure former  32 , causing the at least one plastic spacer sheet  34  to melt and conform to the teeth  24  of the lower duplicate casting  12 , forming a conformed plastic spacer layer  36  thereon. 
     STEP  11 : As shown in FIG.  12 -AAA, remove the lower duplicate casting  12  with the conformed plastic spacer layer  36  thereon from the heat pressure former  32 . 
     STEP  12 : As shown in FIG.  12 -BBB, put the lower duplicate casting  12  with the conformed plastic spacer layer  36  thereon in an articulator  38 . 
     STEP  13 : As shown in FIGS.  6  and  12 -CCC, put a flat plastic spacer  40  on a bottom  42  of a female hinge part  44  using a wax luting agent  46 . 
     STEP  14 : As shown in FIGS. 6,  6 A, and  12 -DDD, put a male hinge part  48  into the female hinge peat  44  and tack together with the wax luting agent  46 , forming an assembly  50 . 
     STEP  15 : As shown in FIGS.  5  and  12 -EEE, affix a pair of the assemblies  50  on the conformed plastic spacer layer  36 , at the bite surfaces  22  of the posterior portions  20  of the teeth  18  of the lower duplicate casting  12 , utilizing the wax luting agent  46 . 
     STEP  16 : As shown in FIG.  12 -FFF, ascertain that the pair of assemblies  50  are parallel to each other so as to form a lower assemblage  54 . 
     STEP  17 : As shown in FIG. 12-B, make a duplicate of an original upper casting  56 , forming an upper duplicate casting  58 , wherein the original upper casting  56  has a gum  60 , teeth  62  with supra bulges  64  and posterior portions  66  with bite surfaces  68 , and wherein the upper duplicate casting  58  bas teeth  70 . 
     STEP  18 : As shown in FIGS.  3  and  12 -C, survey the original upper casting  56 , forming a surveying line  72  thereon. 
     STEP  19 : As shown in FIGS.  3  and  12 -D, extend the surveying line  72  approximately 1 mm past the supra bulges  64  of the teeth  62  of the original upper casting  56 , toward the gum  60  of the original upper casting  56 , forming an extended surveying line  74 . 
     STEP  20 : As shown in FIG. 12-E, put the original upper casting  56  aside. 
     STEP  21 : As shown in FIG. 12-E, determine if an upper ball clasp  76  is to be used. 
     STEP  22 : As shown in FIGS.  4  and  12 -F, put the upper ball clasp  78  on the upper duplicate casting  58 , If answer to STEP  21  is yes and proceed to STEP  24 . 
     STEP  23 : As shown in FIG. 12-F, proceed directly to STEP  24 , if answer to STEP  21  is no. 
     STEP  24 : As shown in FIGS.  4  and  12 -F, put the upper duplicate casting  58  in the heat pressure former  32 . 
     STEP  25 : As shown in FIGS.  4  and  12 -G, position another at least one plastic spacer sheet  34  on the teeth  70  of the upper duplicate casting  58 . 
     STEP  26 : As shown in FIGS.  4  and  12 -H, activate the heat pressure former  32 , causing the another at least one plastic spacer sheet  34  to melt and conform to the teeth  70  of the upper duplicate casting  58 , forming a conformed plastic spacer layer  82  thereon. 
     STEP  27 : As shown in FIG. 12-I, remove the upper duplicate casting  58  with the conformed plastic spacer layer  82  thereon from the heat pressure former  32  so as to form an upper assemblage  84 . 
     STEP  28 : As shown in FIG. 12-J, place the upper assemblage  84  on the articulator  38 . 
     STEP  29 : As shown in FIG.  12 -GGG, close the articulator  38  to align the upper assemblage  84  and the lower assemblage  54 . 
     STEP  30 : As shown in FIG.  12 -HHH, secure the male hinge parts  48  to the upper assemblage  84  using the wax luting agent  46 . 
     STEP  31 : As shown in FIG. HHH, remove the tack from the assemblies  50 . 
     STEP  32 : As shown in FIG.  12 -III, open the articulator  38 . 
     STEP  33 : As shown in FIG.  12 -JJJ, determine if an upper U-shaped reinforcing wire  86  and a lower U-shaped reinforcing wire  88  are to be used. 
     STEP  34 : As shown in FIG.  12 -KKK, put the put the upper U-shaped reinforcing wire  86  on the upper assemblage  84  using the wax luting agent  46 , If answer to STEP  33  is yes and proceed to STEP  35 . 
     STEP  35 : As shown in FIG.  12 -LLL, put the lower U-shaped reinforcing wire  88  on the lower assemblage  54  using the wax luting agent  46  and proceed to STEP  37 . 
     STEP  36 : As shown in FIG.  12 -KKK, proceed directly to STEP  37 , if answer to STEP  33  is no. 
     STEP  37 : As shown in FIG.  12 -MMM. remove the upper assemblage  84  from the articulator  38 . 
     STEP  38 : As shown in FIG.  12 -NNN, apply a separating medium  90  to portions  92  of the upper assemblage  84  that are exposed. 
     STEP  39 : As shown in FIG.  12 -OOO, position stone  94  in a lower portion  96  of a flask  98  that has an upper portion  100 . 
     STEP  40 : As shown in FIGS.  8  and  12 -OOO, place the upper assemblage  84  in the lower portion  96  of the flask  98 . 
     STEP  41 : As shown in FIGS.  8  and  12 -PPP, place a wax sprue  101  on the upper assemblage  84 . 
     STEP  42 : As shown in FIGS.  8  and  12 -QQQ, apply the separating medium  90  to the stone  94  that is exposed and to the upper assemblage  84 . 
     STEP  43 : As shown in FIG.  12 -RRR, secure the upper portion  100  of the flask  98  to the lower portion  96  of the flask  98 . 
     STEP  44 : As shown in FIG.  12 -SSS, fill the upper portion  100  of the flask  98  with an additional amount of the stone  94 . 
     STEP  45 : As shown in FIG.  12 -TTT, harden contents of the flask  98 , forming an upper bite block mold  106 . 
     STEP  46 : As shown in FIG.  12 -UUU, remove the wax luting agent  46  and the wax sprue  101  from the upper bite block mold  106 , utilizing boiling water  108 . 
     STEP  47 : As shown in FIG.  12 -VVV, separate the upper portion  100  of the flask  98  from the lower portion  96  of the flask  98 . 
     STEP  48 : As shown in FIG.  12 -WWW, pick out the conformed plastic spacer layer  82  from the upper bite block mold  106 . 
     STEP  49 : As shown in FIG.  12 -XXX, apply the separating medium  90  to the upper bite block mold  106 . 
     STEP  50 : As shown in FIG.  12 -YYY, preheat the upper portion  100  of the flask  98  and the lower portion  96  of the flask  98 , under heat lamps  110 . 
     STEP  51 : As shown in FIG.  12 -ZZZ, select a polyamide material  112 . 
     STEP  52 : As shown in FIG.  12 -AAAA, determine if the upper ball clasp  76  and the upper U-shaped reinforcing wire  86  have been used. 
     STEP  53 : As shown in FIG.  12 -BBBB, use VALPLAST resin as the polyamide material  112 , if answer to STEP  52  is yes and proceed to STEP  55 . 
     STEP  54 : As shown in FIG.  12 -AAAA, use FLEXITE SUPREME-H.M. as the polyamide material  112 , if answer to STEP  52  is no and proceed to STEP  55 . 
     STEP  55 : As shown in FIG.  12 -CCCC, heat the polyamide material  112  forming a preheated polyamide material  114 . 
     STEP  56 : As shown in FIG.  12 -DDDD, secure the upper portion  100  of the flask  98  to the lower portion  96  of the flask  98 . 
     STEP  57 : As shown in FIG.  12 -EEEE, inject the preheated polyamide material  114  into the flask  98 , forming an upper bite block  116  having the upper ball clasp  76  if used and if not used see FIG.  10 AA, the upper U-shaped reinforcing wire  86  if used and if not used see FIG.  10 AA, , and the male hinge part  48  embedded therein. 
     STEP  58 : As shown in FIG.  12 -FFFF, cool the flask  98 . 
     STEP  59 : As shown in FIG.  12 -GGGG, separate the upper portion  100  of the flask  98  from the lower portion  98  of the flask  98 . 
     STEP  60 : As shown in FIG.  12 -HHHH, remove the upper bite block  116  from the upper bite block mold  106 . 
     STEP  61 : As shown in FIG.  12 -HHHH, remove all rough edges  118  from the upper bite block  116 . 
     STEP  62 : As shown in FIG.  12 -IIII, smooth the upper bite block  116 . 
     STEP  63 : As shown in FIG.  12 -IIII, check and adjust the upper bits block  116 , as required. 
     STEP  64 : As shown in FIG.  12 -JJJJ, polish the upper bite block  116 , forming a finished upper bite block  118 . 
     STEP  65 : As shown in FIG.  12 -KKKK, transfer the finished upper bite block  118  to the original upper casting  56 , forming a final upper assemblage  120 . 
     STEP  66 : As shown in FIGS.  9  and  12 -LLLL, put the final upper assemblage  120  on the articulator  38 . 
     STEP  67 : As shown in FIG.  12 -LLLL, position a temporary stylus  122  in each female hinge part  44 . 
     STEP  68 : As shown in FIG. 12-Q, remove the lower assemblage  54  from the articulator  38 . 
     STEP  69 : As shown in FIG. 12-R, tack the temporary stylus  122  to each female hinge part  44  with the wax luting agent  46 . 
     STEP  70 : As shown in FIG. 12-S, tack each female hinge part  44  closed with the wax luting agent  46 . 
     STEP  71 : As shown in FIG. 12-S, apply the separating medium  98  to portions  124  of the lower assemblage  54  that are exposed. 
     STEP  72 : As shown in FIGS.  7  and  12 -T, position the stone  94  in the lower portion  96  of the flask  98 . 
     STEP  73 : An shown in FIGS.  7  and  12 -U, place the lower assemblage  54  in the lower portion  96  of the flask  98 . 
     STEP  74 : As shown in FIGS.  7  and  12 -V, place another wax sprue  101  on the lower assemblage  54 . 
     STEP  75 : As shown in FIG. 12-W, apply the separating medium  98  to the stone  94  that is exposed and to the lower assemblage  54 . 
     STEP  76 : As shown in FIG. 12-X, secure the upper portion  100  of the flask  98  to the lower portion  96  of the flask  98 . 
     STEP  77 : Ax shown in FIG. 12-Y, fill the upper portion  100  of the flask  98  with an additional amount  128  of the stone  94 . 
     STEP  78 : As shown in FIG. 12-Z, harden contents of the flask  98 , forming a lower bite block mold  130 . 
     STEP  79 : As shown in FIG.  12 -AA, remove the wax luting agent  46  and the another wax sprue  101  from the lower bite block mold  13 , utilizing the boiling water  108 , with the lower ball clasp  30  if used and if used and if not used see FIG.  10 BB, the lower U-shaped reinforcing wire  88  if used and if used and if not used see FIG.  10 BB, and the female hinge part  44  retained in the lower bite block mold  130 . 
     STEP  80 : As shown in FIG.  12 -BB, separate the upper portion  100  of the flask  98  from the lower portion  98  of the flask  98 . 
     STEP  81 : As shown in FIG.  12 -CC, pick out the conformed plastic spacer layer  36  from the lower bite block mold  130 . 
     STEP  82 : As shown in FIG.  12 -DD, apply the separating medium  90  to the lower bite block mold  130 . 
     STEP  83 : As shown in FIG.  12 -EE, preheat the upper portion  100  of the flask  98  and the lower portion  96  of the flask  96 , under the heat lamps  110 . 
     STEP  84 : As shown in FIG.  12 -FF, select the polyamide material  112 . 
     STEP  85 : As shown in FIG.  12 -GG, determine if the lower ball clasp  30  and the lower U-shaped reinforcing wire  88  have been used. 
     STEP  86 : As shown in FIG.  12 -HH, use the VALPLAST resin as the polyamide material  112 , if answer to STEP  85  is yes and proceed to STEP  88 . 
     STEP  87 : As shown in FIG.  12 -GG, use the FLEXITE SUPREME-H.M. as the polyamide material  112 , if answer to STEP  85  is no and proceed to STEP  88 . 
     STEP  88 : An shown in FIG.  12 -II, heat the polyamide material  112  forming the preheated polyamide material  114 . 
     STEP  89 : As shown in FIG.  12 -JJ, secure the upper portion  190  of the flask  98  to the lower portion  98  of the flask  98 . 
     STEP  90 : As shown in FIG.  12 -KK, inject the preheated polyamide material  114  into the flask  98 , forming a lower bite block  132  having the lower ball clasp  30  if used, the lower U-shaped reinforcing wire  88  if used, and the female hinge part  44  embedded therein. 
     STEP  91 : As shown in FIG.  12 -LL, cool the flask  98 . 
     STEP  92 : As shown in FIG.  12 -LL, separate the upper portion  100  of the flask  98  from the lower portion  96  of the flask  98 . 
     STEP  93 : As shown in FIG.  12 -MM, remove the lower bite block  132  from the lower bite block mold  130 . 
     STEP  94 : As shown in FIG.  12 -MM, remove the temporary stylus  122 . 
     STEP  95 : As shown in FIG.  12 -NN, remove all rough edges  134  from the lower bite block  132 . 
     STEP  96 : As shown in FIG.  12 -OO, smooth the lower bite block  132 . 
     STEP  97 : As shown in FIG.  12 -PP, check and adjust the lower bite block  132 , as required. 
     STEP  98 : As shown in FIG.  12 -PP, polish the lower bite block  132 , forming a finished lower bite block  136 . 
     STEP  99 : As shown in FIG.  12 -QQ, transfer the finished lower bite block  136  to the original lower casting  10 , forming a final lower assemblage  138 . 
     STEP  100 : As shown in FIGS.  9  and  12 -RR, put the final lower assemblage  138  in the articulator  38 . 
     STEP  101 : As shown in FIG.  12 MMMM, verify accuracy of bite registration of the final upper assemblage  120  and the final lower assemblage  138 . 
     STEP  102 : As shown in FIG.  12 -NNNN, determine if the bite registration is accurate. 
     STEP  103 : As shown in FIG.  12 -NNNN, adjust accordingly, if answer to STEP  102  is no. 
     It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above. 
     While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a method of fabricating a flexible retentive bite block, however, it is not limited to the details shown, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 
     Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 MATERIALS UTILIZED IN THE FABRICATING OF BITE BLOCK 
               
             
          
           
               
                 PRODUCT NAME 
                 MANUFACTURED BY 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 VALPLAST resin 
                 Valplast International Corp., 34-30 31st 
               
               
                   
                 Street, Long Island City, NY 11106 
               
               
                 FLEXITE SUPREME-H.M. 
                 Rapid Injection System Corp. 40 Roselle 
               
               
                   
                 Street, Mineola, NY 11501