Abstract:
An application for a heated mouthpiece includes a mouthpiece section for insertion into the mouth of a user and a heat retention mass connected to the mouthpiece section and in thermal contact with the mouthpiece section whereby external heat provided to the heat retention mass before insertion into the mouth is partially retained by the heat retention mass and conducts to the mouthpiece section while the mouthpiece section is in use within the mouth.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to the field of mouthpieces and more particularly to a mouthpiece that is heated and retains heat in order to activate a chemical substance placed on it. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Oral devices known as mouthpieces are known in the industry for uses such as protecting the teeth, gums and bones during sporting events. Similar devices are known for performing various functions on the teeth such as whitening the teeth or taking impressions. Impressions are often taken before being fitted for braces, dentures, crowns, bridges, etc. 
     One such mouthpiece is described in U.S. Pat. No. D539,429 to Wong, which is hereby incorporated by reference. This design patent shows the ornamental layout of one such mouthpiece. 
     Another mouthpiece is described in U.S. Pat. Application No. 2001/0038998 to Lindquist. This application describes some of the reasons for heating a mouthpiece and includes a heated mouthpiece, but the heated mouthpiece of this application uses electric current or circulation of a heated liquid to perform the heating. Furthermore, even if such mouthpiece were heated by an external source such as a microwave oven, there is no mass within the mouthpiece that would absorb the heat and slowly release the heat to the rest of the mouthpiece. 
     Certain oral chemical compositions either require heat to work correctly or work better when heat is applied. For example, the action of dental bleaching agents or whiteners is known to accelerate when heated to a temperature greater than 105° F. The mouthpieces of the prior art do not provide for heating the chemical compounds used upon them, and do not provide for sustaining the heat over a useful length of time. 
     What is needed is a mouthpiece that will accept heat from an external source and transfer that heat to a substance disposed on the surface of the mouthpiece that contacts the user&#39;s teeth. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one embodiment, a heated mouthpiece is disclosed including a mouthpiece section for insertion into the mouth and a heat retention mass connected to the mouthpiece section that is in thermal contact with the mouthpiece section whereby external heat provided to the heat retention mass conducts to the mouthpiece section while the mouthpiece section is within the mouth. 
     In another embodiment, a method of using a heated mouthpiece is disclosed including providing a heated mouthpiece, the heated mouthpiece has a mouthpiece section for insertion into the mouth. The mouthpiece section includes an upper trough for surrounding the upper teeth and a lower trough for surrounding the lower teeth. Connected to the mouthpiece section is a heat retention mass that is in thermal contact with the mouthpiece section whereby heat provided from the heat retention mass conducts to the mouthpiece section while the mouthpiece section is within the mouth. The method continues with heating the heat retention mass the placing an oral compound in the upper trough and placing an oral compound in the lower trough. Next, the mouthpiece section is inserted into the mouth with the upper teeth in the upper trough and the lower teeth in the lower trough whereas heat from the heat retention mass will transfer to the mouthpiece section and thereby to the oral compound, heating the oral compound. 
     In another embodiment, a heated mouthpiece is disclosed including a mouthpiece section for insertion into the mouth and a device for retaining heat connected to the mouthpiece section and in thermal contact with the mouthpiece section whereby external heat provided to the device for retaining heat conducts to the mouthpiece section while the mouthpiece section is within the mouth. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an isometric view of a mouthpiece of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a top schematic view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a front view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a cross sectional view of the present invention along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a mouthpiece of the present invention will be described. The body of the mouthpiece  10  is similar to many mouthpieces, including that described in U.S. Pat. No. D539,429. The body of the mouthpiece  10  has a front top wall  12  and a back top wall  14  (the lower walls of some embodiments are visible in  FIG. 5 ) forming an upper trough  13  for accepting the upper teeth of a user. The front top wall  12  is placed between the upper lip of the user and the upper teeth of the user. 
     A heat retention mass  20  is disposed in the front surface of the mouthpiece  10  and in some embodiments; the heat retention mass  20  is contained within an encapsulation  16  protecting the heat retention mass  20 . In some embodiments, vents  18  are provided to allow heat to enter through the encapsulation  16  and/or to provide a textured grip for inserting and removing the mouthpiece  10  from the user&#39;s mouth. 
     There are several uses for heating the mouthpiece  10 , though the mouthpiece  10  of the present invention is in no way limited to these applications. One use is for applying an oral compound such as teeth whitener. By pre-heating the heat retention mass  20 , some teeth whiteners perform better or faster. Additionally, the heat provides comfort to the user. Another use for the mouthpiece  10  of the present invention is where the oral compound is for making dental impressions. Often the compound used to take an impression is cold and, due to the length of time required for this compound to set, the cold feeling provides discomfort to the user. By pre-heating the heat retention mass  20 , the mouthpiece  10  is subsequently heated by conduction and, therefore, the compound is later heated by conduction. Not only will the compound feel more comfortable to the user, but the heat will decrease the time required for the compound to set. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a front view of the present invention will be described. THE heat retention mass  20  is disposed in the front surface of the mouthpiece  10  and in some embodiments; the heat retention mass  20  is contained within an encapsulation  16  protecting the heat retention mass  20 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a side view of the present invention will be described. Although the heat retention mass  20  is not limited to any particular size, in the example shown, the heat retention mass  20  and its optional protective cover  16  is slightly shorter than the outside wall  12  and extends outwardly away from the user&#39;s mouth. 
       FIG. 5 , a side cross-sectional view of the present invention will be described. In this view, the heat retention mass  20  is shown surrounded by a protective cover or coating  16 . The body of the mouthpiece  10  has a mouthpiece section with a front top wall  12  and a back top wall  14  forming an upper trough  13  for accepting the upper teeth of a user. The front top wall  12  is placed between the upper lip of the user and the upper teeth of the user. The mouthpiece section also has a front lower wall  22  and a back lower wall  24  forming a lower trough  23  for accepting the lower teeth of a user. The front lower wall  22  is placed between the upper lip of the user and the upper teeth of the user. 
     The heat retention mass  20  is made from any suitable material that is capable of being heated while outside of the user&#39;s mouth and retaining at least some of the heat for distribution after insertion into the user&#39;s mouth. In one embodiment, the material is rock and more specifically, lava rock. In other embodiments, the material includes metals such as steel, iron, copper, etc. Being made of such materials, heating of the mouthpiece  10  is accomplished by placing the mouthpiece  10  in a warm environment (e.g., hot water, boiling water, oven) until it accepts sufficient heat. In embodiments with this class of material, the mouthpiece  10  is not suitable for heating in a microwave oven. In still other embodiments, the heat retention mass  20  is a liquid such as water or a gel and to heat the mouthpiece  10 , either the mouthpiece  10  is placed in a warm environment (e.g., hot water, boiling water, oven) or the mouthpiece  10  is heated in a microwave oven. 
     Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result. 
     It is believed that the system and method of the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.