Patent Publication Number: US-2012037168-A1

Title: Dental device for weight control

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     This disclosure relates generally to a dental device used to aid in weight reduction or weight control, and more particularly, to a dental device for reducing an amount of food that may be introduced into an oral cavity of an individual. 
     There is a substantial market for products which promise to make weight loss easier, quicker, and cheaper. Some known products include books, CDs, cremes, lotions, pills, diet foods, diet drinks, and body wraps. There are also weight loss services such as fitness centers, personal coaches, weight loss groups, and food products and supplements. Billions of dollars are spent each year on all types of diet programs and products. Although such products and services may be helpful for a limited period of time, individuals fall back into previous habits and the loss weight is gained back. It is also possible and common that more weight is gained than what was the original weight of the individual prior to weight loss. Further, there are various medical procedures that can be performed to remove fat from a person or to decrease the amount of food that an individual can consume such as stomach stapling. Some individuals are reluctant to have a medical procedure performed due to complications. 
     However, one of the most effective ways to reduce weight is to reduce the number of calories consumed each day. It is recommended that food be consumed slowly in order to feel filled up quicker. Being able to take smaller bites of food can lead to eating food slower. In view of this there is a need for a dental device that may be used to control weight by reducing a volume of an individual&#39;s oral cavity to slow down the rate of food consumption. It would also be advantageous to be able to provide a dental device that is comfortable to use and wear and does not obstruct or interfere with the use of a mouth. It would also be beneficial to provide a dental device that is self-supporting within a mouth, can be easily fitted within a mouth, and does not require any attachment devices for holding or securing the dental device within a mouth. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one form of the present disclosure, a dental device for weight control is disclosed which comprises a body having an upper side and a lower side, a protrusion extending from the lower side for extending into an oral cavity to reduce a volume of the oral cavity, a front edge positioned between the upper side and the lower side contoured to fit against teeth, and a back edge positioned between the upper side and the lower side, the back edge for bearing against a roof of a mouth. 
     In another form of the present disclosure, a dental device for weight control comprises a a body having an upper side and a lower side, a protrusion extending from the lower side for extending into an oral cavity to reduce a volume of the oral cavity, a front edge positioned between the upper side and the lower side contoured to fit against teeth, a back edge positioned between the upper side and the lower side, the back edge for bearing against a roof of a mouth, and a catch extending from the lower side of the body. 
     In yet another form of the present disclosure, a dental device for weight control comprises a body having an interior side, an exterior side, a left side back portion, and a right side back portion and a teeth engaging surface positioned between the interior side and the exterior side with the teeth engaging surface having a soft cushioning surface. 
     In light of the foregoing comments, it will be recognized that a principal object of the present disclosure is to provide a dental device for weight control that decreases a volume of an oral cavity of a mouth to reduce an amount of food that may be introduced into an oral cavity. 
     A further object of the present disclosure is to provide a dental device for weight control which is of simple construction and design, is inexpensive, and which can be easily employed with highly reliable results. 
     Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a dental device for weight control that is easy to use, comfortable to wear, frictionally engages an interior of a mouth for retention within a mouth, may be easily removed from a mouth after use of the dental device, is comfortable to wear, and does not cause any injury to soft tissue within a mouth. 
     A still further object of the present disclosure is to provide a dental device for weight control that can be easily cleaned and stored when not in use. 
     A further object of the present disclosure is to provide a dental device weight control that does not require any metal structure such as retainer wires or ball clasps that can be broken, or fall off during use, or require replacement or realignment. 
     Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a dental device for weight control that may be fitted to a lower jaw to decrease a volume of an oral cavity to reduce an amount of food that may be inserted into an oral cavity of a mouth. 
     Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a dental device for weight control that may be easily manufactured and custom made based upon a mold of a mouth of an individual. 
     Still a further object of the present disclosure is to provide a dental device for weight control that is self-supporting when placed within a mouth and does not require any attachment devices for holding or securing the dental device in a mouth during use. 
     These and other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent after considering the following detailed specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a dental device for weight control constructed according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view of the dental device for weight control constructed according to the present disclosure taken along the plane of line  2 - 2  in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of the dental device for weight control shown in phantom and shown inserted into an oral cavity of a mouth of an individual; 
         FIG. 4  is a top perspective view of another embodiment of a dental device for weight control constructed according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a partial cross section view of the dental device for weight control constructed according to the present disclosure taken along the plane of line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 ; and 
         FIG. 6  is a partial cross section view of the dental device for weight control shown in phantom and shown inserted into an oral cavity of a mouth of an individual. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numbers refer to like items, number  10  identifies an embodiment of a dental device for weight control constructed according to the present disclosure. With reference now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the dental device  10  comprises a body  12  having an upper side or surface  14  and a lower side or surface  16 . The body  12  also has a central portion or a protrusion  18  that extends from the lower side  16  and is adapted to extend into an oral cavity to reduce a volume of the oral cavity. The protrusion  18  is shown to be dome shaped or circular or oval in shape and may be centrally positioned on the body  12 . However, it is possible and contemplated that the protrusion  18  may take on various other shapes that extend into the oral cavity and reduces the volume of the oral cavity. The body  12  has a front edge  20  that is shaped to fit against teeth and a roof of a mouth. The front edge  20  is positioned between the upper side  14  and the lower side  16 . The front edge  20  includes a soft cushioning surface or material  22 , such as an acrylic material, which provides a comfortable edging which bears against teeth, gums, or a roof of a mouth. The body  12  has a back edge  24  having a lip  26  that is adapted to bear against a palate or soft tissue within an oral cavity. The lip  26  can extend along the entire back edge  24  so as to seal the dental device  10  against a roof of a mouth. The back edge  24  is positioned between the upper side  14  and the lower side  16 . A catch  28  is formed on the lower side  16  near the back edge  24  and opposite the lip  26 . The catch  28  is provided for removal of the dental device  10  after use and serves as a lever to dislodge the dental device  10  from a roof of a mouth. The catch  28  may extend along a portion of the lower side  16 . Although the catch  28  is shown extending out from the lower side  16 , it is possible that the dental device  10  may be constructed without the catch  28  and the dental device  10  may be removed by grasping the back edge  24  and the lip  26 . 
     The dental device  10  may be formed from any appropriate natural or synthetic material or materials, such as synthetic or natural rubber, medical rubber, plastics such as polyvinyl plastics material including vinyl acetate ethylene polymeric material, polyethylene vinyl acetate or a polyethylene or polypropylene. The material may be clear or colored. The dental device  10  may be custom made by taking a casting or a dental impression of an individual&#39;s mouth and teeth. From the casting the dental device  10  is produced which is adapted to fit in the interior of a mouth and have the upper teeth mate with or against the front edge  20  and the soft cushioning material  22 . Also, the dental device  10  can be made of any lightweight material which is appropriate for use in the interior of the mouth  50 , such as materials typically used for orthodontic type devices. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 3 , the dental device for weight control  10  is shown being inserted into a mouth  50  of an individual  52 . The dental device  10  is placed against a roof or an upper palate  54  of the mouth  50 . The front edge  20  is placed against upper teeth  56  of the mouth  50 . The front edge  20  may mate with gums (not shown) associated with the teeth  56  or the upper palate  54 . As has been discussed, the front edge  20  is sized and shaped to mate against the particular contours of the mouth  50  and the dental device  10  is custom made for the individual  52 . A custom made dental device  10  can be made in a number of ways. One way is for the individual  52  to visit a dentist and have an impression made of the mouth  50 . The impression may be sent to a manufacturer of the dental device  10 . Once manufactured, the dental device  10  is sent to the dentist and the dentist fits the dental device  10  to the mouth  50  of the individual  52 . A second, quicker, and less expensive method, is for the individual  52  to contact a manufacturer and have the manufacturer send the individual  52  a prepared dental impression kit having appropriate instructions. The individual  52  then makes their own dental impression using the kit and sends the impression to the manufacturer. Once the manufacturer completes the custom made dental device  10 , the dental device  10  is sent to the individual  52  for use. 
     In operation, the dental device  10  is inserted into the mouth  50  of the individual  52 . The catch  28  may be used to maneuver the dental device  10  into position against the roof  54  of the mouth  50  and abut the front edge  20  against the teeth  56 . With the front edge  20  mating with or contacting the teeth  56  and the back edge  24  resting against the roof  54 , this reduces the possibility of any food becoming lodged between the roof  54  and the upper side  14  of the dental device  10 . Also, when the dental device  10  is inserted in the mouth  50  in this orientation suction develops between the device  10 , the teeth  56 , and the roof  54  to hold or seal the device  10  in place in the mouth  50 . A volume associated with an oral cavity  58  of the mouth  50  is decreased so that an amount of food that can be introduced into the oral cavity  58  is decreased. The protrusion  18  extending into the oral cavity  58  decreases the size or volume of the oral cavity  58 . The size of the protrusion  18  is dependent upon the size and shape of the dental impression of the mouth  50 . Further, the size and shape of the protrusion  18  may be increased to further decrease the size of the oral cavity  58  in severe cases in which food intake is to be reduced in an extreme manner. Once the dental device  10  has been inserted into the mouth  50 , the individual  52  can eat, drink, speak, and breath in a normal manner. The dental device  10  also has the impact of slowing down the individual&#39;s  52  rate of food consumption. By slowing down the rate of food intake and requiring food to be more thoroughly chewed before swallowing leads to reducing food intake and promotes weight loss. After use, the dental device  10  may be easily removed from the mouth  50  by grasping the catch  28 , to reduce or overcome any suction created by having the dental device  10  pressed against the roof  54  and the teeth  56 , and pulling the dental device  10  downwardly to remove the dental device  10  from the mouth  50 . Once removed, the dental device  10  may be cleaned and stored for the next use. 
     The dental device  10  has a number of advantages. The dental device  10  is easy to place in the mouth  50  and remove from the mouth  50  due to the catch  28 . Further, since there are no wires or ball clasps, the dental device  10  does not require adjustment to properly position and hold the dental device  10  in the mouth  50 . Since the dental device  10  is a single piece construction, there are no pieces that can break off and be inadvertently swallowed. Further, wires or ball clasps can become out of alignment which would require realignment, adjustment, or a completely new dental device being manufactured. Due to the small size of the dental device  10 , the dental device  10  may be keep in a small container so that the dental device  10  can be used at home, at the office, or at a restaurant. Further, since the dental device  10  is unobtrusive when in the mouth  50  it is not noticeable by others and the dental device  10  can be worn at all times. As has been discussed, the dental device  10  does not interfere with speech and the dental device  10  can be worn during the daytime. 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  depict another embodiment of a dental device for weight control  100  constructed according to the present disclosure. The dental device  100  comprises a body  102  having a generally U-shape. The body  102  has an interior side or surface  104  and an exterior side or surface  106 . The interior side  104  and the exterior side  106  intersect to form a teeth engaging surface  108 . The teeth engaging surface  108  has a soft cushioning surface or material  110 , such as an acrylic material, which provides a comfortable edging or surface which bears against lower teeth (not shown). The teeth engaging surface  108  has a generally scallop shape which is similar to the outline of lower teeth against which the surface  108  is adapted to mate or abut. The body  102  also has a left side back portion  112  and a right side back portion  114 . With the body  102  being U-shaped there is an area or void  116  in which a tongue of an individual may be positioned in order for a tongue to move freely or be unobstructed during use of the dental device  100 . Although not shown, it is also possible and contemplated that the dental device  100  may include one or more protrusions associated with the interior side  104  to increase the volume of the dental device  100 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6  the dental device for weight control  100  is shown being inserted into a mouth  150  of an individual  152 . The dental device  100  is placed against backside surfaces or lingual surfaces of lower teeth  154  of the individual  152 . The soft cushioning surface  110  of the teeth engaging surface  108  is placed against lower teeth  154  of the mouth  150 . The teeth engaging surface  108  may also contact or mate with gums (not shown) associated with the lower teeth  154 . The teeth engaging surface  108  is sized and shaped to mate against the particular contours of the mouth  150  and the dental device  100  is custom made for the individual  152 . A custom made dental device  100  can be made in a number of ways, as has been identified with respect to the dental device  10 . 
     The typical operation of the dental device  100  is as follows. The individual  152  inserts the dental device  100  into the mouth  150  and places the teeth engaging surface  108  against the lower teeth  154 . The left side back portion  112  and the right side back portion  114  may be grasped by the individual  152  to guide or maneuver the dental device  100  into the mouth  150 . With the teeth engaging surface  108  mating with or contacting the teeth  154  and the back portions  112  and  114  resting within the mouth  150 , the chance of any food becoming trapped underneath the dental device  100  is reduced. In this manner, a volume associated with an oral cavity  156  of the mouth  150  is decreased so that an amount of food that can be introduced into the oral cavity  156  is decreased. The size of the dental device  100  is dependent upon the size and shape of the dental impression of the mouth  150 . Further, the size and shape of the dental device  100  may be increased to further decrease the size of the oral cavity  156  in severe cases in which food intake is to be reduced in an extreme manner. Once the dental device  100  has been inserted into the mouth  150 , the individual  152  can eat, drink, speak, and breath in a normal manner. Further, due to the void  116  of the dental device  100 , a tongue (not shown) is free to move within the mouth  150 . The dental device  100  has the impact of slowing down the individual&#39;s  152  rate of food consumption. Slowing down the rate of food intake and requiring food to be more thoroughly chewed before swallowing leads to the reduction of food intake and promotes weight loss. After use, the dental device  100  may be easily removed from the mouth  150  by grasping the back portions  112  and  114 , to overcome any suction developed by having the dental device  100  positioned against the teeth  154 , and pulling the dental device  100  upwardly to remove the dental device  100  from the mouth  150 . Once removed, the dental device  100  may be cleaned and stored until the next application. 
     As can be appreciated, the dental device  100  may be formed from any appropriate natural or synthetic material or materials, such as synthetic or natural rubber, medical rubber, plastics such as polyvinyl plastics material including vinyl acetate ethylene polymeric material, polyethylene vinyl acetate or a polyethylene or polypropylene. The material may be clear or colored. The dental device  100  may be custom made by taking a casting or a dental impression of an individual&#39;s mouth, and in particular an impression of the lower teeth. From the casting the dental device  100  is produced which is adapted to fit against the lower teeth.  154 . Also, the dental device  100  can be made of any lightweight material which is appropriate for use in the interior of the mouth  150 , such as materials typically used for orthodontic type devices. 
     Furthermore, with use of the dental devices  10  and  100 , smaller amounts of food will be consumed with each bite. By increasing the volume of the mouth  50  or  150 , the individual  52  or  152  will require a longer period of time to eat food and may be satisfied with less food being consumed. By reducing food intake, the individual  50  or  150  will either have reduced weight or controlled weight. It is possible that over time the individual&#39;s stomach may shrink and weight loss will occur. By use of the dental devices  10  and  100 , the individual  50  or  150  will easily and quickly develop a habit of eating less due to a reduced amount of food being consumed. This habit will lead to weight reduction and it is possible that the dental devices  10  and  100  after some period of time may be discontinued. Also, the dental devices  10  and  100  require no special training for their use and once inserted into the mouth  50  or  150  the dental devices  10  and  100  operated immediately and sufficiently. 
     As previously discussed, the dental devices  10  and  100  may take on any desired shape dependent upon the particular mouth in which the devices  10  and  100  are to be inserted and used. It should be recognized that the dental devices  10  and  100  are formed of relatively lightweight material so that the dental devices  10  and  100  can be quickly and easily manufactured, assembled, transported, and stored. Further, the dental devices  10  and  100  can be constructed of relatively inexpensive materials that will provide for the dental devices  10  and  100  to be mass produced, disposable, and suitable for long time use. 
     From all that has been said, it will be clear that there has thus been shown and described herein a dental device for weight control which fulfills the various objects and advantages sought therefor. It will become apparent to those skilled in the art, however, that many changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications of the subject dental device for weight control are possible and contemplated. All changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure are deemed to be covered by the present disclosure, which is limited only by the claims which follow.