Patent Publication Number: US-2012031410-A1

Title: Dental device for preventing a sleep disorder

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     This disclosure relates generally to a dental device used to prevent or inhibit a sleep disorder such as sleep apnea or snoring, and more particularly, to a dental device for preventing a sleep disorder by immobilizing or holding down a tongue to open an air passage or airway. 
     Sleep disorders such as sleep apnea or snoring are common conditions in adults. Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep. An episode of sleep apnea can last long enough that one or more breaths are missed by an individual, and many episodes can occur throughout the night. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common category of sleep-disordered breathing. The muscles of the body typically relax during sleep and since the human throat or airway consists of a tongue and collapsible walls of soft tissue the airway can become obstructed when breathing during sleep. Chronic obstructive sleep apnea requires treatment to prevent low blood oxygen, sleep deprivation, and other complications. Obese individuals typically have low muscle tone and soft tissue around their airway and are at high risk for obstructive sleep apnea. Also, the elderly are more likely to have OSA than young people and men are more likely to have OSA than women. The risk of OSA increases with such features as high body weight, smoking, age, and diabetes. Common symptoms include snoring, restless sleep, and sleepiness during the daytime. 
     Snoring is the turbulent sound of air moving through the back of the mouth, nose, and throat. Many individuals who sleep next to a snorer have to suffer through the night listening to the annoying noise generated by a snoring individual. This situation impacts all involved in that all individuals may not obtain the required amount of sleep. 
     There are several devices available for the treatment of OSA and snoring. There are various oral or dental appliances that are worn inside of a mouth that are designed to move the lower jaw forward, or lift the soft palate of the mouth, or move the tongue forward in an effort to open up an airway. However, it does not appear that such oral or dental appliances have been acceptable. 
     Another device used to treat sleep apnea is a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device. The CPAP device operates by keeping a patient&#39;s airway open during sleep by delivering a flow of pressurized air into the throat. The patient typically wears a plastic facial mask which is connected by a flexible tube to a small bedside CPAP machine which includes an air pump. The CPAP machine generates the required air pressure to keep the patient&#39;s airways open during sleep. Advanced CPAP models may warm or humidify the air and monitor the patient&#39;s breathing to insure proper treatment. Although CPAP therapy is effective, patients often find it extremely uncomfortable and individuals who sleep with the patient find the sound of the air pump to be annoying. After some use, many patients refuse to continue the therapy or fail to use the CPAP machines on a nightly basis. 
     There are also several surgical procedures that may be used to treat OSA and snoring by anatomically altering a patient&#39;s airway. Several levels of obstruction may be addressed, including altering the nasal passage, the throat (pharynx), the base of tongue, and the facial skeleton. Surgical treatment for obstructive sleep apnea may be individualized in order to address all anatomical areas of obstruction. Often, correction of the nasal passages needs to be performed in addition to correction of the oropharynx passage. Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) has been used to address pharyngeal obstruction. UPPP is a procedure in which tissue at the posterior portion of the soft palate is surgically removed. However, such surgical techniques have met with varying success and individuals may want to avoid surgery. 
     Therefore, there is a need to provide a device that may be employed to be able to prevent or reduce a sleep disorder such as snoring or OSA. It would also be advantageous to be able to provide a device that will immobilize the tongue during sleep to prevent the tongue from blocking the respiratory passage or airway. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one form of the present disclosure, a dental device for preventing a sleep disorder is disclosed which comprises a body having a lower teeth engaging surface, a central portion having a tongue engaging surface for holding a tongue down, and a pair of front ball clasps and a pair of back ball clasps for retaining the body to a lower jaw of an individual. 
     In another form of the present disclosure, a dental device for preventing a sleep disorder comprises a body having a left side and a right side and each of the sides having a lower teeth engaging surface, a first center portion extending between the left side and the right side, a first pair of ball clasps extending from the left side and adapted to engage teeth, a second center portion extending between the left side and the right side, and a second pair of ball clasps extending from the right side and adapted to engage teeth. 
     In yet another form of the present disclosure, a dental device for preventing a sleep disorder comprises a left pad portion having a lower teeth engaging surface, a right pad portion having a lower teeth engaging surface, a body connected between the left pad portion and the right pad portion, the body having a tongue engaging surface, a first pair of ball clasps extending from the left pad portion and adapted to engage teeth, and a second pair of ball clasps extending from the right pad portion and adapted to engage teeth. 
     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 preventing a sleep disorder by holding a tongue down so that the tongue does not block an airway or air passage. 
     A further object of the present disclosure is to provide a dental device 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 that is easy to use, comfortable to wear, and may be easily removed from a mouth. 
     A still further object of the present disclosure is to provide a dental device that can be stored when not in use. 
     A further object of the present disclosure is to provide a dental device that may be used to display the camphor container assembly. 
     Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a dental device that may be fitted to a lower jaw to immobilize a tongue so that the tongue does not block an airway or air passage. 
     Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a dental device that may be easily manufactured and custom made based upon a mold of a mouth of an individual. 
     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 preventing a sleep disorder constructed according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of the the dental device for preventing a sleep disorder constructed according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a left view of the dental device for preventing a sleep disorder; 
         FIG. 4  is a partial front perspective view of a mouth of an individual having the dental device for preventing a sleep disorder inserted into the mouth; 
         FIG. 5  is bottom perspective view of another embodiment of a dental device for preventing a sleep disorder constructed according to the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 6  is a top perspective view of the dental device for preventing a sleep disorder constructed according to the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     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 constructed according to the present disclosure. With reference now to  FIG. 1 , the dental device  10  comprises a body  12  having an upper teeth engaging surface  14  and a central portion  16 . The body  12  has a front  18 , a back  20 , a left side  22 , and a right side  24 . 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, tongue, and teeth. From the casting the dental device  10  is produced which is adapted to fit on the lower teeth and have the upper teeth mate with or against the upper teeth engaging surface  14 . The upper teeth engaging surface  14  has a left side pad portion  26  in which a first recess  28 , a second recess  30 , a third recess  32 , and a fourth recess  34  are formed therein. The first recess  28  is sized and shaped to receive an upper molar, the second recess  30  is adapted to receive an upper molar, the third recess  32  is adapted to receive an upper premolar, and the fourth recess  34  is adapted to receive an upper canine tooth. The upper teeth engaging surface  14  also has a right side pad portion  36  in which a first recess  38 , a second recess  40 , a third recess  42 , and a fourth recess  44  are formed therein. The recesses  38 ,  40 ,  42 , and  44  are sized and shaped to receive or mate with upper teeth such as molars, premolars, and a canine tooth. It is possible that the recesses  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  38 ,  40 ,  42 , and  44  may be formed to mate with other teeth and also more or less recesses may be formed in the surface  14  depending upon a particular application. 
     Embedded in the body  12  are four pins  46 ,  48 ,  50 , and  52  which have ball clasps ends which are not shown in this particular view, but will be discussed in more detail herein. The pins  46 ,  48 ,  50 , and  52  are made of metal such as stainless steel. Further, the front  18  has a width and the back  20  has a width with the back  20  being wider than the front  18 . The width of the back  20  being greater than the front  18  is due to a mouth being wider in the back than in the front. Also, the span of the teeth in the front of the mouth is smaller than in the back of the mouth. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a bottom perspective view of the dental device  10  is shown. The dental device  10  comprises the body  12  having a lower teeth engaging surface  60  and the central portion  16  having a tongue engaging surface  62  for holding a tongue down during use. The body  12  is also shown having the front  18 , the back  20 , the left side  22 , and the right side  24 . The lower teeth engaging surface  60  has a left side pad portion  64  in which a first recess  66 , a second recess  68 , a third recess  70 , and a fourth recess  72  are formed therein. The first recess  66  is sized and shaped to receive a lower molar, the second recess  68  is adapted to receive a lower molar, the third recess  70  is adapted to receive a lower premolar, and the fourth recess  72  is adapted to receive a lower canine tooth. The lower teeth engaging surface  60  also has a right side pad portion  74  in which a first recess  76 , a second recess  78 , a third recess  80 , and a fourth recess  82  are formed therein. The first recess  76  is sized and shaped to receive a lower molar, the second recess  78  is adapted to receive a lower molar, the third recess  80  is adapted to receive a lower premolar, and the fourth recess  82  is adapted to receive a lower canine tooth. 
     The pin  46  has a ball clasp  84  extending out from the right side  24  of the dental device  10 . The ball clasp  84  is used to retain the dental device  10  securely in place during use. The ball clasp  84  may be positioned to fit between two teeth such as two molars. The pin  48  has a ball clasp  86  extending out from the left side  22  of the dental device  10 . The ball clasp  86  may be orientated to fit between two teeth such as two molars. The ball clasps  84  and  86  form a pair of back ball clasps for retaining the body  12  to a lower jaw (not shown) of an individual during use of the dental device  10 . A ball clasp  88 , which is part of the pin  50 , extends from the right side  24  of the dental device  10 . The pin  52  is shown to have a ball clasp  90  extending out from the left side  22  of the dental device  10 . The ball clasps  88  and  90  are an example of a pair of front ball clasps for retaining the body  12  to a lower jaw of an individual. The ball clasps  88  and  90  may be positioned between a lower premolar and a lower canine tooth. 
     A left side view of the dental device is depicted in  FIG. 3 . The dental device  10  is shown having the left side  22 , the front  18 , and the back  20 . The recesses  66 ,  68 ,  70 , and  72  are also illustrated and show how the dental device  10  is constructed to fit against or mate with corresponding teeth such as molar, premolars, and canine teeth of a lower jaw of an individual. The ball clasp  86 , which is part of the pin  48 , is shown extending out and down from the dental device  10 . The ball clasp  90 , also part of the pin  52 , extends out and down from the dental device  10 . Depending upon the particular contours and size of an individual&#39;s mouth, tongue, and teeth, the pin  52  may extend further down or be longer than the pin  48 . As has been explained, the contours are developed from taking a casting of an individual&#39;s mouth. Although not shown in detail in this figure, the left side pad portion  26  has the recesses  28 ,  30 ,  32 , and  34  that are formed to mate with teeth of the upper jaw. 
       FIG. 4  shows a front view of the dental device  10  positioned within a mouth  100 . The mouth  100  has an upper jaw  102  having gums  104  and upper teeth  106  and a lower jaw  108  having gums  110  and lower teeth  112 . The dental device  10  is secured to the lower teeth  112  by use of the ball clasps  88  and  90  and also ball clasps  84  and  86  which are hidden in this view. The upper teeth  106  are adapted to be positioned on the dental device  10 . Also, the dental device  10  moves the lower jaw  108  forward to open the airway. The dental device  10  has the central portion  16  which is arched upwardly to accommodate and hold or immobilize a tongue  114 . The tongue  114  is held in place by the central portion  16  and the tongue engaging surface  62  (not shown). By immobilizing or holding the tongue  114  in place during use, the dental device  10  prevents the tongue  114  from moving backwards to restrict or obstruct the airway or air passage. By preventing movement of the tongue  114 , the dental device  10  prevents snoring or sleep apnea. Although the central portion  16  is shown as being arched upwardly it is also possible that the central portion  16  may be arched downwardly or be straight depending upon the particular contours and shape of an individual&#39;s tongue. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 5 , another embodiment of a dental device for preventing a sleep disorder  150  is illustrated. The dental device  150  comprises a body  152  having a left side  154  having a left lower teeth engaging surface  156 , and a right side  158  having a right lower teeth engaging surface  160 . The dental device  150  has a front  162  and a back  164 . A first center portion  166  extends between the left side  154  and the right side  158 . The first center portion  166  has a tongue engaging surface  168 . The dental device  150  also has a second center portion  170  that extends between the left side  154  and the right side  158 . The second center portion  170  has a tongue engaging surface  172 . 
     The left lower teeth engaging surface  156  has formed therein a first recess  174 , a second recess  176 , a third recess  178 , a fourth recess  180 , and a fifth recess  182 . The recesses  174 ,  176 ,  178 ,  180 , and  182  are adapted to mate with lower teeth. The right lower teeth engaging surface  160  also has formed therein a first recess  184 , a second recess  186 , a third recess  188 , a fourth recess  190 , and a fifth recess  192 . All of the recesses  184 ,  186 ,  188 ,  190 , and  192  are sized and shaped to mate or accept therein lower teeth. It is possible that more or less recesses may be formed in the dental device  150 . 
     Embedded within the body  152  are four pins  194 ,  196 ,  198 , and  200  which have ball clasps  202 ,  204 ,  206 , and  208 , respectively. The ball clasps  202 ,  204 ,  206 , and  208  are used to secure the dental device  150  to the lower teeth of an individual. The pins  194 ,  196 ,  198 , and  200  and the ball clasps  202 ,  204 ,  206 , and  208  are formed from metal such as stainless steel. The ball clasps  202  and  204  are an example of a first pair of ball clasps extending from the left side  154  which are adapted to engage teeth and the ball clasps  206  and  208  are an example of a second pair of ball clasps extending from the right side  158  which are adapted to engage teeth. 
     The first center portion  166  has a width and the second center portion  170  has a width with the width of the second center portion  170  being wider than the first center portion  166 . This allows for the dental device  150  to fit within a mouth in a comfortable manner. The first center portion  166  and the second center portion  170  may be arched upwardly to allow a tongue to fit underneath the center portions  166  and  170  and to contact the tongue engaging surfaces  168  and  172 . By use of the center portions  166  and  170  and the tongue engaging surfaces  168  and  172 , a tongue is held in place or immobilize during sleep. The dental device  150  prevents the tongue from moving back to obstruct the airway or air passage during sleep. Although the central portions  166  and  170  are shown being arched upwardly, it is also possible to have the central portions  166  and  170  arched downwardly or straight. The particular design being dependent upon the shape and size of the tongue and teeth of a particular individual. 
     As can be appreciated, the dental device  150  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  150  may be custom made by taking a casting or a dental impression of an individual&#39;s mouth, tongue, and upper and lower teeth. From the casting the dental device  150  is produced which is adapted to fit on the lower teeth with the central portions  166  and  170  for holding the tongue in place. 
       FIG. 6  shows a top perspective view of the dental device  150 . The dental device  150  comprises the body  152  having the left side  154  having a left upper teeth engaging surface  220 , and a right side  158  having a right upper teeth engaging surface  222 . The dental device  150  has the front  162  and the back  164 . The first center portion  166  extends between the left side  154  and the right side  158 . The second center portion  170  also extends between the left side  154  and the right side  158 . The left upper teeth engaging surface  220  has a first recess  224 , a second recess  226 , a third recess  228 , a fourth recess  230 , and a fifth recess  232  for engaging or mating with upper teeth. The right upper teeth engaging surface  222  has a first recess  234 , a second recess  236 , a third recess  238 , a fourth recess  240 , and a fifth recess  242  formed therein for receiving or mating with upper teeth. It is possible that more or less recesses may be formed in the dental device  150  depending upon the particular application. Further, in the pins  194 ,  196 ,  198 , and  200  are shown, however, the ball clasps  202 ,  204 ,  206 , and  208  are hidden by the surfaces  220  and  222 . 
     The center portions  166  and  170  form a cutout region or opening  234  through which the a tongue may be positioned. The opening  234  allows for air to flow past the tongue when the dental device  150  is placed in the mouth. The opening  234  also allows for any fluids that may accumulate under the dental device  150  to be drawn away from the dental device  150 . 
     As can be appreciated, the dental devices  10  and  150  may take on any desired shape dependent upon the particular mouth in which the devices  10  and  150  are to be inserted and used. It should be recognized that the dental devices  10  and  150  are formed of relatively lightweight material so that the dental devices  10  and  150  can be quickly and easily manufactured, assembled, transported, and stored. Further, the dental devices  10  and  150  can be constructed of relatively inexpensive materials that will provide for the dental devices  10  and  150  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 preventing a sleep disorder 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 preventing a sleep disorder 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.