Abstract:
An occlusal device for maintaining the vertical separation of opposed teeth in the oral cavity of a patient wearing the occlusal device. The occlusal device has a trough or partial trough for containing at least some of the upper teeth or lower teeth. In the locality of the front teeth is a spacer member affixed to an outer surface opposite of the trough. In the locality of the rear teeth are forming plates removably affixed to the outer surface of the occlusal device. After taking an impression of the set of teeth within the trough, the forming plates are removed from the outer surface of the occlusal device, thereby providing gap between the wearer&#39;s rear teeth and the outer surface of the occlusal device.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    This invention relates to the field of dental devices and more particularly to a device for reduction of teeth grinding and or clenching. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    There are many people who suffer from symptoms caused by clenching and/or grinding of their teeth during sleep. Such repetitive, unconscious jaw movements are called bruxing. Often the pain includes headaches, jaw aches, teeth aches, ear aches, etc. Often, the people suffering from these symptoms are unaware of the cause until they seek professional help. One common name for the pain resulting from such actions is called TMJ (Temporomandibular joint) disease. Left untreated, such activities by the person during sleep sometimes lead to serious bone and teeth problems. Temporomandibular joint disorder and resultant symptoms often produces significant pain and impairment. Temporomandibular joint disorder transcends the boundaries between several health-care disciplines—such as, dentistry, neurology, physical therapy, and psychology, making it difficult 
         [0003]    Currently, the most prescribed treatment to reduce the clenching and/or grinding is to provide a mouth guard that keeps the upper teeth separated from the lower teeth by a soft material, thereby preventing grinding, but having little or no effect over clenching. Such guards cover the entire or most of the teeth. 
         [0004]    An improvement made to this is a guard that covers only a few teeth such as only the front teeth, spacing the upper/lower front teeth at a distance from each other and, thereby, forcing a gap between the upper and lower back teeth. Such devices have had problems with falling off and choking the user. Improvements have been suggested having a string attached to such devices that leaves the wearer&#39;s mouth and goes around the wearer&#39;s neck. This reduces risk of choking, but is not comfortable during sleep. 
         [0005]    Many such devices offer some relieve to the symptoms described above, but do not provide the comfort offered by a mouthpiece molded to conform to the wearer&#39;s teeth. Mouthpieces that are molded for the specific individual provide greater comfort because they are more stationary with respect the wearer&#39;s teeth and tend to move less within the mouth during sleep, thereby reducing skin sores and abrasions. In the past, in order to create a custom mouthpiece, impressions are taken by a dental professional and the mouthpiece is made from the impressions or similar system. Such processes take time and are expensive and require a dentist or other professional. 
         [0006]    To combat the grinding and clenching, only one set of teeth (upper or lower) need be engaged in the mouthpiece. Also, it is preferred to provide upper/lower separation by materials inserted in between the front teeth rather than the back teeth because the front teeth are only capable of exerting only around 30% of the closing force of the back teeth due to bone/muscle leverage about the jaws. It is also preferred, though not required, that the device be customized to the wearer by the wearer; not requiring a professional such as a dentist. 
         [0007]    What is needed is a simple system that will provide a custom mouthpiece for the reduction of pain and other problems caused by excessive grinding and clenching of one&#39;s teeth. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    In one embodiment, an occlusal device for suppression of the intensity of forces of bruxism resulting from grinding and/or clenching of teeth of a person subjected to bruxism is disclosed including a body portion that has a bite portion and one or two wall portions such that at least some of the upper teeth or lower teeth of a user are held between or next to the one or two wall portions, resting upon a teeth interface surface of the base portion. Forming plates temporarily attach to an opposing outer surface of the bite portion in proximity to where the back teeth of the person interfaces to the teeth interface surface and a spacer plate is affixed to the outer surface of the base portion in proximity to where the front teeth of the person interfaces to the teeth interface surface. After an impression is made of the teeth, the forming plates are removed from the outer surface of the base portion and a gap results between the back teeth of the person and the outer surface of the base portion, thereby reducing intensity of forces of clenching. 
         [0009]    In another embodiment, a method of reducing the intensity of forces of bruxism resulting from grinding and/or clenching of teeth of a person subjected to bruxism is disclosed including providing an occlusal device having a base, the base having an upper portion that at least partially encloses at least some of the wearer&#39;s teeth. A spacer plate is affixed to an outer surface of the base in proximity of where the person&#39;s front teeth fit within the upper portion. Forming plates are removably affixed to an outer surface of the base in proximity of where the person&#39;s rear teeth fit within the upper portion. The method continues with preparing the occlusal device (e.g. heating or covering with impression material) then placing the occlusal device into the person&#39;s mouth. An impression is made when the person&#39;s upper teeth apply pressure to the teeth interface surface through the base, the spacer plate and the forming plates to the person&#39;s bottom teeth (or lower teeth to the upper teeth). Next, the occlusal device is removed from the person&#39;s mouth and the forming plates are removed from the outer surface of the base. The occlusal device is replaced into the person&#39;s mouth when needed to reduce the intensity of forces of clenching. 
         [0010]    In another embodiment, an occlusal device is disclosed. The occlusal device is for suppressing of the intensity of forces of bruxism resulting from grinding and/or clenching of teeth of a person subjected to bruxism. The occlusal device includes an area or base portion for capturing a set of teeth of the person (upper or lower set). The base portion has a surface for interfacing with either an upper set of teeth and an opposing outer surface. Members for forming an impression is temporarily affixed to the outer surface in the locality of where the rear teeth interface with the teeth interface surface. A member for spacing is affixed to the outer surface in the locality of where the front teeth interface with the teeth interface surface. After the member for forming is removed from the outer surface of the base portion; a gap results between the bottom back teeth and the outer surface of the base portion, thereby reducing contact between the back teeth and reducing intensity of forces of clenching. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    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: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  illustrates a front perspective view of a mouthpiece with removable forming plates. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  illustrates a top view of the mouthpiece. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  illustrates a bottom view of the mouthpiece with removable forming plates. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  illustrates a cut-away view along lines  4 - 4  of the mouthpiece with removable forming plates. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  illustrates a cut-away view along lines  5 - 5  of the mouthpiece with removable forming plates showing spacer plates. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  illustrates a cut-away view along lines  4 - 4  of the mouthpiece with removable forming plates showing optional impression material. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6A  illustrates a cut-away view along lines  4 - 4  of the mouthpiece with removable forming plates showing alternate impression material. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  illustrates a top view of the mouthpiece with removable forming plates showing impressions left in the mouthpiece material. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments, 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. Throughout this description, upper teeth refer to the upper teeth currently possessed by the patient/user. Likewise, lower teeth refer to the set of lower teeth currently possessed by the patient/user. Front teeth generally include the incisors and optionally the eye teeth while back teeth generally include one or more of the bicuspids and molars. It is not critical as to which set of teeth are in the front set and which set of teeth are in the rear set or how many teeth are in each set as long as the front set includes at least one of the incisors and the rear set includes at least some of the molars or bicuspids. 
         [0021]    Although shown in all figures as facing upward as to interface with the upper teeth, it is anticipated that the occlusal device as describe be interfaced to the lower teeth instead of the upper teeth. It is preferred, though not required, that the upper teeth are interfaced with the occlusal device to reduce interference with the wearer&#39;s tongue. 
         [0022]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a front perspective view of an occlusal device (mouthpiece)  10  with removable forming plates  20 / 22  is shown. It is desired to suppress the intensity of forces of bruxism by reducing grinding and clenching of the wearer&#39;s teeth. To do such, the occlusal device (mouthpiece)  10  reduces or prevents direct contact between the upper and lower teeth and provides separation of the rear upper teeth from the rear lower teeth to reduce clenching force that often affects the Temporomandibular joint. It is also desired to provide a trough or partial trough  12 / 13 / 14  that conforms to the user&#39;s teeth to improve comfort and reduce movement of the occlusal device (mouthpiece)  10  when in use, usually during sleep. Is should be noted that, although a trough  12 / 13 / 14  is preferred, in some embodiments, the inner wall  14  and/or outer wall  12  is eliminated or shortened to any height. 
         [0023]    Prior mouthpieces provided a cushion of rubber or plastic material between the upper rear teeth and lower rear teeth. This material does not prevent a clenching force to be asserted between the upper rear teeth and lower rear teeth. It is known that the upper rear teeth and lower rear teeth are capable of a greater force than the front teeth. To improve upon this, the occlusal device (mouthpiece)  10  maintains the upper front teeth at a distance from the lower front teeth (e.g. incisors), thereby keeping the upper rear teeth from contacting the lower rear teeth, and therefore, reducing force against the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This keeps the jaw closing muscles from fully contracting. Less force is exerted due to the fact that the rear teeth (e.g. molars) which are capable of exerting a greater amount of force than the front teeth (e.g. incisors) are spaced apart. It is estimated that the front teeth are capable of exerting only around 30% of the clenching force compared to the capabilities of the rear teeth. 
         [0024]    In the preferred embodiment, the occlusal device (mouthpiece)  10  conforms to a wearer&#39;s teeth by way of an impression is made on/on the surface of the bite portion  13  of the mouthpiece  10  either by heating the mouthpiece or by applying an impression material  25  (see  FIG. 6 ) onto the surface of the bite portion  13 . In the heating method, heating softens the thermal material of which the mouthpiece bite portion  13  is comprised or of which the mouthpiece bite layer  15  (see  FIG. 6A ) is comprised. Next, the mouthpiece  10  is placed in the wearer&#39;s mouth and the wearer&#39;s, for example, upper, teeth contact with the bite surface  13  or bite layer  15 , which has been heated or covered with impression material  25 . Next, pressure is applied by the wearer by closing their teeth until the bite surface/walls  12 / 13 / 14  cool, the bite layer  15  cools or until the thermal impression material  15 / 25  hardens thereby maintaining the form of the wearer&#39;s teeth. To permit such pressure to be applied, forming plates  20 / 22  (see also  FIG. 3 ) are removably attached to an outer surface of the bite portion  13  so that, after the impression is made, the forming plates  20 / 22  are removed by the user. The forming plates  20 / 22  are removed to reduce contact between the wearer&#39;s upper and lower rear teeth (e.g., posterior teeth), especially during sleep, thereby reducing the forces of clenching. Once the forming plates  20 / 22  are removed, the front teeth (e.g., anterior teeth) are held apart by the spacing plate  24 , thereby preventing the rear teeth (which have greater leverage/force) from contacting each other. 
         [0025]    The mouthpiece body  12 / 13 / 14  is made of a material such as rubber or plastic. Such material is comfortable to wear in one&#39;s mouth and remains stationary in the mouth. The mouthpiece body  12 / 13 / 14  is, in some embodiments, made from a stiff, resilient material. In embodiments having an outer wall  12 ; the outer wall  12  positions between the user&#39;s teeth (upper or lower) and the user&#39;s lips/cheeks. For thermal impressions, at least the bite portion  13  of the mouthpiece body  12 / 13 / 14  or the bite layer  15  (see  FIG. 6A ) is made from a thermal impression material, preferably rubber or plastic material that changes shape under pressure when heated and retains the new shape after cooling. It is preferred that the thermal impression material be moldable at a temperature above, for example, 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and harden at a lower temperature such as below 100 degrees Fahrenheit. In such, the thermal impression material softens in, for example, boiling water or a microwave oven and hardens when cooled to body temperature (e.g. 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit) in the user&#39;s mouth thereby creating an impression. In one embodiment, the thermal impression material remains soft at a temperature of around 110-115 degrees Fahrenheit and the mouthpiece  10  is heated to this temperature before being placed in the mouth. 
         [0026]    The removable forming plates  20 / 22  and the spacing plate  24  are preferably made of a stiff plastic or rubber material that does not significantly deform under pressure when the wearer applies force between his/her upper teeth and lower teeth. One exemplary forming plate  20 / 22  and spacing plate  24  material is acrylic plastic. In some embodiments, the spacing plate  24  is formed as an extension of the bite portion  13  while in the preferred embodiment, the spacing plate  24  is made of a different, harder material than the bite portion  13 . 
         [0027]    Any suitable materials are anticipated as known in the art of mouthpieces and dentistry. 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a top view of the mouthpiece  10  with removable forming plates  20 / 22  is shown. In this view, the body trough formed by the walls  12 / 14  and bite portion  13  is shown. The removable forming plates  20 / 22  and space  24  are not visible. It is anticipated that the walls  12 / 14  and bite portion  13  are made/molded as one part or separate parts, as known in the industry. The bite portion  13  has a teeth interface surface and an opposing outer surface. 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 , a bottom view of the mouthpiece  10  with removable forming plates  20 / 22  is shown. The removable forming plates  20 / 22  are removably attached to the outer surface of the bite portion  13  of the mouthpiece  10  in location of where the rear teeth rest and the spacing plate  24  is attached to the outer surface of the bite portion  13  in the location of where the front teeth rest. It is anticipated that in some embodiments, the removable forming plates  20 / 22  and the spacing plate  24  are made of a continuous material with break-off points  21 . In other embodiments, the removable forming plates  20 / 22  and the spacing plate  24  are made of distinct components, not bridged to each other. In embodiments in which the removable forming plates  20 / 22  are bridged to the spacing plate  24  by a bridge connection  21 , when the removable forming plates  20 / 22  are removed from the spacing plate  24 , the bridge connection  21  is broken by, for example, bending or twisting. 
         [0030]    The removable forming plates  20 / 22  are attached to the outer surface of the bite portion  13  in such a way as to provide removal from the outer surface of the bite portion  13  by the typical user while the spacing plate  24  remains attached to the outer surface. The spacing plate  24  is attached by more permanent structures/materials to reduce the chance that the user will detach the spacing plate  24  from the outer surface of the bite portion  13 . 
         [0031]    In the example of  FIGS. 4 ,  6  and  6 A, a preferred way of affixing removable forming plates  20 / 22  to the outer surface of the bite portion  13  is shown. In such, the forming plates  20 / 22  have protrusions  26  that fit snuggly in receptacles  27  of the outer surface of the bite portion  13 . The snug fit holds the protrusions  26  that fit snuggly in receptacles  27  by way of friction and/or suction. Any other shape of protrusions  26  and receptacle  27  is anticipated including rounded, square, etc. Other methods of attaching the removable forming plates  20 / 22  to the outer surface of the bite portion  13  are anticipated including fasteners, temporary adhesives, gum material, etc. 
         [0032]    Likewise, a preferred way of attaching the spacing plate  24  to the outer surface of the bite portion  13  is shown in  FIG. 5 . In this, the spacing plate  24  has one or more keystone-shaped domes  34  that fit within similar-shaped receptacles  32 . During manufacture, the domes  34  are pushed into the receptacles  32  and deform to fit, and then expand once inside, making it difficult to remove the domes  34  from the receptacles  32 . Any other shape of dome  34  and receptacle  32  is anticipated including rounded, etc. Other methods of attaching the spacing plate  24  to the outer surface of the bite portion  13  are anticipated including fasteners, ultrasonic welding, adhesives, etc. In some embodiments, the spacing plate  24  is made as part of the mouthpiece body  12 / 13 / 14  as one solid piece. 
         [0033]    Referring again to  FIG. 6 , the mouthpiece  10  with removable forming plates  20 / 22  having optional impression material  25  installed is shown. In this view, the protrusions  26  of the removable forming plates  20 / 22  interfaces with the receptacles  27 . In this example, the optional impression material  25  is spread upon the teeth interface surface of the bite portion  13  and is ready to accept, for example, the user&#39;s upper teeth. Some examples of impression material are waxes, polysulfide polymer, polymerizing/addition reaction silicones such as polyvinyl siloxanes or vinylpolysiloxanes, condensation curing silicones such as polysilixone, polysulfide (mercaptan thiokol rubber), reversible hydrocolloids (agar), irreversible hydrocolloids (alginate) and polyether. In some embodiments, it is preferred to include features on the base of the bite portion  13  and/or walls  12 / 14  for holding the impression material  25  after hardening (not shown) as known in the industry. 
         [0034]    Referring again to  FIG. 6A , the mouthpiece  10  with removable forming plates  20 / 22  having the bite layer  15  is shown. In this view, the protrusions  26  of the removable forming plates  20 / 22  interfaces with the receptacles  27  as in 
         [0035]      FIG. 6 . Instead of fabricating the mouthpiece body  12 / 13 / 14  from a thermal impression material, the mouthpiece body  12 / 13 / 14  is made from a plastic or rubber material that does not deform (significantly) when heated and, in this example, a bite layer  15  made of thermal impression material is affixed or bonded to the teeth interface surface of the bite portion  13 . The bite layer  15  interfaces with, for example, the user&#39;s upper teeth. When the mouthpiece  10  is heated, the bite layer  15  softens and deforms under pressure from the user&#39;s teeth, forming impressions  33  (see  FIG. 7 ). The user maintains the pressure until the bite layer  15  cools enough to harden, thereby retaining the impressions  33 . 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , a top view of the mouthpiece  10  with removable forming plates  20 / 22  showing impressions  33  left in the mouthpiece material is shown. After heating the mouthpiece  10 , biting down and allowing the mouthpiece  10  to cool while biting down, the teeth interfacing surface of the bite portion  13  or the bite layer  15  will retain impressions  33  of the user&#39;s teeth. Likewise, after placing impression material  25  over the teeth interfacing surface of the bite portion  13  of the mouthpiece  10 , biting down and allowing the impression material  25  to harden while biting down, the impression material  25  will likewise retain impressions  33  of the user&#39;s teeth. The impression  33  will hold better to the user&#39;s teeth and reduce movement of the mouthpiece  10 , thereby improving comfort, especially during sleep. 
         [0037]    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. 
         [0038]    It is believed that the system and method 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.