Patent ID: 8667972

Claim:
A method of preparing a customized, neuromuscular mouthpiece for an athlete, the athlete having a mouth, an upper jaw with anterior and posterior teeth, a lower jaw with anterior and posterior teeth, and a temporomandibular joint movably connecting the upper and lower jaws, the method comprising the steps of: applying transcutaneous electric neural stimulation generally to the temporomandibular joint for a period of time to deprogram muscles associated with the temporomandibular joint; tracking movement of the lower jaw relative to the upper jaw, determining a desired position of the lower jaw relative to the upper jaw, and recording the desired position; and forming the mouthpiece including a pair of bite portions configured to substantially space apart and position the lower jaw relative to the upper jaw according to the desired position, each of the bite portions including an upper engagement surface facing the posterior teeth of the upper jaw and a lower engagement surface facing the posterior teeth of the lower jaw, the upper and lower engagement surfaces configured to engage the upper and lower posterior teeth, respectively, and substantially prevent movement of the lower jaw relative to the upper jaw, and a connecting portion connecting the bite portions within the mouth, the connecting portion extending labially along the anterior teeth and associated gum region of the lower jaw, the connecting portion sized and shaped to substantially lie out of the way so as to not impede speech of the athlete, wherein the step of tracking comprises taking at least one neuromuscular bite registration of the athlete while the lower jaw is in the desired position, and wherein the step of forming comprises: taking impressions of the anterior and posterior teeth of the upper and lower jaw; generating upper and lower molds from the impressions; mounting the upper and lower molds on an articulator; inserting the neuromuscular bite registration in the upper and lower molds to place the upper and lower molds in the desired position; removing the neuromuscular bite registration; applying material between the upper and lower molds while in the desired position to form the mouthpiece; and after the step of applying material, removing upper and lingual anterior portions of the mouthpiece.