Patent ID: 8371309

Claim:
A removable, tissue-borne intraoral apparatus for relieving upper airway disorders, the apparatus comprising, in combination: a) supports comprising: i) a pair of lingual shields for engaging the inferior portion of the tongue and advancing the mandible, wherein the surfaces of the lingual shields engaged by the tongue are polished and concave and the edges are rounded, for directing the tongue to the upper surface of the lingual shields; ii) a palatal wafer for engaging the hard palate and controlling the tongue position, wherein the palatal wafer has a sloped configuration and allows the tongue to maintain contact with the anterior palatal ridge of the hard palate; iii) a pair of lip pads for engaging the mental-labial fold; and iv) a pair of buccal shields for engaging the interior surfaces of the cheeks; and b) reinforcement members anchored in the supports for interconnecting and reinforcing the supports, wherein wearing of the apparatus alters the position, configuration and freedom of movement of the tongue, the muscles of mastication, and the pharyngeal and facial muscles to reduce airflow resistance and alleviate upper airway disorders.