Patent ID: 7658193

Claim:
An interocclusal appliance for fitting over maxillary teeth of a user, comprising: a polymeric material formed in a configuration generally of a dental arch having a bottom plan surface and a top surface, and having first and second end portions and a central portion together forming said dental arch, wherein the first end portion defines a first receiving portion for receiving at least one maxillary molar, and the second end portion defines a second receiving portion for receiving at least one maxillary molar, and said central portion has a slanted ledge sloped downwardly from a maximum material thickness where the ledge contacts the first and second receiving portions to a minimum material thickness at an apex of the dental arch, wherein upon heating the polymeric material to a temperature that is above its Vicat softening temperature, the receiving portions may be molded into cavities for receiving at least one maxillary molar, and said central portion may be shaped to conform to a portion of the user's palate behind one or more of the user's front teeth to form the interocclusal appliance; and wherein said interocclusal appliance formed from said polymeric material lacks substantial material in front of the user's front teeth.