High performance mouthguard

Abstract

Described herein is a high performance mouthguard. Generally, the mouthguard includes a base that includes at least one facial wall, at least one lingual structure extending from the base such that the base, the facial wall, and the lingual structure define a trough having an inner surface, a heat-softenable material disposed in the inner surface, defining a channel, and at least one protrusion that includes a heat-softenable material projecting into the channel from the heat-softenable material disposed on the inner surface of at least one of the at least one facial wall and the at least one lingual structure.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 350,327, filed Jun. 1, 2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND [0002]A number of mouthguards currently exist in the art for protecting the teeth and for reducing the chance of shock, concussions, and other injuries as a result of high impact collisions and blows during athletic competition. Mouthguards generally are characterized as being non-personalized, universal and stock model type, or are formed to have direct upper jaw tooth-formed contact. These are customizable mouthguards.[0003]Additionally, the mouthguards may be tethered or untethered. Mouthguards may be tethered to a fastening point, such as a helmet or face guard, to prevent the chance of the mouthguard from being lost as well as to prevent swallowing of the mouthguard or choking on the mouthguard by the user.[0004]The lack of a mouthguard or the use of an i...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a mouthguard with a unique design. The mouthguard has a base with a facial wall and a lingual structure that creates a trough with an inner surface. The inner surface has a heat-softenable material that includes at least one protrusion that extends into the dental space between the user's teeth. This material allows for customization and flexibility when fitting the mouthguard to the user's dentition. The mouthguard is comfortable to wear and can help reduce the risk of injury during sports activities or other physical activities.

Problems solved by technology

The lack of a mouthguard or the use of an improperly fitted mouthguard have been found to be responsible for illnesses and / or injuries resulting from impacts, collisions, or blows that occur to the jaw structure of an athlete.

Such injured athletes are susceptible to headaches, presence of earaches, ringing in the ears, clogged ears, vertigo, concussions and dizziness.

In addition to protection of the teeth and the TMJ, athletes clench their teeth during exertion, which can result in hundreds of pounds of compressed force exerted from the lower jaw onto the upper jaw.

Such clenching can result in headaches, muscle spasms, damage to teeth, injury to the TMJ, and pain in the jaw.

Furthermore, clenching of the teeth makes breathing more difficult during physical exercise.

Most importantly, many problems exist with prior mouthguards.

Mouthguards with a rigid labial or buccal walls may not readily accept wide teeth, were bulky, and / or have sharp edges.

When the custom appliances were placed in hot water to soften for fitting, the mouthguards tended to collapse and permit portions to touch and stick together upon removal from the hot water, thus creating problems fitting such mouthguards.

Delamination and chewing destruction caused short life of the mouthguards.

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