Dental mouthpiece

Abstract

A dental oral piece is provided that can be attached to a high suction dental adapter for use in aiding dental staff during dental procedures through chair-side hands-free suction and isolation. Such an oral piece can include a body portion, a cheek retractor portion, and a suction connector portion. In one embodiment, the body portion, cheek retractor portion, and suction connector portion can be molded as a single piece, preferably by injection molding. The body portion has an anterior wall located interior to a curve and a posterior wall located exterior to the curve, and at least one connector connecting the anterior wall and the posterior wall. The body portion has an anterior medial wall and a posterior medial wall between the anterior wall and the posterior wall. The anterior medial wall and the posterior medial wall have alternating peaks and valleys.

Description

[0001] Cross Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62 / 846,353, filed May 10, 2019, entitled “Dental Oral Piece,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention relates generally to the field of dental oral pieces. More particularly, the present invention relates to intraoral dental suction and isolation oral pieces. BACKGROUND

[0004] Dental health professionals, dental health practitioners, and dental assistants currently use various oral pieces in the field of dentistry. In the past, dental patients were treated by a traditional two-person team including one dental professional and one dental assistant. In addition, the team can use many different types of dental equipment and materials to provide dental treatment. Such dental equipment and materials can include items such as intraoral mirrors, bite blocks, low-speed suction jets, high-speed suction jets, gauze, cotton rolls, and saliva ejector pieces. Each item of dental equipment can be used for different purposes, although some can be used in conjunction for certain types of dental services. Thus, a dental professional seeking to provide such dental services can need to use multiple items of such dental equipment. Accordingly, an important role of the dental assistant is to assist the dental professional in coordinating the use of multiple items of such different equipment and materials.

[0005] Accordingly, there is a need in the art for improved systems and methods of providing dental services to dental patients in a more efficient, comfortable, and safe manner. SUMMARY

[0006] An embodiment of a dental oral piece formed in a curve is disclosed. Such an oral piece can include a body portion having a first end and a second end, a suction connector portion connected to the body portion at the first end, and a buccal retractor portion connected to the body portion at the second end.

[0007] In some embodiments, the body portion, the suction connector portion, and the buccal retractor portion can be molded as a single piece, preferably by injection molding. In exemplary embodiments, the oral piece can be made of a flexible, translucent, injection-moldable, high-heat resistant, and autoclavable material. Such a material can include silicone. Because the oral piece can be made of a high-heat resistant and autoclavable material, such an oral piece can be reused.

[0008] The body portion can include a front wall interior to the curve and a back wall exterior to the curve. The front wall and the back wall can define an interior space within which the at least one connector connects the front wall to the back wall. At least one front medial wall extends partially from the front wall toward the back wall, and at least one back medial wall extends partially from the back wall toward the front wall. The front medial wall and the back medial wall each have alternating peaks and valleys. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 is a top view of a dental mouthpiece;

[0010] Figure 2 is Figure 1 is an isometric view of the dental mouthpiece shown in

[0011] Figure 3 is Figure 1 is a back view of the dental mouthpiece shown in

[0012] Figure 4 is Figure 1 is a bottom view of the dental mouthpiece shown in

[0013] Figure 5 is Figure 1 is a coronal top cross-sectional view of the dental mouthpiece shown in

[0014] Figure 6 is Figure 1 is a side view of the dental mouthpiece shown in

[0015] Figure 7 is Figure 1 is a side view of the dental mouthpiece shown in, with the front wall of the mouthpiece pulled away from the back wall of the mouthpiece;

[0016] Figure 8 is Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the dental mouthpiece shown in, at the intersection of the suction connector and the body;

[0017] Figure 9 is Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the dental mouthpiece shown in, at the intersection of the suction connector and the body.

[0018] Figure 10 is a dental mouthpiece embodiment having a wall connector Figure 1 is a longitudinal section view of the dental mouthpiece embodiment shown in.

[0019] Figure 11 is a dental mouthpiece embodiment having a columnar connector Figure 1 is a longitudinal section view of the dental mouthpiece embodiment shown in. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Embodiments of the present invention can include an oral piece that can be attached to a high suction dental adapter for assisting dental staff during dental procedures with chair-side hands-free suction and isolation. Such an oral piece can include a body portion, a cheek retractor portion, a suction connector portion, a stabilizing bar, and a bite block. In some embodiments, any combination of the body portion, the cheek retractor portion, the suction connector portion, the stabilizing bar, and the bite block (and sub-portions thereof) can be molded as a single piece, preferably by injection molding. In exemplary embodiments, the oral piece can be made of a flexible, elastic, at least translucent, and injection-molding-advantageous material. Such a material can include a thermoplastic elastomer as known in the art.

[0021] Figure 1 is a top view of a dental oral piece. The dental oral piece 100 includes a body portion 102 having a first end 104 and a second end 106 opposite the first end 104. A longitudinal axis 103 can extend from the first end 104 to the second end 106. In the illustrated embodiment, a suction connector portion 108 can be coupled to the first end 104, and a cheek retractor portion 110 can be coupled to the second end 106, although in other examples, the oral piece 100 can not have the suction connector portion 108 and / or the cheek retractor portion 110. A bite block 101 can also be integrated to the suction connector portion 108 near the first end 104 of the body portion 102, although the bite block 101 can be located anywhere on the suction connector portion 108.

[0022] The body portion can include a neck 120 extending from the second end 106 to the cheek retractor portion 110. A width 122 of the neck 120 can be less than a width of the body portion 102, a width of the cheek retractor portion 110, and / or a width of the suction connector portion 108, although in other examples, the width 122 can be greater than the width of the body portion 102, the cheek retractor portion 110, and / or the suction connector portion 108.

[0023] In the illustrated embodiment, the suction connector portion 108, the cheek retractor portion 110, the bite block 101, and the body portion 102 are configured as a single piece, although in other examples, each of the suction connector portion 108, the cheek retractor portion 110, the bite block 101, and / or the body portion 102 can be a separate piece. For example, in some embodiments, the body portion 102, the cheek retractor portion 110, and the suction connector portion 108 (and sub-portions thereof) can be molded as a single piece, preferably by injection molding, and the bite block 101 can be a separate piece that can be attached to the suction connector portion 108. In exemplary embodiments, the oral piece 100 can be made of a flexible, elastic, translucent, and injection-molding-advantageous material. Such a material can include a thermoplastic elastomer.

[0024] Figure 2 is Figure 1 an isometric view of a dental oral piece as shown. As shown, the body portion 102 can be a curved shape. Because the oral piece 100 is made of a flexible and elastic material, such as a thermoplastic elastomer, the oral piece 100 can bend to conform to the shape of the oral cavity when placed in the oral cavity of a patient. When properly positioned, the suction connector portion 108 can protrude from one side of the patient’s oral cavity, while the body portion 102 rests against the back of the patient’s oral cavity, and the cheek retractor portion 110 presses against the patient’s cheeks on the opposite side of the patient’s oral cavity. Figure 2 The cheek retractor portion 110 can be configured to press against the patient’s cheeks on the side of the patient’s oral cavity opposite the side from which the suction connector portion 108 extends and to draw the cheeks away from the patient’s teeth. The flexibility of the material used to form the oral piece 100 allows for some bending when placed in the patient’s oral cavity, but the elasticity of the material further allows the oral piece 100 to exert pressure on a portion of the patient’s oral cavity when the oral piece 100 is released from the bend. The material has sufficient elasticity, for example, to allow the cheek retractor portion 110 to press against the inside of the patient’s cheeks with a pressure sufficient to draw the cheeks away from the patient’s teeth. The cheek retractor portion 110 is illustrated as a hammerhead distal end region, which can be attached to the body portion 102. The cheek retractor portion 110 can be solid in some examples, but can be hollow in other examples.

[0025] The body portion 102 can include a front wall 112 located on the interior of the curve and a back wall 114 located on the exterior of the curve (see also

[0026] ). The front wall 112 can face the front of the patient’s oral cavity, and the back wall 114 can face the back of the patient’s oral cavity. The front wall 112 and the back wall 114 of the body portion 102 can be configured parallel to each other. The defining shape of the front wall 112 can correspond to the defining shape of the back wall 114, although in other examples, the front wall 112 can be a different shape than the back wall 114. The defining shape can be wider at the first end 104 and narrower at the second end 106. In some embodiments, the shape corresponds to a shield shape, although the shape can be, for example, a square, a straight arrow, a rectangle, a star, an oval, a circle, or a shape that generally conforms to the shape of the interior of the patient’s oral cavity. Different sizes of oral pieces can be provided for different sizes of oral cavities for adults and children. The shape at the first end 104 can be formed with a thicker wall than the rest of the body portion 102. This thickening can provide additional stability at the first end 104. When positioned within the patient’s oral cavity, the front wall 112 and the back wall 114 are capable of obstructing the patient’s airway, while the bite block 101 is positioned between the patient’s teeth, the suction connector portion 108 extends from one side of the patient’s oral cavity, and the cheek retractor portion 110 presses against the cheeks on the opposite side of the patient’s oral cavity. Figure 4

[0027] ​The main body portion 102 may also include an opening 140 located on the anterior wall 112 and / or the rear wall 114. This opening 140 (e.g., a perforation, slit, orifice, etc.) allows air, fluid, and small debris to be aspirated from the patient's mouth and drawn into the internal space 126, towards the suction source, into the suction connector portion 108. The opening 140 may be located on the periphery of the shape of the anterior wall 112 and / or the rear wall 114. In the same example, the opening 140 may be located on either side of the neck 120 on the anterior wall 112 and / or the rear wall 114. In another example, the opening 140 is a hole. In the same example, each hole is the same size, although in other examples, some or all of the holes may be different sizes.

[0028] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 The rear view of the dental dental component shown. (As shown) Figure 3 As shown, the suction connector portion 108 may be elliptical and is also attached to the body portion 102. The suction connector portion 108 may be formed with walls thicker than the body portion 102 and is configured to attach to a high-suction vacuum connector, facilitating the transfer of water, saliva, and debris from the internal space 126 to the external connector for removal. The suction connector portion 108 may also include an internal stop to help slide the oral cavity piece onto the connector to the desired depth.

[0029] Figure 3 The upper wall 116 can be used here to refer to the side that rests against the roof of the patient's mouth when placed in the patient's oral cavity, and the lower wall 118 can be used to refer to the side that rests against the floor of the patient's oral cavity. The upper wall 116 and the lower wall 118 can be formed identically, which allows the oral cavity component to change orientation, such that the upper wall 116 can behave as the lower wall 118 in the new orientation, and vice versa. When in use, the upper wall 116 and the lower wall 118 of the main body can be used to protect and separate the roof of the oral cavity and the floor of the oral cavity / tongue. In addition, the main body can also be used to protect the posterior part of the oral cavity (e.g., the pharynx and airway) from falling debris.

[0030] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 The image shows a bottom view of a dental dental component. The front wall 112 and rear wall 114 can be connected to each other via at least one connector 124. In some embodiments, the suction connector portion 108 may have a notch 142 (e.g., it may be shaped as a mark, rectangular notch, square notch, or round notch, or any shape notch) to provide additional interlocking with a corresponding protrusion on an external high-suction vacuum connector (e.g., it may also be shaped as a mark, rectangular protrusion, square protrusion, or round protrusion, or any shape protrusion).

[0031] The bite block 101 can be reinforced through bite block openings 141 to create a cavity in the bite block to create a more stable bite block. In one embodiment, the bite block openings 141 can be two parallel rectangular openings that are open at the bottom of the bite block. The bite block openings 141 can extend to the suction connector portion 108, but not beyond the thickness of the suction connector portion 108.

[0032] Figure 5 is Figure 1 a coronal top cross-sectional view of the dental mouthpiece. The body portion 102 can include a bridge structure 136 protruding from the interior surface 135 of the rear wall 114, as shown in Figure 5 , and also visible in Figure 7 and 8 . In some embodiments, the bridge structure 136 can follow the shape of a logo, such as an arrow or a shield. The bridge structure can have a gap at the tip of the arrow shape, creating an open arc instead of a point of the arrow. In some embodiments, the bridge structure 136 can be centrally located in the body portion of the mouthpiece 100. In some examples, such a bridge structure 136 can have a wave shape of bridge peaks 137 and bridge valleys 138 protruding from the interior surface 135. In other embodiments, the bridge structure 136 can protrude in a battlement or ladder shape. The bridge peaks 137 provide multiple points of contact that are generally separated from the front wall 112. As shown in Figure 7 and 8 , the bridge peaks 137 near the opening 146 of the suction connector portion 108 can have a greater height than the bridge peaks 137 further away from the opening 146. The bridge peaks 137 near the opening 146 of the suction connector portion 108 can also be longer than the bridge peaks 137 further away from the suction connector portion 108, as shown later in Figure 8 . The bridge valleys 138 can be substantially flush or extend above the interior surface 135. The bridge peaks 137 contact the front wall 112 during suction to keep the front wall 112 spaced apart from the rear wall 114 during suction, preventing the front wall 112 or the rear wall 114 from collapsing into the interior space 126 so that debris and / or water can be evacuated through the interior space 126. Meanwhile, the bridge valleys 138 provide gaps that allow air, fluid, and small debris to be suctioned through the bridge structure 136. In other examples, the bridge structure 136 can be smooth, can include pointed peaks and valleys, rounded peaks and valleys, square peaks and valleys, or a shape or combination of shapes of peaks and valleys.

[0033] The body portion 102 can also include a stabilizing bar 143, as shown in Figure 5 , also visible in Figure 7The stabilizing bar 143 can protrude from the interior surface 135 of the rear wall 114 along the longitudinal axis 103. In an embodiment, the stabilizing bar 143 begins from the open arc of the bridge structure 136 and continues along the longitudinal axis 103 toward the second end 106, past the neck 120, and ends before reaching the cheek retractor portion 110. The stabilizing bar 143 can protrude from the interior surface 135 of the rear wall 114 toward the interior surface 113 of the front wall 112. The stabilizing bar 143 can have any height from the height of the interior space 126 or any range of heights less than the interior space 126. In an embodiment, the stabilizing bar 143 can have a connector 124 attached at a particular location, which can attach the front wall 112 to the rear wall 114. The connector 124 on the stabilizing bar 143 can aid in the retraction, stabilization, support, and bending of the mouthpiece 100 during the suction process. In an exemplary embodiment, there can be multiple connectors 124 aligned with the stabilizing bar 143, although in other examples, the stabilizing bar 143 can not be aligned with at least one connector 124.

[0034] Figure 6 is Figure 1 A side view of a dental mouthpiece is shown. Figure 6 A lower side view is shown resting against the bottom of a patient's mouth. The front wall 112 and the rear wall 114 are spaced apart from each other and define an interior space 126. The interior space 126 is generally open and unobstructed, except for the at least one connector 124, the stabilizing bar 143, and the bridge structure 136, allowing suction flow through the entire interior space 126. The interior space 126 between the front wall 112 and the rear wall 114 generally follows the same defined shape of the front wall 112 and the rear wall 114. In an example, the interior space 126 extends through the neck 120, although in other examples, the interior space 126 can not extend through the neck 120. In other examples, the interior space 126 extends through the neck 120 and into the cheek retractor portion.

[0035] At least one front intermediate wall 127 can extend partially from at least one edge 128 of the front wall 112 toward the rear wall 114 and can have a thickness that extends from the at least one edge 128 to a midpoint between the front wall 112 and the rear wall 114. Thus, the span of such a front intermediate wall 127 can not extend the entire distance between the front wall 112 and the rear wall 114. The thickness of such a front intermediate wall 127 can increase from the buccal retractor portion 110, through the neck 120, and to the first end 104. This increased depth can provide increased rigidity at the first end 104. In some embodiments, such a front intermediate wall 127 can be further ridged, or have smooth edges in other embodiments. In an example, the front intermediate wall 127 includes alternating peaks 130 and valleys 132. In the illustrated embodiment, the peaks 130 are flat surfaces and the valleys 132 are cylindrical cutout surfaces, although the peaks 130 and valleys 132 can be any shape. In some examples, the peaks 130 and valleys 132 extend the entire depth of the front intermediate wall 127, although in other examples, the peaks 130 and / or valleys 132 can extend partially along the front intermediate wall 127. The peaks 130 and valleys 132 can provide further retraction, stabilization, support, and flexion to the mouthpiece 100.

[0036] The rear wall 114 can have a corresponding at least one rear intermediate wall 134 that extends from at least one edge 133 of the rear wall 114 and partially toward the front wall 112. The rear intermediate wall 134 can likewise exhibit the same, mirrored, or different ridges as the front intermediate wall 127. In an example, the ridges of the front intermediate wall 127 can be aligned with the ridges of the rear intermediate wall 134, as shown. Figure 6 In combination, the front intermediate wall 127 and the rear intermediate wall 134, and their respective aligned ridges, can form an open mesh between the front wall 112 and the rear wall 114. This open mesh can extend from the first end 104 to the second end 106 along the edges 128, 133 of the front wall 112 and the rear wall 114. The open mesh between the front intermediate wall 127 and the rear intermediate wall 134 allows for the suction of air, fluids, and small debris from the patient’s mouth, through the mesh into the interior space 126, and toward the suction connector portion 108.

[0037] The front intermediate wall 127 can join with the rear intermediate wall 134 at the upper wall 116 and the lower wall 118 near the suction connector portion 108 of the body at the first end 104. The front intermediate wall 127 can also join with the rear intermediate wall 134 at the upper wall 116 and the lower wall 118 near the buccal retractor portion 110 at the second end 106. In some embodiments, the front intermediate wall 127 can join with the rear intermediate wall 134 at the buccal retractor portion 110.

[0038] Figure 7 is Figure 1A side view of the dental mouthpiece is shown with the front wall of the mouthpiece pulled away from the back wall of the mouthpiece. At least one connector 124 can span the distance between the front wall 112 and the back wall 114 within the interior space 126. In other words, the connector 124 can be attached to the interior surface 135 of the back wall 114 and the interior surface 113 of the front wall 112. The at least one connector 124 can provide structural rigidity to the mouthpiece 100 and can be a strut, a column, a wall, or the like. In the example shown, the at least one connector 124 includes three connectors, each of which is in the shape of a strut and linearly spaced apart from one another.

[0039] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the dental mouthpiece in Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the dental mouthpiece is shown. The bridge peak 137 proximate the opening 146 of the suction connector portion 108 can have a greater height than the bridge peak 137 distal from the opening 146. The bridge peak 137 proximate the opening 146 of the suction connector portion 108 can also be longer than the bridge peak 137 distal from the suction connector portion 108.

[0040] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the dental mouthpiece in Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the dental mouthpiece is shown. Figure 9 The location where the suction connector is attached to the main body is shown. As Figure 9 As can be seen in, the suction connector portion 108 can be elliptical in shape and also seamlessly transitions to the main body portion 102 until the main body reaches the bridge structure 136, at which point the bridge peak 137 and the bridge valley 138 can partially obstruct the opening of the main body portion 102 proximate the suction connector portion 108. The bite block 101 is attached on the outside of the suction connector portion 108 such that the bite block does not interrupt the opening of the suction connector portion 108.

[0041] The suction connector portion 108 can include an opening 146 (also shown in Figure 5 ) that leads to the interior space 126 of the main body portion 102 to allow fluid communication between the interior space 126 and the suction connector portion 108. At least one suction connector portion wall 144 can extend from the front wall 112 to the back wall 114 proximate the opening 146 of the suction connector portion 108 to prevent the front wall 112 and the back wall 114 from collapsing during suctioning. The at least one suction connector portion wall 144 includes a pair of walls on either side of the opening 146 of the suction connector portion 108.

[0042] The bite block 101 can include a bite block peak 147 and a bite block valley 148 on either side of the bite block to create greater traction and support for the bite block. In one embodiment, the bite block peak 147 and the bite block valley 148 can form a sawtooth or wave shape on either side of the bite block, although the bite block peak 147 and the bite block valley 148 can be any shape.

[0043] Figure 10 is a dental oral piece with a wall connector Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a dental oral piece embodiment is shown. In this embodiment, the connector 124 connects the front wall 112 with the back wall 114 as a solid wall at the longitudinal axis 103. The connector 124 extends from the neck 120 at the second end 106 along the longitudinal axis 103 away from the buccal retractor portion 110 toward the first end 104 a distance and stops near the opening of the bridge structure 136 around the midpoint of the body portion 102. In other embodiments, the connector 124 can extend along the longitudinal axis 103 and stop anywhere within the interior space 126 of the body portion.

[0044] Figure 11 is a dental oral piece with a post connector Figure 1 A longitudinal cross-sectional view of a dental oral piece embodiment is shown. In this embodiment, the connector 124 connects the front wall 112 with the back wall 114 as three evenly spaced cylindrical pillars in line with the stabilizing post 143. The first connector is located in the body portion 102, the second connector is located near the neck 120, and the third connector is located near the buccal retractor portion 110. The linear spacing of the three connectors can provide additional rigidity to the neck 120 while maintaining the narrow width 122 of the neck 120. In other examples, such connectors 124 can be located in areas where the positioned oral piece 100 begins to wrap from one side of the oral cavity to the back of the oral cavity and then to the other side of the oral cavity to assist in shaping the oral piece 100 to the approximate intraoral shape of the patient’s oral cavity. In other examples, the at least one connector 124 can include one connector, two connectors, or more than two connectors, and each connector can be located anywhere on the oral piece 100. In an example, the at least one connector 124 is a rib that extends from the body portion 102, through the neck 120, and to the buccal retractor portion 110.

[0045] The oral pieces described herein can be used with a single-piece, autoclavable, high suction vacuum tip. Such a high suction vacuum body tip can be made of a single homogenous material. Having a single post design, such a vacuum tip can function in the same manner as all current high suction vacuum aspirators and swallowers in controlling the removal of water, saliva, and debris from the oral cavity to an external vacuum source. The single post can be designed to control the removal of water, saliva, and debris from the at least partially enclosed body through a single large exhaust conduit within the suction connector portion.

[0046] While various embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. The descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the application to the particular forms described. Thus, the breadth and scope of the preferred embodiments should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that the above description is illustrative only and not limiting of the application. Rather, the scope of the application should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with their full scope of equivalents, and not with reference to the description, which is to be considered as illustrative only and non-restrictive thereof. In this regard, no single feature or combination of features should be considered essential to the application unless explicitly stated as such.

Claims

1. A dental component formed by a curve, the dental component comprising: The main body portion located at the center of the curve has a first end and a second end, and the main body portion has: The front wall inside the curve includes one or more edges. The rear wall outside the curve is positioned at a certain distance from the front wall, and the front and rear walls define an internal space corresponding to the distance between them. At least one connector, positioned along the longitudinal axis of the body portion and connecting the front wall to the rear wall within the internal space, while allowing the edge of the front wall to be pulled away from the rear wall, and At least one intermediate wall includes a span projecting from one or more edges of the front wall, wherein the span is defined by a ridged edge comprising a plurality of ridges extending at different distances, at least partially spanning the distance between the front and rear walls; A suction connector portion connected to a first end of the main body portion, the suction connector portion including a discharge conduit opening within the internal space of the main body portion; and The cheek retractor part is connected to the second end of the main body.

2. The oral cavity component according to claim 1, wherein, The at least one connector is a cylindrical support.

3. The oral cavity component according to claim 1, wherein, The at least one connector is a wall that spans longitudinally in the main body portion of the interior space.

4. The oral cavity component of claim 1 further includes a bridge structure comprising one or more protrusions projecting from the rear wall within the interior space, wherein the protrusions include spaced-apart peaks and valleys.

5. The oral cavity component according to claim 4, wherein, The protrusion near the suction connector portion has greater height and length.

6. The oral cavity component according to claim 4, wherein, The gaps between the peaks are provided by the valleys between the protrusions.

7. The oral cavity component according to claim 1, wherein, The plurality of ridges include alternating peaks and valleys, and wherein the alternating valleys include at least one semi-circular cut groove.

8. The oral cavity component according to claim 1, wherein, The at least one intermediate wall includes multiple portions having varying heights relative to the longitudinal axis of the oral cavity.

9. The oral cavity component according to claim 7, wherein, As the valley approaches the cheek retractor portion, the size of the valley of the plurality of ridges of the at least one intermediate wall decreases.

10. The oral cavity component of claim 1, further comprising a second intermediate wall, the second intermediate wall including a span projecting from one or more edges of the rear wall, wherein, The at least one intermediate wall and the second intermediate wall meet at the point where the suction connector portion meets the main body portion.

11. The oral cavity component according to claim 10, wherein, The at least one intermediate wall and the second intermediate wall meet at the point where the main body portion meets the cheek retractor portion.

12. The oral cavity component of claim 1, further comprising a bite block integrated into the suction connector portion, wherein, The bite block provides additional resistance to compression during the patient's biting.

13. The oral cavity component according to claim 1, wherein, The main body, suction connector, and cheek retractor are formed as a single piece by injection molding.

14. The oral cavity component according to claim 1, wherein, The material forming the main body, the suction connector, and the cheek puller is a flexible, translucent, heat-resistant, autoclaved silicone-based material.

15. The oral cavity component according to claim 1, wherein, The rear wall also includes a stabilizing bar that protrudes from the inner surface of the rear wall and along the longitudinal axis of the main body portion.

16. The oral cavity component according to claim 15, wherein, The at least one connector includes a plurality of evenly spaced connectors positioned along the stabilizer bar.

17. The oral cavity component according to claim 1, wherein, The suction connector portion includes a protruding cutout corresponding to the vacuum connector to provide an interlocking fit.

18. The oral cavity component according to claim 1, wherein, The suction connector portion is connected to a vacuum source, wherein activation of the vacuum source provides fluid suction from the internal space of the main body portion.

19. The oral cavity component according to claim 18, wherein, The activation of the vacuum source draws fluid from the outside of the main body into the interior space of the main body.

20. The oral cavity component according to claim 1, wherein, The cheek retractor portion includes a surface that applies pressure based on the elasticity of the cheek retractor portion.

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