Dental device with integrated fluidic reservoir and method for manufacturing said dental device

Abstract

The present invention is related to a dental device (1) intended to cover at least part of a teeth (2) and / or at least part of gums (3) or other surfaces of a mouth for repositioning or retaining said teeth (2) and optionally said gums (3) or other surfaces of the mouth, said dental device (1) comprising a channel (7) provided in a main body (31; 40, 42) of the dental device (1) and having at least one opening (4, 5) to the exterior. The present invention is also related to a method of manufacturing said dental device (1) by additive manufacturing and to methods for circulating a substance and / or saliva and oxygen through the dental device (1) in view of releasing said substance and / or saliva and oxygen inside the mouth.

Description

DENTAL DEVICE WITH INTEGRATED FLUIDIC RESERVOIRAND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SAID DENTAL DEVICEFIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention is related to a custom-made dental device used to cover at least part of the teeth, gums and other parts of the mouth of a user such as an aligner tray or a retainer tray, and similar. Said device has a main body with integrated micro and / or macro-fluidic channels and reservoirs which can contain one or multiple beneficial substances such as antibacterial liquid, fluoride, vitamins, flavor or other substances, as well as one or several openings to connect the reservoirs to the exterior of the dental device so that the substances can be delivered in the mouth of the user. The main body of the dental device is further adapted to be firmly connected to at least one tooth of the user, so that the user may open their buccal cavity while the dental device is being worn without any impact on the operation of the latter.

[0002] The present invention is also related to a method for manufacturing said dental device and to methods for circulating a substance and / or saliva and oxygen through the dental device.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Clear aligners as disclosed for example in document US 2022 / 0374119 A1 play a significant role in the dental industry, particularly in orthodontics and the treatment of teeth misalignment. They are advanced products that are almost invisible and are used for moderate or mild correction of orthodontic problems. As an alternative to traditional metal braces, clear aligners provide patients with a discreet and comfortable option for straightening their teeth. Usually, a set of 7-15 aligners is manufactured, each one being unique and contributing to an incremental movement of the teeth from the initial position to the final desired state. Each aligner is worn for about2 weeks and is then replaced with the subsequent aligner in the series. Classical aligners are made by 3D printing molds which represent the negative of the aligner, and then thermoforming sheet of polymer on top of them. Afterwards, the set of aligners is cut out from the sheet and postprocessed. This is somewhat limiting the geometry and the precision of the manufactured aligner since supplementary features are difficult to add.

[0004] One of the limitations of conventional aligners 1 as shown in Figure 1 is well known. Due to the geometry of the aligner 1 , the saliva and oxygen paths are obstructed and they cannot reach the teeth 2 or at least part of the gums 3. Saliva contains proteins, carbohydrates and immunoglobulins that interfere with bacterial metabolism and bacterial adherence to oral surface. Saliva is as well a solvent which controls the mouth odor. Thus, the reduced oxygen concentration and saliva content under the dental aligning device leads to increased bacteria buildup on the surface of patient’s teeth as well as on the aligner itself. Since they are worn for prolonged periods of time, their close contact with the teeth can lead to detrimental side effects like tooth decay, dental plaque accumulation, gums disease, odor and bad breath as well as other oral infections like abscesses. Since clear aligners are most often made out of polyurethane, it is not recommended by the manufacturers to clean or sterilize them under high temperature by the end-user, which makes their maintenance more difficult.

[0005] Attempts have been made to mitigate this problem, but they were mostly limited to adding an additional layer, foam or gel to the classical thermoformed aligner as described in documents EP 1318761 B1 and WO 2018 / 018098 A1.

[0006] Although such an approach can lead to a certain improvement, it has a limited duration since the gel / foam are directly placed on the aligner and are worn of in a short period of time. As well, they can have detrimental effects on the aligning function of the device, since they might hinder proper adherence of the device to the teeth or reduce the overall applied force.

[0007] In a slightly different area, buccal prostheses are known which include a reservoir intended to store a treatment to be delivered orally along a prolonged period of time. For instance, publication US 2022 / 0304786 A1 discloses a device for diffusing a product into a person's mouth, oral cavity, throat, and / or extra-thoracic region, including during sleep. More precisely, this device is aimed at passively delivering oral moisturizing products, medicines, or other treatments, including while the patient is sleeping. For that purpose, this publication proposes to build the corresponding delivering system "in tandem with" an existing prostheses like dentures or false teeth, or also as an anti-bruxism (teeth grinding) device or snore ameliorating device displacing the glottis. The delivering system includes a reservoir which may be in various shapes and may be formed with various materials. In general, this device may be made of two components: a mouthpiece to hold the device in position, and the reservoir. The reservoir may be adapted to incorporate a permeable material, such as a polyethylene or other foam, which may be saturated with a small amount of oral moisturizer. The permeable material may be disposable, and changed daily, or as needed. The reservoir itself may have two-part clamshell construction to offer a better access to clean it or to load the product, which may of course be particularly convenient, especially when such a device is supposed to be used for several years by its user.

[0008] It thus appears that the corresponding constructions are cumbersome and might be complex to design and assemble. Consequently, if they seem to be suitable to reach their intended goal, which is allowing the delivery of a product in the mouth of a user during their sleep, they are not suitable for implementation of an aligner or of a retainer, especially when considering that it is recommended that such devices should be maintained in place in the mouth of the user between 20 and 22 hours every day. The volumes of these prior constructions, and sometimes also the assembling joints or edges they may comprise, would make them uncomfortable for a daytime prolonged wear, when the user is active and may need to talk during wear.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention aims to provide a dental device for prolonged wear overcoming the drawbacks of the prior art. More particularly, the dental device according to the invention is adapted to fulfil a mechanical function comprising retaining at least one tooth, to play the role of a retainer, and / or at least partially correcting the position of at least one mispositioned tooth, to play the role of an aligner, while its main body is made as one monolithic structure including the reservoir and the channel. The expressions "reservoir" and “channel” are used here as generic terms and should not be interpreted as geometric limitations implying any type of shape or ratio concerning the dimensions of the corresponding cavity or the opening.

[0010] The channel may advantageously be coated or preferably filled, or partially filled with a beneficial fluid, such as an antibacterial agent, specific medication, fluoride, remineralization agents, vitamins, flavour or other substances. The channel and reservoir may be especially designed to slowly release said beneficial fluid onto the surface of the teeth or gums or more generally in the mouth during the use of the dental device.

[0011] The channel may advantageously comprise two or more openings facilitating the circulation of liquids and / or air through the dental device. In this case, the channel may only act as a saliva and oxygen pathway to the teeth and gums, the provision of an added beneficial fluid being optional.

[0012] It thus appears that the dental device according to the present invention fulfils a fluidic function on top of a first main mechanical function, thanks to at least one fully integrated channel and reservoir which are provided in its main body (or, more generally, one of its bodies), without any impact on its dimensions or on the way it fulfils its main mechanical function.

[0013] If a conventional aligner or retainer is simply coated on the surface, the active time of the coating is very limited. But by integrating fluidic channels and reservoirs in the aligner or retainer, this duration can be significantly increased, fine-tuned and even customized per customer requirements.Additionally, multiple channel paths with various inward / outward facing geometries can be designed to serve different functions. These include various drugs / medications, antibacterials, fluoride for enhanced teeth remineralization, vitamins, flavor releasing channels, simple oxygen / saliva pathways or others. Various substances can be used to treat different dental issues, for example:1 ) Drugs and antibacterial liquid would be used to treat gums inflammation, reduce bacteria buildup, reduce risk of tooth decay, and treat other problems.2) Fluoride could be added to the same or a parallel channel in order to increase the strength of the tooth enamel through remineralization. This could lead to a novel approach in tooth remineralization.3) Flavor would be used to remove the mouth odor and bad breath. The openings of these channels would preferably be facing the outer surface of the dental device and not the teeth. This would lead to significantly improved customer experience during the utilization of the dental device. These channels could be on purpose designed by adapting the size, shape, location and number of openings, such that when drinking water, it also passes through them and releases the flavor.4) Channels would also be used to pass saliva and oxygen to the teeth. The ability of the microfluidic channels to pass oxygen and saliva to the teeth not only improves the patient's oral hygiene but may also require less frequent cleaning of the aligner, which would lead to enhanced customer convenience. Less frequent aligner or retainer removal would also reduce the wear on the aligner or retainer and can increase its lifetime and effectiveness.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the main body of the dental device may comprise a custom-made body defining a wallhaving a general U-shaped cross-section and designed so as to be able to cover at least part of the user's lower or upper dentition.

[0015] In this case, the U-shaped cross-section of the wall may advantageously define an internal wall surface and an external wall surface, both also having essentially U-shaped cross-sections, where the exact shape of the internal wall surface is preferably at least partly based on the user dentition model so as to fit and contact at least part of the dentition of the user, and where the external wall surface is generally located at a predefined maximum distance to the internal wall surface, at least where no reservoir is located therebetween, the predefined maximum distance being less than 3 mm, preferably less than 2 mm.

[0016] Thanks to these additional features, the dental device is not too bulky and can still be somehow comfortable for the user, so that the latter can keep it in the mouth for long periods of time, for instance a few hours or even a few days.

[0017] Additionally, it may preferably be provided that the reservoir is arranged within the wall, between the internal wall surface and the external wall surface, the external wall surface being preferably located at a distance to the internal wall surface greater than the predefined maximum distance in the area of the reservoir.

[0018] Furthermore, it may be provided that at least one of the internal wall surface and the external wall surface is shaped and / or dimensioned in the area of the reservoir such that it can be deformed by the application of a pressure by the user, by means of their tongue and / or of at least one tooth and / or of an additional main body of the dental device adapted to cover at least part of the user's lower or upper dentition which is opposite to that which is covered by said the main body.

[0019] More specifically, when the reservoir is arranged in a facial or lingual area of the main body, the external wall surface may preferably beshaped and / or dimensioned in the area of the reservoir such that it can be deformed by the application of a pressure by the user, by means of the tongue and / or of at least one tooth and / or of an additional main body of the dental device adapted to cover at least part of the user's lower or upper dentition which is opposite to that which is covered by the main body.

[0020] In the case of a deformable reservoir, the dental device may advantageously comprise an additional main body of similar shape to that of the main body, and adapted to cover at least part of the user's lower or upper dentition which is opposite to that which is covered by the main body, where the additional main body may comprise an external wall surface including a pressuring part located so as to be able to apply a pressure on the reservoir and deform it when the user moves the lower and upper dentitions close to each other.

[0021] In general, the reservoir may have a length comprised between 5% and 90% of the length of the main body, preferably between 10% and 60%, more preferably between 10% and 40%.

[0022] According to particular embodiments of the invention, the dental device has one or several of the following features: the internal wall surface is provided with at least one groove adapted to define a fluidic flow gap between said internal wall surface and said lower or upper dentition; at least one groove is in fluidic communication with at least one opening; the internal wall surface is provided with at least one additional groove similar to said at least one groove; said at least one additional groove is in fluidic communication with said at least one groove; said grooves are substantially evenly distributed over the surface of the lower and / or upper dentition; the channel comprises two or more openings;the dental device comprises several channels provided in its main body, which are not in fluidic communication, each of said channels being connected to a reservoir defined within the main body of said dental device and at least one opening connecting said reservoir to the exterior of the main body; at least two channels are disposed with at least one opening of one channel configured to be oriented toward the mouth in opposite direction to the teeth and with at least one opening of another channel configured to be oriented toward the teeth; said at least one opening forms a connector or said at least one opening is provided with an external sacrificial connector to be removed after cleaning or filling, said connector or external sacrificial connector being designed to introduce a tool for cleaning the channel; the dental device comprises a reinforcement disposed in the channel and / or in the reservoir; the reinforcement comprises a permeable lattice or a structure with one or several semi-permeable walls, meshes or openings; the dental device comprises a one-way valve, cap or lid covering the at least one opening; the dental device comprises a plug or film covering the at least one opening, to be removed before or during use preferably by dissolution in saliva; at least the main body of the dental device is made up of polymer, preferably a shape memory polymer, more preferably a polymer chosen such that said the main body is transparent; at least one reservoir and / or said at least one channel are at least partly filled with a cured material having a higher Young's modulus than that of the polymer of the main body to locally raise the rigidity of said at least one main body;at least one edge of the main body is at least partly covered with a cured material having a higher Young's modulus than that of the polymer of the main body to locally raise the rigidity and the wear resistance of said at least one main body; the cured material can be obtained on the basis of a starting material chosen from the group comprising Epoxy resins, Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), Polyurethane Methacrylate (PUMA), Poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA), Poly(glycolide-co-£-caprolactone) (PGCL), Polycaprolactone (PCL) and Polyethylene glycol (PEG).

[0023] The invention also relates to a kit comprising the dental device and at least one plug or film intended to cover the at least one opening. Indeed, the dental device and the plug or film could be provided separately.

[0024] The dental device according to the invention can be advantageously manufactured by 3D printing, for example, by techniques such as SLA (Stereolithography), DLP (Digital Light Processing), LCD printing (Liquid Crystal Displayed FDM (Fused Deposition Modelling) techniques. With the recent advancements in the field of additive manufacturing, it is becoming possible to use a wide range of novel materials to manufacture parts with increasingly finer resolution and complex geometries in short times like the dental device according to the invention.

[0025] More specifically, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing the dental device as aforementioned, the method comprising a step of manufacturing the dental device with at least one cavity provided in the main body of said dental device by additive manufacturing. One or several channels might be provided with several openings, at least one opening of the, or of each, channel being manufactured during the additive manufacturing step or during a further step of micro-machining. Of course, it is also possible to provide that at least one opening of a channel is manufactured during the additive manufacturing step while at least one otheropening of the said channel is manufactured during the further step of micromachining.

[0026] According to a particular embodiment of the method, the dental device comprises several openings provided in one channel or several channels, at least one of the several openings being manufactured during the further step of micro-machining.

[0027] According to another particular embodiment of the manufacturing method, it may comprise additional steps consisting in at least partly filling at least one channel and / or at least one reservoir with a flowing material, before curing said material so as to change it to a solid state cured material, in which said cured material has a higher Young's modulus than that of said at least one main body.

[0028] The flowing material may advantageously be chosen from the group comprising Epoxy resins, Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), Polyurethane Methacrylate (PUMA), Poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA), Poly(glycolide-co-£- caprolactone) (PGCL), Polycaprolactone (PCL) and Polyethylene glycol (PEG).

[0029] The invention also relates to methods for circulating a substance and / or saliva and oxygen through the dental device in view of releasing said substance and / or saliva and oxygen inside the mouth.

[0030] More specifically, the invention relates to a method for circulating a substance in the dental device mounted inside the mouth for covering at least part of the teeth and optionally at least part of gums or other surfaces of the mouth, the method comprising before use a step of filling at least partially the cavity with the substance via the at least one opening and a step of releasing said substance inside the mouth through the at least one opening.

[0031] Said substance might be a non-therapeutic and non-prophylactic substance without any impact on the implementation of the present invention. For instance, in some cases one may provide that said substance exclusivelyfulfills the function of a carrier for at least one flavor, for merely providing a taste and / or an odor in the mouth of the user.

[0032] More specifically, the invention relates to a method for circulating saliva and oxygen in the dental device mounted inside the mouth for covering at least part of the teeth or at least part of gums or other surfaces of the mouth, said dental device comprising at least one opening acting as a channel inlet oriented in opposite direction to the teeth and at least one opening acting as a channel outlet oriented toward the teeth, said saliva and oxygen circulating between the channel inlet and the channel outlet to be released in the direction of the teeth.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0033] For sake of clarity, the teeth and the gums have not been represented in all figures.

[0034] Figure 1 represents a cross-sectional view of a conventional dental device of the prior art.

[0035] Figure 2 represents a cross-sectional view of a dental device with an integrated channel according to a first main embodiment of the invention.

[0036] Figures 3 to 8 represent cross-sectional views of a dental device with an integrated channel according to other variants of the first main embodiment of the invention.

[0037] Figure 9 represents three-dimensional views of a lattice structure which can be used as reinforcement in the dental device of Figure 8.

[0038] Figures 10 and 11 represent cross-sectional views of a dental device with an integrated channel and lattice structures according to other variants of the first main embodiment of the invention with said dental device covering the teeth and the gums.

[0039] Figure 12 represents a cross-sectional view of a dental device with an integrated channel according to another variant of the first mainembodiment of the invention including a sacrificial connector on a channel opening acting as an inlet.

[0040] Figure 13 represents a cross-sectional view of a dental device with an integrated channel according to another variant of the first main embodiment of the invention including an integrated one-way valve on a channel opening acting as an inlet and plugs and films on channel openings acting as outlets.

[0041] Figure 14 represents a cross-sectional view of a dental device with integrated reservoir and channel according to a second main embodiment of the invention.

[0042] Figures 15 and 16 represent similar top-down cross-sectional views of dental devices according to particular variants of the second main embodiment of the invention.

[0043] Figures 17, 18 and 19 represent similar schematic diagrams of dental devices according to additional particular variants of the second main embodiment of the invention.

[0044] Figures 20 to 23 represent similar top-down cross-sectional views of dental devices according to additional particular variants of the second main embodiment of the invention.

[0045] Figures 24 and 25 represent similar schematic diagrams of dental devices according to additional particular variants of the second main embodiment of the invention.

[0046] Figures 26a and 26b represent cross-sectional views of main bodies of a dental device with an integrated reservoir and channel according to a third main embodiment of the invention, respectively adapted for the lower dentition and for the upper dentition.

[0047] Figures 27, 28 and 29 represent schematic diagrams of variants of the dental device according to the third main embodiment of the invention.

[0048] Figure 30 represents a cross-sectional view of a dental device according to the third main embodiment of the invention.

[0049] Figure 31 represents a side view of a dental device similar to that of Figure 30.DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0050] The dental device according to the invention is designed to cover at least part of the teeth or at least part of the gums and / or other surfaces of the mouth for, according to a first main embodiment, repositioning (as an aligner) or retaining (as a retainer) said teeth and optionally said gums and / or other surfaces of the mouth, and possibly also treating teeth and optionally gums and / or other surfaces of the mouth.

[0051] Figures 1 to 13 relate to a first main embodiment of the dental device according to the present invention (the illustration of Figure 1 relating to a corresponding dental device of the prior art).

[0052] The dental device 1 according to the first main embodiment of the invention comprises at least one channel 7 comprising a cavity or reservoir 6 defined within the wall of the dental device 1 , and at least one opening 4, 5 connecting said inner cavity 6 with the exterior (see for example Figure 2). The cavity 6 may act as a reservoir for a beneficial fluid. The opening 4, 5 can be used as an inlet to introduce said beneficial fluid in the cavity 6. The opening 4, 5 may also allow a slow release of the fluid into the mouth when the dental device is worn by a user. A same opening can be used as inlet and outlet or at least two distinct openings can respectively be used as inlet, also called channel inlet with the reference number 4, and as outlet, also called channel outlet with the reference number 5.

[0053] The width W of the channel cavity 6 is limited here by the width of the wall of the dental device 1 , which is typically in the order of 1 mm, but can be also made thicker (2 or 3 mm) as long as it does not become too cumbersome to wear for a user. As far as aligners or retainers are concerned, the wall of the dental device 1 has a general U-shaped cross-section definingan internal wall surface and an external wall surface, wherein the exact shape of the internal wall surface is based on the user dentition model so as to fit and contact at least part of the dentition of the user. Thanks to these features, the internal wall surface may fulfil the function of an assembling organ to make it possible for the dental device 1 to be assembled to the dentition of the user without any additional (protruding) assembling organ.

[0054] Moreover, it might be advantageous to further provide that the external wall surface is generally located at a predefined maximum distance to the internal wall surface, this predefined maximum distance being less than 3 mm, preferably less than 2 mm. Thanks to this additional feature, the size of the dental device 1 can be kept reasonably small and the dental device 1 might be worn by the user for a prolonged period of time, at least a few hours, or even a few days.

[0055] Typically, the cavity width according to the first main embodiment of the invention will be lower than 1 mm, preferably between 50 and 500 micrometers. The dental device can comprise one, two, three, four or more channels which are not in fluidic communication, with each channel delivering a different substance or a same substance for a better control and localized delivery of the substance as illustrated hereafter. For each channel, the dental device can comprise one, two, three, four or more openings.

[0056] The size and number of the openings can be adapted to the nature of the beneficial fluid and to the intended use of the dental device. If the openings are too large and the beneficial fluid exhibits a relatively low viscosity and I or low surface tension, it may pour too rapidly out of the reservoir. If on the other hand the openings are too small, or too few, the circulation of the beneficial fluid, air or saliva may be hindered and be ineffective. Typically, the diameter of the openings with a circular cross section will be below 1 mm and can be as low as a few tens of micrometers. The openings can be provided as a plurality of micro-pores at the wall of the dental device, in communication with the cavity.

[0057] The openings can be configured to face the teeth, the gums or any other desired part of the mouth, the orientation of the openings being dependent on their role. One or more openings can form connectors to introduce a syringe or similar device, also called tool. The connector facilitates the rinsing and cleaning of the channel after production by connecting the syringe or similar device. As well, the connector can be used as an inlet for loading a substance in the cavity. The connector can be integrated by design to the dental device and form an elongated hole provided through the dental device to accommodate the syringe or similar device. In a variant, it can be a sacrificial connector connected at the channel opening and monolithically manufactured by 3D printing with the dental device. Such a sacrificial connector can be easily removed after playing its role of inlet by cutting it off from the main body of the aligner along a designed cut-off line.

[0058] Integrated elastic one-way valves, caps or lids at openings acting as channel inlet or outlet can be designed and manufactured. These valves allow the beneficial liquid to be poured in the channels during the manufacturing of the dental device, but afterwards prevent the release of the liquid through the channel inlets. In addition, or in a different variant, plugs or films can be used to temporarily plug the channel inlets or the channel outlets, and to be removed before use. These plugs and films can be dissolvable in saliva, and thus be dissolved briefly upon the start of the dental device’s use.

[0059] Before use, the substance fills at least partially the channel and could possibly only form a coating on the walls of the channel. In a variant, the channel is not filled with any substance before use, said channel being provided for the circulation of the saliva and oxygen to the teeth.

[0060] To increase the rigidity of the aligner or other similar dental device, reinforcement can be provided inside the channel. This allows to increase the ratio between the width of the channel and the thickness of the wall of the dental device without reducing the rigidity and mechanical properties of the device. The reinforcement can adopt different shapes. It may comprise oneor more reinforcement beams across the cavity, provided at key positions where the device wall is expected to be exposed to significant mechanical stress. Alternatively, or in addition, the reinforcement may comprise a permeable lattice within the cavity, defined for instance as an open-cell structure. Further geometries such as reinforcement walls with holes, meshes, and others might be used as well.

[0061] The dental device 1 is made up of polymeric material and can be manufactured by any techniques of 3D printing such as for example SLA, DLP, LCD and FDM techniques. For example, the polymeric material can be a biocompatible photocurable resin such as the commercially available Biomed Clear (Formlabs), Figure 4™ MED-AMB 10 (3D Systems), KeySplint Soft Classic (KeyStone), Dental Clear PRO (Harz Labs), DSG (LuxCreo) or others. The aligner could also be manufactured out of a rubber. In a preferred embodiment, said dental device is manufactured out of a shape memory polymer like the commercially available TC-85DAC (Graphy), Biocompatible Shape Memory resin (3Dresyns), Clear (ODS) or others. In this last case, the polymer can be activated at a predefined temperature so that the dental device retrieves its initial shape. This is advantageous since these devices may lose their original shape by normal wear or accidentally as a result of inadequate manipulation.

[0062] Regardless of the material, a 3D printing process can be used to create the dental device 1 according to the first main embodiment of the invention directly comprising the openings of the channels, defined in the 3D- printed design file. This has the advantage of the simplicity of a one-step fabrication process.

[0063] Alternatively, or in addition, some or all of the openings can be realized in a subsequent step of micro-machining. By micromachining we refer to any known technique suitable for producing small holes in the wall of the dental device, including for example: piercing, drilling or laser ablation. This approach has the advantage of enabling better control of the size andshape of micro-metric holes than could be achieved with the limited resolution of some 3D-printing machines.

[0064] In a preferred embodiment, the dental device 1 is transparent in color, but it could also be manufactured in various colors for esthetical purposes. Most of the time, users prefer aligners or retainers to be made of a transparent polymer to keep them discreet, as far as they are meant to be worn between 20 and 22 hours a day, in principle, which is doable when they are also kept small and comfortable like in the case of the present invention. Indeed, thanks to its limited volume, the dental device of the present invention even allows its user to talk without any need to remove the dental device. Similarly, the substances introduced in the reservoirs can be transparent or colored depending on the esthetical requirements.

[0065] Different embodiments of the dental device 1 according to the first main embodiment are represented in Figures 2 to 13.

[0066] In Figure 2, an embodiment of the dental device 1 with one integrated channel 7 is represented. The integrated channel 7 forms the reservoir 6 with a single opening 4, 5, which can be first used as inlet for filling the reservoir 6 with a beneficial substance, and then, during use, as outlet to deliver the beneficial substance to the teeth. In this example, the opening is defined on the side of the device wall which faces the teeth and gums when the device is worn. The beneficial fluid with a possible medical effect can be locally released in this region, the release being driven by simple diffusion through the opening 4,5.

[0067] In the example of Figure 3, the dental device 1 also comprises a single channel 7 provided with a cavity 6 defined within the wall of the dental device 1 . However, in this case, several openings 4, 5 communicate the cavity 6 with the exterior. In this example, the opening 4 can be used as an inlet to introduce a beneficial fluid in the cavity 6, whereas the openings 5, facing the teeth when the device is worn, can act as outlets releasing the beneficial fluid at the interface with the teeth and gums.

[0068] The device of Figure 3 may also be used without the addition of any substance. The channel 7 can be beneficial simply by allowing the circulation of air and saliva from the outer side of the dental device 1 to the inner side in contact with the teeth. For this application, it can be advantageous to provide additional openings 4 (not represented) on the outer surface of the dental device 1 to enhance the circulation of fluids.

[0069] In another embodiment as shown in Figure 4, the channel outlets 5 are facing the mouth in the opposite direction to the teeth. In such an embodiment the integrated channel would most likely be used for flavor containing substances.

[0070] In another embodiment as shown in Figure 5, the channel inlet 4 is integrated by design to the dental device 1 to form a connector 11 . This will facilitate the rinsing and cleaning of the integrated channel after production by connecting syringes and similar devices. As well, this integrated inlet is used for loading the substance in the reservoir.

[0071] Figure 6 shows a different embodiment where the dental device 1 covers at least some of the teeth 2 but also at least part or all of the gums 3 and other surfaces in the mouth. Such a dental device can be used to selectively bring medication or other beneficial substances to gums 3 or other parts of the mouth in order to treat other dental issues. Such a design of the dental device covering at least part of the gums can as well be applied to all the other embodiments of the invention.

[0072] In another embodiment as shown in Figure 7, the dental device 1 has multiple integrated channels 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d which are not in fluidic communication. These channels are designed to contain different beneficial substances, or for a better control and localized delivery of the same substance. For example, a first channel 7a has an inlet 4a, the reservoir 6a and mouth-facing outlets 5a, which would most likely be used for flavor containing substance. The second channel 7b has an inlet 4b, forming a connector 11 , the reservoir 6b and outlets 5b which are facing the teeth. Thischannel would most likely be used for antibacterial liquid, drugs, or fluoride. Other channels might be also included, such as the third and fourth channels 7c, 7d which are seen just as tubes in this cross section.

[0073] To increase the rigidity of the aligner or other similar dental device, a reinforcement 21 can be defined within the channel 7 as shown in Figure 8. The reinforcement 21 may comprise one or more reinforcement beams across the cavity 6, provided at key positions where the device wall is expected to be exposed to significant mechanical stress. Alternatively, or in addition, the reinforcement may comprise a permeable lattice within the cavity, defined for instance as an open-cell structure. Some examples of such open-cell structures which can be implemented as permeable reinforcement lattices 21 are shown in Figure 9. The reinforcement structures 21 , whether defined as beams or lattices, may be advantageously fabricated simultaneously and by means of the same additive manufacturing process as the rest of the dental device 1 .

[0074] In another embodiment shown in Figure 10, a dental device 1 with an integrated channel 7 and a reinforcement 21 is also covering at least part of the gums 3 and has channels outlets 5 facing zones of interest on the gums 3. Conveniently, the part of the dental device 1 in direct contact with the teeth 2 is provided with a reinforcement structure 21. This confers a degree of rigidity to the structure which may be needed to apply pressure on the teeth as required in orthodontic treatments. In contrast, the part of the dental device 1 in direct contact with the gums 3 can be designed with low rigidity, to reduce and distribute the pressure on the gums 3, increasing the comfort for the user and reducing the risk of damaging these sensitive parts.

[0075] In another embodiment shown in Figure 11 , a dental device 1 , covering teeth 2 and gums 3 on both sides has two channels 7a, 7b with respective inlets 4a, 4b, and reservoirs 6a, 6b. In this embodiment, reinforcements 21 with, for example, permeable lattices are used to reinforce the rigidity of the dental device 1 . Integrated channels 7a, 7b and their inlets4a, 4b are located on the opposite sides of the teeth 2, and in this particular case, the reservoir 6a of the channel 7a delivers beneficial substances to the gums 3 via outlets 5a, while the reservoir 6b of the channel 7b is oriented towards the teeth 2 via outlets 5b.

[0076] In order to fully benefit from the fact that the increase in complexity in additive manufacturing comes almost for free, but can bring a significant added value, in another embodiment shown in Figure 12, a sacrificial connector 8 is added to the dental device 1 . This has the same role as the integrated connector 11 described in Figure 5. The advantage of the sacrificial connector is that after the dental device has been cleaned and filled up with a beneficial substance, it can be easily removed by cutting / breaking it off along a cut line 9, thus leaving the outer surface compact as compared to the integrated connector 11 presented in Figure 5. The cut line 9 can be defined by zones which have been weakened by design on purpose, thus facilitating the removal of connectors 8.

[0077] In another embodiment, as shown in Figure 13, an integrated elastic one way valve, cap or lid 22 on the channel inlet 4 is designed and manufactured. This valve allows the beneficial liquid to be poured in the channel during the manufacturing of the dental device, but afterwards prevents the liquid to be released - namely through the channel inlet. Plugs or films 23 can be used to temporarily plug the channel outlets 5, and to be removed before use. These plugs and films can be also dissolvable in saliva, and thus be dissolved briefly upon the start of the dental device’s use.

[0078] Figure 14 represents a cross-sectional view of a dental device 1 with integrated reservoir 6 and channel 7 according to a second main embodiment of the invention.

[0079] It appears from Figure 14 that the dental device 1 comprises a single channel 7 in communication with a reservoir 6 defined within the wall of the main body 31 of the dental device 1. In this case again, several openings 5 connect the reservoir 6 to the exterior of the dental device 1 . Inthis example, the openings 5, facing the teeth when the device is worn, can act as outlets releasing the beneficial fluid at the interface with the teeth. Of course, the openings 5 may also play the role of inlets here to allow the filling of the reservoir 6 to be implemented.

[0080] As far as the shape and dimensions of the reservoir 6 are concerned here, it should be more specifically noted that, like in the first main embodiment, the main body 31 of the dental device 1 is preferably arranged in such a way that the U-shaped cross-section of the wall defines an internal wall surface 32 and an external wall surface 33, wherein the exact shape of the internal wall surface 32 is based on the user dentition model so as to fit and contact at least part of the dentition of the user. Thanks to these features, the internal wall surface 32 may fulfil the function of an assembling organ to make it possible for the dental device 1 to be assembled to the dentition of the user without any additional (protruding) assembling organ.

[0081] Moreover, it might be advantageous to further provide that the external wall surface 33 is generally located at a predefined maximum distance to the internal wall surface 32, at least where no reservoir 6 is located therebetween, this predefined maximum distance being less than 3 mm, preferably less than 2 mm. Thanks to this additional feature, the size of the dental device 1 can be kept reasonably small and the dental device 1 might be worn by the user for a prolonged period of time, for instance at least a few hours, or even a few days.

[0082] In the area of a reservoir 6, though, the maximum distance between the internal and external wall surfaces might be above 3 mm, depending on the width of the reservoir 6. In this case, the reservoir 6 is arranged so as to protrude on the mouth side of the dental device 1 , which is on the side of the external wall surface 33, such that the internal wall surface 32 can still match the exact shape of the dentition of the user and play its role of an assembling organ if necessary.

[0083] More preferably, the shape and dimensions of the external wall surface are defined in such a way that the reservoir 6 might be resiliently deformed upon application of a pressure force on the external wall surface in the area of the reservoir 6. For instance, in the case of the embodiment of Figure 14, the reservoir 6 is located on the tongue side of the mouth and the user may apply a pressure on the external wall surface in the area of the reservoir, simply with the tongue, to deform the external wall surface and force some substance contained within the reservoir 6 out of it, through the channel 7 and, possibly, through one or several openings 5 towards the exterior of the dental device 1 .

[0084] If one channel 7 is visible here, on Figure 14, extending between the external and internal wall surfaces from a reservoir 6 located on one side of the wall to the other side of the wall, and in simultaneous communication with several openings 5, alternative variants may be implemented without going beyond the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended set of claims. For instance, there might be several reservoirs 6 in the dental device 1 , and there might be several channels 7 of various shapes arranged in fluidic communication with one or each reservoir 6 and with one or more openings 5.

[0085] It appears thus more clearly from the illustration of Figure 14 how the dental device 1 according to the present invention advantageously fulfils a fluidic function on top of a first main mechanical function thanks to fully integrated channels which are provided inside its main body 31 , with a very limited impact on its overall dimensions or on the way it fulfils its main mechanical function in comparison to existing similar dental devices.

[0086] Figures 15 and 16 represent similar top-down cross-sectional views of dental devices according to particular variants of the second main embodiment of the invention.

[0087] Figure 15 illustrates an arrangement corresponding to the cross- sectional view of Figure 14 in which the reservoir 6 is implanted on the lingualside of the front teeth, allowing for an easy application of pressure by a user on the reservoir 6 with the tongue.

[0088] Figure 16 illustrates an alternative possible arrangement corresponding to the cross-sectional view of Figure 14 in which the reservoir6 is implanted on the lingual side of rear teeth, allowing for an easy application of pressure by a user on the reservoir 6 with the side of the tongue.

[0089] In both cases, channels 7 are provided to connect the reservoir 6 to the exterior of the main body of the dental device 1 , one or several channels7 possibly extending along the length of the dental device 1 so as to allow delivery of product in different areas of the mouth of the user. The one skilled in the art will encounter no difficulty in adapting the present teaching to their own needs without going beyond the scope of the invention as defined in the appended set of claims.

[0090] In general, it might be provided that the or each reservoir 6 is implanted in a substantially hidden location of the mouth, and has a length comprised between 5% and 90% of the length of the corresponding main body, preferably between 10% and 60%, more preferably between 10% and 40%.

[0091] Figures 17 to 19 represent similar schematic side views of dental devices according to additional particular variants of the second main embodiment of the invention.

[0092] In all three variants of Figures 17, 18 and 19, the dental device 1 advantageously comprises a main body 40 for the lower dentition and an additional main body 42 for the upper dentition.

[0093] At least one of the main bodies 40, 42 comprises at least one reservoir 6 implanted on the external wall surface side of the wall, as previously described, on a facial side of the dental device 1 here according to an illustrative and non-limiting example.

[0094] In the variants of Figures 17 and 18, each main body 40, 42 comprises a reservoir 6, the reservoirs 6 being located in such a way that they may press again each other when the user closes the jaws, upon chewing for instance.

[0095] In the variant of Figure 18, at least each of the reservoir 6 is provided with a reinforcement 21 comprising a permeable lattice or a structure with one or several semi-permeable walls, in a similar manner to that already described above in connection with the first main embodiment. Indeed, a lattice structure that is built as an integral part of the reservoir 6 allows for an increased strength of the reservoir 6 itself, which further ensures an adequate lifetime of the dental device 1 .

[0096] Of course, it is possible to provide, alternatively, that only one reservoir 6 includes a reinforcement and / or that reinforcing structures are provided inside one or several channels 7 of the dental device 1.

[0097] Figure 19 schematically illustrates different possible variants.

[0098] First, the illustration of Figure 19 can represent similar main bodies 40 and 42 like in Figure 17, each of which comprises at least one reservoir 6, where the reservoirs 6 are so arranged that they press against each other when the user closes their mouth.

[0099] We could then consider here that the reservoir 6 of the main body 40 has an alternative shape, or we could alternatively consider that this reservoir 6 is indeed a double reservoir defining two distinct volumes, adapted to store two different substances.

[0100] Both reservoirs 6 of the main body 40 could thus be pressed or activated by a reservoir 6 of the main body 42, as previously described.

[0101] Alternatively, it is also possible to provide that the upper dentition of the user would simply be fitted with a rigid part (also corresponding to the referenced 6 in Figure 19) matching the reservoir(s) 6 of the main body 40. This rigid part could be tightened directly to one tooth or to several teeth ofthe user, for instance, without the express need for implementing a full main body 42, but of course, the rigid part could also be integral with a main body 42 playing the role of an aligner or of a retainer for instance.

[0102] The implementation of such a rigid part might be advantageous in some cases, as far as it may apply a higher pressure on the associated reservoir 6, than in the case of two reservoirs 6 pressing against each other, while at the same time lowering the risk of creating damages to the dental device 1 .

[0103] Figures 20 to 23 represent similar top-down cross-sectional views of dental devices according to additional particular variants of the second main embodiment of the invention.

[0104] The variant illustrated in Figure 20 is similar to that of Figures 15, 16, the dental device 1 comprising here two reservoirs 6 located on the facial side of posterior teeth. These reservoirs 6 preferably have shapes fulfilling the features of the variants of Figures 17 to 19 so that they might be pressed upon chewing.

[0105] The variant illustrated in Figure 21 is similar to that of Figure 20, the reservoirs 6 further comprising reinforcing structures 21 .

[0106] The variant illustrated in Figure 22 is similar to that of Figure 20, the reservoirs 6 being located on the lingual side of the posterior teeth. These reservoirs 6 may also preferably have shapes fulfilling the features of the variants of Figures 17 to 19 so that they might be pressed upon chewing.

[0107] The variant illustrated in Figure 23 is similar to that of Figure 22, the reservoirs 6 further comprising reinforcing structures 21 .

[0108] Figures 24 and 25 represent similar schematic diagrams of dental devices according to additional particular variants of the second main embodiment of the invention.

[0109] The dental device 1 of Figure 24 comprises the main features of the second main embodiment of the invention, as previously described inconnection with the embodiment of Figure 14, but with an alternative implantation of the reservoir 6 compared to that shown in Figure 14, which is now on an occlusal or incisal surface of the lower or upper dentition of the user, i.e. directly adjacent to a chewing surface of the corresponding teeth.

[0110] The reservoir 6 is connected here to the exterior of the dental device 1 through several channels 7 and openings 4, 5, in an illustrative and non-limiting manner. More specifically, the reservoir 6 might be connected to at least one channel 7 extending on each side of the main body, i.e. at least one extending within the facial side of the main body and at least one extending within the lingual side of the main body, while each channel 7 may communicate with one or several openings 5.

[0111] One opening 4 is illustrated in Figure 24, as an illustrative example, which might be used as an outlet, to deliver a substance in the mouth of the user, and / or as an inlet, to fill or refill the reservoir 6.

[0112] It should be noted that by implanting the reservoir 6 on an occlusal or incisal surface of the dental device 1 , it is ensured that the reservoir 6 is located in close vicinity to the contact area of the teeth during chewing motion, which allows a maximization of the pressure which is applied on the reservoir 6.

[0113] Figure 25 illustrates a variant of the dental device 1 of Figure 24, in which the volume of the reservoir 6 is defined by a curved external wall surface, the latter being preferably resil iently deformable to press a substance out of the reservoir 6 upon chewing. Furthermore, a tooth 2 is illustrated in Figure 25 to clarify how the dental device 1 can be used when it comprises only one main body covering either the lower dentition or the upper dentition.

[0114] Both variants of Figures 24 and 25 may advantageously be further provided with a reinforcement 21 inside the reservoir 6 for improving their durability.

[0115] Figures 26a and 26b represent cross-sectional views of main bodies of a dental device with an integrated reservoir and channel accordingto a third main embodiment of the invention, respectively adapted for the lower dentition and for the upper dentition.

[0116] In this case again, each of the main bodies has at least one reservoir 6 which is located on the lingual side and is designed so as to be able to be resiliently deformed upon compression, while one channel 7 is schematically illustrated, connecting the reservoir 6 to a groove 44 extending here along the lingual part of the internal wall surface, according to a nonlimiting example.

[0117] Indeed, the provision of grooves 44 placed over the surface of the dental device facing the teeth creates gaps which allow for a better and more even distribution of the liquid substances over the surface of the teeth.

[0118] Advantageously, the dental device 1 may comprise several grooves 44 regularly distributed over its internal wall surface (lingual part and / or facial part), such grooves being of particular benefit when they are facing interstices between teeth. In general, by spreading grooves 44 evenly over the surface of the teeth, including interstices and contact points between adjacent teeth, a better distribution and beneficial effects of the delivered substances is achieved.

[0119] Figures 27, 28 and 29 represent schematic diagrams of variants of the dental device according to the third main embodiment of the invention.

[0120] More particularly, Figure 27 illustrates a top-down cross-sectional view of a dental device 1 corresponding to the illustrations of Figures 26a, 26b in service position against teeth. According to the illustrated variant, the dental device 1 comprises several grooves 44 substantially evenly distributed along at least part of its length, to offer an improved distribution of the liquid substance to be delivered as previously mentioned.

[0121] Figure 28 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of a part of the internal wall surface of a dental device 1 similar to that shown in Figure 27, being it noted that it could correspond to either of the facial or lingual part without any impact on the implementation of the invention.

[0122] It appears more clearly from the view of Figure 28 that the grooves 44 may be arranged as a two-dimensional network, substantially evenly distributed over at least part of the surface of the internal wall surface, with grooves 44 intersecting each other in order to improve even more the distribution of the liquid substance to be delivered on the teeth of the user.

[0123] In general, when there is only one groove 44 or only a few grooves, they might be arranged so as to be substantially centered on the corresponding dentition or facing the interstitial space between the teeth to maximize the impact on the distribution of the beneficial fluid.

[0124] Figure 29 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of a part of the internal wall surface of a dental device 1 according to another variant, being it noted that it could correspond to either of the facial or lingual part without any impact on the implementation of the invention.

[0125] According to this variant, the dental device 1 further comprises a groove 46 for dispensing the gingival crevicular fluid (sulcular fluid) along the gingiva.

[0126] Figure 30 represents a cross-sectional view of a dental device 1 according to the third main embodiment of the invention, combining a resil iently deformable reservoir 6, connected to the exterior of the main body through at least one channel 7 and several openings 5, with two channels 48 connecting the teeth side and the exterior side of the wall for extraction of the gingival crevicular fluid from the gingiva and / or for improving oxygen circulation.

[0127] Figure 31 represents a side view of a dental device 1 similar to that of Figure 30, comprising several channels 48 connecting the teeth side and the exterior side of the wall for extraction of the gingival crevicular fluid from the gingiva and / or for improving oxygen circulation.

[0128] In general, it should be noted that, as far as aligners are concerned, they come in sets of e.g. 15 aligners and each aligner is worn for 10 days. So, in principle, these aligners may not need to be refillable. In adifferent manner, a given retainer may be used over years, and as such should preferably be refillable. Thus, it might preferably be provided that the user could periodically (for example every ten days or so) refill the retainer by means of a syringe for instance.

[0129] All figures are shown as preferred embodiments but should not be taken as limiting factors and various other designs could be envisaged. The embodiments of the invention and materials suggested for the device in the present application are only illustrative examples and should not be construed in a limiting manner. The present invention may also use equivalent means and other geometries or other manufacturing methods which would allow to achieve similar results as the ones described herein with corresponding results. The substance delivered by the dental device according to the invention may be a non-therapeutic and non-prophylactic substance, for instance this substance could exclusively fulfill the function of a carrier for at least one flavor or odor. Generally, the channel outlets should be designed to have areas comprised between 0.0003 mm2 and 1 mm2, more preferably between 0.01 mm2 and 1 mm2, based on a proper balance to allow a given substance to flow at a required flowing rate as a function of the expected wearing time of a given dental device. The embodiments described herein may also be combined together.

[0130] Subsidiarily, it should be noted that the dental device 1 according to the invention may also be reinforced in different ways, which may be combined with each other.

[0131] Indeed, edges of aligners or retainers might be damaged over time through repeated manipulations and might be reinforced by being at least partly covered with a cured material having a higher Young's modulus than that of the polymer of the main body, to locally raise the rigidity and the wear resistance of the main body.

[0132] Alternatively or in complement, the manufacturing method of the dental device of the present invention may comprise additional stepsconsisting in at least partly filling at least one channel 7 and / or at least one reservoir 6 with a flowing material, before curing this material so as to change it to a solid state cured material, in which the cured material has a higher Young's modulus than that of the polymer used to build the main body of the dental device. Thanks to this approach, it is possible to finely tune the mechanical properties of the dental device of the present invention in terms of rigidity and of the pressure it will apply on the dentition of the user.

[0133] For both reinforcing approaches, the flowing material to be cured may be chosen from the group comprising Epoxy resins, Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), Polyurethane Methacrylate (PUMA), Poly(L- lactic acid) (PLLA), Poly(glycolide-co-£-caprolactone) (PGCL), Polycaprolactone (PCL) and Polyethylene glycol (PEG).

Claims

CLAIMS1. A custom-made dental device (1 ), designed to partly fit the mouth of a user on the basis of a dentition model of the user so as to be able to cover at least part of the user's lower or upper dentition, the dental device (1 ) comprising at least one main body (31 ; 40, 42), adapted to be firmly connected to at least one tooth (2) of the user, so that the user may open their buccal cavity while the dental device (1 ) is being worn without any impact on the operation of the latter, said at least one main body (31 ; 40, 42) being provided with at least one reservoir (6) and at least one channel (7) arranged to connect said at least one reservoir (6) to the exterior of said at least one main body (31 ; 40, 42) through at least one opening (4, 5), wherein the dental device (1 ) is adapted to fulfil a mechanical function comprising retaining at least one tooth (2), to play the role of a retainer, and / or at least partially correcting the position of at least one mispositioned tooth (2), to play the role of an aligner, and wherein said at least one main body (31 ; 40, 42) is made as one monolithic structure including said at least one reservoir (6) and said at least one channel (7).

2. The dental device (1 ) as in claim 1 , wherein said at least one main body (31 ; 40, 42) comprises a custom-made body defining a wall having a general U-shaped cross-section and designed so as to be able to cover at least part of the user's lower or upper dentition.

3. The dental device (1 ) as in claim 2, wherein said general U-shaped cross-section of said wall defines an internal wall surface (32) and an external wall surface (33), both also having essentially U-shaped cross-sections, wherein the exact shape of said internal wall surface (32) is at least partly based on the user dentition model so as to fit and contact at least part of the dentition of the user, and wherein said external wall surface (33) is generally located at apredefined maximum distance to said internal wall surface (32), at least where no reservoir (6) is located therebetween, said predefined maximum distance being less than 3 mm, preferably less than 2 mm.

4. The dental device (1 ) as in claim 3, wherein said at least one reservoir (6) is provided within said wall, between said internal wall surface (32) and said external wall surface (33), said external wall surface (33) being preferably located at a distance to said internal wall surface (32) greater than said predefined maximum distance in the area of said at least one reservoir (6).

5. The dental device (1 ) as in claim 4, wherein at least one of said internal wall surface (32) and said external wall surface (33) is shaped and / or dimensioned in said area of said at least one reservoir (6) such that it can be deformed by the application of a pressure by the user, by means of the tongue and / or of at least one tooth and / or of an additional main body (31 ; 40, 42) of the dental device adapted to cover at least part of the user's lower or upper dentition which is opposite to that which is covered by said at least one main body (31 ; 40, 42).

6. The dental device (1 ) as in claim 5, wherein said at least one reservoir (6) is arranged in a facial or lingual area of said at least one main body (31 ; 40, 42), and wherein said external wall surface (33) is shaped and / or dimensioned in said area of said at least one reservoir (6) such that it can be deformed by the application of a pressure by the user, by means of the tongue and / or of at least one tooth and / or of an additional main body (31 ; 40, 42) of the dental device (1 ) adapted to cover at least part of the user's lower or upper dentition which is opposite to that which is covered by said at least one main body (31 ; 40, 42).

7. The dental device (1 ) as in claim 6, comprising an additional main body (31 ; 40, 42) of similar shape to that of said at least one main body (31 ; 40, 42), and adapted to cover at least part of the user's lower or upperdentition which is opposite to that which is covered by said at least one main body (31 ; 40, 42), wherein said additional main body (31 ; 40, 42) comprises an external wall surface (33) including a pressuring part located so as to be able to apply a pressure on said at least one reservoir (6) and deform it when the user moves the lower and upper dentitions close to each other.

8. The dental device (1 ) as in any of the claims 4 to 7, wherein said at least one reservoir (6) has a length comprised between 5% and 90% of the length of said at least one main body (31 ; 40, 42), preferably between 10% and 60%, more preferably between 10% and 40%.

9. The dental device (1 ) as in any of the claims 3 to 8, wherein said internal wall surface (32) is provided with at least one groove (44) adapted to define a fluidic flow gap between said internal wall surface (32) and said lower or upper dentition.

10. The dental device (1 ) as in claim 9, wherein said at least one groove (44) is in fluidic communication with said at least one opening (5).

11. The dental device (1 ) as in claim 9 or 10, wherein said internal wall surface (32) is provided with at least one additional groove (44) similar to said at least one groove (44).

12. The dental device (1 ) as in claim 11 , wherein said at least one additional groove (44) is in fluidic communication with said at least one groove (44).

13. The dental device (1 ) as in claim 11 or 12, wherein said at least one groove (44) and said at least one additional groove (44) are arranged to be substantially evenly distributed over the surface of said lower and / or upper dentition.

14. The dental device (1 ) as in any of the previous claims, wherein said dental device (1 ) comprises a reinforcement (21 ) disposed in said at least one reservoir (6) and / or in said at least one channel (7).

15. The dental device (1 ) as in claim 14, wherein said reinforcement (21 ) comprises a permeable lattice or a structure with one or several semi- permeable walls, meshes or openings.

16. The dental device (1 ) as in any of the previous claims, wherein said at least one channel (7) comprises two or more openings (4, 5).

17. The dental device (1 ) as in any of the previous claims, wherein the dental device (1 ) comprises at least one additional reservoir (6) and at least one additional channel (7) arranged to connect said at least one additional reservoir (6) to the exterior of said at least one main body (31 ; 40, 42) through at least one additional opening (4, 5).

18. The dental device (1 ) as in claim 17, wherein no fluidic communication is provided between said at least one reservoir (6) and said at least one additional reservoir (6) or between said at least one channel (7) and said at least one additional channel (7).

19. The dental device (1 ) as in any of the previous claims, wherein at least two channels (7a, 7b) are disposed with at least one opening (5a, 5b) of one channel (7a, 7b) configured to be oriented toward the mouth in opposite direction to the teeth (2) and with at least one opening (5b, 5a) of another channel (7b, 7a) configured to be oriented toward the teeth (2).

20. The dental device (1 ) as in any of the previous claims, wherein said at least one opening (4,5) forms a connector (11 ) or wherein said at least one opening (4,5) is provided with an external sacrificial connector (8) to be removed after cleaning or filling, said connector (11 ) or external sacrificial connector (8) being designed to introduce a tool for cleaning the channel (7) and or refilling the channel (7) with a beneficial fluid.

21. The dental device (1 ) as in any of the previous claims, wherein said dental device (1 ) comprises a one-way valve, cap or lid (22) covering the at least one opening (4, 5).

22. The dental device (1 ) as in any of the previous claims, further comprising a plug or film (23) covering the at least one opening (4, 5), to be removed before or during use, preferably by dissolution in saliva.

23. The dental device (1 ) as in any of the previous claims, wherein said at least one main body (31 ) is made up of polymer, preferably a shape memory polymer, more preferably a polymer chosen such that said at least one main body is transparent.

24. The dental device (1 ) as in claim 23, wherein said at least one reservoir (6) and / or said at least one channel (7) are at least partly filled with a cured material having a higher Young's modulus than that of said polymer to locally raise the rigidity of said at least one main body.

25. The dental device (1 ) as in claim 23 or 24, wherein at least one edge of said at least one main body (31 ; 40, 42) is at least partly covered with a cured material having a higher Young's modulus than that of said polymer to locally raise the rigidity and the wear resistance of said at least one main body (31 ; 40, 42).

26. The dental device (1 ) as in claims 24 and 25, wherein one same cured material is included within said at least one reservoir (6) and / or said at least one channel (7) and covers said at least one edge of said at least one main body (31 ; 40, 42).

27. The dental device (1 ) as in any of claims 24 to 26, wherein said cured material can be obtained on the basis of a starting material chosen from the group comprising Epoxy resins, Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), Polyurethane Methacrylate (PUMA), Poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA), Poly(glycolide-co-£-caprolactone) (PGCL), Polycaprolactone (PCL) and Polyethylene glycol (PEG).

28. A method for manufacturing a dental device (1 ) according to any of claims 1 to 27, comprising a step of manufacturing at least said at least one main body (31 ; 40, 42) of the dental device (1 ), wherein at least onereservoir (6) and at least one channel (7) are provided in said at least one main body (31 ; 40, 42) by additive manufacturing.

29. The method as in claim 28, wherein at least one opening (4, 5) connecting said at least one channel (7) to the exterior of said at least one main body (31 ; 40, 42) is manufactured during a further step of micromachining.

30. The method as in claim 28 or 29, wherein, after said at least one main body (31 ; 40, 42) is manufactured so as to include at least one opening (4, 5) connecting at least one channel (7), and preferably at least one reservoir (6), to the exterior of said at least one main body (31 ; 40, 42), it comprises additional steps consisting in at least partly filling said at least one channel (7) and / or said at least one reservoir (6) with a flowing material, before curing said material so as to change it to a solid state cured material, in which said cured material has a higher Young's modulus than that of said at least one main body (31 ; 40, 42).

31. The method as in claim 30, wherein said flowing material is chosen from the group comprising Epoxy resins, Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), Polyurethane Methacrylate (PUMA), Poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA), Poly(glycolide-co-£-caprolactone) (PGCL), Polycaprolactone (PCL) and Polyethylene glycol (PEG).

32. A method for circulating a substance in a dental device (1 ) according to any of claims 1 to 27, with said dental device (1 ) mounted inside the mouth for covering at least part of the teeth (2), the method comprising before use a step of filling at least partially the reservoir (6) with the substance via the at least one opening (4, 5) and a step of releasing said substance inside the mouth through the at least one opening (4, 5).

33. The method as in claim 32, wherein said substance is a non- therapeutic and non-prophylactic substance.

34. The method as in claim 32 or 33, wherein said substance exclusively fulfills the function of a carrier for at least one flavor or odor.

35. A method for circulating saliva and oxygen in a dental device (1 ) according to any of claims 1 to 27, with said dental device (1 ) mounted inside the mouth for covering at least part of the teeth (2) and optionally at least part of gums (3) or other surfaces of the mouth, wherein said at least one opening (4, 5) comprises at least a first opening (4) and a second opening (5), said first opening (4) acting as a channel inlet oriented in opposite direction to the teeth (2) and said second opening (5) acting as a channel outlet oriented toward the teeth (2), said saliva and oxygen circulating between the channel inlet and the channel outlet to be released in the direction of the teeth.

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