Dental arch splint

Abstract

The invention relates to a dental arch splint comprising two arms (16, 18) symmetrical to each other with respect to a median plane Pm, said two arms (16, 18) having two front ends (24, 20) joined together and two rear ends (22, 26) independent of each other, each of said two arms (16, 18) having a bottom wall (28, 30) and an inner rim (32, 36) opposite an outer rim (34, 38). Each of said two rear ends (22, 26) has a breakable free end (42, 44). Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 3

Description

Title of the invention: Dental arch gutter

[0001] The present invention relates to a dental arch splint for the lower and upper jaws.

[0002] Known intraoral devices comprising two matched mouthguards are particularly suitable for the treatment of sleep apnea and snoring.

[0003] The two splints are adapted to come into contact respectively in the lower dental arch, or mandible, and upper dental arch or maxilla, thanks to a thermoformable material and they are connected together by two lateral rods.

[0004] The gutters comprise two branches symmetrical to each other about a median plane, and the two branches have two front ends joined together and two independent rear ends separated from each other. Each of the two branches also has a bottom wall and an inner rim opposite an outer rim, forming a U-shaped section. The bottom walls and the two rims extend continuously into the front ends of the branches.

[0005] In addition, one of the splints, adapted to grip the upper dental arch, has two posterior pivots extending laterally from the two rear extremities opposite each other, while the other splint, adapted to grip the lower dental arch, has two anterior pivots extending laterally from the two front extremities also opposite each other.

[0006] The anterior and posterior pivots of the two splints are respectively connected together by two lateral connecting rods. These connecting rods operate in tension or compression to create a mandibular propulsion system.

[0007] Reference may be made to document EP2143397, which describes such gutters.

[0008] The oral cavity varies in size from person to person, and such intraoral devices are tolerated to varying degrees. Therefore, it is necessary to provide devices of different sizes. Consequently, their unit costs are significant.

[0009] Also, a problem which arises and which the present invention aims to solve is to provide cheap gutters which can be adopted by all individuals.

[0010] In order to solve this problem, a dental arch splint is proposed comprising two branches symmetrical to each other with respect to a median plane, said two branches having two front ends joined together and two rear ends independent of each other, each of said two branches having a bottom wall and an inner rim opposite an outer rim. And, said two rear ends each have a free, breakable end.

[0011] Thus, a feature of the invention lies in the implementation of a breakable free end on both rear ends of the two branches. In this way, depending on the dimensions of the subject's dental arches, the breakable or non-breakable free ends of the branches of the splints are broken off. In other words, if the subject's dental arches are relatively large, the breakable free ends are retained, and the thermoformable material is extended in one piece in each of the splints up to the breakable free ends.

[0012] Consequently, thanks to a single dimension of splints, produced in series at an advantageous cost, it is possible to produce intraoral devices adapted to the oral cavity of a large number of individuals.

[0013] Advantageously, the breakable free ends are respectively delimited by two transverse thinning lines. In this way, it is easier to separate the breakable free ends from the rear ends of the gutters.

[0014] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the average depth defined by the average height of said edges relative to said base wall is less than seven millimeters. In this way, and as will be explained in more detail later in the description, the thermoformable polymer material used does not come into contact with the gums of the individuals when the intraoral device is in place in the oral cavity. Thus, not only is the gum protected, but the device is also less bothersome and, consequently, acceptance times are shorter.

[0015] It will also be observed that, by the same token, less thermoformable polymer material is used and consequently, the overall cost of the device is significantly reduced.

[0016] Preferably, said inner rim and said outer rim have a substantially identical height relative to said back wall. In this way, the intraoral device made of the two trays is less bulky and is better accepted.

[0017] Also, said inner and outer edges are advantageously notched at said two breakable free ends. In other words, the two breakable free ends are respectively formed solely by the extension of the bottom wall. Indeed, the thermoformable polymer material rests on the extension of the bottom wall and does not need to be held laterally by the two edges.

[0018] And furthermore, when the breakable ends are broken, the thermoformable polymer material is then adjusted to the point of breakage.

[0019] Preferably, said two free, separable ends extend respectively in an arc in line with said bottom wall. In this way, they can to extend to the right side of the molars of the dental arches without being uncomfortable.

[0020] Also, according to another object, an intraoral device is proposed comprising two gutters as described above, and said two gutters are connected together by two lateral rods.

[0021] Advantageously, the intraoral device is supplied with two sets of connecting rods of different dimensions in order to be able to adapt to different advances of one jaw relative to the other.

[0022] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention, given by way of example but not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0023] [Fig-1] is a schematic right front profile perspective view of an intraoral device according to the invention;

[0024] [Fig.2] is a schematic rear view of the device illustrated in [Fig.1]; and,

[0025] [Fig.3] is a schematic top perspective view of an element represented on [Fig.1] and [Fig.2].

[0026] Fig. 1 shows an intraoral device 10 according to the invention comprising an upper gutter 12 intended to engage with a dental arch of the upper jaw, and a lower gutter 14 intended to engage with a lower dental arch.

[0027] The gutters 12, 14 are applied against each other along a joint plane Pj. In addition, they have a common median plane Pm.

[0028] Thus, the upper gutter 12 has two upper branches, a right upper branch 16 and a left upper branch 18 symmetrical to each other with respect to the median plane Pm.

[0029] The upper right branch 16 has an upper front right end 20 and opposite it an upper rear right end 22, while the upper left branch 18 has an upper front left end 24 and opposite it an upper rear left end 26. Also, the upper front right ends 20 and front left ends 24 converge towards each other and join, while the upper rear right ends 22 and rear left ends 26 are independent and separated from each other.

[0030] Reference will now be made to [Fig.3] illustrating in perspective in greater detail the upper gutter 12.

[0031] The upper tray 12 is molded in one piece from a thermoplastic polymer material. The polymer material chosen is rigid at room temperature. Furthermore, it can remain in the oral cavity without health risks. For example, the tray is molded from polyoxymethylene.

[0032] The two upper branches, right 16 and left 18, are found there, symmetrical to each other with respect to the median plane Pm.

[0033] Thus, the upper right branch 16 has a right bottom upper wall 28 while the upper left branch 18 has a left bottom upper wall 30, the two bottom upper walls 28, 30 joining continuously where the front right 20 and front left 24 ends meet.

[0034] The upper right branch 16 has a right internal upper rim 32 opposite a right external upper rim 34, while the upper left branch 18 has a left internal upper rim 36 opposite a left external upper rim 38. And the two internal upper rims 32, 36, on the one hand, and the two external upper rims 34, 38, on the other hand, join respectively in a continuous manner where the upper extremities front right 20 and front left 24 join.

[0035] Also shown in [Fig. 3] are the rear right upper ends 22 and rear left upper ends 26. The rear right upper end 22 includes a free, breakable right end 40, while the rear left upper end 26 includes a free, breakable left upper end 42. These free, breakable upper ends 40 and 42 extend respectively in line with the bottom walls 28 and 30 in a crescent shape. They extend, for example, over a maximum distance of 3 mm.

[0036] Also, they are respectively delimited from the bottom walls 28, 30 by two transverse grooves 44, 46. These transverse grooves 44, 46 constitute a local thinning allowing these breakable free ends 40, 42 to be easily broken.

[0037] It will be observed that the two rear ends of the branches 16, 18, are devoid of a rim at the right of their breakable free end 40, 42.

[0038] In addition, the upper gutter 12 has a right posterior pivot 48 extending laterally from the right rear end 22 and opposite it, a left posterior pivot 50 extending from the left rear end 26 coaxially to the right posterior pivot 48. The role of these posterior pivots 48, 50 will be explained in the following description.

[0039] Reference will be made before this to [Fig.2] showing in rear view according to the arrow Va represented on [Fig.1] the intraoral device 10.

[0040] Thus, we find the upper gutter 12 and opposite it, the lower gutter 14. Then appear the right inner rim 32 opposite the right outer rim 34, and the left inner rim 36 opposite the left outer rim 38.

[0041] We also find the two bottom walls 28, 30 extended respectively by the free breakable upper ends 40, 42. And the right internal rim 32 has a height H i close to the height H e of the right external rim 34.

[0042] Also, the average height Hm of the straight edges 32, 34 in relation to the straight bottom wall 28, i.e. the depth of the upper gutter 12, is less than 7 mm.

[0043] The rear left end 26 is symmetrical to the rear right end 22 with respect to the average plane Pm. Therefore, the average height of the left edges 36, 38 with respect to the left bottom wall 30 is also less than 7 mm.

[0044] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the average height of the edges relative to the bottom wall is close to 6 mm.

[0045] Also, the lower gutter 14 is symmetrical to the upper gutter 12 with respect to the joint plane Pj.

[0046] The lower gutter 14 thus has two lower branches, right 16' and left 18', symmetrical to each other with respect to the median plane Pm. And these two branches 16', 18' have, on the one hand, a lower rear right end 22' and a lower rear left end 26' and on the other hand, two lower bottom walls 28', 30' extended respectively by two free, breakable lower ends 40', 42'.

[0047] The two lower right branches 16' and left 18' of the lower gutter 14 also have a right internal lower rim 32' opposite a right external lower rim 34', and a left internal lower rim 36' opposite a left external lower rim 38'.

[0048] Thus, just as for the two upper branches 16, 18, the average height Hm of the lower right edges 32', 34' relative to the lower right bottom wall 28' is less than 7 mm, as is the average height of the lower left edges 36', 38' relative to the lower left bottom wall 30'. It is also advantageously close to 6 mm.

[0049] In [Fig.2], the only lower gutter 14 is fitted with an element 52 made of a thermoformable polymer material. It extends in the gutter in one piece from one end 22' to the other 26' and on the two free breakable lower ends 40', 42'.

[0050] This element 52 extends in the gutter up to the edges 32', 34', 36', 38'. And the identical element made of the same thermoformable polymer material is installed in the upper gutter 12.

[0051] We will return to [Fig. 1] where the two gutters 12, 14 are paired by means of two lateral connecting rods, a right connecting rod 54 and a left connecting rod 56. To achieve this, the lower gutter 14 has a right anterior pivot 58 and, opposite it, a left anterior pivot 60. And the right connecting rod 54 thus connects the right anterior pivot 58 of the lower gutter 14 and the right posterior pivot 48 of the upper gutter 12, while the left connecting rod 56 links the left anterior pivot 60 of the lower gutter 14 to the left posterior pivot 50 of the upper gutter 12.

[0052] The two connecting rods 54, 56 allow a degree of relative freedom of the two gutters 12, 14 to be obtained with respect to each other, in particular along directions included in the median plane Pm.

[0053] Thus, depending on the dimensions of the subject's oral cavity, and in particular the length of his dental arches, the breakable free ends 40, 42; 40', 42' of the two gutters 12, 14 are broken or not.

[0054] Also, the two gutters 12, 14 each are lined, as indicated above, with an element of thermoformable polymer material. The maximum thickness of the polymer material element is also less than 7 mm. In other words, the material is flush with the edges 32, 34, 36, 38; 32', 34', 36' and 38'.

[0055] For initial use, the element is heated to a temperature above ambient temperature, for example to 60 °C, so as to soften it. Then the intraoral device 10 is placed in the oral cavity while the subject forcibly places their dental arches into the two trays thus lined in order to leave impressions.

[0056] When the thermoformable polymer cools, the impressions remain.

[0057] The subject can thus install the intraoral device 10 in his oral cavity whenever necessary to remedy sleep apnea and snoring problems.

[0058] Also, the height of the aligners 12, 14 is less than the height of the aligners of the anterior art, and consequently, the intraoral device 10 is less prominent. As a result, the patient experiences less discomfort. Furthermore, the thickness of the polymer material is such that it does not reach the patient's gums. Therefore, the gums are preserved.

Claims

Demands

1. Intraoral device comprising two dental arch splints, each of said two splints comprising two branches (16, 18) symmetrical to each other with respect to a median plane Pm, said two branches (16, 18) having two front ends (24, 20) joined together and two rear ends (22, 26) independent of each other, each of said two branches (16, 18) having a bottom wall (28, 30) and an inner rim (32, 36) opposite an outer rim (34, 38), said two splints (12, 14) being connected together by two lateral rods (54, 56); characterized in that said two rear ends (22, 26) each have a breakable free end (40, 42), the two breakable free ends (40, 42) extending respectively in an arc in the continuation of said bottom wall (28, 30).

2. An intraoral device according to claim 1, characterized in that the free, breakable upper ends (40, 42) extend respectively in the continuation of the bottom walls (28, 30) in a crescent shape

3. Intraoral device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the breakable free ends (40, 42) are respectively delimited by two transverse thinning lines (44, 46).

4. Intraoral device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the average depth defined by the average height of said rims (32, 36, 34, 38) with respect to said bottom wall is less than seven millimeters.

5. Intraoral device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said inner rim (32, 36) and said outer rim (34, 38) have a substantially identical height with respect to said bottom wall (28, 30).

6. Intraoral device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said inner (32, 36) and outer (34, 38) rims are notched at said two free breakable ends (40, 42).

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