Mouthpiece and mouth piece manufacturing method

Abstract

To provide a mouthpiece that improves a sleeping effect further.SOLUTION: A mouthpiece 1 mounted covering an upper jaw tooth row or a lower jaw tooth row includes: a base 10 part formed with a recessed part along the tooth row of a wearer; and a molar tooth built-up part provided on a side opposed to the tooth row where the base part is not mounted, in a state that the base part is mounted on the tooth row of the wearer. The molar tooth built-up part is formed at a part that the molar tooth of the tooth row where the base part is not mounted comes in contact with when the wearer mounted with the base part engages the upper and lower jaws, and is formed so that the right canine tooth to the left canine tooth in the tooth row where the base part is not mounted is brought into a non-contact state with the base part when the wearer mounted with the base part engages the upper and lower jaws.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a mouthpiece and a method for manufacturing the mouthpiece. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, mouthpieces have been used for various purposes. For example, a mouthpiece that is worn to cover the upper jaw dentition has been proposed in which the area that accommodates the right canine to the left canine is recessed from the occlusal surface compared to other areas (see, for example, Patent Document 1). According to this, when the upper and lower jaws are bitten, the recess forms a space between a part of the lower jaw dentition and the mouthpiece, which acts not to interfere with the wearer's breathing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-89704 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses an example in which the so-called front teeth from the right canine to the left canine are targeted as a part of the region that forms a space between the lower jaw dentition and the mouthpiece. Such a state in which the molars are in contact and the front teeth are not in contact when the upper and lower jaws are in occlusion is the original natural state of the occlusion of the teeth.

[0005] One of the effects of a mouthpiece is that it improves sleep by improving the bite, and the mouthpiece can be expected to improve sleep by reproducing the state in which the molars are in contact and the front teeth are not in contact as described above. However, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, simply recessing the area from the right canine to the left canine from the bite surface makes it difficult to achieve a natural bite state in the molar area, and improvement in sleep cannot be expected.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a mouthpiece that further improves the quality of sleep. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention is a mouthpiece that is worn by placing it over the maxillary dentition or mandibular dentition, and has a base portion with a recess formed to conform to the maxillary dentition or mandibular dentition of the wearer, and a molar mounting portion provided on the side facing the dentition to which the base is not attached when the base portion is attached to the wearer's dentition, wherein the molar mounting portion is formed in a portion that will come into contact with the molars of the dentition to which the base portion is not attached when the wearer wears the base portion and bites down on their upper and lower jaws, and is formed so that when the wearer wears the base portion and bites down on their upper and lower jaws, the right canine to left canine in the dentition to which the base portion is not attached are not in contact with the base portion.

[0008] Another aspect of the present invention is a method for manufacturing a mouthpiece to be worn by covering the maxillary dentition or mandibular dentition, comprising forming a dental model replicating the shape of the maxillary dentition or mandibular dentition of a wearer, pressing a base plastic material against the dentition of the dental model and hardening the base to form a base to be worn on the maxillary dentition or mandibular dentition of a wearer, and piling a molar plastic material on a surface facing the dentition to which the base is not attached in a state in which the base is worn by the wearer, in a range from the canine to the molar. The wearer wears the base portion with the molar plastic material piled on it and bites down on the upper and lower jaws to form a dental impression of the dentition that faces the molar plastic material, hardens the molar plastic material with the dental impression formed therein, sets a remaining range of the molar plastic material centered on the deepest recessed range of the dental impression of the mandibular dentition formed in the molar plastic material, and removes the molar plastic material outside the set remaining range of the molar plastic material to complete the mouthpiece. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, a mouthpiece that further improves the sleep effect can be provided. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a mouthpiece according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of a mouthpiece according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a side view of a mouthpiece according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a front view of a mouthpiece according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of a mouthpiece according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a top view of a mouthpiece according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a mouthpiece according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8]FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the bite state between the upper jaw and the lower jaw when the mouthpiece according to the embodiment of the present invention is attached to the upper jaw. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the effect of controlling teeth grinding by a mouthpiece according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a mouthpiece according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of a mouthpiece according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a side view of a mouthpiece according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a front view of a mouthpiece according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a top view of a mouthpiece according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of a mouthpiece according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a mouthpiece according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the bite state between the upper jaw and the lower jaw when the mouthpiece according to the embodiment of the present invention is attached to the upper jaw. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the effect of controlling teeth grinding by a mouthpiece according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] 4 is a flowchart showing a method for manufacturing a mouthpiece according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view showing only the base portion of the mouthpiece during the manufacturing process according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 21] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view showing only the base portion of the mouthpiece during the manufacturing process according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 22] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view showing the state in which polymerized resin has been applied to the bite surface of the base part that comes into contact with the lower jaw during the manufacturing process of the mouthpiece according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 23]FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view showing a state in which a user wears the mouthpiece and bites down on it with polymerized resin piled on the base portion during the manufacturing process of the mouthpiece according to the embodiment of the present invention, thereby forming a dental impression in the polymerized resin. [Figure 24] This is a bottom oblique view showing the state in which a dental impression has been applied to the polymerized resin of the base portion and further polymerized resin has been piled onto the canine portion in the manufacturing process of a mouthpiece according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 25] FIG. 11 is a top perspective view showing the state in which a dental impression has been applied to the polymerized resin of the base portion for the lower jaw and further polymerized resin has been piled onto the canine portion in the manufacturing process of a mouthpiece according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Embodiment 1 Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a mouthpiece will be described that is attached to the maxillary dentition and that, when the upper and lower jaws are in occlusion, the molars are in contact while the so-called front teeth from the right canine to the left canine are in a non-contact state. In such a state, the gist of this embodiment is to realize a natural occlusion of the molars. In addition, when the upper and lower jaws are in a bruxism state where they are misaligned horizontally in that state, a force is applied in the direction of opening the jaws along the structure provided in the canine portion, and the occlusion of the molars is released, thereby avoiding bruxism caused by the molars, which is a further effective element of this embodiment.

[0012] Fig. 1 is a top perspective view of the mouthpiece 1 according to this embodiment, Fig. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the same, Fig. 3 is a side view of the same, Fig. 4 is a front view of the same, Fig. 5 is a bottom view of the same, Fig. 6 is a top view of the same, and Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A' in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6. As shown in Figs. 1 to 6, the mouthpiece 1 according to this embodiment is a type of mouthpiece used by covering the maxillary dentition, and is mainly composed of a plastic base part 10, a canine mounting part 20 mounted on a part of the occlusal surface of the base part 10 that faces the canine and a molar mounting part 30 mounted on a part of the occlusal surface of the base part 10 that faces the molar and comes into contact with the mandibular dentition (functional cusp part).

[0013] As described above, the base part 10 is made of plastic, and is formed by taking a mold of the maxillary dentition of the wearer, and then covering the mold made of plaster or the like with a softened plastic material and hardening it. Therefore, the recess 101 on the side of the base part 10 that covers the maxillary dentition is shaped to fit snugly with the maxillary dentition of the wearer. A specific material for the base part 10 is, for example, PET (polyethylene terephthalate), and it is possible to use a material that is commonly used as a dental occlusal splint material.

[0014] The canine mounting portion 20 is a portion of the base portion 10 that is mounted on the outside of the portion of the occlusion surface that contacts the lower jaw, which corresponds to the canine, and is formed of a plastic material such as a room temperature curing resin. As the plastic material used for the canine mounting portion 20, a general product that is widely used as a room temperature curing resin used by dentists can be used. The canine mounting portion 20 is one of the characteristic components of the mouthpiece 1 according to this embodiment, and generates an action in which a force is applied in the direction of opening the jaw in the event of teeth grinding, thereby releasing the occlusion of the molars.

[0015] The molar mounting portion 30 is a portion of the occlusal surface of the base portion 10 that corresponds to the molars and is mounted only at the portion where the functional cusps of the mandible contact, and is formed of a plastic material such as an ordinary polymerizing resin, similar to the canine mounting portion 20. The molar mounting portion 30 is one of the characteristic configurations of the mouthpiece 1 according to this embodiment, and serves to realize a state in which the molars come into contact and the so-called front teeth from the right canine to the left canine do not come into contact, with a natural bite sensation, when the upper and lower jaws are in occlusion.

[0016] Next, the configuration and action of the canine mounting part 20 according to this embodiment will be described. As shown in Fig. 7, the lower side of the canine mounting part 20, i.e., the surface facing the canine of the mandibular dentition, forms a slope 21 inclined at an angle α with respect to the horizontal direction. The slope 21 provides the effect of applying force in the direction of opening the jaw when the patient is in a teeth grinding state, which is a characteristic of the mouthpiece 1 according to this embodiment.

[0017] Fig. 8(a) is a side view showing the state in which the mouthpiece 1 attached to the maxillary dentition and the mandible are in occlusion, and Fig. 8(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting line BB' in Fig. 8(a). As shown in Fig. 8(a) and Fig. 8(b), when the mouthpiece 1 attached to the maxillary dentition and the mandible are in occlusion, the so-called front teeth from the right canine to the left canine are not in contact with the mandibular dentition and the mouthpiece 1, and a space S1 is formed between them. In addition, the molars behind the canines are in contact with the mandibular dentition and the mouthpiece 1.

[0018] As described above, the portion of the mouthpiece 1 that comes into contact with the molars of the lower jaw is the molar mounting portion 30. That is, the molar mounting portion 30 receives the bite of the molars of the lower jaw dentition when the mouthpiece 1 is attached to the maxillary dentition of the wearer, and has a function of keeping the so-called front teeth from the right canine to the left canine of the lower jaw dentition out of contact with the base portion 10 due to its thickness when in the bite state.

[0019] As shown in Figures 8(a) and 8(b), when the upper and lower jaws are in occlusion, the state in which the molars are in contact and the front teeth are not in contact is the ideal occlusion state for humans. By realizing this ideal occlusion state by forming the molar placement part 30 on the base part 10 which is molded to fit the wearer's upper jaw, it is possible to eliminate the discomfort felt by the wearer when wearing the dentures and improve the sleep effect.

[0020] Furthermore, since the polymerized resin from which the molar mounting portion 30 is made is less hard than the material of human teeth, the molar mounting portion 30 molded from polymerized resin receives the bite of the molars of the mandibular dentition, thereby preventing the molars of the mandibular dentition that come into contact with the mouthpiece 1 from being worn down.

[0021] Fig. 9(a) is a side view showing a so-called bruxism state in which the lower jaw has moved horizontally from the state shown in Fig. 8(a), and Fig. 9(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting line CC' in Fig. 9(a). As shown in Fig. 9(b), when the lower jaw moves horizontally (in the v1 direction shown in the figure) due to bruxism, the space S1 shown in Fig. 8(b) disappears and the canine of the lower jaw dentition comes into contact with the slope 21 of the canine mounting portion 20.

[0022] When the mandibular teeth move further in the direction v1 from the state where the canine of the mandibular teeth is in contact with the slope 21 of the canine placement portion 20, the canine of the mandibular teeth moves in the direction v2 shown in the figure along the slope 21, and the entire mandibular teeth moves downward in the figure, that is, in the direction where the mandibular teeth move away from the upper jaw and the bite is released. As a result, the molars that were in contact and biting in the state shown in Figure 8(a) become non-contact as shown in Figure 9(a), and a space S2 is formed on the biting surface.

[0023] Thus, when the wearer sleeps wearing the mouthpiece 1 according to this embodiment, even if the wearer makes a movement that would result in grinding the teeth, in which the lower jaw moves horizontally, the occlusion of the molars is released by the function shown in Fig. 9(a) and Fig. 9(b), and grinding of the molars can be avoided, thereby improving the quality of sleep. Also, as described above, since the hardness of the polymerized resin is lower than that of the material of human teeth, it is possible to prevent the canine of the mandibular dentition from being worn down, even if the canine of the mandibular dentition moves along the slope 21 of the canine mounting portion 20.

[0024] As explained in Fig. 7, the inclined surface 21 of the canine mounting portion 20 has an overall inclination of angle α with respect to the horizontal direction. This angle α is adjusted to a preferable angle for achieving the function of releasing the occlusion of the molars by the canine of the mandibular dentition moving along the inclined surface 21 as explained in Fig. 9(a) and Fig. 9(b). Based on the structure of the oral cavity of a typical human, the appropriate range of this angle α is 30° to 45°. However, it is not limited thereto, and it is preferable that the angle be adjusted appropriately according to the condition of the oral cavity of the wearer.

[0025] Generally, mouthpieces for preventing teeth grinding are made of elastic material and are molded to fit the upper and lower teeth of the wearer. Such elastic mouthpieces are molded while the upper and lower jaws are in a state of occlusion, so they limit the horizontal movement of the lower jaw itself.

[0026] However, only the kind of teeth grinding that reduces the effect of sleep should be restricted, and excessive restriction of the horizontal movement of the lower jaw itself may cause discomfort to the wearer, which may result in a reduction in the effect of sleep. In contrast, the mouthpiece 1 according to this embodiment, as described in Figures 8 and 9, makes it possible to prevent the molars of the upper and lower jaws from rubbing against each other without excessively restricting the movement of the lower jaw itself.

[0027] As described above, in the mouthpiece 1 according to this embodiment, only the molars of the mandibular dentition come into contact with the mouthpiece 1 in a normal occlusion state, and the front teeth are not in contact with the mouthpiece 1, due to the function of the molar mounting part 30. This allows for an occlusion that matches the original function of the dentition to be achieved without causing discomfort in the occlusion of the molars. The base part 10 is molded from plastic to increase the fit and strength, while the molar mounting part 30 made of polymerized resin receives the occlusion of the mandibular dentition, preventing the molars in contact with the mouthpiece 1 from being worn down.

[0028] Furthermore, in the mouthpiece 1 according to this embodiment, even if the lower jaw moves horizontally relative to the upper jaw, causing so-called teeth grinding, the canine teeth of the lower jaw dentition move away from the upper jaw along the slope 21, thereby releasing the occlusion of the upper and lower jaws. Therefore, teeth grinding, in which the molars of the upper and lower jaw dentition grind against each other, can be avoided without excessively restricting the movement of the lower jaw, and a load on the teeth can be achieved within an appropriate or tolerable range.

[0029] In the above explanation, the main effect has been described as improving sleep quality by preventing teeth grinding, but the mouthpiece 1 of this embodiment also has other effects, such as reducing migraines, reducing hypersensitive teeth, reducing the likelihood of tooth decay, inhibiting the progression of periodontal disease, preventing tooth fractures, and improving the effectiveness of sports and muscle training.

[0030] Embodiment 2 In the first embodiment, the mouthpiece 1 to be attached to the maxillary dentition is described as an example, but in the present embodiment, the mouthpiece 1' to be attached to the mandibular dentition is described as an example. The mouthpiece 1' to be attached to the mandibular dentition has the same functions as the mouthpiece 1 described in the first embodiment, except for the jaw to which it is attached. However, due to the difference in the configuration between the maxillary dentition and the mandibular dentition, the configuration and function of the canine placement portion 20 are slightly different.

[0031] Fig. 10 is a top perspective view of a mouthpiece 1' according to this embodiment, Fig. 11 is a bottom perspective view of the same, Fig. 12 is a side view of the same, Fig. 13 is a front view of the same, Fig. 14 is a top view of the same, Fig. 15 is a bottom view of the same, and Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line D-D' in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6. As shown in Figs. 10 to 15, the mouthpiece 1' according to this embodiment is a type of mouthpiece used by covering the mandibular dentition, and is mainly composed of a plastic base part 10', a canine mounting part 20' mounted on a part of the occlusal surface of the base part 10' with the maxilla that corresponds to the canine, and a molar mounting part 30' mounted on a part of the occlusal surface of the base part 10' with the maxilla that faces the molar and comes into contact with the maxillary dentition (functional cusp part).

[0032] As described above, the base part 10' is made of plastic, and is formed by taking a mold of the wearer's mandibular dentition, forming a dental mold using plaster or the like, covering the softened plastic material, and then hardening it. Therefore, the recess 101' on the side of the base part 10 that covers the mandibular dentition has a shape that fits snugly against the wearer's mandibular dentition. The other materials of the base part 10' are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0033] The canine mounting portion 20' is a portion that is mounted mainly on the inside of the area corresponding to the canine on the bite surface of the base portion 10' that engages with the upper jaw. Due to the difference in configuration between the upper and lower jaw teeth, what was provided on the outside of the area corresponding to the canine in the first embodiment is provided on the inside in this embodiment, but the material of the canine mounting portion 20' is the same as that of the first embodiment.

[0034] The molar mounting portion 30' is a portion of the bite surface of the base portion 10' with the upper jaw that corresponds to the molars and is mounted only on the portion where the functional cusps of the upper jaw contact, and is formed, for example, from room temperature curing resin, similar to the canine mounting portion 20'. As in the first embodiment, the molar mounting portion 30' is one of the characteristic configurations of the mouthpiece 1' according to this embodiment, and serves to achieve a natural bite sensation in which the molars come into contact and the so-called front teeth from the right canine to the left canine do not come into contact when the upper and lower jaws are bitten.

[0035] Next, the structure and function of the canine mounting part 20' according to this embodiment will be described. As shown in Fig. 16, the outer side of the canine mounting part 20', i.e., the surface facing the canine of the maxillary dentition, forms a slope 21' inclined at an angle α with respect to the horizontal direction. The slope 21' provides the effect of applying force to the lower jaw in the direction of opening the jaw when the patient is grinding their teeth, which is a characteristic of the mouthpiece 1' according to this embodiment.

[0036] Fig. 17(a) is a side view showing a state in which the mouthpiece 1' attached to the mandibular dentition is engaged with the upper jaw, and Fig. 17(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting line EE' of Fig. 17(a). As shown in Fig. 17(a) and Fig. 17(b), when the mouthpiece 1' attached to the mandibular dentition is engaged with the upper jaw, the so-called front teeth from the right canine to the left canine are not in contact with the mandibular dentition and the mouthpiece 1', and a space S1 is formed between them. In addition, the molars behind the canines are in contact with the mandibular dentition and the mouthpiece 1'.

[0037] As described above, the portion of the mouthpiece 1' that comes into contact with the molars of the lower jaw is the molar mounting portion 30. That is, the molar mounting portion 30 receives the bite of the molars of the lower jaw dentition when the mouthpiece 1 is attached to the maxillary dentition of the wearer, and due to its thickness, it has the function of keeping the so-called front teeth from the right canine to the left canine of the lower jaw dentition out of contact with the base portion 10 in the bite state.

[0038] As explained in the first embodiment, as shown in Figures 17(a) and 17(b), when the upper and lower jaws are in occlusion, the state in which the molars are in contact and the front teeth are not in contact is the ideal occlusion state for humans. As in the first embodiment, in the mouthpiece 1' according to this embodiment, the molar mounting portion 30' is formed on the base portion 10' molded to fit the wearer's lower jaw, thereby realizing the ideal occlusion state, eliminating the discomfort felt by the wearer when wearing the mouthpiece and improving the sleep effect.

[0039] Also, since the polymerized resin from which the molar mounting portion 30' is made is less hard than the material of human teeth, the molar mounting portion 30' made from polymerized resin receives the bite of the molars of the mandibular dentition and similarly prevents the molars of the mandibular dentition that come into contact with the mouthpiece 1' from being worn down.

[0040] Fig. 18(a) is a side view showing a so-called bruxism state in which the lower jaw has moved horizontally from the state shown in Fig. 17(a), and Fig. 18(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting line FF' in Fig. 18(a). As shown in Fig. 18(b), when the lower jaw moves horizontally (in the v1 direction shown in the figure) due to bruxism, the space S1 shown in Fig. 17(b) disappears, and the slope 21' of the canine mounting portion 20' comes into contact with the inside of the canine of the maxillary dentition.

[0041] When the lower jaw moves further in the direction v1 from the state where the sloping surface 21' of the canine mounting portion 20' is in contact with the inside of the canine of the upper jaw dentition, the canine of the upper jaw dentition moves in the direction v2 shown in the figure along the sloping surface 21', and accordingly the entire upper jaw moves upward in the figure, that is, in the direction in which the upper jaw moves away from the lower jaw and the bite is released. As a result, the molars that were in contact and biting in the state shown in Figure 17(a) become non-contact as shown in Figure 18(a), and a space S2 is formed on the biting surface.

[0042] Thus, when the wearer sleeps wearing the mouthpiece 1' according to this embodiment, even if the wearer makes a movement that would result in grinding the teeth, in which the lower jaw moves horizontally, the occlusion of the molars is released by the function shown in Figures 18(a) and 18(b), and grinding of the molars can be avoided, thereby improving the quality of sleep. Also, as described above, since the hardness of the polymerized resin is lower than that of the material of human teeth, it is possible to prevent the canine of the maxillary dentition from being worn down, even if the canine of the maxillary dentition moves along the slope 21' of the canine mounting portion 20'.

[0043] As explained in FIG. 16, the inclined surface 21' of the canine mounting portion 20' has an overall inclination of an angle α with respect to the horizontal direction. This angle α is adjusted to a preferable angle for achieving the function of releasing the occlusion of the molars by the canine of the maxillary dentition moving along the inclined surface 21' as explained in FIG. 18(a) and FIG. 18(b). Based on the structure of the oral cavity of a general human, the appropriate range of this angle α is 30° to 45°. However, it is not limited thereto, and it is preferable that the angle be adjusted appropriately according to the condition of the oral cavity of the wearer.

[0044] As described above, according to the mouthpiece 1' of this embodiment, it is possible to achieve the same effects as the mouthpiece 1 described in the first embodiment, even when used as a mouthpiece worn on the lower jaw.

[0045] Embodiment 3 Next, a method for manufacturing the mouthpiece according to the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, the mouthpiece 1 described in the first embodiment will be described as an example, but the overall manufacturing method is the same as that of the mouthpiece 1' described in the second embodiment. Differences will be noted in the following description. FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing the manufacturing method according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 19, first, a plaster mold that replicates the shape of the wearer's maxillary dentition is formed as a dental model by a general dentist's method (S101). Then, a base plastic material, which is a softened plastic material, is placed on the plaster mold and hardened to form the base part 10 (S102).

[0046] FIG. 20 is a top perspective view of the base part 10 thus formed, and FIG. 21 is a bottom perspective view of the same. First, the base part 10 that fits snugly to the maxillary dentition of the wearer is completed by S102. As a method for fitting a plastic material snugly over a plaster mold of the maxillary dentition of the wearer and hardening it, it is possible to use an existing method such as vacuum forming. As a result, a recess 101 is formed on the side of the base part 10 that is to be fitted to the maxillary dentition, and the side facing the mandibular dentition has an uneven shape according to the shape of the recess 101. Note that, as a finishing touch to the base part 10, adjustments such as cutting off unnecessary parts for the function of the mouthpiece 1 may be performed.

[0047] Next, the pre-hardened polymerized resin 40 is applied to the surface of the base portion 10 formed in this manner, facing the mandibular dentition, at the area corresponding to the canine and molar teeth (S103). This polymerized resin 40 is used as a plastic material for the molar portion. FIG. 22 is a bottom perspective view showing the state in which the polymerized resin 40 is applied to the base portion 10. This polymerized resin 40 mainly becomes the molar application portion 30. In the case of a mouthpiece 1' to be attached to the mandibular dentition, the polymerized resin 40 is applied to the surface of the base portion 10, facing the mandibular dentition, at the area corresponding to the canine and molar teeth.

[0048] Once the polymerized resin 40 is applied, a procedure for forming a dental impression 41 on the polymerized resin 40 is performed (S104). In S104, before the polymerized resin 40 hardens, the wearer bites the polymerized resin 40 while wearing the base part 10, and the polymerized resin 40 is hardened with the dental impression of the mandibular dentition formed on the polymerized resin 40. FIG. 23 is a bottom perspective view showing the state in which the dental impression 41 of the mandibular dentition is formed on the polymerized resin 40. In the case of a mouthpiece 1' to be worn on the mandibular dentition, the dental impression of the maxillary dentition is formed on the polymerized resin 40.

[0049] Once the dental mold 41 is formed on the polymerized resin 40, next, a canine mounting portion 42, which will be the base of the canine mounting portion 20, is applied (S105). The same material as the polymerized resin 40 is used for the canine mounting portion 42. FIG. 24 is a bottom perspective view showing the state in which the canine mounting portion 42 has been applied from the state of FIG. 23. In S105, the canine mounting portion 42 is formed by applying polymerized resin mainly to the outside of a portion of the dental mold 41 that corresponds to the canine of the mandibular dentition. This canine mounting portion 42 is used as a plastic material for the canine.

[0050] The biggest difference between the mouthpiece 1 described in the first embodiment and the mouthpiece 2 described in the second embodiment is the process of laying the canine placement portion 42. Fig. 25 is a top perspective view showing the state corresponding to Fig. 24 in the case of the mouthpiece 1' attached to the lower jaw. As shown in Fig. 25, in the case of the mouthpiece 1, the part of the dental mold 41 corresponding to the canine of the mandibular dentition is used as a reference, and the polymerized resin is laid as the canine placement portion 42 mainly on the outside of the part, whereas in the case of the mouthpiece 1', the part of the dental mold 41 corresponding to the canine of the maxillary dentition is used as a reference, and the polymerized resin is laid as the canine placement portion 42 mainly on the inside of the part.

[0051] When the state shown in Figure 24 or 25 is thus formed, marking is then applied to the area of ​​the impression 41 that faces the functional cusp of the part corresponding to the molar (S106). In S106, marking is applied to the flat part that is the most depressed part of the impression 41. It is preferable to apply the marking with a carbon marker, and to be careful not to cut away the marked area or the surrounding polymerized resin. This marking is used as the area where the plastic material for the molar part will be left, and the procedure in S106 is the procedure for setting this.

[0052] Then, the polymerized resin 40 in the unnecessary portion is removed (S107), leaving only the portion marked in S106 and the canine mounting portion 42 mounted in S105. In other words, the area marked in S106 becomes the molar mounting portion 30 or the molar mounting portion 30' shown in Fig. 2, Fig. 10, etc.

[0053] In the process of S107, first, of the polymerized resin 40 applied in S103, except for the portion that forms the base of the canine mounting portion 42, the range marked in S106 is removed as unnecessary. As a result, only the marked range remains in the portion of the base portion 10 that faces the molars of the mandibular dentition, and the remaining portion becomes the molar mounting portion 30 or the molar mounting portion 30'.

[0054] Finally, the remaining canine mounting portion 42 is molded into the canine mounting portion 20 or the canine mounting portion 20' (S108), thereby completing the mouthpiece 1 or the mouthpiece 1' shown in Figs. 1 to 6 or Figs. 10 to 15.

[0055] In the process of S108, as explained in Fig. 7, mainly the inner slope 21 is formed, and adjustment is made to form the space S1 shown in Fig. 8(b) so that the canine of the mandibular dentition does not contact the slope 21 in the normal occlusion state. In the case of a mouthpiece 1' to be worn on the mandible, as explained in Fig. 16, mainly the outer slope 21' is formed, and adjustment is made to form the space S1 shown in Fig. 17(b) so that the canine of the maxillary dentition does not contact the slope 21' in the normal occlusion state.

[0056] According to the manufacturing method described above in FIG. 19, anyone with the skills of a general dentist or dental technician can manufacture the above-mentioned mouthpiece 1 or mouthpiece 1' without using any special skills or special materials or tools. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1, 1´ Mouthpiece 10, 10´ Base 20, 20´ Canine serving section 21, 21´ Slope 30, 30´ Molar mounting area 40 Polymerized Resin 41 Tooth type 42 Canine tooth serving section 101, 101´ recess

Claims

1. A mouthpiece that is worn over the maxillary or mandibular dentition, A base portion having a recess formed along the maxillary dentition or mandibular dentition of a wearer; a molar mounting portion provided on a side facing the unattached dentition when the base portion is attached to the dentition of a wearer, The molar mounting portion is formed at a portion where a molar of a dentition where the base portion is not attached comes into contact when a wearer wears the base portion and bites the upper and lower jaws, This mouthpiece is characterized in that, when a wearer wears the base portion and bites down on the upper and lower jaws, the area from the right canine to the left canine in the dentition where the base portion is not attached is in a non-contact state with the base portion.

2. The base portion has a canine mounting portion formed in a portion corresponding to the canine when the base portion is attached, The canine mounting portion has a surface that faces the row of teeth on the side where the base portion is not attached when the wearer wears the base portion, and is formed as a slope that is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, The mouthpiece according to claim 1, characterized in that the inclined surface is formed at an angle such that, when the wearer moves the lower jaw horizontally from a normal bite position, the row of teeth on the side to which the base portion is not attached moves along the inclined surface, causing the lower jaw and upper jaw to move apart.

3. The mouthpiece according to claim 2, characterized in that the angle of the inclined surface with respect to the horizontal direction is within a range of 30° to 45°.

4. The base portion is configured to be attached to the maxillary dentition, The mouthpiece according to claim 2, characterized in that the canine placement portion is formed so as to be positioned outside the canine of the mandibular dentition when the wearer wears the base portion and bites down on the upper and lower jaws.

5. The base portion is configured to be attached to the mandibular dentition, The mouthpiece according to claim 2, characterized in that the canine mounting portion is formed so as to be positioned inside the canine of the maxillary dentition when the wearer wears the base portion and bites down on the upper and lower jaws.

6. The mouthpiece according to claim 1, characterized in that the molar mounting portion is formed centered on a position where the functional cusp of the molar on the side to which the base portion is not attached comes into contact when a wearer wears the base portion and bites down on their upper and lower jaws.

7. A method for manufacturing a mouthpiece to be worn over an upper or lower jaw dentition, comprising the steps of: A dental model is formed that replicates the shape of the wearer's maxillary or mandibular dentition, a base plastic material is pressed against the dentition of the dental model and hardened to form a base to be attached to the maxillary dentition or mandibular dentition of a wearer; a plastic material for a molar portion is applied to a surface of the base portion facing a row of teeth to which the base portion is not attached in a range from a canine to a molar when the base portion is attached to a wearer; a wearer wears the base portion on which the molar portion plastic material is piled, and bites down on the upper and lower jaws to form a dental impression of a row of teeth facing the molar portion plastic material; hardening the molar plastic material on which the tooth shape has been formed; A molar plastic material remaining area is set around the deepest recessed area of ​​the mandibular dentition formed in the molar plastic material; A method for manufacturing a mouthpiece, in which the mouthpiece is completed by removing the plastic material for the molar portion outside the set area in which the plastic material for the molar portion is to be left.

8. A method for manufacturing a mouthpiece to be worn over an upper jaw dentition, comprising the steps of: After the molar plastic material on which the tooth mold is formed is hardened, a canine plastic material is piled on the outside of the portion of the molar plastic material corresponding to the canine, and then hardened; the hardened plastic material for canine is molded so that, when a wearer wears the base portion and bites the upper and lower jaws, the plastic material is positioned outside the canine of the mandibular dentition and is not in contact with the canine of the mandibular dentition in a normal bite state, and the surface facing the canine of the mandibular dentition is inclined relative to the horizontal direction; The method for manufacturing a mouthpiece according to claim 7, characterized in that the inclined surface is formed at an angle such that when a wearer moves the lower jaw horizontally from a normal bite position, the canine tooth of the lower jaw dentition moves along the inclined surface, causing the lower jaw and upper jaw to move apart.

9. A method for manufacturing a mouthpiece to be worn over a mandibular dentition, comprising the steps of: After the molar plastic material on which the tooth mold is formed is hardened, a canine plastic material is piled on the inside of the portion of the molar plastic material corresponding to the canine, and then hardened; the hardened plastic material for canines is molded so that, when a wearer wears the base portion and bites the upper and lower jaws, the plastic material is positioned inside the canines of the maxillary dentition and is not in contact with the canines of the maxillary dentition in a normal bite state, and the surface facing the canines of the maxillary dentition is inclined relative to the horizontal direction; The method for manufacturing a mouthpiece according to claim 7, characterized in that the inclined surface is formed at an angle such that when a wearer moves the lower jaw horizontally from a normal bite position, the canine of the upper jaw moves along the inclined surface, causing the lower jaw and upper jaw to move apart.

10. The method for manufacturing a mouthpiece according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the angle of the inclined surface with respect to the horizontal direction is within a range of 15° to 30°.

11. A method for manufacturing a mouthpiece as described in claim 7, characterized in that when the upper and lower jaws are bitten together to form a dental impression of the tooth row facing the plastic material for the molar portion, the upper and lower jaws are bitten so that the canines and molars bite into the plastic material for the molar portion, and the teeth other than the canines and molars of the opposing tooth row are not in contact with the base portion.

12. When setting a range of the molar plastic material to be left, a mark is made on the tooth impression formed in the molar plastic material, the mark being centered on a position corresponding to a functional cusp of the molar; The method for manufacturing a mouthpiece according to claim 7, characterized in that when removing the plastic material for the molar portion other than the area in which the plastic material for the molar portion is to be left, the plastic material for the molar portion is removed so as to leave the marked area.

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