Dental occlusal cushion

Abstract

A dental occlusal cushion having a shape and size formed to be suitable for placement on one or more adjacent teeth of a user, comprising a body formed to abut the tooth surface of one or more teeth, and two lateral cheeks extending from the body and extending along the length of the body, each of which has trenches extending to each side of the body and arranged on both sides of the body such that trenches suitable for receiving one or more adjacent teeth are created between the lateral cheek and the body, and the length of the body along the direction of the trenches is 15 mm to 35 mm.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a dental occlusion cushion suitable for use by a user for reducing and relieving tension in the jaw muscles and gently stretching the temporomandibular joint.

Background Art

[0002] Particularly when clenching, biting, and even grinding the teeth, in order to provide protection to the teeth, when people clench their teeth and close their jaws, in order to provide an elastic pressure absorber between the teeth, it is already known to use a dental occlusion cushion or the like.

[0003] According to the prior art, according to U.S. Patent No. 5,836,761, an elastic damper inserted between the upper and lower jaws of a user, particularly an athlete, is provided to achieve relaxation of the user during strong exercise and related tooth clenching. It has been found that by using a suitable damping element to facilitate tooth clenching and biting (also colloquially referred to as "bare teeth"), the stress on the user can be reduced.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] [[ID=2,6]]An object of the present invention is to provide a particularly convenient dental occlusion cushion that can be used to optimally create a relaxation situation for the user.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] According to the present invention, the object is a dental occlusal cushion having a shape and size formed to be suitable for placement on one or more adjacent teeth of a user, comprising a body formed to abut the tooth surface of one or more teeth, and two lateral cheeks extending from the body and extending along the length of the body, each of which extends to each side of the body, and trenches suitable for receiving one or more adjacent teeth are arranged on both sides of the body such that trenches are created between the lateral cheeks and the body, and the length of the body along the direction of the trenches is 15 mm to 35 mm, and is filled with a dental occlusal cushion.

[0006] Due to the increased length of the dental occlusal cushion according to the present invention, one or more of the user's teeth are covered over a larger area and length during use, resulting in more stable positioning of the dental occlusal cushion and a more uniform and gentle pressure distribution on the teeth when closing the jaw. The trench structure formed on both sides of the body by the lateral cheeks enhances positioning ability and positional stability, making it easier to align the dental occlusal cushion with the user's teeth.

[0007] The dental occlusal cushion according to the present invention is manufactured from a soft material, preferably medical-grade silicone having a Shore A hardness of 10 to 70, and in one embodiment particularly preferably 18 to 22. Thus, the dental occlusal cushion provides the user with a particularly comfortable feeling while still providing a physiologically significant relief effect because the pressure exerted by the teeth is reduced. The dental occlusal cushion according to the present invention can also have beneficial effects on the user when it is made of a material having a Shore A hardness in the range of 25 to 30, preferably medical-grade silicone, because, firstly, there is still a sufficiently soft and gentle cushion for placement between the user's teeth that creates a comfortable feeling during use, and secondly, there is also an increase in the sensation of pressure that physiologically contributes to particularly effective relief and stress reduction. Furthermore, it is preferable to model the dental occlusal cushion in a special way with respect to the physiological shape by using ratios that occur in nature. Therefore, the ratio of the length of the lateral teak or the height of the lateral teak to the length of the body appears to be in the range of 1.2 to 2.3, particularly 1.4 to 1.8, and especially preferably about 1.61. This value corresponds to the so-called "golden ratio," or the ratio of consecutive (greater) terms in the Fibonacci sequence, and represents a growth process that occurs in nature.

[0008] Favorable developments are brought about by the dental occlusal cushions described in claims 2 to 8. The present invention will be described and explained in more detail below, by example, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings are shown below. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] A 3D diagram of the dental occlusal cushion according to the present invention is shown. [Figure 2] This shows a side view of the dental occlusal cushion according to the present invention. [Figure 3] This shows a front view of the dental occlusal cushion according to the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] As shown with reference to Figures 1 to 3, the dental occlusal cushion 10 according to the present invention has a suitable block-shaped body 12 having sufficient thickness D to achieve gentle and calm stretching of the temporomandibular muscles in the temporomandibular joint region when the dental occlusal cushion is placed on one or more of the user's teeth when the mandible is closed against the maxilla. The thickness D of the body placed between the maxillary and mandibular dentition is between 2 and 10 mm, preferably between 3 and 7 mm, and particularly preferably between 5 and 6 mm, for dental occlusal cushions suitable for adults and children aged 8 years and older.

[0011] The dental occlusal cushion 10 according to the present invention has a main body length L of 15 mm to 35 mm. Particularly preferred is a main body length L of 22 to 28 mm, and especially 24 to 26 mm. In this embodiment, the length L is 25 mm.

[0012] In embodiments suitable for children, the main body 12 has a length L of 10-25 mm, particularly 20 mm. Furthermore, the dental occlusal cushion 10 according to the present invention is provided with lateral cheeks 14, 16 on both sides, which work in conjunction with the main body to form trenches on each side of the main body that can receive the maxillary and mandibular teeth when used by a patient. Thus, the dental occlusal cushion 10 according to the present invention can be easily positioned on one or more of the user's teeth and, due to their shape, are in contact with and held against both the maxillary and mandibular teeth when the mouth is closed. The lateral cheeks prevent the dental occlusal cushion from tilting or falling out laterally, and the lateral cheeks are configured to avoid irritation to the gums. The lateral cheeks 14, 16 preferably have a relatively low cheek height S of 3-10 mm, preferably 3-7 mm, particularly preferably 5-6 mm, and in this embodiment 5 mm. Therefore, dental occlusal cushions for adults and children aged 8 and over are characterized in that only the cervical area of ​​the user's teeth is covered by the lateral cheeks without applying pressure to the gums and thus without causing irritation. The thickness W of the lateral cheeks 14, 16 of dental occlusal cushions suitable for adults and children aged 8 and over is in the range of 1 to 5 mm, preferably between 1.5 and 3 mm, in order to provide sufficient elasticity to easily hold the dental occlusal cushion over the user's molars. For lateral cheeks that taper toward the outer end, the thickness refers to the average value, especially over the length protruding from the main body.

[0013] In embodiments particularly suited for children, the lateral teak has the same teak height as in the adult embodiments. In one variant, the children's embodiment may also have a teak height of 2-5 mm. Other dimensions, except for the length, are the same as in the adult embodiments in this embodiment.

[0014] An ornament 20, for example, in the form of a raised material in the shape of a brand logo, can be provided on the face of the main body.

[0015] The material used in the dental occlusal cushion 10 according to the present invention is preferably silicone suitable for food and baby products. Suitable materials have a Shore A hardness of 10 to 70, preferably 15 to 25, and especially preferably 18 to 22, and in one embodiment a Shore A hardness of 20. In another embodiment, the dental occlusal cushion is made of a material having a Shore A hardness of 25 to 30, such as medical-grade silicone.

[0016] Furthermore, the product can be sterilized by irradiation to ensure absolute sterility during use. The dental occlusal cushion according to the present invention is preferably manufactured by injection molding. An example of a suitable material is provided by Wacker Chemie under the name Elastosil LR5040 / 20. Details of exemplary Elastosil LR5040 / 20A / B can be found in Wacker Chemie's datasheet. However, suitable silicones can also be obtained from other manufacturers.

[0017] Furthermore, dental occlusal cushions are manufactured with either beveled or rounded edges.

[0018] The dental occlusal cushion according to the present invention is particularly suitable for initial treatment of craniomandibular therapy, stimulation and relaxation of the temporomandibular joint and surrounding muscles, including the muscles of the shoulders, neck, and back, and thus for pain reduction. By placing the dental occlusal cushion on both sides of the mandibular teeth, a gentle stretch of the temporomandibular joint and jaw muscles is achieved, depending on the level of comfort in the anterior or posterior region of the jaw, which brings a state of relaxation to the user or patient. As a further neurophysiological consequence, the vagus nerve is activated, resulting in relaxation of the muscles in the shoulders, neck, and back. Also, by gently stretching the temporomandibular joint, there is a possibility of soothing the stimulated joint capsule ligaments, and if there is a possibility of dislocation, the joint disc can be returned to its intended position by the accompanying means, which contributes to pain reduction.

[0019] Therefore, the dental occlusal cushion according to the present invention can be used as an augmentative pretreatment for subsequent procedures to therapeutically stretch the temporomandibular joint using a short dental occlusal cushion for molars.

Claims

1. A dental occlusal cushion (10) having a shape and size formed to be suitable for placement on one or more adjacent teeth of a user, A dental occlusal cushion comprising: a main body (12) formed to abut the tooth surface of one or more teeth; and two lateral cheeks (14, 16) extending from the main body (12) and extending along the length of the main body, wherein each of the lateral cheeks (14, 16) extends to each side of the main body and is arranged such that trenches suitable for receiving one or more adjacent teeth are created between the lateral cheeks (14, 16) and the main body on both sides of the main body, and the length (L) of the main body along the direction of the trenches is 15 mm to 35 mm.

2. The dental occlusal cushion according to claim 1, wherein the main body has a thickness of 2 to 10 mm, measured in a direction perpendicular to the surface on which the main body can be placed on a tooth.

3. The dental occlusal cushion according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lateral cheeks (14, 16) have a thickness of 1 to 5 mm, measured in a direction parallel to the surface on which the main body can be positioned against the teeth.

4. A dental occlusal cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, integrally formed and made of medical-grade silicone material.

5. The dental occlusal cushion according to claim 4, wherein the silicone material has a Shore A hardness of 10 to 70, preferably 15 to 25, and particularly preferably 18 to 22.

6. A dental occlusal cushion according to any one of claims 1 to 3, integrally formed from a material having a Shore A hardness of 25 to 30, preferably medical-grade silicone.

7. The dental occlusal cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the length (S) of the lateral cheek protruding from the main body is between 3 and 10 mm, preferably between 3 and 6 mm.

8. The dental occlusal cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ratio of the length (L) of the main body to the width (B) of the dental occlusal cushion is between 1.2 and 2.3, preferably between 1.4 and 1.8, and particularly about 1.

6.

9. The dental occlusal cushion according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ratio of the length (L) of the lateral cheek to the height (H) of the lateral cheek is between 1.2 and 2.3, preferably between 1.4 and 1.8, and particularly about 1.6.

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