Mouth guard

WO2025186128A8PCT designated stage Publication Date: 2025-10-02THIEL MICHAEL
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Patent Information

Application Number
PCT/EP2025/055540
Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2024-03-05
Filing Date
2025-02-28
Publication Date
2025-10-02

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing mouthguards are not suitable for protecting against external impacts during sports due to their bilaterally symmetrical geometry and lack of ease of removal, leading to discomfort and difficulty in handling.

Method used

A dental splint with a tongue removal aid, such as a widened portion or projection, is integrated into the design to facilitate easy removal using the tongue, minimizing speech interference and ensuring a secure fit.

Benefits of technology

The dental splint can be easily removed without hands, maintaining comfort and security, allowing athletes to speak clearly and keep the device in place during physical activity.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The invention relates to a device for protecting the jaw, comprising a plastics dental splint (1) which is individually adapted to a person, is made in one piece, has an approximately U-shaped cross-sectional profile, and has a left jaw side (1L) and a right jaw side (1R). The dental splint (1) extends along a central splint axis M which defines a plane (K), and the dental splint (1) can be placed on a dental arch in the direction of a normal (N) to the plane (K) and has an inner surface (1.1) which is adapted to the outer contour of a dental arch including the outer contour of at least ten teeth (4) and by means of which a plurality of tooth spaces (1.3) arranged next to one another are formed. The dental splint (1) has an outer surface (1.2) which is directed into the oral cavity and is opposite the inner surface (1.1). The dental splint (1) is intended to be easier to handle and offer more comfort. The dental splint (1) has a pull-off aid (2) for the tongue, which is designed as a local widening of the dental splint (1) in a direction parallel to the plane (K) into the oral cavity.
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Description

[0001] Mouthguard

[0002] The invention relates to a device for protecting the jaw, comprising a one-piece plastic dental splint which is individually adapted to a person and has an approximately U-shaped cross-sectional profile, and has a left jaw side and a right jaw side. The dental splint extends along a central splint axis which defines a plane and the dental splint can be placed on a dental arch in the direction of a normal to the plane. The dental splint has an inner surface which is adapted to the outer contour of a dental arch including the outer contour of at least ten teeth, and the inner surface forms a plurality of adjacent tooth spaces for incisors, canines and molars. The dental splint has an outer surface which is directed into the oral cavity and is opposite the inner surface.A dental arch, or row of teeth, includes at least the front incisors (incisors), the lateral incisors, the canines (canines), and at least two or three molars (premolars and molars). The seventh and eighth molars are generally not covered by a standard dental splint to prevent excessive occlusion.

[0003] Such devices for protecting the jaw are also known as mouthguards and ensure that the force of blows and impacts is distributed over a larger area to protect athletes. This type of protection is only guaranteed if the row of teeth or the dental arch up to the sixth tooth, i.e. in particular the incisors, canines and front molars, are covered by the dental splint. A dental arch is understood to mean at least the first six teeth on both sides of the jaw. A dental arch is also referred to as a row of teeth. It is also essential that the dental splint with its inner contour, i.e. its inner surface, is individually adapted as best as possible to the contour of each individual tooth in the dental arch.This ensures that blows or impulses in the front area of ​​the dental splint are transmitted through the dental splint to each individual tooth and thus also to the dental arch and beyond to the entire jaw. This distribution of the impulse reduces the pressure, i.e. the force per area exerted by blows or impulses on the individual tooth and the front part of the dental arch. By individually adapting to the contours of all the teeth in a dental arch, the teeth are enclosed by the inner surface of the dental splint without any play. The dental splint therefore fits very closely and snugly against the outer tooth surfaces of the dental arch. These are the tooth surfaces that are not exhaustively referred to as labial, buccal and lingual.

[0004] The best possible protective effect is achieved through precise individual adjustment. According to the current state of the art, mouthguards are manufactured as deep-drawn parts made from multiple deep-drawn sheets with an insert between the sheets. Compared to a deep-drawn sheet, the insert has less elastic and more tough and rigid properties. To produce a model of a dental arch as a mold for deep-drawing, a hollow mold is first formed using an impression of the dental arch, and this hollow mold is then poured. Such deep-drawn sheets are relatively elastic sheets with a layer thickness of 3 mm, which, due to their elasticity, are very comfortable to wear. The insert is harder and cannot be produced by deep-drawing. According to WO 2018 / 141325 A1, the shape data from the first deep-drawn sheet is acquired using a scanner to produce the insert.The insert is manufactured from a light-curing plastic using a 3D printer and precisely positioned in its original shape, size, dimensions, and thickness on the first thermoformed plastic film. It is then covered with a second thermoforming film in a second thermoforming process. The special manufacturing process of the mouthguard allows the plastic film to have a contour adapted to the shape of the jaw and teeth. Generic mouthguards have a thickness of up to 5 mm. Ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) films are preferably used as thermoformable films. The insert, as a printed molded part, is made from acrylates, methacrylates, epoxies, vinyl ethers, vinyl esters, styrene derivatives, thiol-ene systems, or mixtures thereof. According to US 2019 / 0262565 A1, orthopedic mouthguards are described that can improve breathing performance, for example, during physical activity.This dental splint is fitted over the back teeth (premolars and molars) and has a flange extending from the lingual parts of the body to contact a tongue at one or more points near the back teeth (premolars and molars) to cause contraction of the genioglossus, which positions the tongue forward and downward toward the mandible by stimulating the hypoglossal nerve.

[0005] US 2008 / 0050693 A1 describes a non-custom-made dental splint used to provide dental treatment to a person's teeth. The splint can be used for dental treatments such as whitening, fluoride administration, or the application of other medications.

[0006] Such state-of-the-art medical or cosmetic mouth guards are not suitable as mouth guards against external influences, blows, impacts, and impulses from foreign bodies during sports. The bilaterally symmetrical geometry used in such medical or cosmetic mouth guards, directed inward into the oral cavity, is not used to remove a mouth guard designed as a mouth guard.

[0007] Based on this prior art, the invention is based on the object of designing a mouthguard and its manufacturing method in such a way that the dental splint is easier to handle and offers more wearing comfort.

[0008] The object is achieved according to the invention in that a tongue removal aid is provided on the dental splint in the form of a widening of the dental splint which projects into the oral cavity in a direction parallel to the plane relative to the outer surface, the dental splint having a tongue removal aid arranged locally on the left jaw side of the dental splint and / or a tongue removal aid arranged locally on the right jaw side of the dental splint. Preferably, the dental splint has only a single tongue removal aid, which is provided either on the left jaw side of the dental splint or alternatively on the right jaw side of the dental splint. This means that only a single tongue removal aid is provided in the direction of the central splint axis along the entire dental splint. It is essential for the present invention that the tongue removal aid influences the tongue as little as possible so that no difficulties arise when speaking.A key advantage is that the removal aid is only provided on one side of the jaw of the dental splint. Speech is also minimally affected by the fact that the removal aid is positioned as far back as possible, near the molars. The removal aid's influence on the tongue, and thus on speech, is least in the back of the palate. As a further measure to minimize the impact on speech, the removal aid is kept as short as possible in terms of its length along the splint axis and along the dental arch.

[0009] The extraction aid is made as a widened portion from the same plastic as the dental splint and is integral with the dental splint. The extraction aid is provided in addition to the usual features of a dental splint and their effect, and constitutes additional physical features. Starting from the outer surface, as it would normally be without a extraction aid, the extraction aid, or rather the local widened portion, protrudes from this usual outer surface. The extraction aid protrudes several millimeters, preferably more than 6 mm, and particularly preferably more than 10 mm, above the usual outer surface.

[0010] The removal aid is designed to provide the tongue with a surface to grip so that the dental splint can be removed from the teeth. To do this, the removal aid is sufficiently rigid and has very low flexural properties. This is primarily achieved through the geometry of the removal aid. The removal aid has a curved or arched shape and tapers only slightly from the dental splint inwards towards the oral cavity. In the case of a dental splint in the lower jaw, removal is achieved by pressing the tongue upwards against the removal aid towards the upper jaw. If the dental splint is used or worn on the upper jaw, which is a rare occurrence, the tongue is pressed downwards against the removal aid towards the lower jaw.Pressing with the tongue is made possible by the fact that the removal aid provides the tongue with a base through which the tip of the tongue can engage or engage in a direction perpendicular to the plane, i.e. in the direction of the normal. This means that the dental splint does not have to be pulled off the teeth with the fingers as is usual, but can be removed quickly, easily and hygienically using the tongue. This is particularly important for athletes who wear gloves and, like ice hockey players, who control their stick with their hands. Another key advantage is that the player can remove the dental splint on the spot without using their hands, in order to speak clearly. The removal aid allows the dental splint to be clamped more firmly to the teeth and dental arch. This improves wearing comfort because the dental splint stays securely in place.

[0011] To ensure the best possible approach for the tip of the tongue to achieve the necessary force to release the dental splint, it is advantageous if the dental splint is limited in height by an upper splint surface and a lower splint surface, and the entire removal aid is positioned within the normal direction of the height. The leverage with the tongue is greatest immediately above the teeth and also immediately below the area of ​​the exposed teeth.

[0012] As a device for applying the tongue with action in the direction of the normal, it is advantageous if the withdrawal aid in the form of a lip at least partially adjoins one of the tooth spaces for molars and / or forms a projection relative to the outer surface. The lip and the projection protrude accordingly in a direction parallel to the plane. A conventional dental splint has a horseshoe-shaped contour with an outer surface that runs more or less parallel to the inner surface, regardless of different material thicknesses of the dental splint. Compared to such a conventional outer surface, the withdrawal aid protrudes inwards towards the tongue and thus in a direction parallel to the plane. The withdrawal aid forms a one-piece device with the dental splint and is made of identical material, in which the outer surface of the dental splint merges seamlessly into the outer surface formed by the withdrawal aid.A precise demarcation of the outer surface of the toothed splint from the outer surface of the removal aid is not important with regard to the effect of the features according to the invention.

[0013] To facilitate the placement of the tip of the tongue, it is advantageous if the lip forms a concave depression with an inner surface for the tongue, and the inner surface of the depression or lip widens at least one of the tooth spaces in a direction parallel to the plane and / or the inner surface directly adjoins the inner surface. The lip enlarges the tooth space and is accordingly open in the normal direction. The lip or depression can be easily felt with the tongue, and this shape prevents the tongue from slipping when pressed with the tip of the tongue.

[0014] With regard to the geometry of the trough, it is advantageous if the trough formed in the lip has a partially spherical inner surface. In geometric terms, a partially spherical surface is defined as an exact spherical surface with a constant radius. During production, the dental splint is not only individually adapted to the geometry of the dentures, but also with regard to the position and orientation of the removal aid. Due to its all-round symmetry, the partially spherical surface allows the orientation of the removal aid to be freely selected. In particular, with a partially spherical surface, only the radius needs to be specified as the sole parameter for calculating the trough in order to define both the size and the contour. No other geometric surface offers this advantage.

[0015] To simplify the design of the removal aid, a projection can advantageously be provided on the outside of the dental splint instead of a lip integrated into the tooth space. The projection has a pressure surface for the tongue, which is concave in shape and simultaneously or alternatively equipped with a profile. The concave shape and also the profile help to ensure that the tip of the tongue does not slip when pressed. A preferred very tight fit of the dental splint requires that the dental splint can also be removed relatively easily. To this end, it is advantageous if the removal aid is arranged in the direction of the splint axis in an area with a length adjacent to one of the tooth spaces of teeth five to eight or the molars, whereby the length corresponds to a maximum of the length of two tooth spaces or a maximum of 20 mm, 25 mm, 30 mm or 35 mm.In the back of the jaw, where teeth five to eight are located, the tongue can exert considerably more force to release the withdrawal aid than is possible in the front of the jaw. This is particularly because when working with the tongue in the back of the jaw, the body of the tongue rests on the root of the tongue when pressure is applied. When removing a dental splint on the upper jaw, the tip of the tongue pulls on the dental splint. The leverage for the tongue is considerably more favorable in the back of the jaw than in the front. A further advantage of positioning the withdrawal aid in the back of the molars is that the tongue can move freely in the front of the jaw. At the same time, the reduced length of the withdrawal aid in the direction of the dental arch or in the direction of the splint axis greatly reduces the influence on the body of the tongue when speaking.

[0016] The removal aid allows a relatively high level of force to be applied to remove the dental splint. In addition to the ability to transfer a high level of force to the dental splint to release it, the removal aid also offers a kinematic advantage. By positioning the removal aid at one end of the dental splint, only the clamping force that acts on two or three molars in the area of ​​the removal aid needs to be overcome when removing it. Due to its elasticity, the dental splint initially only releases at these teeth in the rear area of ​​the removal aid and only on the jaw side of the removal aid. The dental splint remains fixed to the front teeth and on the other side of the jaw along the number row. Once the base of the dental splint has been removed on one side of the jaw, the removal process continues around the entire dental splint with essentially constant force from the tongue.According to the invention, the force exerted by the tongue to release the dental splint is not distributed across the entire dental splint at the same time. The dental splint can be clamped onto the number row accordingly firmly. For this purpose, it is advantageous if the dental splint has opposing flanks for clamping and the flanks form an undercut with the inner surface, with a boundary line of the undercut being extended by several millimeters in the normal direction relative to the anatomical equator of the dental arch. The dental splint, which runs in a horseshoe shape in the jaw, has a U-shaped cross-section in a cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the splint axis. Two opposing flanks, each adjacent to the teeth, adjoin the bite bar resting on the teeth. The flanks generate a clamping force on the teeth, which fixes the dental splint in place.The boundary of the inner surface, which rests on the teeth, is defined in relation to the outer surface by the boundary line. The boundary line is a measure of how far the dental splint rests against the tooth with the inner surface facing downwards towards the tooth root. The molar has a maximum diameter in the middle area of ​​the visible tooth surface. The circumferential connecting line of these maximum diameters is called the anatomical equator. The undercut secures the dental splint to the tooth in a form-fitting manner. To remove the dental splint, it is necessary to elastically deform the two flanks and increase the distance between the ends of the two flanks.

[0017] The implementation of a removal aid, as well as individual positioning and alignment, is also significantly more precise than individual adaptation to the tooth contour if the dental splint with the removal aid is printed using a 3D printer from one or more plastics. The respective plastic is cured with light, and the plastics have different properties in terms of their hardness and / or toughness and / or ductility. Printing with plastics with different properties has the advantage that a different plastic can be used for better protection, as well as the advantage of a secure fit of the dental splint. Furthermore, the printing process has the advantage that the dental splint can be produced much thinner, while still achieving hardnesses of between 15 and 180 Shore A.

[0018] By 3D printing the complete dental splint, it is possible to adapt the splint extremely precisely to the tooth contour and to use plastics that are relatively difficult to deep-draw but offer a very high level of protection due to their properties. This, in turn, allows the material thickness of the splint to be reduced from well below 5 mm to as little as 3 mm.

[0019] Further advantages and details of the invention are explained in the claims and in the description and illustrated in the figures.

[0020] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a dental splint looking at the closed side;

[0021] Figure 2 is a representation of a dental splint according to Figure 1 with a view of the open side;

[0022] Figure 3 is a sectional view of the cross section of a toothed rail perpendicular to the rail axis according to the section line III-III of Figure 1;

[0023] Figure 4 is a schematic representation of a trigger aid in the form of a lip;

[0024] Figure 5 is a schematic representation of a trigger aid in the form of a projection and

[0025] Figure 6 is a representation of the cross section of a toothed rail perpendicular to the rail axis according to the section line Vl-Vl' of Figure 5.

[0026] Figures 1 and 2 show a schematic view of a dental splint 1 for a lower jaw, which is adapted to the outer contour of a row of teeth (not shown) or a dental arch (not shown) of a person. According to Figure 1, the dental splint 1 runs in the direction of a central splint axis Z along the dental arch in a horseshoe shape from the left jaw side 1L of the posterior molars over the front incisors to the molars on the opposite right jaw side 1R. The splint axis Z spans a plane K. Figure 1 shows the outer surface 1.2 with a view of the upper, closed side of the dental splint 1. At the left rear end of the dental splint 1, a removal aid 2 is provided in the area of ​​the molar (6th tooth), by means of which the dental splint is locally widened compared to the right rear end of the dental splint 1. The widening extends parallel to the plane K into the oral cavity.

[0027] Figure 2 shows the lower, open side of the dental splint 1 according to Figure 1, after which the tooth spaces 1.3 extend downwards into the plane of the drawing. The tooth spaces 1.3 are arranged next to one another in the direction of the splint axis Z and are delimited by the inner surface 1.1 of the dental splint 1. In the direction of the molars, the dental splint 1 according to this embodiment covers the first to sixth teeth. Due to the individual adaptation of the dental splint 1 to the geometry of the teeth (not shown) of a dental arch, the inner surface 1.1 lies completely against the teeth (not shown) and thus without play. At the right rear end of the dental splint 1 (left of the plane of the drawing), the removal aid 2 for the sixth tooth is provided in the tooth space 1.3. The length of the removal aid 2 in the direction of the dental arch or the splint axis Z is shown in Figure 2.The size of the cross-sectional area of ​​the withdrawal aid 2 parallel to the plane K corresponds approximately to the size of the tip of the tongue. Accordingly, an excessively large length L of the withdrawal aid 2 is not necessary. At the same time, it is important to keep the length L as small as possible so that the withdrawal aid 2 does not hinder the tongue when speaking. In this exemplary embodiment, the length L corresponds to approximately 1.5 widths of a tooth space of the posterior molars and is approximately 26 mm. The view of the incision III-III shown in Figure 1 through the dental splint 1 is shown in Figure 3. The incision runs essentially at right angles to the splint axis Z through the tooth space 1.3 of the posterior molar and through the withdrawal aid 2. The dental splint 1 completely covers the dental arch. Figure 3 shows the incision through the sixth and, in this exemplary embodiment, last tooth 4.In this view, the plane K and the splint axis Z extend at right angles to the plane of the drawing. The dental splint 1 is placed on the dental arch in the direction of the normal N of the plane K. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the dental splint 1 can be lifted upwards from below with the tongue (not shown) in the opposite direction to the normal N. The detail of the removal aid in the illustration according to Figure 2 is shown enlarged in Figure 4. The removal aid 2 is designed as shown in Figures 3 and 4 in the form of a lip 2.1 which adjoins the inner surface 1.1 of the tooth space 1.3. It is clear that the lip 2.1 enlarges the tooth space 1.3 inwards towards the oral cavity. The lip 2.1 forms a partially spherical depression 2.1a with an inner surface 2.3. The depression 2.1a forms a cavity adjacent to the molar 4. The surface 2.3 is directly adjacent to the inner surface 1.1 of the tooth space 1.3, whereby the enlargement is achieved. This enlargement, which is necessary for the withdrawal aid 2, serves to release the dental splint 1. The tongue can be inserted into the recess 2.1a and finds sufficient hold when pressed against the withdrawal aid. Contrary to other requirements, there is no direct contact between the inner surface 1.1 and the surface of the teeth in the area of ​​the withdrawal aid. However, in this lingual position, directed inwards towards the tongue, the disadvantage that the surface for transmitting the impact or impulse force is reduced is minor. The lip 2.1 ensures that the tongue does not slip off the withdrawal aid 2 when force is exerted. The withdrawal aid 2 has a special position for applying the necessary force with the tongue. The dental splint 1 is limited in its height H by an upper splint surface SO and a lower splint surface SU.The entire extraction aid 2 is positioned between these two surfaces SU, SO, i.e. in the direction of the normal N within the height H.

[0028] A second embodiment of the withdrawal aid 2 is formed by a projection 2.2, which is shown in Figures 5 and 6. According to the embodiment described above with the lip 2.1, the dental splint 1 is lifted by the tongue against the direction of the normal N. The withdrawal aid 2 in the form of the projection 2.2 is formed on the outer side 1.2 of the dental splint 1. The projection 2.2 has a pressure surface 2.4 with a profile that prevents the tongue from slipping. The length L of the projection 2.2, like the lip 2.1, is kept as small as possible in order to hinder the tongue as little as possible when speaking. With regard to its position in the direction of the normal (N), the projection 2.2 is also positioned within the height H between the lower rail surface SU and the upper rail surface SO.

[0029] To ensure a secure fit of the dental splint 1, the clamping force of the dental splint 1 is maximized. The approach to improving the clamping effect is the U-shaped profile of the dental splint 1, which - as shown in Figure 6 - has two essentially parallel flanks 1.6. The two flanks 1.6 adjoin the bite bar 1.7 resting on the teeth. The flanks 1.6 of the dental splint 1 are intended to form an undercut 1.5 to improve the clamping effect. According to the invention, the undercut 1.5 runs in a region in which the respective molar 4 has a maximum diameter. Molars have the property that, starting from the maximum diameter, they become narrower again towards the tooth root. As a result, the points of maximum diameter that can be defined circumferentially around the molar 4 together form a so-called anatomical equator 4.1 , which is illustrated in dot form in Figures 3 and 6. The undercut 1.5 is formed in the respective tooth space 1 .3, starting from the anatomical equator 4.1, by the inner surface 1.1 being guided further downwards towards the tooth root. At the position where the inner surface 1.1 merges into the outer surface 1.2, a boundary line 1.4 is defined. The undercut 1.5 extends downwards from the anatomical equator 4.1 to the boundary line 1.4. Because the undercut 1.5 lies directly against the molar 4 due to the individual adaptation of the dental splint 1 by means of 3D scanning and 3D printing of the dental splint 1, this results in an extremely strong connection that is positively locking in the direction parallel to the normal N. The removal aid 2 is printed as a lip 2.1 and a projection 2.2 when printing the dental splint 1 with plastic, simultaneously with the dental splint 1. Accordingly, the projection 2.2 forms the same as the lip 2.1 together with the toothed rail 1 a one-piece and material-identical component.

[0030] List of reference symbols

[0031] 1 dental splint

[0032] 1 L jaw side

[0033] 1 R jaw side

[0034] 1.1 Inner surface

[0035] 1.2 Outer surface

[0036] 1.3 Tooth spaces

[0037] 1.4 Boundary line

[0038] 1.5 Undercut

[0039] 1.6 Flanks

[0040] 1.7 Bite bar

[0041] 2 trigger aid

[0042] 2.1 Lip

[0043] 2.1a Trough

[0044] 2.2 Advantage

[0045] 2.3 inner surface

[0046] 2.4 Printing area

[0047] 4th row of teeth, dental arch, tooth, molar

[0048] 4.1 anatomical equator

[0049] H Height H

[0050] K Level

[0051] L Length L

[0052] N Normals

[0053] SO upper rail surface SO

[0054] SU lower rail surface SU

[0055] Z Rail axis Z

Claims

Patent claims 1. A device for protecting the jaw, comprising a one-piece, individually fitted plastic dental splint (1) with an approximately U-shaped cross-sectional profile, having a left jaw side (1L) and a right jaw side (1R), wherein a) the dental splint (1) extends along a central splint axis (Z) which defines a plane (K), and the dental splint (1) can be placed onto a dental arch in the direction of a normal (N) to the plane (K), b) the dental splint (1) has an inner surface (1.1) adapted to the outer contour of a dental arch including the outer contour of at least ten teeth (4), and a plurality of adjacently arranged tooth spaces (1.3) for incisors, canines and molars are formed by the inner surface (1.1), and c) the dental splint (1) has an outer surface (1.1) directed into the oral cavity and opposite the inner surface (1.1).2) characterized in that d) on the toothed rail (1) there is a removal aid (2) for the tongue in the form of a relative to the outer surface (1.2) in a direction parallel to the. Plane (K) projecting into the oral cavity widening of the dental splint (1) is provided, wherein e) the dental splint (1) has a locally arranged on the left jaw side (1L) of the dental splint (1) and / or on the right jaw side (1R) of the dental splint (1) withdrawal aid (2) for the tongue.

2. Toothed rail according to claim 1, characterized in that the toothed rail (1) is limited in its height (H) by an upper rail surface (SO) and a lower rail surface (SU) and the entire withdrawal aid (2) is positioned in the direction of the normal (N) within the height (H).

3. Dental splint according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the removal aid (2) in the form of a lip (2.1) at least partially adjoins one of the tooth spaces (1.3) for molars and / or forms a projection (2.2) relative to the outer surface (1.2).

4. Dental splint according to claim 3, characterized in that the lip (2.1) forms a concave depression (2.1a) with an inner surface (2.3) for the tongue and the inner surface (2.3) of the depression (2.1a) or of the lip (2.1) widens at least one of the tooth spaces (1.3) in a direction parallel to the plane (K) and / or the inner surface (2.3) directly adjoins the inner surface (1.1).

5. Dental splint according to claim 4, characterized in that the recess (2.1a) formed in the lip (2.1) has a partially spherical inner surface (2.3).

6. Dental splint according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the projection (2.2) has a pressure surface (2.4) for the tongue, which is concave and / or has a profile.

7. Dental splint according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the removal aid (2) is arranged in the direction of the splint axis (Z) of the dental splint (1) in an area with a length (L) next to one of the tooth spaces (1.3) of the molars, wherein the length (L) corresponds at most to the length of two tooth spaces (1.3) or at most to 20 mm, 25 mm, 30 mm or 35 mm.

8. Dental splint at least according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dental splint (1) has opposite flanks (1.6) for clamping and the flanks (1.6) form an undercut (1.5) with the inner surface (1.1), wherein a boundary line (1.4) of the undercut (1.5) is extended by several millimeters relative to the anatomical equator (4.1) of the dental arch (4) in the direction of the normal (N).

9. Dental splint according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dental splint (1) with the removal aid (2) is printed from one or more plastics by means of a 3D printer, the respective plastic is cured with light and the plastics have different properties with regard to their hardness and / or toughness and / or ductility.

10. A device for protecting the jaw, comprising a plastic dental splint (1) adapted to the outer contour of a person's dental arch and having an approximately U-shaped cross-sectional profile, wherein a) the dental splint (1) extends along a central splint axis (Z) which defines a plane (K), and the dental splint (1) can be placed onto a dental arch (4) in the direction of a normal (N) to the plane (K), b) the dental splint (1) has an inner surface (1.1) through which a plurality of adjacently arranged tooth spaces (1.3) are formed, and c) the dental splint (1) has an outer surface (1.2) directed into the oral cavity and opposite the inner surface (1.1), characterized in that the complete dental splint (1) is printed from a plurality of different plastics using a 3D printer, the respective plastic is cured with light, and the plastics have different properties with regard to their hardness and / or toughness and / or ductility.

11. Protection system consisting of a dental splint (1) according to one of the preceding claims and a) protective clothing or b) protective armor and / or a helmet for a person and / or a visor for a helmet and / or a protective grille for a helmet and / or boxing gloves.

12. A method for producing a dental splint according to at least one of the preceding claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the complete dental splint (1) is printed from one or more plastics by means of a 3D printer and the respective plastic is cured with light.

13. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that when using several plastics, the plastics have different properties with regard to their hardness and / or toughness and / or ductility.

14. Use of a dental splint according to at least one of the preceding claims 1 to 9 as a device for protecting the teeth of a person during sports against external influences, against blows, against impacts and against impulses from foreign bodies.