55 results about "Teeth clenching" patented technology

A new biofeedback modality for the treatment of bruxism. A mildly aversive, safe, liquid is inserted into, and sealed in, small, bilaterally-sleeved, polyethylene capsules. Two capsules are attached to a specially-constructed dental appliance which comfortably and securely places them between the lower and upper teeth. The appliance and capsules are worn at night or at other times when bruxism is suspected to occur. Whenever a sleeping or an awake patient attempts to brux, the capsules rupture and the liquid is released into the mouth. The liquid then draws the patient's conscious attention to, and forestalls, any attempt of teeth clenching or grinding. Variations of the method and device can be used to diagnose bruxism and to sustainably release medications and odor-masking substances into the mouth,.

A system and method for fabricating an interim dental guard device for preventing or reducing damage caused by bruxism to existing dentition and/or restorative dental work. The device is composed of a material that, when heated, is moldable around at least a portion of a patient's dental arch so as to form an impression of at least a portion of the dental arch, and that is solid at about normal body temperature so as to retain the impression once formed.

A one-piece molded bruxism treatment device which in upright orientation has top and bottom parts, including:

• • a. an elongated band having top and bottom edges and having a generally U-shape defining a closed front end part and legs extending rearward along a front-to-rear direction, and adapted to be positioned around the outer surfaces of a person's upper gums and teeth, the front end and legs having top and bottom edges, each of the legs terminating as a foot having a bottom edge below the bottom edges of the front end and legs,
  • b. the front end top edge having a downward extending recess adapted to provide clearance for a person's frenulum when the device is positioned in the person's mouth with the band between the person's upper lip and upper teeth, and
  • c. two generally planar bite pads oriented generally horizontally, each extending from one of the feet of the band medially toward the other, each of the bite pads having top and bottom surfaces and adapted to be positioned on one side of the person's jaw between the facing surfaces of a person's upper and lower teeth, and
  • d. each the bite pads being, at least in part, resiliently deformable, thus adapted to absorb forces when the bite pad is clenched between the person's upper and lower teeth.

Described herein is an apparatus and method of detecting bruxism. The method includes the steps of: capturing a video of a subject, performing by circuitry included in the apparatus, spatial filtering of each image frame included in the captured video. Further, the method includes generating by circuitry, a filtered image by temporally filtering the spatially filtered image frames, the temporally filtered image including data belonging in a first frequency range, and wherein a subset of data is associated with a predetermined color variation to indicate presence of bruxism in the subject.

A one-piece molded bruxism treatment device, which in its upright orientation, includes:

a. an elongated generally flat thin planar flexible strip that has a generally U shape defined by a curved front part and a pair of legs extending rearward from the front part about a central longitudinal axis, each leg having a distal end portion, the front part and the legs having top and bottom edges,

b. two generally planar bite pads oriented generally horizontally, each extending from the distal end portion of one of the legs and extending medially toward the other, each of the bite pads having top and bottom surfaces and adapted to be positioned on one side of the person's jaw between the vertically facing surfaces of a person's upper and lower teeth, and

c. each the bite pads being, at least in part, resiliently deformable when the bite pad is clenched between the person's upper and lower teeth,

d. the device further defining a plurality of apertures extending completely through selected parts of the band and the bite pads.

The present invention provides a novel composition of matter comprised of a mixture of two specific classes of compounds—Free-B-Ring flavonoids and flavans—for use in the prevention and treatment of diseases and conditions associated with mouth, gums and teeth. This composition of matter simultaneously inhibits cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX) enzymatic activity and reduces cytokine production at the mRNA level in normal, aged and damaged periodontal cells and tissues. This invention further provides a method for the prevention and treatment of diseases and conditions of the mouth, gums and teeth. The method for preventing and treating diseases and conditions of the mouth, teeth and gums is comprised of administering to a host in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a mixture of Free-B-Ring flavonoids and flavans synthesized and/or isolated from a single plant or multiple plants, preferably in the Scutellaria, Oroxylum, Acacia or Uncaria genus of plants and pharmaceutically and/or cosmetically acceptable carriers. Finally the present invention provides a method for the prevention and treatment of diseases and conditions of the mouth, teeth or gums, including but not limited to periodontal diseases, such as gingivitis, periodontitis, pulpitis, periodontal conditions caused by the physical implantation of oral dentures, trauma, injuries, bruxism, neoplastic and other degenerative processes; material alba, pellicles, dental plagues, calculus, and stains. Use of the composition described herein also affords the benefit of maintaining optimum saliva production and pH, minimizing bacterial growth, reducing the formation of pellicles and plague, inhibiting tooth decalcification and tooth caries (decay), promoting remineralization, which yields healthy gums, whitening teeth, maintaining healthy oral hygiene and reducing oral malodour (halitosis).

The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for preventing, diagnosing, monitoring, and/or treating bruxism as well as related diseases of an individual. In a first aspect the invention relates to an apparatus for preventing bruxism of an individual, comprising: means for applying a plurality of stimulation signals for providing relaxation of at least one of the masticatory and/or facial muscles of said individual, means for applying said stimulations signals with a predefined setting, and means for applying said stimulations signals independent of activity of said muscle(s). The invention may be suitable for both nocturnal and awake bruxism.

A dental appliance for maintaining a separation between the occlusal plane surfaces of the posterior teeth in order to avoid or minimize the adverse effects of bruxism, especially while sleeping. The appliance comprises bitepad assemblies, side assemblies for adjustably receiving the bitepad assemblies, and a strap assembly for connecting the side assemblies. Bitepad cores are provided with solid projections and mechanical locks that enhance bonding with associated overmolds for improved durability. Side assembly flanges are divided to achieve independent flexibility and improved conformity for enhanced stability and comfort. A mesial area of the connecting strap assembly is thickened and rigidified to create a flare in the areas of the cuspid roots to minimize irritation and discomfort to the gum tissue.

An apparatus and method for selecting and outputting characters by making a teeth clenching motion for disabled person are disclosed. The apparatus includes: an electromyogram signal obtaining unit including electromyogram sensors disposed at both sides for generating an electromyogram signal according to a predetermined muscle activated when a disabled person clenches teeth, and a ground electrode connected to a body of the disabled persons for providing a reference voltage; and an electromyogram signal processing unit for outputting a character by identifying a teeth clenching motion pattern of each block according to a side of teeth clenched, a duration of clenching teeth and consecutive clenching motions through analyzing the obtained electromyogram and selecting characters according to the identified teeth clenching motion pattern.

A dental appliance for maintaining a separation between the occlusal plane surfaces of the posterior teeth in order to avoid or minimize the adverse effects of bruxism, especially while sleeping. The appliance comprises bitepad assemblies, side assemblies for adjustably receiving the bitepad assemblies, and a strap assembly for connecting the side assemblies. Bitepad cores are provided with solid projections and mechanical locks that enhance bonding with associated overmolds for improved durability. Side assembly flanges are divided to achieve independent flexibility and improved conformity for enhanced stability and comfort. A mesial area of the connecting strap assembly is thickened and rigidified to create a flare in the areas of the cuspid roots to minimize irritation and discomfort to the gum tissue.

A dental appliance for treating bruxism is disclosed. The appliance may include upper and lower portions. The upper portion may comprise a first base and a first feature. The first base may engage the upper teeth of a patient. The first feature may secure to an anterior area of the first base and comprise a concave surface forming a concavity. The lower portion may comprise a second base and a second feature. The second base may engage the lower teeth of the patient. The second feature may secure to an anterior area of the second base and comprise a protrusion. As the patient bites down, the protrusion may contact the concave surface at a point of contact that is a sole or initial contact between the upper and lower portions. Thus, the interaction of the protrusion and concave surface may control certain mandibular loadings and motions of the patient.

A removable prosthodontic device for treating or diagnosing bruxism is disclosed. The present invention also provides a method for making a removable prosthodontic device. The present invention further provides a prosthodontic device for administering pharmacologic, tooth whitening and breath freshening compounds.

Methods for preventing or treating bruxism, including alleviating or eliminating one or more symptoms, diseases or conditions associated with or resulting from bruxism, using dopaminergic agents such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors that increase dopaminergic activity and dopamine agonists, are disclosed.

A device and method for tracking and reducing bruxism and related conditions. In one embodiment using an optical muscle activity sensor and a prediction based biofeedback method for reducing bruxism. The device can also be used to track bruxism by the user or a health professional. One embodiment is worn as a headband and positioned over the temporalis muscle with biofeedback provided directly to the temporalis muscle.

A pre-fabricated, pre-programmed or custom-made guidance package is provided. The Anterior Guidance Package (AGP) of current invention is comprised of one maxillary guidance component and one mandibular guidance component produced in many shapes and sizes. Those components are attached to a maxillary retention piece and a mandibular retention piece, respectively when the mandible is at a point defined by an operator to provide ideal anterior guidance for the mandible, or to provide specialized guidance for a damaged stomatognathic system. In contrast to all current bruxism or Tempor-mandibular disorders (TMD) appliances, the AGP according to current invention provides a wide range of features and options including three-dimensional control, superior mechanical advantage and preferable vertical dimension at rest. The primary purpose is to provide a superior anterior guidance night guard including relief of centric occlusion/centric relation discrepancy for the amelioration of the damage and pain caused by bruxism.