Dental Bite Plate with Lateral Extensions for TMJ Relief

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Solution Overview

Problem

Therapeutic bite plates are uncomfortable and lead to poor compliance due to gagging, drooling, and discomfort, failing to effectively prevent tooth grinding and clenching, which results in dental issues such as tooth wear, TMJ problems, and sleep disturbances.

Innovation Solution

A unique bite plate configuration that separates the back teeth, allowing the lower front teeth to glide on a platform, preventing contact between molars and premolars, thereby reducing muscle activity and eliminating grinding and clenching forces, promoting relaxation and deeper sleep.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional therapeutic bite plate is worn, then tooth grinding and clenching may be prevented, but patient comfort deteriorates due to gagging, drooling, and discomfort from excessive rubber in the mouth

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of tooth grinding and clenchingVSAvoidpatient comfort and compliance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the functional element (bite plate) from the problematic context (excessive rubber material causing gagging). The bite plate is reduced to a minimal configuration that only covers the essential teeth needed to prevent grinding, removing unnecessary material that causes discomfort while maintaining the core protective function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The bite plate is designed with local quality by providing protection only where needed - specifically covering the teeth involved in grinding and clenching activities. The material distribution is optimized to provide sufficient protection at critical locations while minimizing material presence in areas that cause gagging and discomfort, thereby resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the bite plate covers all upper teeth, then comprehensive protection is provided, but gagging and discomfort increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomprehensive tooth protectionVSAvoidgagging and drooling

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bite plate is segmented to cover only specific teeth (typically the posterior teeth that are most involved in grinding) rather than all upper teeth. This segmentation allows comprehensive protection of the critical teeth while reducing the overall material volume in the mouth, thereby minimizing gagging and drooling effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts unnecessary coverage from the bite plate design, removing material from areas that do not contribute significantly to preventing grinding damage. This leaves only the essential protective elements in place, reducing the harmful effects of excessive rubber while maintaining adequate protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS10322027B2Dental bite plate

Publication Date: 2019.06.18 COLSON DANA

AI summary

A bite plate configured for use on upper teeth only that is configured to envelope central incisors, lateral incisors, and optionally one of a portion of upper cuspid pairs or entire upper cuspid pairs with lateral extensions that enhances whole body wellness.