Mouth Guard Molar Extensions and Anterior Gap for Airway Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mouth guards do not effectively maintain airway openness during biting or clenching, which can lead to breathing difficulties and discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A mouth guard comprising upper and lower arched-shaped members made of moldable polymeric material with posterior molar extensions that project perpendicularly to create a gap, allowing the tongue to extend forward and maintain airway openness, optionally incorporating magnets for enhanced jaw alignment and airway management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional mouth guards are used, then protection during biting or clenching is provided, but airway openness is not maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new spatial dimension by creating an anterior gap (5-15 mm) in the mouth guard structure, allowing the tongue to extend forward into this newly created space. This dimensional change enables the tongue to assume a position that maintains airway openness while still providing protective coverage for the dentition.
Solution Approach 2:
The mouth guard is segmented into distinct functional zones: protective posterior regions with molar extensions that maintain jaw alignment, and an anterior region with a deliberate gap that accommodates tongue positioning for airway maintenance. This segmentation allows different parts of the device to serve conflicting functions simultaneously.
2Reliability
If the mouth guard is designed to fit tightly for protection, then coverage is improved, but tongue movement and airway maintenance are impeded
Solution Approach 1:
The mouth guard exhibits different structural qualities in different regions: the posterior portions are designed with molar extensions for tight fitting and jaw alignment, while the anterior portion incorporates a gap providing localized freedom of movement for the tongue. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between protection and tongue mobility.
3Reliability
If posterior extensions are added to maintain jaw alignment, then airway openness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into the posterior extensions: they provide structural support for jaw alignment, create the necessary spatial relationship between upper and lower molars, and contribute to maintaining the anterior gap. This consolidation achieves jaw alignment without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design effectively keeps the airway open, reducing nasal drainage and improving comfort by creating a gap that accommodates the tongue's forward movement and utilizing magnetic repulsion to manage jaw alignment, thus addressing breathing difficulties during use.
Implementation Method 1
The material of the upper and lower members may be the same or different, and may be pliable when heated, such as in hot water, to conform to the dentition of the user when placed in the user's mouth.
Implementation Method 2
Each of the upper and lower members may have magnets embedded in the material of the molar extensions with the poles oriented so that when the apparatus is in the users mouth, the magnets repel one another to create a magnetic force parallel to the occlusal plane for urging the mandible forward.
Data Source
AI summary
Mouth guards include either an upper member fitting the interior and exterior surfaces of a user's upper dentition, or a lower member fitting similarly adjacent a user's lower dentition, or both. The lower member includes molar extensions projecting away from the lower member. The upper member includes upper molar extensions projecting away from the upper member and toward the lower molar extensions so that when the user bites or clenches, the upper right and lower right extensions impinge on one another, as do the molar upper left and lower left extensions. The upper and lower members have an anterior shape to form a gap ranging from about 5 to about 15 mm and sufficient for the user's tongue to extend into the gap. Methods of using the apparatus and kits as mouth guards.