Custom Tongue Training Appliance for Speech and Posture Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tongue training appliances are intrusive, aesthetically unpleasing, and often ineffective in retraining the tongue for proper posture, leading to speech and orthodontic issues, as they interfere with natural tongue movement and do not support neuromuscular re-education, and existing orthodontic solutions like braces and surgery are invasive and costly.
Innovation Solution
A custom-fitted tongue training appliance with a thin, monolithic shell made from soft resin, featuring protrusions on the lingual side to guide the tongue into its proper resting position, and a platform with an aperture at the incisor papilla, manufactured using 3-D printing, which is esthetic and allows for complete occlusion, promoting proper tongue posture and speech intelligibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional tongue cribs or metal strainers are used to interfere with tongue thrust, then tongue thrusting is reduced, but the appliance becomes intrusive, aesthetically unpleasing, and interferes with natural tongue movement and speech
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the essential function of tongue training from the traditional bulky appliance. The thin shell retains the tongue-repositioning function while removing the intrusive structure, allowing natural tongue movement to occur within the corrected posture.
Solution Approach 2:
The appliance uses a thin flexible shell that conforms to the tongue's natural movement while providing corrective guidance. The shell is thin enough to allow complete occlusion and natural speech, yet sufficient to provide the necessary tactile feedback for proper tongue positioning.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional tongue cribs cover the incisal papilla and alveolar ridge to prevent tongue thrust, then tongue thrusting is reduced, but proper retraining of tongue posture becomes unable to take place and patient feels like choking
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the covering structure that caused the choking sensation while retaining the tongue-training function. The thin shell provides tactile feedback for proper positioning without obstructing the airway or creating a choking feeling.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of covering the tongue area to prevent thrusting, the thin shell provides tactile cues that guide the tongue to the correct position naturally, reversing the approach from obstruction to guidance.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If braces or surgery are used to treat dental malocclusions caused by tongue thrust, then malocclusion is corrected, but the treatment becomes expensive and invasive with risks of tooth decay, gum disease, and relapse
Solution Approach 1:
The appliance addresses the root cause of malocclusion (tongue thrusting) before it causes permanent dental damage. By retraining tongue posture early, the need for invasive orthodontic intervention is prevented.
Solution Approach 2:
The appliance converts the harmful tongue thrusting behavior into a beneficial retraining process. The same tongue movements that cause malocclusion are redirected to strengthen orofacial muscles and establish proper posture, turning a harmful habit into a therapeutic tool.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If functional devices like Frankel appliance are used to correct malocclusion, then occlusion is improved, but the appliance does not retrain the tongue for proper oral posture and does not support neuromuscular re-education
Solution Approach 1:
The thin shell appliance combines multiple functions: it corrects malocclusion by preventing tongue thrust, retrains tongue posture through tactile feedback, and supports neuromuscular re-education by providing continuous guidance during rest, swallowing, and speech.
Solution Approach 2:
The appliance enables the patient's own tongue to perform the retraining function. The tactile cues from the thin shell guide the tongue to correct positioning automatically during natural functions like swallowing and speaking, without requiring external mechanical correction.
Data Source
AI summary
A custom fit tongue training appliance for training the tongue of a patient with a speech disorder or orthodontic conditions is disclosed. The appliance comprises a shell which covers the upper teeth having a labial side and a lingual side, a platform, an aperture, and protrusions. The appliance provides a tactile cue to train the tongue for proper lingual resting posture that promotes beneficial myofunctional habits and improves speech quality.