Patent US4568280A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4568280A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Craniomandibular appliance
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1983-06-13
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Granted: 1986-02-04
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Expires: 2003-06-13
Abstract
Abstract A craniomandibular appliance for treating mandibular retrogranathism and craniomandibular disorders comprising a unitary insert of a remoldable thermoplastic in the form of a dental arch defined by inner and outer walls and an interconnecting web to form channels for receiving the dental arches. The web establishes a defined separation between the occlusal surfaces of the upper and lower teeth and positions the mandible in a more forward position to obtain a reduced click or non-click condylar position.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeffrey H. Ahlin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 07:35
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F5/00; A61F5/56; A61F5/566
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A craniomandibular appliance for treating mandibular retrognathism and craniomanidbular disorders, comprising a unitary insert of a thermoplastic material in the form of a dental arch having inner and outer generally vertical walls spaced apart from each other and connected by a generally horizontal ribbed web defined independently of a patient's teeth to form upper and lower channels for receiving the upper and lower dental arches, respectively, of a patient's mouth and moldable within said mouth to a fixed configuration establishing a desired mandibular position, said ribs having a top surface for contacting the occlusal surfaces of the teeth such that said ribbed web establishes a defined separation between the occlusal surfaces at the upper and lower teeth when said teeth are positioned therein.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
A craniomandibular appliance for treating mandibular retrognathism and craniomanidbular disorders, comprising a unitary insert of a thermoplastic material in the form of a dental arch having inner and outer generally vertical walls spaced apart from each other and connected by a generally horizontal ribbed web defined independently of a patient's teeth to form upper and lower channels for receiving the upper and lower dental arches, respectively, of a patient's mouth and moldable within said mouth to a fixed configuration establishing a desired mandibular position, said ribs having a top surface for contacting the occlusal surfaces of the teeth such that said ribbed web establishes a defined separation between the occlusal surfaces at the upper and lower teeth when said teeth are positioned therein.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
A craniomandibular appliance according to claim 1 in which the inner wall portion of said lower channel extends anteriorly of the inner wall portion of said upper channel to thereby position the mandible anteriorly of the maxillary bone.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A craniomandibular appliance according to claim 2 in which the ribs on the upper and lower web are intercalated with respect to each other.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A craniomandibular appliance according to claim 3 in which said ribs are spaced on the order of 5 millimeters apart.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A craniomandibular appliance according to claim 1 in which the inner wall is of reduced height medially.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A craniomandibular appliance according to claim 1 in which the inner wall tapers posteriorly in the medial regions thereof.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of treating craniomandibular disorders, comprising the steps of: A. heating a remoldable insert to a plastic state, B. adjusting the insert to a first dental arch of the patient, C. repositioning the mandible of the patient into the desired position for treatment, D. closing the mouth of the patient to fix the other dental arch firmly into the insert, E. firmly pressing the insert against the dental arches of the patient to thereby fix the insert in a position corresponding to the desired mandible postition, and F. maintaining the mandibular positioning until the insert has set to thereby fix the mandible in the desired position.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of treating craniomandibular disorders, comprising the steps of: A. heating a remoldable insert to a plastic state, B. adjusting the insert to a first dental arch of the patient, C. repositioning the mandible of the patient into the desired position for treatment, D. closing the mouth of the patient to fix the other dental arch firmly into the insert, E. firmly pressing the insert against the dental arches of the patient to thereby fix the insert in a position corresponding to the desired mandible postition, and F. maintaining the mandibular positioning until the insert has set to thereby fix the mandible in the desired position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 7 in which said insert exposes at least the maxillary incisor teeth of the patient and covers at least the maxillary bicuspid teeth.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 7 in which said insert comprises a remoldable plastic insert in the shape of an arch and moldable in response to finger and tongue pressure to conform generally to the dental arches of the patient to hold the mandible in a position of gentle stress anteriorly of its customary unstressed position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
74 words
The method of claim 9 in which said insert comprises an arch-shaped thermoplastic insert having a generally flat platform separating the upper and lower dental arches of the patient and vertically-extending walls defining, in cooperation with said platform, a lower, generally continuous channel for receiving the mandibular teeth therein and an upper discontinous channel for receiving the maxillary teeth therein and confining the maxillary teeth primarily in the regions anterior to the incisor teeth.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
109 words
A craniomandibular appliance for treating retrognathism and craniomandibular disorders, comprising an insert in the shape of a dental arch and having inner and outer spaced, vertically extending walls defining a first generally continuous channel on one face thereof for receiving a first dental arch therein and defining a second discontinuous channel having first and second channel segments formed laterally and anteriorally on a second face thereof for receiving portions of a second dental arch therein, said insert formed of a thermoplastic material heatable to a pliable state exteriorly of a patient's mouth and moldable within said mouth, immediately after heating, to a fixed configuration establishing a desired mandibular position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
109 words
A craniomandibular appliance for treating retrognathism and craniomandibular disorders, comprising an insert in the shape of a dental arch and having inner and outer spaced, vertically extending walls defining a first generally continuous channel on one face thereof for receiving a first dental arch therein and defining a second discontinuous channel having first and second channel segments formed laterally and anteriorally on a second face thereof for receiving portions of a second dental arch therein, said insert formed of a thermoplastic material heatable to a pliable state exteriorly of a patient's mouth and moldable within said mouth, immediately after heating, to a fixed configuration establishing a desired mandibular position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
A craniomandibular appliance according to claim 11 in which the medial position of said second channel comprises a generally flat, wall-free channel bed substantially exposing the maxillary incisor teeth.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
A craniomandibular appliance according to claim 11 in which said channel segments extend posteriorly of the maxillary incisor teeth.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-02-03 | 1989-08-05 | 1990-02-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-02-03 | 1993-08-05 | 1994-02-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-02-03 | 1997-08-05 | 1998-02-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |