Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

An oral appliance for tongue thrust correction includes a pair of thin wire filament loops pivotally coupled together for limited pivotal movement about an axis. One loop forms a palatal portion and the other loop forms a lingual portion which includes a bridge for spanning the dorsum of the tongue. A spring urges the bridge away from the palatal portion and against the dorsum whereby contact with the dorsum encourages the tongue to a position through the palate and lingual portions and to properly seat on the rugae for maintaining proper proprioceptive sense. The bridge includes means for dispensing a stimulant for increasing the swallowing frequency. The corrective habit established by use of the appliance inhibits snoring and brings about improvement in malocclusion, TMJ and related disorders. An embodiment of the appliance includes a pair of thin flexible filaments which couple the palatal and lingual portions together. The filaments are located on each side of the palatal portion between the anterior and posterior ends thereof and provide both pivotal and translational movement of the lingual portion with respect to the palatal portion. Alternatively the oral appliance includes a single wire filament loop and a bridge coupled to the posterior portion of the loop. The bridge includes a receptacle for receiving a stimulant which is maintained between the palate and the receptacle when the appliance is installed. The wire filament may be severed midway its length and encased in a non-toxic sleeve.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim