MXPA00002066A - An appliance adapted to fit many mouth and tooth sizes for orthodontic correction and other uses - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention is an orthodontic appliance (10) for assisting in properly positioning teeth within the mouth of an individual which is capable of fitting various mouth and tooth sizes. The appliance (10) includes a labial-buccal flange (12), a lingual flange (14) spaced from the labial-buccal flange (12), both of which define a generally U-shaped configuration in the occlusal view, and an isthmus (16) interconnecting the two flanges (12, 14). At least one tooth through (32, 40) is defined between the labial-buccal flange (12), and the lingual flange (14) for receiving either an upper or a lower row of the individual's teeth. The appliance (10) includes no individual tooth sockets but instead utilizes pressure applied by the labial-buccal flange (12), the lingual flange (14), the relative angles, and material thicknesses to properly position the teeth. The appliance (10) is capable of fitting mouths and teeth of various sizes because it includes no individual tooth sockets.

Description

AN APPLICATION ADAPTED TO COUPLING MANY SKEWER AND TEETH SIZES FOR ORTHODONTIC CORRECTION AND OTHER USES DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to applications for placing teeth, and in particular to a pre-fabricated application of a single size which can be accommodated to various sizes of mouths and teeth and is useful as an orthodontic correction device, an athletic mouth guard, a burxism inhibitor and a sleep apnea prevention device. There are many conditions of bad tooth obstruction that can be corrected through orthodontic treatment. Some of these conditions include separation "incisive, jet, overbite, incisive crowding, rotation, teeth and inadequate jaw relationships.Wires and metal bands are often used in the permanent dentition stage to provide the desired correction." Removable thermoplastic applicators or removers are also available. such as those described in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,139,944; 4,919,612; 3,848,335; and 3,939,598. These removable applications are typically related to tooth basins which each receive within one of the individual's teeth to guide and direct the tooth to a proper obstructed position.

Such applications are therefore selected by measuring the individual's tooth and mouth and matching the application to the appropriate size of the separation and sizes of basins for the appropriate teeth. It would be an improvement in the technique if a removable application could be provided which would be capable of coupling a variety of sizes of teeth and mouths and which could therefore be used to initially guide and direct the protruding permanent incisors and other teeth in the mouth of an individual to a desirable obstructed condition. In some cases, after an individual's teeth have left, an improvement in the technique was also seen if an application could be provided to correct the problems with the permanent teeth and retain these teeth in an adequate condition. Devices made to measure to prevent sleep apnea and bruxis and to be used as athletic mouth guards require customized modification and are extremely expensive. A device that can perform these functions, accommodate many sizes of teeth and mouths and still fit an individual properly would be a significant improvement in the art. The present invention provides a U-shaped application having a tooth receiving cavity defined between an outer bucolabial flange and an inner lingual flange connected by an isthmus or plate. The application of the invention incorporates a cavity that receives teeth that has particular characteristics which eliminate the need for receiving basins of individual teeth and also allows the application to accommodate mouths and teeth of different sizes. The present invention is also useful for relieving snoring by advancing the jaw and opening the mouth slightly during sleep to prevent the lower jaw and tongue from sliding or being placed dorsally against the posterior wall of the pharynx allowing the uvula to vibrate when air is taken through the mouth. The present invention, by increasing the passage of air and moving the tongue previously, decreases the tendency of sleep apnea, and can also reduce the effects of bruxism or nocturnal grinding. The present invention can also serve as an athletic mouth guard during participation in contact sports. In one embodiment, the buccolabial flange and the inner lingual flange define a maxillary tooth cavity between the upper segments that extend upwardly from the flanges. The maxillary tooth cavity has a width that tapers gradually as it approaches the isthmus. The narrowest width applies pressure to the incisor teeth mid-way out in the mouth of an individual and also when they have come out completely. By doing this, the application helps to guide the incisors to a correct position and rotational orientation to correct the abnormal jaw relationships, jet, overbite, incisive crowding, rotations, open bite and inadequate separation conditions. Once the incisors have come out in full, the application can additionally correct these same problems by exerting force causing the patient to bite the application. The application also serves as protection to the upper and lower anterior teeth from damage during the practice of contact sports. It also helps to stabilize the application in the mouth if the patient bruxes while sleeping. The application maintains the position of the cavities of the upper and lower teeth securely on the teeth and helps to restrain the lateral movement of the jaw during the grinding of the teeth and thereby limits the forces of abrasion towards the clogged surfaces of flat engagement in place of clogged enamel and the incisive surfaces of the teeth. In another modality, in the area of the incisors, the isthmus is slightly thicker to create an open bite condition between the upper and lower incisors. This slightly open bite condition is created by a gradual upward tilt in the upper surface of the isthmus and a gradual downward tilt in the lower surface of the isthmus in the area of the canines. ^ t <; In another embodiment, the thickness of the material of the buccolabial flange in the area of the upper incisors is thinned as it approaches the upper edge of the gingival portion of the upper segment of the buccolabial flange. The thinned material allows additional stretching through the area of the incisors creating a tension in the buccolabial flange which helps to apply pressure to the incisors that come out of an individual to properly accommodate the teeth. In a further embodiment, the buccolabial flange and the inner lingual flange each include upper upwardly extending segments and segments that are extend t down lower. The upper segments define a cavity for maxillary teeth to receive an upper row or group of anterior teeth and the lower segments define a cavity for jaw teeth to receive the lower row or group of anterior teeth. The The inner surfaces of the upper buccolabial flange and the lower buccolabial flange have a relative angle to each other which is generally less than the typical angle of an individual's teeth for the engagement of the surfaces of the teeth. This slightly smaller angle helps apply additional pressure on the individual's teeth as they come out guiding them properly and directing the teeth to their totally outward obstructed positions to provide the upper and lower incisors with a greater labial inclination so that the angle between the upper 5 incisors and lower is reduced. The smaller angle also helps prevent overbite recurrence of the overbite by causing the lower incisor edges to make more firm contact with the lingual surfaces of the upper incisors. In yet another embodiment, the upper and lower edges of the upper and lower buccolabial segments, respectively, are adapted to avoid contact with the gingival area of the individual's mouth by tilting outward on the inner surface to free the tissue, gingival regardless of the size of the mouth. This is to prevent gingival recession, especially in the arch of the lower tooth of an individual who is more susceptible to such a condition. In an additional mode, the extensions linguals extend from the application from the lower lingual flange on either side of the midline to ensure the advance of the jaw. This advance will stimulate a more efficient forward jaw growth in children helping to correct jaw discrepancies antero-posterior present in the mandibular retrusion of the mal-obstructed type. Lingual extensions are very useful to maintain a forward position of the jaw during sleep, which can relieve sleep apnea and also prevent fribulation of the uvula which causes snoring by providing a more open airway to the trachea. . When the jaw is advanced, it also places the tongue anteriorly, through the muscular union of the tongue towards the superior genial tubercle in the anterior segment of the jaw. This moves the tongue away from the posterior pharyngeal wall and increases the volume of air that passes into the trachea and lungs, reducing sleep apnea and snoring. With a preformed device that fits into any configuration and tooth size, it can be automatically provided to a patient to reduce or eliminate snoring as well as prevent the effects of bruxism (night grinding) such as excessive abrasion or wear of teeth and TMJ complications. Since the device is preformed and has a significant lip protector on the lower and upper anterior tooth as well as a lot of plastic between the arches, it could serve as an efficient mouth guard in the practice of contact sports. It protects the teeth from horizontal blows to the lip area as well as vertical strokes from below that strike the jaw teeth up against the jaw teeth forcing the jaw to close suddenly in an unusual manner. It also allows the easy mouth breathing required in most sports. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 is an obstructed plan view of an application exemplifying the principles of the present invention. FIGURE 2 is a sectional view of a prior art application through the anterior portion of the application. FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken generally along line III-III of FIGURE 1 through the anterior portion of the application.FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary front sectional view taken along the IV-IV arch of the application of FIGURE 1. FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken along the VV line of the application of FIG. FIGURE 1. FIGURE 6 is a side sectional view of another embodiment of an application exemplifying the principles of the present invention. FIGURE 7 is a side elevation of another embodiment of an application employing a posterior hinge and exemplifying the principles of the present invention.

FIGURE 8 is a side elevation view in fragmented section of an individual with disturbing snoring and obstructive sleep apnea conditions showing the passage of the airway almost closed in the pharynx. FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary sectional side elevational view of the same individual using the application of the present invention showing an open airway and pharyngeal opening without restrictions. FIGURE 1 illustrates an embodiment of an application 10 exemplifying the principles of the present invention in a plan or concealed view. The application 10 generally has a U-shape to correspond to the upper and lower arch of the human mouth. The application has an outer bucolabial flange 12 and an inner lingual flange 14 both generally vertical and extending above and below an isthmus or connection plate 16. The isthmus 16 interconnects the buccolabial flange 12 and the inner lingual flange 14 and is intended to almost couple the hidden surfaces of the posterior teeth when the application is inserted into a human mouth. The application may also be provided for use with only one upper or lower arch, and in such cases, the flanges will extend only superiorly, or internally as appropriate. FIGURE 6 illustrates an application 110 having only one arc shown in cross section. An application 210 may additionally be fabricated having a hinge 212 with a life time f (i) durable at the posterior distal ends of the application that otherwise connects the upper and lower segments 214, 216 5 separated respectively (FIGURE 7). and the thickness of the material can be easily manipulated to control the duration characteristics of the hinge.Preferably, the hinge will exert an opening force between the upper and lower section forcing the user to bite, improving the performance of the application. Each upper and lower section will have its own separate isthmus. The device will have all the features described here when it is in a closed position with the upper and lower ends joining one on other. Individuals typically go through four stages in their dental development including a stage of tooth fall where only the falling teeth are present. Individuals also suffer a stage of mixed dentition that typically consists of permanent upper and lower incisors (central and lateral incisors) and permanent first molars, canines that fall, first molars that fall and second molars that fall. The third stage is where all the incisors upper and lower permanent have come out while the canines and molars are exfoliated and replaced by permanent canines and bicuspids. Follow the fourth etapti where £ || all permanent posterior molar teeth come out to form a complete adult denture. The application 10 is intended to be used initially at approximately the age of 6 years to guide and direct the permanent incisors that exit in the mouth in an adequate obstructed manner. The application does this by eliminating or inhibiting the rotation of the teeth and forcing the incisors to their positions They are appropriate and at the same time forcing them under their own forces of exit so that they significantly and permanently expand and enlarge the arcs. An application is also useful as a retainer for any individual up to approximately the age of '* years at whose age the application is once again useful for clipping and directing the permanent canines and premolars that exit towards an ideal Class 1 of obstruction similar to that possible for the incisors in the early stages. The same application can be used after the incisors superior and inferior adults have come out in full and need to be straightened. The same application is then useful for aligning these teeth. After this stage of tooth exit has been completed, application 10 once again is useful as a retainer from the age of 8 to approximately the age of 10 after whose age can guide the adult premolars and canines to their position. At approximately 11 years or more, the application can be used if necessary to maintain the proper position and orientation of the teeth. The application is also 5 useful for any individual with adult teeth that have come out in their entirety to straighten teeth equally. An object of the application 10 is that each particular size of the application can be coupled to different sizes of mouths and teeth. To achieve this goal, the application 10 having a generally smooth inner surface in the tooth cavities is provided, thus having no individual tooth basins but having a buccolabial flange 12 and an inner lingual flange 14 provided with orientations and contours '15 individuals. The application 10 may be made in different lengths measured from an anterior incisive sheath 17 to the posterior distant ends 19 as illustrated in FIGURE 1, where the length is generally indicated as L. 20 The application may terminate in an area that corresponds to the second molars that fall if the application is going to be used in children around the ages of 6 or 7 years before the first permanent molars come out. The application may extend a little further into the area of the first upper permanent molars to be used at ages from about 7 years to about 12 years. The ends 19 of the application can extend a little further to an area corresponding to the upper second permanent molars of children at ages 12 and above. Returning to the drawings, FIGURE 2 illustrates a typical prior art cross-section through the anterior incisor portion 102 of an application 100 while FIGURE 3 illustrates a cross section through the anterior portion 17 of the application 10 of the invention. The outer bucolabial flange 12 includes an upper segment 18 extending upwards and a lower segment 20 extending downwards relative to the isthmus 16. Likewise, the inner lingual flange 14 includes jun segment 22 upper and segment 24 lower . The upper segments 18 and 22 include an inner labial surface 26 and an inner lingual surface 28, respectively, which face one another. The isthmus 16 includes an upper surface 30 and cooperates with the inner surfaces 26 and 28 of the upper segments to define a maxillary client cavity 32 having a variable width around the U-shaped application 10. In the same way, the segments 20 and 24 below define a lower labial surface 34 and an upper lingual surface 36, respectively, which are facing each other. The isthmus 16 also has a lower surface 38 which corresponds to the interior surfaces 34 and 36 to define a cavity 40 of mandibular teeth which also has a variable width around the U-shaped application. The width is defined by both the maxillary and mandibular tooth cavities 32 and 40 as well as the distance between their respective inner surfaces. As illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3, the application of the invention includes an increased inclination relative to the vertical of the inner labial surfaces 26 and 34. Typically in the average child, the angle between the labial surfaces of the upper and lower central incisors is approximately 111 °. A typical prefabricated application to apply pressure against the incisors includes an angle between the upper and lower central incisors which is greater than 131 ° or usually between 135 ° and 138 ° as shown in FIGURE 2. This is done to place pressure on the incisors as close to a vertical direction as possible. This high angulation in a typical application, however, overcorrection and retention of an overbite condition is overcome since the lingual surfaces of the upper incisors are more vertically oriented compared to the lower incisors and provide less resistance to recurrence. When a child is at an early stage, this angulation can be altered on the incisors that come out very easily. The angulation of the incisors can, therefore, be altered to promote that the central and lateral upper incisors come out with an increased labial inclination. The application 10 of the invention therefore provides a decreased angulation between the inner labial surface 26 and the inner labial surface 34, for example in a range of 115 ° to 131 °. FIGURE 4 illustrates a front section view along the arch in the cavities for the teeth of the application 10 to illustrate another advantage of the invention. The main thickness of the isthmus 16 is of a generally constant dimension except in the area 17 of the incisors of both the upper and lower arch. As illustrated in FIGURE 4, the surface 30 of the upper isthmus includes a step up slightly in the area of the upper canine and lateral clients. Similarly, the surface 38 of the lower isthmus includes a step 44 slightly downward in the area of the lower canine and lateral teeth. The step 42 up of the isthmus 16 is preferably more accentuated than the step 44 downward to cause the upper incisors of an individual to engage in the smile more efficiently to more effectively eliminate a smile with gums. The increased thickness over the primary thickness of the isthmus 16 in the incisal area 17 defined between the steps 42 and 44 also helps to reduce the overbite in individuals more completely and also helps to prevent recurrenc. to . Steps 42 and 44 are essentially set in one embodiment so that application 10 creates a slight tendency toward an open bite condition in the order of approximately 0.5mm in the incisive area 17. As illustrated in FIGURE 1, the application 10 may also include one or more extensions 46 or large inwardly extending lingual flanges protruding from the inner lingual flange 14 away from the lower segment 24. The lingual extension 46 is preferably disposed at approximately the average of the application 10 defined as an extension of the lower segment 24, and also preferably extends downwards by approximately 5 to 15 mm. If the application 10 is adapted to have only one cavity for mandibular teeth, the lingual extension preferably extends from the inner lingual flange in a position similar to the combination or all together in one application having upper and lower segments. The tongue extension may include a single portion or 2 segments arranged side by side with a medial groove giving space for the brake of the midline of the tongue between it and allowing longer tongue extension segments. The lingual extensions 46 help to maintain the jaw of the individual advancing maximally all the time and moving forward. To produce a forward jaw force, the most important tooth margins are the lower lingual contact surface and the upper labial contact surface in the anterior portion of the application 10. It is therefore important that the inferior lingual surface 36 or The lower interior and the upper interior labial surface 26 are supported by sufficient material of the application to maintain their relative positions when the application 10 is inserted into the mouth of the individual. The lower interior labial surface 34 and the upper interior lingual surface 28 are relatively unimportant margins for producing the jaw feed and hence the height of the edge 50 lower of the lower labial segment 20 can be significantly reduced. This reduction in height also reduces the risk of gingival contact with the lower segment 20 in the lower labial gingival area. It is important when producing an application that is intended to couple various sizes of mouths and teeth that the possibility of gingival contact has been reduced or avoided. This is to prevent gingival recession of the lower incisors. It is therefore preferred that the height of the lower bucolabial segment 20 of the application 10 be in the order of approximately 6mm extending from the lower surface 16 of the isthmus to the bottom edge 50. It is also preferred that the lower lingual segment 24 be inclined or tapered away from the gingival margin towards its lower or distal edge 52. An inclination essentially avoids any gingival contact regardless of the size of the soft tissue of the individual's mouth. A similar inclination can be added to the upper segment 22 of the inner lingual flange 14 towards the surface 28 to prevent a similar gingival rescission in the upper anterior arch. Also, the far ends 19 posterior of the buccolabial flange 12 or of the inner lingual flange 14 are preferably tapering or tilting away from the gingival margins at their respective upper edges from approximately beyond the position of the incisive area 17 through the distal ends 19 of the gingival margin. application to avoid contact with the gingival tissue. A further advantage of the present invention is also illustrated in FIGURE 3. It is preferred that the application 10 be resilient and able to stretch considerably in the incisal area 17 between the canines. '25 of the upper arch from about 3 to about 7mm. A typical prefabricated application is capable of stretching only approximately a maximum of 3mm. To achieve the desired additional elongation, the material thickness of the upper lip flange 12 is produced having a relatively thin cross section. The thickness of the material of the upper segment 18 adjacent the isthmus 16 must be substantially sufficient to provide support and position retention for the incisors as they exit downward. An upper or remote edge 54 of the upper segment 18, however, is reduced relative to that of the prior art application to a thickness of about 1 mm to 3 mm. The material thins from the outer surface of the flange so as not to alter the contour of the inner labial surface 26 which is intended to closely approximate the labial surface of the teeth. The cross-section of the thin wall of the upper portion of the buccolabial flange 12 in combination with the increased inclination as described above, causes the upper portion of the buccolabial flange 12 to stretch. This tension exerts a force through the incisal area to help rotate the incisors more forcefully and to place the incisors closer together. The incisive area 17 of the lower segment 20 can be thinned in the same way. The lengthening of the application through the incisal area also increases the ability of the application to remain inside the mouth without slipping away from the clients. This is particularly useful in nighttime retention and is used as an anti-snoring device and prevents sleep apnea. It also increases retention when used as a mouth guard in active or contact sports. The application may also be provided with a distance through either or both of the arcs that is narrower than the average mouth of a person. This also helps to apply pressure on the teeth. As best illustrated by a comparison of FIGURES 2 and 3, the anterior or incisive portion 17. The cavity 32 for maxillary teeth of the application 10 is narrower than in the prior art applications for application (force to the incisors at an early stage of teeth exit, for example, when they have come out approximately 1/3 to H. This narrower tooth cavity allows the force to be exerted on the crown of the incisors for a longer period of time during the exit.This also places greater lateral force on the teeth through the incisor arch to maintain a greater amount of natural expansion as the teeth protrude, this is accentuated by stretching the upper buccolabial flange in the incisal or anterior area as described earlier. The narrow cavity 32 also somehow inhibits or decreases the vertical descent of the incisors to help correct the conditions of (|| overbite.) The tooth cavity extends beyond the incisal area 17 allowing the application to engage several 5 sizes of teeth. teeth and mouths The narrowing of the cavities 32 and 40 also increases the retention of the application on the teeth preventing them from slipping out of the teeth cavity 32 of the maxillary teeth. preferably has a width in the incisal area 17 between the inner labial surface 26 and the inner lingual surface 28 approximately lmm measured upwardly from the upper surface 30 of the isthmus 16 for a distance of approximately 2mm. The cavity 32 Preferably then it is extended to approximately 2mm in the next three millimeters up the upper surface 30 of the isthmus. By comparison, a typical prefabricated application as illustrated in FIGURE? , generally has a cavity width for teeth in the approximately 2mm incisal area adjacent to the upper surface of the isthmus which is extended to approximately 4mm as it approaches the upper edges that move upwards. The width of the cavity 32 and 40 for teeth in the area of the incisors 17 can also be expanded more than the quantities previously cited to accommodate the teeth applied in individuals who use the application to reduce sleep apnea and snoring as well as mouth guard for sports. The upper surface 30 of the isthmus 16, from the midline, remains narrow or thin as a knife edge and begins to extend at a distance of 17 mm from the midline measured along the labial and buccal edge on each side to accommodate a Lateral incisor and permanent central superior from 12.4mm to 19mm in meso-distal width. This surface 30 of the upper isthmus begins to expand on the lingual so that at 22mm of the midline it is 3mm in width bucco-lingually, and will accommodate a first upper premolar of the smallest size of teeth, and an upper canine of the size Largest of teeth. At 28mm from the midline, the bucco-lingual width is 6mm and will accommodate a second upper premolar of the smallest size of teeth and a first premolar of the largest size. At 5mm from the midline in the upper segment, the surface 30 of the upper isthmus is 9mm wide and will accommodate a second permanent molar of the smallest size of teeth and a first permanent molar of the largest. In the lower cavity 40 there is a similar situation, where at the llmm of the midline along the curve of the arch, the lower surface 38 of the isthmus 16 begins to expand in the lingual portion of the arch. This surface 38 of the narrow or thin lower isthmus as a knife edge corresponds to the incisor edges of the lower incisors that will accommodate a lateral and central permanent incisor whose combined meso-distal widths are 9. mm to 13.7 mm wide. This surface 38 of the lower isthmus begins to expand on the lingual so that at 17 mm from the midline it is 3 mm wide lip-lingually and will accommodate a first lower premolar smaller size of teeth and one canine of the largest size. At 23mm of the midline, the bucco-lingual width is 6mm and will accommodate a second lower premolar of the smallest size of mouth and teeth and a first lower premolar of the largest. At 4 mm from the middle line, the width buccoingual is 9mm and will accommodate a second lower molar of the smaller mouth and tooth size and a larger first molar. In a further embodiment, the application 10 includes a comfortable concavity 60 disposed in the portion lingual of the application as shown in FIGURE 3. The concavity extends, in one embodiment, through the incisal area 17 from one canine to the other canine. The concavity 60 is a depression adapted to receive the tongue of an individual within it to help remember to the individual where the tongue should rest when the application is used. This also allows the tongue to be placed forward as the jaw is held forward by the application to help correct sleep apnea and snoring. The manner in which the application helps prevent sleep apnea is best illustrated in FIGURES 8 and. FIGURE 8 illustrates the position of an individual's jaw when sleep apnea is a problem. The jaw or jaw 300 is placed backwards which also pushes the tongue 302 backwards. The tongue 302 partially blocks the pharynx 304 by being closely placed with the trachea 306. With this narrow space, less air passes causing the uvula 308 to vibrate which results in snoring. By using the application 10, the jaw 300 and the tongue 302 are more properly positioned forward as shown in FIGURE 9. This increases the clearance between the tongue 302 and the trachea 306, opening the pharynx 304. This in turn allows let more air pass, preventing the uvula 308 from vibrating. The application 10 of the present invention incorporating the features described above can be used to prevent or early correct the problems of incisor separation, jetting, overbite, crowding of teeth, and inadequate tooth rotation. The narrow placement of the teeth across the width of the incisor area together with the increased inclination of the upper labial flange, in combination with the elongation through the upper incisal area helps to correct these problems as permanent teeth come out in an individual. The fact that application 10 does not include individual tooth basins allows each application size to couple many sizes of mouths and clients. The application is also useful as an athletic mouth guard, to avoid bruxism or night-time snoring, and to avoid sleep apnea or snoring as described above. While it is obvious from the above specification, the invention is capable of being exemplified with various alterations and modifications which may differ (particularly from those described in the above specification and description.) It should be understood that it is desired to exemplify within the scope of the patent. guaranteed here all modifications as reasonably and adequately in the scope of my contribution to the technique.

Claims (31)

1. CLAIMS 1. An orthodontic application characterized in that f f comprises: a buccolabial flange having a generally U-shaped configuration and a generally smooth inner labial surface; a lingual flange which also has a generally U-shaped configuration and generally smooth inner lingual surfaces are separated from the inner labial surface of the buccolabial flange; an isthmus that interconnects the buccolabial flange and the lingual flange and that has an upper isthmus surface and a lower isthmus surface; a tooth-receiving cavity defined adjacent the isthmus between the inner labial surfaces and the inner lingual surfaces to receive at least one of the rows of upper or lower teeth, the cavity receiving the teeth is dimensioned to act as a single means for retain the orthodontic application in the mouth of an individual; wherein the cavity receiving the teeth in an incisive area has a width which tapers towards the isthmus sufficiently to apply pressure against the incisors of an individual as the incisors exit.
2. 2. The orthodontic application according to claim 1, characterized in that the cavity receiving the teeth comprises a cavity of maxillary teeth to receive an upper row of teeth.
3. 3. The orthodontic application according to claim 1, characterized in that the client cavity comprises a cavity of mandibular teeth to receive a lower row of teeth within it.
4. 4. The orthodontic application according to claim 1, characterized in that the bucco-labial flange and the lingual flange each comprise an upper segment extending upwards from the isthmus and a lower segment extending downward from the isthmus, the upper segment defines between these a cavity for maxillary clients to receive within this an upper row of teeth, and the lower segments define between these a cavity for mandibular teeth to receive within this a lower row of teeth, wherein at least One of the cavities that receive maxillary teeth and cavities that receive mandibular teeth in an incisive area has a width that gradually narrows when approaching the isthmus to apply pressure to the corresponding incisors of the individual as the incisors exit.
5. 5. The orthodontic application according to claim 4, characterized in that the isthmus also comprises an upper isthmus that interconnects the upper segments of the bucco-labial flange and the lingual flange and a lower isthmus that interconnects the lower segments of the buccolabial flange and the lingual flange, and a hinge that joins the upper isthmus and the lower isthmus at the posterior distant ends of the latter.
6. 6. The orthodontic application according to claim 4, characterized in that the other of the cavities receiving maxillary or mandibular teeth in the incisal area has a width which gravitably tapers towards the isthmus to apply pressure to the corresponding incisors of the individual to as the incisors come out.
7. The orthodontic application according to claim 4, characterized in that the width of any of the cavities receiving maxillary or mandibular teeth is adapted to restrict the exit of the teeth in the incisal area as the teeth corresponding to this in The individual's mouth has come out about 1/3 a ^.
8. 8. The orthodontic application according to claim 7, characterized in that the width of the other cavity receiving maxillary or mandibular teeth is adapted to restrict the exit of the teeth in the incisal area as the teeth corresponding to this in the The individual's mouth has come out about 1/3 to s.
9. 9. An orthodontic application that is used in the mouth of an individual characterized in that it comprises: a bucco-labial flange having a generally U-shaped configuration and an inner labial surface; a lingual flange that also has a generally U-shaped configuration and an inner lingual surface that is spaced from the inner labial surface of the buccolabial flange; an isthmus that interconnects the buccolabial flange and the lingual flange; at least one cavity receiving teeth defined adjacent the isthmus between the inner labial surfaces and the inner lingual surfaces to receive at least one upper or lower row of teeth; and wherein the cavity receiving the teeth in an incisal area has a width which tapers towards the isthmus sufficiently to apply pressure against the incisors of an individual as the incisors exit and the width is approximately 1 mm or less adjacent to the isthmus at a distance of approximately 2mm or more from this.
10. 10. The orthodontic application according to claim 6, characterized in that the width is approximately 1 mm or less adjacent to the isthmus at a distance of approximately 2 mm or more from this.
11. 11. An orthodontic application that is used in the mouth of an individual characterized in that it comprises: a buccolabial flange having a generally U-shaped configuration and an inner labial surface; a lingual flange which also has a generally U-shaped configuration and an inner lingual segment separated from the inner labial surface of the buccolabial flange; an isthmus that interconnects the buccolabial flange and the lingual flange; at least one cavity for receiving clients defined adjacent the isthmus between the inner labial surface, and the inner lingual surface to receive at least one upper or lower row of teeth; and wherein the cavity receiving the teeth in an incisal area has a width which tapers towards the isthmus sufficiently to apply pressure against the incisors of an individual as the incisors exit and the width is approximately 1 mm adjacent to the isthmus. paia a distance of approximately 2mm or more of this.
12. 12. An orthodontic application for use in the mouth of an individual characterized in that it comprises: a buccolabial flange having a generally U-shaped configuration, an inner labial segment and an inner labial surface; a lingual flange having a generally U-shaped configuration, a superior lingual segment having an inner lingual surface spaced from the inner labial surface of the upper labial segment, a lower lingual segment having an inner lingual surface spaced from the inner labial surface of the lower labial segment; an isthmus that interconnects the buccolabial flange and the lingual flange and that has an upper isthmus surface and a lower isthmus surface; a cavity receiving maxillary clients defined by the upper isthmus surface between the inner labial surface and the inner lingual surface of the upper segments; a cavity receiving mandibular teeth defined by the surface of the lower isthmus between the inner labial surface and the inner lingual surface of the lower segments; wherein one of the cavities that receives maxillary clients and the cavity receiving mandibular clients in an incisive area has a width which tapers towards the isthmus sufficiently to apply pressure against the incisors of an individual as the incisors exit; and wherein the inner labial surface of the upper labial segment and the inner labial surface of the lower labial segment are inclined relative to one another by defining an angle within them which is less than that of the average incisors adapted to receive within this form and variable sizes of this, and also adapted to help guide the teeth to their proper obstructed position.
13. 13. The orthodontic application according to claim 12, characterized in that the inner labial surfaces are inclined relative to one another at an angle of less than 131 °., 1 .
14. The orthodontic application according to claim 12, characterized in that the internal labial surfaces are inclined relative to one another at an angle of between about 115 ° to about 131 °.
15. 15. The orthodontic application according to claim 4, characterized in that the upper and lower surface of the isthmus defines a primary thickness between them and defines an increased thickness between them in the incisive area of the application.
16. 16. The orthodontic application according to claim 15, characterized in that the increased thickness is approximately 1 mm or more, greater than the primary thickness of the isthmus.
17. 17. The orthodontic application that is used in the mouth of an individual characterized in that it comprises: a buccolabial flange having a generally U-shaped configuration, a superior labial segment having an inner labial surface, and a lower labial segment. which has an inner labial surface; a lingual flange which also has a generally U-shaped configuration, a superior lingual segment having an inner lingual surface that is spaced from the inner labial surface of the upper labial segment, a lower lingual segment having a separate inner lingual surface the inner labial surface of the lower labial segment; an isthmus that interconnects the buccolabial flange and the lingual flange and that has an upper isthmus surface and a lower isthmus surface; a cavity receiving maxillary clients defined by the upper isthmus surface between the inner labial surface and the inner lingual surface of the upper segments; a cavity receiving mandibular teeth defined by the surface of the lower isthmus between the inner labial surface and the inner lingual surface of the lower segments; wherein one of the cavities that receives maxillary clients and the cavity that receives mandibular clients in the incisive area has a width which tapers towards the isthmus sufficiently to apply pressure against the incisors of an individual as the incisors exit; and wherein the upper labial segment in the incisive area has a thin wall thickness adapted to allow the buccolabial flange in the incisal area to stretch through it to a sufficient degree to apply pressure to the upper incisors of the mouth of the individual. .
18. 18. The orthodontic application according to claim 17, characterized in that a portion of the buccolabial flange in the incisal area has a wall thickness of about 1mm to 3mm.
19. 19. The orthodontic application according to claim 17, characterized in that the buccolabial flange in the incisal area is adapted to stretch from 3mm to approximately 7mm beyond its natural unstretched state.
20. 20. The orthodontic application according to claim 4, characterized in that the lingual and lower labial segments are adapted to avoid contact with the gingival area of the individual's mouth.
21. 21. The orthodontic application according to claim 20, characterized in that the lower lingual segment extends downwardly from the lower surface of the isthmus to a lower edge at a height sufficient to avoid contact with the gingival area of the individual.
22. 22. The orthodontic application according to claim 20, characterized in that the lower lavial segment is externally tapered from the mandibular client cavity adjacent to the lower edge to avoid contact with the gingival area of the individual.
23. 23. The orthodontic application according to claim 4, characterized in that the upper lingual and labial segments are adapted to prevent contact with a gingival area within the mouth of the individual.
24. 24. The orthodontic application according to claim 23, characterized in that the upper lingual segment extends downwardly from the maxillary tooth cavity toward an upper end at a height sufficient to avoid contact with the gingival area of the individual.
25. 25. The orthodontic application according to claim 23, characterized in that the upper labial segment is tapered outwardly from the maxillary client cavity adjacent to an upper end to avoid contact with the gingival area of the individual.
26. 26. The orthodontic application according to claim 4, characterized in that it also comprises one or more lingual extensions projecting from the lingual flange.
27. 27. The orthodontic application according to claim 4, characterized in that it also comprises a lingual concavity formed in the lingual flange.
28. 28. The orthodontic application according to claim 6, characterized in that the inner lingual surface of one of the cavities receiving maxillary teeth and the cavity receiving mandibular teeth tapers away from the inner labial surface such that lateral orthodontic application it is accommodated in the incisal area at least in the part of the canine teeth of the mouth of an adult person or in the entire canine tooth of a child's mouth.
29. 29. The orthodontic application according to claim 28, characterized in that the inner lingual surface tapers away from the inner labial surface in the other of the cavities that receive mandibular or maxillary teeth in such a way that the orthodontic application accommodates at least part to a canine tooth from the mouth of an adult person or the entire canine tooth of a child.
30. 30. The orthodontic application according to claim 4, characterized in that it further comprises one or more air passages formed transversely across the isthmus extending between the lingual flange and the buccolabial flange.
31. 31. The orthodontic application according to claim 1, characterized in that the application is a corrective orthodontic device, an anti-snoring device, a device to prevent bruxism, a device to prevent sleep apnea, and an athletic mouth guard.