The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 05, 2011
Filed:
Dec. 08, 2006
John M. Jansheski, Maryville, TN (US);
John M. Jansheski, Maryville, TN (US);
Dentek Oral Care, Inc., Maryville, TN (US);
Abstract
A custom-fitted dental appliance having a base member with a generally U-shaped horizontal portion with opposing posterior sections and an anterior section disposed between the posterior sections. The base member has a vertical portion connected to a forward edge of the horizontal portion. The vertical portion has an arcuate curvature substantially following the curvature of the anterior section. The appliance includes over-molded molar pads that are bonded to the upper surfaces of the posterior sections of the base member. An over-molded anterior flange is bonded to the vertical portion of the base member. The molar pads and the anterior flange are formed from a thermoplastic material having a Vicat softening temperature below that of the base member. After heating the appliance to above the softening temperature of the over-molded portions, the molar pads and anterior flange may be custom fitted to the upper teeth and gums of the wearer.