A method of maintaining airway patency in an airway of a patient. The method includes the steps of implanting a device into airway-forming tissue without affixing the device to the tissue and permitting a bioerodable portion of the device to bioerode to apply a force to the airway-forming tissue to maintain airway patency. The invention also provides devices for practicing the method.

An oral device for temporary placement in a patient's oral cavity includes upper and lower jaw braces and a tongue-engaging member. The upper and lower jaw braces are connected so that the lower jaw brace is advanced in an anterior direction relative to the upper jaw brace when the upper and lower jaw braces are closed together. A partial vacuum is drawn in the oral cavity and the vacuum and lower jaw displacement together control the position of the tongue in order to clear the patient's airway to reduce sleep apnea or treat other conditions.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) correction apparatus comprises an upper guard including an upper coupler provided at an end of the upper guard, the upper coupler including a protrusion projecting laterally, a lower guard including a lower coupler provided at an end of the lower guard, and an adjustor detachably coupled with the tower coupler and supported by the protrusion.

The present invention relates to an intra-oral device including a carrier that has an outside wall, an inside wall and an occlusal wall connecting the outside wall to the inside wall. The carrier has at least one inset and at least one insert carrying a beneficial agent that is adapted to fit the inset, and the beneficial agent is capable of promoting weight loss. The intra-oral device is positioned in a user's mouth so that the intra-oral device is in contact with the user's cheeks, lips and/or tongue and the beneficial agent passes through the mucosal membrane of the user's mouth.

This invention provides devices and systems and methods therefrom for properly controlling negative pressure applied to oral cavity, facilitating breathing and treating sleep apnea and snoring. The systems comprise a negative pressure system providing a vacuum source and an oral device comprising a shield, a tube passing through the shield, a flexible negative pressure deliverable part connected to the shield or the tube, an optional tongue protector, where the negative pressure deliverable part is conformable to the contour of the upper palate. Negative pressure is delivered to the front and back zones inside the oral cavity via the negative pressure deliverable part to eliminate air space in the oral cavity.

A system and method for improving a sleep disorder is provided. The system includes an oral appliance having a mandibular occlusal plate operably coupled to a maxillary occlusal plate, the plates molded to fit an individual's jaw; an actuator and one or more sensors in communication therewith for sensing physiologic parameters of a user, the actuator operably coupled to the maxillary occlusal plate for linearly advancing or retracting the mandibular occlusal plate based on commands received from a processing device.

A device for moving a lower jaw forward includes an upper teeth mounting portion on which upper teeth of a human body are mountable, a lower teeth mounting portion on which lower teeth of the human body are mountable, a sensing portion capable of sensing information which determines a movement time of the lower teeth mounting portion, and a driving portion capable of moving the lower teeth mounting portion relative to the upper teeth mounting portion according to a sensing result of the sensing portion. The driving portion includes a power portion which provides a force for moving the lower teeth mounting portion and a driving connection portion which connects the power portion to the lower teeth mounting portion.

A retainerless orthodontic dental implant system for positioning the mandible forward relative to the maxilla and for facilitating optimal airflow during sleep and a method of using such a system.

A tongue advancer implant (101) or removal (1601) tool for a tongue manipulation system comprising: a loading mechanism configured to enable the loading of an implant or removal assembly; a propulsion element configured to be charged; a release mechanism configured to permit the propulsion element to propel the implant or removal assembly from the implant or removal tool.

An oral appliance that includes tongue positioning structures which are useful in treating snoring, OSA and related disorders. The invention provides a passive tongue location device which includes cavities located on the internal surface adjacent the tongue, the cavities operatively providing a retentive effect on the tongue when it is in its relaxed state. Further, the present invention provides an oral device adapted to operatively enhance the operation of a sleeping user's airway, including a carrier adapted to be positioned over at least some of the lower teeth of the user and having an interior projection over at least part of the gums of a user, the projection defining a pair of opposed cavities, the cavities being shaped and operatively adapted so that the tongue of the sleeping user will passively engage the cavities.