Labiolingual Retractor

Abstract

The present invention relates to a lip and tongue retractor (100) comprising in a single central body (200) a central bulkhead (210) and a bridge (230). The central bulkhead (210) is provided with stabilizing rods (220), both resilient and movable between each other, the clearance thereof being maintained by a lock element (400) separated from the lip and tongue retractor (100); whereas the bridge (230) is equipped with a fitting end (231) for coupling to a convex body (300) separated from the central body (200).

Claims

1. A lip and tongue retractor characterized in that it comprises, in a single central body, a central bulkhead, and a bridge.

2. The lip and tongue retractor according to claim 1, characterized in that the central bulkhead is provided with at least two stabilizing rods, the at least two stabilizing rods movable between each other, and a clearance distance thereof maintained by a lock element separated from the central body.

3. The lip and tongue retractor according to claim 1, characterized in that the bridge is provided with a fitting end for coupling to a convex body separated from the central body.

4. The lip and tongue retractor according to claim 1, characterized in that the central bulkhead is provided with a central groove and a plurality of protrusions on a side of the central groove.

5. The lip and tongue retractor according to claim 1, characterized in that the central bulkhead forms a central arch in a space generated by the at least two stabilizing rods.

6. The lip and tongue retractor according to claim 1, characterized in that a rear portion of the central bulkhead faces an interior of the oral cavity proximal to the pterygomandibular raphe.

7. The lip and tongue retractor according to claim 1, characterized in that the lock element separated from the central body is provided with a plurality of slots for fitting with the at least two stabilizing rods of the central bulkhead, a plurality of indents (420) in a central portion of the lock element, and a plurality of bases at an upper portion and a lower portion of the lock element to accommodate the incisal/occlusal faces of the upper and lower teeth.

8. The lip and tongue retractor according to claim 1, characterized in that a base in the plurality of bases comprises a plurality of grooves.

9. The lip and tongue retractor according to claim 1, characterized in that the convex body is provided with a larger wall, a smaller wall, a flap in a medial region of the smaller wall (330), and a plurality of locks in a middle region of the larger wall for reversible fitting to the fitting end of the bridge.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] For a better understanding and visualization of the subject matter, the present invention will now be described with reference to the attached figures, representing the obtained technical effect through an example embodiment without limiting the scope of the present invention, in which:

[0024] FIG. 1 schematically shows a perspective view of the central body of a lip and tongue retractor, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0025] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the central bulkhead of the lip and tongue retractor from FIG. 1;

[0026] FIG. 3 schematically shows a perspective view of the convex body of the lip and tongue retractor, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0027] FIG. 4A schematically shows a perspective view of a lock element of the lip and tongue retractor, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] FIG. 4B schematically shows a perspective view of another lock element of the lip and tongue retractor, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] FIG. 5 schematically shows a perspective view of the lip and tongue retractor, with the lock element and the convex body coupled to the central body, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0030] FIG. 6 shows a view of the lip and tongue retractor according to the invention whilst in use arranged inside an oral cavity, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The present invention will now be described in detail based on the aforementioned figures, but without being limited to them.

[0032] The lip and tongue retractor (100), according to the invention, basically comprises:

[0033] (i) A central body (200) equipped with [0034] central bulkhead (210), [0035] stabilizing rods (220), [0036] bridge (230), and [0037] fitting end (231);

[0038] (ii) A convex body (300) equipped with [0039] groove (310), [0040] larger wall (320), [0041] smaller wall (330), [0042] flap (340), and [0043] locks (350);

[0044] (iii) A lock element (400) provided with [0045] slots (410), [0046] indents (420), and [0047] bases (430).

[0048] The central bulkhead (210), stabilizing rods (220), bridge (230) and fitting end (231) elements are formed as a single piece, made from surgically suitable materials, such as, but not limited to, resilient, non-toxic, autoclavable materials, and can also be translucent/transparent, monochromatic, polychromatic, colored, having drawings or appliques, inter alia.

[0049] The central bulkhead (210) leads to stabilizing rods (220), resilient and movable between each other, straight at their ends, the clearance thereof maintained by the lock element (400) separated from the central body (200). Note that the stabilizing rods (220) by being resilient and movable between each other allow for contraction, enabling the introduction of lip and tongue retractor (100) in the patient's oral cavity. The central bulkhead (210) forms a central arch (213), in the space generated by stabilizing rods (220), in addition to having a central groove (211) and protrusions (212). Since the central bulkhead (210) is convex to the patient's pterygomandibular raphe, the wall formed by the central groove (211) and protrusions (212) acts as a means for retaining and isolating the patient's tongue in an ergonomic and comfortable manner. The central body (200) of the lip and tongue retractor (100) also has a bridge (230) which is provided with a fitting end (231) for coupling to the convex body (300) separated from the central body (200).

[0050] Said bridge (230) extends to the pterygopalatine commissure and unites with the central bulkhead (210) and, together with the convex body (300), is responsible for the clearance of the lips and adjacent cheek mucosa from the dental professional's field of action.

[0051] The bridge (230) has its rear part facing the interior of the oral cavity immediately above and behind the retromolar triangle and abuts the pterygomandibular raphe. Note that the rear portion of the bridge (230) is evidently convex in relation to the pterygomandibular raphe when in use.

[0052] The convex body (300) is coupled by a reversible fit to the fitting end (231) of the bridge (230), so as to have its groove (310) facing the opening of the patient's mouth, having a shape that adapts anatomically to the patient's labial commissure and adjacencies thereof, providing protection to tissues and clearance for access to the oral cavity by isolating the labial commissure. For handling the convex body (300) and the lip and tongue retractor (100) as a whole, the convex body (300) has a flap (340) in the middle region of the smaller wall (330). For joining the convex body (300) with the central body (200), the convex body (300) is provided with locks (350) in the middle region of its larger wall (320) to engage with the fitting end (231) of the bridge (230).

[0053] Once installed, the lip and tongue retractor (100) provide gradual clearance of the arches, the module of which is made possible and maintained by the lock element (400), provided with two slots (410) into which the stabilizing rods (220) of the central bulkhead (210) fit, thus maintaining the lip and tongue retractor (100) stable. The lock element (400) is also provided with indents (420) in its central portion, and bases (430) in its upper and lower portions to accommodate the incisal/occlusal faces of the patient's upper and lower teeth. The bases (430) of the lock element (400) may also be provided with grooves (440) for a better accommodation of the patient's teeth when the lip and tongue retractor is in use.

[0054] The lock element (400) can be manufactured in different sizes (lengths) allowing for a greater or lesser range of mouth opening. When fitted, the lock element (400) provides a firm separation from the dental arches and, when detached, allows for easy removal of the lip and tongue retractor (100).

[0055] The indents (420) of the lock element (400) allow for it to be adaptable to different mouth opening amplitudes. When the curvature of the lock element (400) is contracted joining the indents (420), greater mouth opening amplitude is achieved. When the indents (420) are removed, thus generating a convex arch in relation to the lips, less mouth opening amplitude is achieved. This allows for the lip and tongue retractor (100) to have greater adaptability, thus being more suitable for patients unable to collaborate with the procedure.

[0056] One skilled in the art may also understand that the lock element (400) is resilient and made of surgically suitable, non-toxic and autoclavable material.

[0057] Thus, the use of lip and tongue retractor (100) according to the invention and according to the embodiment illustrated by the attached drawings simultaneously solves several problems of the prior art.

[0058] The lip and tongue retractor (100) therefore allows for the simultaneous clearance and protection of soft tissues, in addition to allowing for interaction with other known tools and devices, as the visualization of intraoral space and the reach of such tools and devices are improved.

[0059] The present lip and tongue retractor (100) solves the serious problem of lack of stability in situations with patients unable to collaborate with the procedure. As illustrated in the figures, the suitability provided by the positioning of the lock element (400) allows for the lip and tongue retractor (100) to be firmly attached whilst not harming the patient during treatment, thus eliminating the risk or disadvantage of subsequent pain or discomfort. The firm fit of the lip and tongue retractor (100) also foregoes additional stabilization provided by a health professional's hand the during the procedure, allowing said professional to have both hands free to easily perform the procedure, as well as handling other tools.

[0060] In addition, the multiplicity of positions provided by the present object also allows for adaptation to different dental arch configurations.

[0061] As discussed above, one of the problems found in prior art is the adaptation to arches in which teeth are missing (other devices and systems are destabilized in the absence of some teeth) or even upon movement by the patient.

[0062] Both difficulties are overcome by the lip and tongue retractor (100) of the present application, as the bases (430) of the lock element (400) are supported by the incisal/occlusal faces of the dental elements or on the edentulous alveolar ridge of the opposite arch, and the same lock element (400) provides stiffness to the chosen opening.

[0063] Another evident advantage of lip and tongue retractor (100) is its ambidextrous feature, i.e., the possibility of being used both for the right side and the left side of the mouth.

[0064] Additionally, again regarding patient comfort, the present lip and tongue retractor (100) does not hold the patient's tongue downwards and backwards. This configuration avoids the potential risk of a choking sensation, gag reflex or both, as generated by devices such as those comprised in prior art.

[0065] Finally, it should be noted that the present lip and tongue retractor (100) is suitable for several types of mouth-related procedures and is not limited only to dental surgical procedures (for example and illustrative purposes only, aesthetic procedures).

[0066] It will be easily understood by those skilled in the art that modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the concepts set out in the description above. Such modifications should be considered as included within the scope of the present invention. Consequently, the particular embodiments described in detail above are only illustrative and exemplary, and do not limit the scope of the present invention, which should be given the full extent of the appended claims and any and all equivalents thereof.