DENTAL BITE PLATE

Abstract

A bite plate configured for use on upper teeth only that is configured to envelope central incisors, lateral incisors, and optionally one of a portion of upper cuspid pairs or entire upper cuspid pairs with lateral extensions that enhances whole body wellness.

Claims

1. A bite plate comprising: a main body configured to envelop upper tooth pairs including central incisors, lateral incisors, and optionally one of a portion of upper cuspid pairs or entire upper cuspid pairs; said main body further configured with a dual curvature positioned with a trough centered in use between each of the central incisors and congruent crests on either side of said trough; and lateral extensions between back teeth and cheek of a user body whereby unenveloped teeth extend downward past a lower peripheral surface of said lateral extensions of said main body.

2. The bite plate of claim 1, wherein said main body is constructed and arranged to contact lower teeth at a contact point on each of the lower central incisors.

3. A method of creating a defined distance of an air passageway when wearing a bite plate, said method comprising the steps of: providing a bite plate according to claim 1; opening a user's mouth; positioning said bite plate on upper teeth including central incisors, lateral incisors, and optionally one of a portion of upper cuspid pairs or entire upper cuspid pairs; closing a user's mouth; imparting an air passageway of defined distance upon said closing.

4. A method for preventing contact of upper and lower back teeth, said method comprising the steps of: providing a bite plate according to claim 1; opening a user's mouth; positioning said bite plate on upper teeth including central incisors, lateral incisors, and optionally one of a portion of upper cuspid pairs or entire upper cuspid pairs; closing a user's mouth; whereby upper and lower teeth positioned along said lateral extensions between back teeth and cheek of a user body whereby unenveloped teeth extend downward past a lower peripheral surface of said lateral extensions of said main body and said closing imparts a jaw position that prevents contact between said upper and lower teeth.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0051] FIG. 1 is a lateral view demonstrating a closed jaw and the inter articulation of the upper and lower teeth.

[0052] FIG. 2 is a lateral view with an open jaw and demonstrating placement of the bite plate according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] FIG. 3 is a lateral view demonstrating a closed jaw and placement of the bite plate according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] FIG. 4 is a lateral view demonstrating the bite plate contact point in a closed jaw and air passage according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] FIG. 5A is a top view of the bite plate according to one embodiment of the present invention positions about the six upper teeth (four incisors and 2 cuspids).

[0056] FIG. 5B is a top view of the bite plate according to one embodiment of the present invention positioned about the four incisor upper teeth.

[0057] FIG. 5C is a top view of the bite plate according to one embodiment of the present invention positioned about the upper teeth. (A possible cut back for the user that eliminates masseter function to a greater percentage).

[0058] FIG. 6 is an anterior view of the bite plate with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0059] FIG. 7 is a lingual (inside) view of the bite plate in position according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] FIG. 8 is a lateral view of proposed bite plate on the maxillary (upper) dentition

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0061] The bite plate of the present invention is uniquely configured in that it is only worn on the upper teeth and actually does not cover all the upper teeth.

[0062] Bite plate system 10 is worn by a user 11. System 10 includes a main body 12 having a main body lower surface 13 that contacts teeth 16 along the biting surface 14 of teeth 16. As demonstrated in FIG. 2, a person will open their jaw, position main body 12 on the front portion of upper teeth 16 subsequently closing their jaw as demonstrated in FIG. 3 whereby bite plate 12 contacts lower teeth 24 at contact point 22. Once the jaw is closed, Dimension C represents the distance created between the outer, lower surface 13 of bite plate 12 and the upper surface 18 of lower teeth 20.

[0063] Dimension C ideally is between about 2-5 mm. This measurement is dependent on the individual's bite and arrangement of their teeth.

[0064] As can be seen by will the configuration presented in FIG. 3 bite plate 12 prevent upper teeth 16 and lower teeth 20 from contacting one another. Further, as demonstrated in FIG. 4, in a passage 26 is of sufficient size to allow easy breathing.

[0065] Although it is contemplated that the system 10 of the present invention used only on the upper teeth, it is further contemplated that not all of the upper teeth require to be enveloped with in the bite plate dental receiving cavity. In FIG. 5A, one embodiment is provided whereby only the first three pair of teeth being the central incisors, lateral incisors and cuspids, be inserted into main body 12. In FIG. 5B, one embodiment is provided whereby only the first two pair of teeth, being the central incisors and lateral incisors be inserted into main body 12. In FIG. 5C, one embodiment is provided whereby only the first two pair of teeth, being the central incisors and lateral incisors and only a portion of the cuspids are inserted into main body 12.

[0066] As seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, the center of main body 12 is configured with two curved crests separated by a trough. This configuration imparts the correct positioning of the bite plate system 10 such that the objectives are achieved.

[0067] Additionally, bite plate main body 12 extends such that lower tooth surfaces 14 extend beyond the periphery of lower surface 13 of bite plate main body 12. Main body 12 has lateral extensions between back teeth and cheek of a user body whereby unenveloped teeth extend downward past a lower peripheral surface of said lateral extensions of said main body.

[0068] While the invention has been described in its preferred form or embodiment with some degree of particularity, it is understood that this description has been given only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction, fabrication, and use, including the combination and arrangement of parts, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.