RU235003U1 - Orthodontic appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model relates to orthodontics and can be used for the prevention of myofunctional disorders and dentoalveolar anomalies, including hypertonicity of the facial and neck muscles. An orthodontic appliance has been developed, which is a two-jaw removable device consisting of lip pads, cheek shields and a tongue positioning platform. The lip pads are made in pairs for the upper and lower lips and are connected to the cheek shields made with the possibility of placement in the area of the masticatory muscles. The tongue positioning platform consists of two interconnected elements made with the possibility of physiologically correct placement of the tongue on them. The cheek shield and the element of the tongue positioning platform are connected by an arc with a bend, and the connection of the two elements of the tongue positioning platform to each other is made by means of an orthodontic screw. The technical result is to improve the aesthetic features of the face and posture by preventing hypertonicity of the facial and neck muscles by maintaining a normal position of the tongue, correct swallowing and nasal breathing. 3 ill.

Description

The utility model relates to the field of medicine, in particular to orthodontics (dentistry), and can be used for the prevention of myofunctional disorders and dentoalveolar anomalies, including hypertonicity of the muscles of the face and neck.

LEVEL OF TECHNOLOGY

Myofunctional disorders are a decrease or increase in the normal tone of the masticatory and facial muscles that occur with disorders of the functions of the dental system (breathing, swallowing, chewing).

Increased muscle tone is a pathological condition of muscle tissue when it remains tense even if the body is at rest. This condition can appear at any age, and occurs depending on the causes of damage to one muscle or an entire group of muscles.

For example, the most common problem that can significantly affect a person's quality of life, causing discomfort and pain in the face and jaw area is hypertonicity of the masticatory muscles, which can occur for various reasons. Stress and emotional tension often play a key role in the development of this condition. Malocclusion and bruxism (grinding teeth) can also lead to increased tension in the masticatory muscles. Also, one can indicate jaw or facial injuries, incorrect position of the lower jaw and diseases of the temporomandibular joint, etc. With long-term formation of muscle hypertonicity in the soft tissues of the face, complex aesthetic disorders develop - swelling increases, facial proportions are disturbed, facial expression is distorted, facial contours are lost. In addition, the condition of the skeletal system, especially the spine in the cervical region, can depend on the correct functioning of the masticatory muscles.

Next, we should mention hypertonicity of the mental muscle, which often occurs as a result of facial expression habits, such as chewing on one side, active facial expressions, and so on. This condition of the mental muscle distorts the appearance of the face and, of course, provokes the formation and worsening of facial wrinkles with age. Given the specific structure and functioning of the lower third of the face, this condition is quite difficult to correct.

Also worth mentioning is hypertonicity of the facial muscles - the frowning face syndrome and hypertonicity of the muscles that lower and raise the corners of the mouth - the folds of sorrow. Tension in these muscles is a common problem caused by stress, malocclusion or prolonged tension.

Thus, hypertonicity of the muscles of the face and neck has a strong influence on a person’s appearance, for example, depending on the position of the clenched jaws, the oval of the face changes, the nasolabial folds shift, a second chin appears, etc.

The specialized and patent literature describes various devices and technologies that eliminate myofunctional disorders and dental anomalies, including the treatment of bruxism, apnea, the elimination of harmful force action from the cheek, chewing muscles and muscles of the tongue, etc.

For example, RU2279862C1 (published 20.07.2006) is a shield device for eliminating myofunctional disorders. The device consists of two lingual shields and two vestibular shields with a template space, which are connected to each other by a wire arch with a central bend. The lingual shields are connected to each other by an omega-shaped loop, and to the vestibular shields by two wire processes. The wire arch that connects the vestibular shields is made with two additional lateral bends. The bends have a physiological shape of the lateral segments of the upper dental arch. As a result, the effectiveness of treating maxillofacial anomalies increases by targeting the dental arches, taking into account the use of a straight arch technique to normalize the position of the teeth in the transverse and sagittal planes. The harmful force action of the buccal and masticatory muscles and the muscles of the tongue is eliminated.

A device for orthodontic treatment is known (RU2123819C1, Published: 27.12.1998). The device comprises base plates for the upper and lower jaws, connected to each other in a constructive bite by means of a fixing device, a lower lip pad and cheek pads. Additionally, the device is equipped with Adams clasps and orthodontic screws. The fixing device includes guide tubes fixed to the upper jaw plate for the entry of L-shaped pins installed on the lower jaw plate. The lower lip pad is installed on the lower jaw plate, and the cheek pads are elastically connected to each other by an elastic traction. As a result, an increase in the effectiveness of distal occlusion treatment is ensured; the size of the dental arches and the position of the lower jaw are normalized.

Known is the patent document CA2735032C (published on September 26, 2011), which describes a removable intraoral device for improving airway patency. Wearing the device changes the position, configuration and freedom of movement of the tongue, chewing muscles, as well as the pharyngeal and facial muscles. The device is suitable for correcting snoring and/or obstructive sleep apnea due to periodic closures or partial obstructions that occur in the oropharynx during sleep. The device according to the invention can improve various types of airway disorders and improve oral functions by changing the position, configuration and freedom of movement of selected parts of the tongue and mouth, reducing resistance to air flow in the mouth and pharynx, reorienting and reprogramming the muscles of the mouth and tongue and maintaining the correct systemic balance of the mouth.

However, the vast majority of sources deal specifically with the elimination of disorders, but not their prevention or maintenance of the achieved therapeutic effect.

The author of this utility model has developed and patented a series of orthodontic myofunctional devices (RU222289U1, published: 19.12.2023, RU223512U1, published: 21.04.2024, RU228625U1, published: 06.09.2024), which are two-jaw removable devices that consist of lip pads, cheek shields and a tongue positioning platform, connected to each other in a single frame with a metal wire. The lip pads are made in pairs for the upper and lower lips, while the paired lip pads are connected to each other with a V-shaped arch. The cheek shields are designed with the possibility of placement in the area of the masticatory muscles and are connected to the tongue positioning platform with curved arches. The tongue positioning platform is designed to provide physiologically correct tongue placement on it. The technical result is to ensure a state of physiological rest; normalize the tongue position and eliminate the possibility of it sinking in and, as a result, restore correct swallowing; restore nasal breathing.

The results of treatment using the devices according to the specified patents (RU222289U1, RU223512U1, RU228625U1) indicate a long-term preservation of the therapeutic effect. At the same time, stress, emotional tension, age-related changes and other life factors over time determine the possibility of returning the eliminated muscle hypertonicity.

Preventive measures help prevent the development of hypertonicity of the facial and neck muscles and maintain the health of the masticatory apparatus and the aesthetics of the face and posture in the long term.

In this regard, the author of this utility model, based on his patents, developed a device for the prevention of muscle hypertonicity. The closest analogue was chosen by the author to be the device from patent RU222289U1, in which the tongue positioning platform consists of two elements connected to each other.

When developing the proposed technical solution, the task was to ensure the prevention of hypertonicity of the facial and neck muscles, i.e. maintaining a state of relaxation of the facial muscles, maintaining a balance in the position of the tongue, which contributes to correct nasal breathing, correct swallowing. At the same time, the design should ensure high-quality sleep, good rest for the facial and neck muscles and improve the aesthetic features of the face and posture.

DISCLOSURE OF UTILITY MODEL

The technical result of the proposed utility model is to improve the aesthetic features of the face and posture by preventing hypertonicity of the muscles of the face and neck by maintaining the normal position of the tongue, correct swallowing and nasal breathing.

The technical result is achieved due to the fact that an orthodontic device is proposed, which is a two-jaw removable device, which consists of lip pads, cheek shields and a platform for positioning the tongue, the lip pads are made in pairs for the upper and lower lips and are connected to the cheek shields, made with the possibility of placement in the area of the masticatory muscles, the platform for positioning the tongue consists of two elements connected to each other, made with the possibility of physiologically correct positioning of the tongue on them, wherein the cheek shield and the element of the platform for positioning the tongue are connected by an arc with a bend, and the connection of the two elements of the platform for positioning the tongue to each other is made by means of an orthodontic screw.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 shows a general view of the device in isometric view.

Fig. 2 shows a top view of the device.

Fig. 3 shows a side view of the device.

The following positions are indicated on the figures: two-jaw removable device (1), lip pads (2) for the upper lip, lip pads (3) for the lower lip, cheek shields (4), tongue positioning platform (5), metal wire (6), arches (7), arches (8), orthodontic screw (9).

ESSENCE OF A UTILITY MODEL

The proposed orthodontic device for the prevention of muscle hypertonicity is a two-jaw removable device (1), which consists of lip pads (2, 3), cheek shields (4), and a platform for positioning the tongue (5) (Fig. 1).

The lip pads (2, 3) are made in pairs: for the upper lip - paired lip pads (2), for the lower lip - paired lip pads (3), connected to each other by a metal wire (6) (Fig. 1). Between the paired lip pads, the metal wire (6) is made in the form of a V-shaped arc (7), ensuring the absence of discomfort to the jaws from the frenulum of the upper and lower lips.

The lip pads (2, 3) allow to relax the orbicularis oris muscle in the area of the upper and lower jaws, reducing the pressure on the upper and lower jaws, ensuring a state of physiological rest for the teeth of both jaws and maintaining the normal position of the tongue, correct swallowing and nasal breathing. Thus, the lip pads (2, 3) have a preventive effect on the orbicularis oris muscle, the muscles that lower and raise the corners of the mouth, and the mentalis muscle, preventing their hypertonicity.

The cheek shields (4) are designed to be placed in the area of the masticatory muscles and are made as a single unit without division into the upper and lower jaws (Fig. 1). The cheek shields (4) are connected to the labial pads (2, 3) by a metal wire (6) (Fig. 2).

This design of cheek shields (4) allows to relax the muscles in the upper and lower jaws, including the masticatory muscles, reducing the pressure on the lateral sides of the upper and lower jaws, as well as on the tongue, ensuring a state of physiological rest for the teeth of both jaws and normalization of the tongue position, correct swallowing and nasal breathing. Thus, cheek shields (4) have a preventive effect on the muscles in the upper and lower jaws, preventing their hypertonicity.

The tongue positioning platform (5) consists of two elements connected to each other, designed with the possibility of physiologically correct positioning of the tongue on them (Fig. 1-3). When swallowing, the tongue presses on the tongue positioning platform (5), allowing all other muscles of the mouth to relax, ensuring a state of physiological rest for the teeth of both jaws and normalization of the tongue position. In addition, such a design of the tongue positioning platform (5) allows for easy and convenient installation of the claimed device in the mouth and weakening or preventing the effects of tongue support and its incorrect positioning, as well as its retraction both during sleep and while awake.

Each element of the tongue positioning platform (5) is connected to the cheek shield (4) by an arch (8). The arches (8) are made with a bend (Fig. 1-3). The bend of the arches (8) ensures the position of the tongue positioning platform (5) necessary for giving the tongue a physiologically correct position, in which a state of physiological rest of the teeth of both jaws is achieved. The bend can be made V-shaped or U-shaped.

The elements of the tongue positioning platform (5) are connected to each other by an orthodontic screw (9) (Fig. 1-3).

This design of the tongue positioning platform (5) ensures the mobility of the platform elements (5) and the ability to move the design elements apart. That is, cutting the platform (5) into two elements and connecting them with an orthodontic screw (9) allows moving the cheek shields (4), facilitating the relaxation of tension in the sutures and the expansion of the upper jaw, which in turn ensures the correct position of the tongue, a state of physiological rest and muscle relaxation with the correct balancing of the temporomandibular joint. As a result, restoration of correct swallowing and nasal breathing is ensured, as well as normalization of the position of the head on the spine, which allows for the rehabilitation of posture. Thus, in the process of using the device, when the muscles are sufficiently relaxed, it happens that the shields in the position in which they stand are not enough: they do not create enough support for the tense muscles. By expanding the screw (9), pushing the muscles further back, the device increases the space of the oral cavity and creates more space for the tongue, tension and compression in the sutures of the upper jaw are relieved. This allows the declared device to be successfully used for the prevention of bruxism and hypertonicity of the muscles of the face and neck.

In addition, such a design of the tongue positioning platform (5) allows for more effective consideration of the peculiarities of children's physiology. Since children's jaws and skeleton are actively growing, as the device is worn, the fixed device without a screw becomes too small for the child. The orthodontic screw (9), installed in the cut of the tongue positioning platform (5), allows for uniformly pushing the cheek shields (4) to the sides and forward, pushing back the muscles that compress the bones and interfere with their growth.

In order to increase the attractiveness of wearing the device for children, the cheek shields (4) can be decorated with different pictures (illustrated in Fig. 1).

The claimed device allows to obtain a preventive effect both in a conscious state (wakefulness), during the daytime, and during sleep, at night. At night, work is provided at the structural level (obtaining structural changes: tongue position, reducing pressure on muscles, etc.). During the daytime, in addition to work at the structural level (in particular, changing the tongue position), a conscious restructuring of the work of the muscles of the maxillofacial region occurs by reducing their tonic tension, as well as restoration of the skills of physiological functioning of the muscles in the patient (work at the functional level). At night, consolidation of the result of work at the functional level is also provided.

The described design of the orthodontic device allows maintaining the correct pattern of breathing through the nose and the position of physiological rest, the correct pattern of swallowing and the correct position of the tongue. Thus, wearing the claimed device maintains the balance of the upper and lower jaws, relaxes the facial muscles, as well as the trapezius muscles, scalene muscles, the entire complex of muscles of the neck and shoulder girdle, which allows influencing the aesthetic features of the face and posture.

It is obvious to a specialist that orthodontics not only changes the position of the teeth. At the same time, it also affects soft tissues. The correct position of the tongue, proper swallowing and nasal breathing improve the morphology of the face. In addition, a healthier oral cavity, a better bite and a beautiful smile add harmony to a person's appearance.

For the purposes of this utility model, the term "improvement of the aesthetic features of the face and posture" means an attractive appearance of the face and neck (symmetrical facial features with clear proportions, absence of defects, in particular hollows under the eyes and lower jaw, wrinkles, folds, creases, etc., absence of a double chin, etc.) and posture (physiologically correct posture is posture, the vertical axis of which starts from the middle of the skull, passes at the posterior edge of the lower jaw, goes tangent to the apex of the cervical lordosis and descends below).

By maintaining the normal position of the tongue, correct swallowing and nasal breathing, the described design of the orthodontic device prevents hypertonicity of the muscles of the face and neck, which improves the aesthetic features of the face and posture, including due to improved blood supply to the muscles, improved blood flow and outflow and tissue trophism as a result of eliminating spasms and tension. In particular, age-related changes in the facial contour are corrected, including tightening the double chin, restoring the angle of youth, and aligning the vertical axis of posture at the level of the skull and neck, smoothing out hollows under the eyes and under the lower jaw, creases and wrinkles, including purse-string wrinkles, etc.

The duration of wearing the proposed orthodontic device is at least 1 month, the most preferable duration of wearing varies from 3 to 6 months. Wearing the device can be constant (24 hours a day) or periodic (several times a day, for example, in the morning and evening).

Wearing the claimed orthodontic device can be supplemented by various physical and cosmetic procedures. For example, the author of this utility model has established that wearing the claimed orthodontic device enhances the results of various "beauty" procedures, such as facial and neck rejuvenation, mesotherapy, massage, etc.

Running in the apparatus, doing Pilates exercises, especially those that straighten the posture, have proven themselves to be effective, since the positioning of the tongue moves the lower jaw forward, returning the head to a physiological position on the spine, which helps balance the muscles, restore symmetry, and good nasal breathing provides a sufficient amount of oxygen during physical activity.

During massage procedures, muscle support shields allow these muscles to relax better during massage, improve the outflow of spasmodic muscles and faster recovery after procedures, and a more stable and long-lasting effect after procedures, i.e. can be used as an additional one when wearing.

It is recommended to use the device in situations where patients experience stress and severe fatigue, because the position of the tongue on the palate with open jaws and attention to slow breathing helps to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, relaxation and rest.

An important condition is first conscious control over the position of the device on the jaw with control of correct breathing and the correct position of the tongue.

IMPLEMENTATION OF A UTILITY MODEL

For confirmation, 5 orthodontic devices were manufactured according to the claimed utility model. All devices were two-jaw removable devices consisting of paired lip pads for the upper and lower jaws, cheek shields and a platform for tongue positioning. The paired lip pads were connected to each other by V-shaped arches. The cheek shields were made with the possibility of placement in the area of the masticatory muscles and connected to the elements of the platform for tongue positioning by an arch with a bend. The platform for tongue positioning of each device consisted of two identical elements in shape, made with the possibility of physiologically correct positioning of the tongue on them, connected to each other by an orthodontic screw.

Each device was used after a course of treatment of patients with various diagnoses: incorrect type of breathing, swallowing, apnea, bruxism, etc. After treatment, the patients normalized the correct position of the tongue, restored correct swallowing and nasal breathing. Preventive measures were recommended to prevent the return of muscle hypertonicity, namely wearing the device according to the proposed utility model.

The conditions for implementing prevention are given in Table 1.

Table 1

device 1 device 2 device 3 device 4 device 5 Patient Woman,
45 years old Male, 37 years old Female, 29 years old Male, 41 years old Woman, 35 years old Diagnosis before treatment Complaints of pain and tension in the neck, snoring, sleep apnea and poor sleep. Fatigue Bruxism. Pain in the chewing muscles and neck muscles. Hypertonicity of the orbicularis oris muscle, aesthetic defects. Depressed mood. Complaints of difficulty swallowing, tension in the muscles of the floor of the mouth. Bruxism. Hypertonicity of the orbicularis oris muscle, aesthetic defects, headaches. Indications for use of the device Frequent stress Frequent stress Frequent depressions Frequent diseases of the nasopharynx Frequent stress Curve shape of arcs (8) V-shaped V-shaped V-shaped U-shaped U-shaped Time of use during sleep combined during sleep combined daytime Additionally massage - cosmetology Pilates cosmetology Duration/Frequency of Use 6 months 3 months 5 months 6 months 4 months Result Supports nasal breathing, eliminates snoring, improves posture (in the cervical region). Smoothes out expression wrinkles. Maintains a relaxed state of the masticatory and neck muscles. No symptoms
bruxism and improved swallowing. improved aesthetics of the face and neck (wrinkles, youth angle, posture), improved sleep and general psycho-emotional state Improved physical condition and aesthetics, maintained relaxed muscle condition, headaches disappeared. Supports correct tongue position and swallowing. Smoothes expression lines. No symptoms.
bruxism and improved swallowing.

The use of the claimed device in all patients, regardless of gender and age, ensured the maintenance of a state of physiological rest (absence of teeth clenching with relaxed muscles (masticatory muscles, orbicularis oris muscle, mentalis muscle, facial muscles, neck muscles), normal tongue position, correct swallowing and nasal breathing and, as a result, prevention of hypertonicity of the muscles of the face and neck. Thus, it ensured improvements in the aesthetic features of the face and posture (improvement in the aesthetic features of the face and neck was diagnosed in 95% of patients, improvement in posture - in 80%).

It is also necessary to provide data on patients who have not undergone a preliminary course of treatment. To illustrate the achieved results, the author of this utility model selected two patients.

Patient 1: female, 45 years old, complains of pain and muscle tension during frequent flights. It is recommended to wear the device for 3 months. Use the device in the morning and evening. In the morning after waking up to improve blood circulation and tone, in the evening to relax, from 5 to 20 minutes. Use the device passively during long flights. After wearing the device according to this useful model, her well-being during flights improved: headaches, neck pain, muscle tension disappeared, facial swelling decreased.

Patient 2: female, 37 years old, busy work schedule, sleep problems, clenching teeth during sleep. Recommended to wear the device for 6 months. Use at night during sleep for relaxation. Do relaxation exercises in the device immediately before sleep. Results showed improved sleep, patient relaxation during sleep and no clenching of teeth.

In addition, regardless of the presence or absence of prior treatment, the results of the study showed that all patients noted that after 3 months of wearing the device according to this utility model, their sleep improved, their psycho-emotional state improved. With additional sports activities (including running, pilates, etc.), nasal breathing was facilitated.

Thus, the results showed that the utility model ensures the achievement of the declared technical result.

Claims (1)

An orthodontic appliance, which is a two-jaw removable device, which consists of lip pads, cheek shields and a platform for positioning the tongue, the lip pads are made in pairs for the upper and lower lips and are connected to the cheek shields, made with the possibility of placement in the area of the masticatory muscles, the platform for positioning the tongue consists of two elements connected to each other, made with the possibility of physiologically correct positioning of the tongue on them, characterized in that the cheek shield and the element of the platform for positioning the tongue are connected by an arc with a bend, and the connection of the two elements of the platform for positioning the tongue to each other is made by means of an orthodontic screw.