Lip and cheek expander

Abstract

A lip and cheek expander for use when performing, dental medicine, dental hygiene or dental-documenting activities comprises two tensioning frames ( 1, 2 ) and non-profiled film-like means ( 3 ) connecting the tensioning frames ( 1, 2 ). In the fitted condition of the expander, inside the oral cavity the inner tensioning frame ( 1 ) and on the outside the outer tensioning frame rests against the lips and cheeks. The film-like means ( 3 ) are connected at one end to the inner tensioning frame ( 1 ) and at the other end to the outer tensioning frame ( 2 ). The film-like means ( 3 ) oppose forces ( 5 ) to the closure and contraction forces of the lips and cheek muscles and dissipates them to the tensioning frames ( 1, 2 ). The mouth opening is thereby kept open and the lips and cheeks are kept away from the rows of teeth. A closing of the mouth is also possible when the lip and cheek expander is fitted.

1 . Device for covering the lips and corners of the mouth and for keeping away the lips ( 4 ), cheeks ( 9 ) and corners of the mouth from the rows of teeth in the mouth of a patient comprising a first tensioning frame ( 2 ) for external abutment against the mouth opening, a second, elastic tensioning frame ( 1 ) for insertion into the vestibule of the patient's mouth and covering means ( 3 ) connecting the tensioning frames ( 1 ,  2 ), wherein the tensioning frames ( 1 ,  2 ) are disposed along two opposing end portions of the covering means ( 3 ), so that the inserted device is open towards the oral cavity, characterized in that 
 the covering means ( 3 ) is film-like and, when not inserted into the mouth, without a pre-determined shape, and    the second tensioning frame ( 1 ) is adapted in order to be introduced into the patient's vestibule in an elastically deformed state and to intraorally fix the covering means ( 3 ),    so that, when the device is inserted, the covering means ( 3 ) extends between the extraoral first tensioning frame ( 2 ) and the intraoral second tensioning frame ( 1 ) in abutment to and around the lips ( 4 ) and the corners of the mouth and exerts on them forces distributed over a large area, and that a pressure force is exerted on the lips ( 4 ), cheeks ( 9 ) and corners of the mouth which pushes these away from the teeth ( 8 ) and circularly biases the mouth opening into an open position, wherein the device permits the closing of the mouth.    
     
     
         2 . Device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the covering means ( 3 ) and the tensioning frames ( 1 ,  2 ) are adapted in such a way that, when the device is inserted, an equilibrium of forces establishes between the covering means ( 3 ) and the tensioning frames ( 1 ,  2 ), in which equilibrium the pulling forces exerted by the covering means ( 3 ) on the tensioning frames ( 1 ,  2 ) are absorbed by the latter in such a way that the second tensioning frame ( 1 ) exerts no or only light contact forces on the respective mucous membranes in the area of the lips ( 4 ) and the transfer of force from the device to lips ( 4 ), corners of the mouth and cheeks ( 9 ) takes place essentially via the covering means ( 3 ).  
     
     
         3 . Device according to  claim 1  or  2 , characterized in that the second tensioning frame ( 1 ) is adapted in such a way that, following the insertion into the mouth of a patient, it abuts intraorally buccally in the upper and lower gingivobuccal fold as well as on both sides, has a curve essentially corresponding to the dental arch and is spaced from buccal tooth surfaces of the upper jaw as well as of the lower jaw.  
     
     
         4 . Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the covering means ( 3 ) is made from an elastically stretchable material.  
     
     
         5 . Device according to  claim 4 , characterized in that the elastically stretchable material is latex.  
     
     
         6 . Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the covering means ( 3 ) has a tubularly closed design.  
     
     
         7 . Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first tensioning frame ( 2 ) is rigid or elastic.  
     
     
         8 . Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tensioning frames ( 1 ,  2 ) are formed of wire, special steel wire, spring steel wire, solid profiles or small tubes.  
     
     
         9 . Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tensioning frames ( 1 ,  2 ) are formed of metal alloys, plastics, rubber or composite materials.  
     
     
         10 . Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tensioning frames ( 1 ,  2 ) are have an annularly closed design.  
     
     
         11 . Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tensioning frames ( 1 ,  2 ) have an essentially elliptical basic shape or can be brought into an essentially elliptical basic shape.  
     
     
         12 . Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first ( 2 ) and the second ( 1 ) tensioning frames have different dimensions.  
     
     
         13 . Device according to  claim 12 , characterized in that the second tensioning frame ( 1 ) has greater dimensions than the first tensioning frame ( 2 ).  
     
     
         14 . Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tensioning frames ( 1 ,  2 ) have a circular shape or can be brought into a circular shape, the second tensioning frame ( 1 ) having a smaller outer diameter than the first tensioning frame ( 2 ).  
     
     
         15 . Device according to  claim 14 , characterized in that the outer diameter of the second tensioning frame ( 1 ) in the circular shape is 40 mm to 120 mm.  
     
     
         16 . Device according to  claim 14  or  15 , characterized in that the outer diameter of the first tensioning frame ( 2 ) in the circular shape is 40 mm to 120 mm.  
     
     
         17 . Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first tensioning frame ( 2 ) and/or the second tensioning frame ( 1 ) is fixedly connected to the covering means ( 3 ) over its whole surface.  
     
     
         18 . Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two end portions of the covering means ( 3 ), along which the tensioning frames ( 1 ,  2 ) are disposed, are each rolled up in a direction extending perpendicular to the tensioning frames ( 1 ,  2 ) to form a bulge ( 10 ).  
     
     
         19 . Device according to  claim 18 , characterized in that the two end portions of the covering means ( 3 ), along which the tensioning frames ( 1 ,  2 ) are disposed, extend around the tensioning frames ( 1 ,  2 ).  
     
     
         20 . Device according to  claim 18  or  19 , characterized in that the end portions ( 10 ), formed into a bulge, of the covering means ( 3 ) are constructed not to be unrollable.  
     
     
         21 . Device according to one of  claims 18  to  20 , characterized in that the bulge-like end portions ( 10 ) of the covering means ( 3 ) are each arranged on the inside of a tensioning frame ( 1 ,  2 ).  
     
     
         22 . Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least the second tensioning frame ( 1 ) is provided with at least one pressure pad extending along the tensioning frame ( 1 ,  2 ).  
     
     
         23 . Device according to  claim 22 , characterized in that the pressure pad surrounds the second tensioning frame ( 1 ) and the bulge-like end portion ( 10 ), connected thereto, of the covering means ( 3 ).  
     
     
         24 . Device according to  claim 22  or  23 , characterized in that the pressure pad consists of a soft material.  
     
     
         25 . Device according to one of  claims 22  to  24 , characterized in that the pressure pad is formed of foam.  
     
     
         26 . Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dimensions of the covering means ( 3 ) in the direction of the connection line between the two tensioning frames ( 1 ,  2 ) is about 25 mm in the area of the upper incisors, about 30 mm in the area of the lower incisors and about 35 mm in the area of the corners of the mouth.