Mouth guard

Abstract

Mouth guards of varying designs. The mouth guard is generally moldable and has non-planar biting surfaces. In other embodiments, the mouth guard has base members or flanges that have means for retaining medicaments and the like. Other versions have thermochromic elements selected to allow color changes at desired temperatures.

1 . A mouth guard comprising a moldable base member having first and second non-planar biting surfaces for positioning between occlusal surfaces of a user's upper and lower teeth, a moldable base member having an anterior portion, a posterior portion, a labial-buccal side and a lingual side with at least one moldable flange extending superiorly or inferiorly from either the labial-buccal side or the lingual side of the base member, the moldable flange shaped to form a barrier between the teeth and the soft oral tissue of a user.  
   
   
       2 . The mouth guard of  claim 1  wherein the moldable base member comprises a shape to receive at least a portion of a user's teeth.  
   
   
       3 . The mouth guard of  claim 1  wherein the moldable base member comprises a generally semi-arcuate shape conforming to the arch form of a user's jaws to receive substantially all of the user's upper and lower teeth on at least one side of the user's mouth.  
   
   
       4 . The mouth guard of  claim 1  wherein the moldable base member comprises a generally arcuate shape conforming to the arch form of a user's jaws to receive substantially all of the user's upper and lower teeth.  
   
   
       5 . The mouth guard of  claim 1 , further comprising a handle having a distal end and a proximate end, the proximate end extending from the moldable base member and the distal end adapted to extend out of the user's mouth.  
   
   
       6 . The mouth guard of  claim 5  wherein the handle extends from the anterior portion of the moldable base member.  
   
   
       7 . The mouth guard of  claim 5  wherein the handle extends from the posterior portion of the moldable base member.  
   
   
       8 . The mouth guard of  claim 5  wherein the handle extends from the lingual side of the moldable base member.  
   
   
       9 . The mouth guard of  claim 5  wherein the handle extends from the labial-buccal side of the moldable base member.  
   
   
       10 . The mouth guard of  claim 1 , further comprising a handle having a distal end and a proximate end, the proximate end extending from a moldable flange and the distal end adapted to extend out of the user's mouth.  
   
   
       11 . The mouth guard of  claim 10  wherein the handle extends from the anterior portion of the moldable flange.  
   
   
       12 . The mouth guard of  claim 10  wherein the handle extends from the posterior portion of the moldable flange.  
   
   
       13 . The mouth guard of  claim 10  wherein the handle extends from the labial-buccal moldable flange.  
   
   
       14 . The mouth guard of  claim 10  wherein the handle extends from the lingual moldable flange.  
   
   
       15 . The mouth guard of  claim 1  wherein the moldable base member comprises a plurality of cross sectional shapes.  
   
   
       16 . The mouth guard of  claim 15  wherein the moldable base member comprises a sinusoidal or wave-like cross section.  
   
   
       17 . The mouth guard of  claim 15  wherein the moldable base member comprises a generally ‘X’-shaped cross section.  
   
   
       18 . The mouth guard of  claim 15  wherein the moldable base member comprises a generally circular solid elevational cross section.  
   
   
       19 . The mouth guard of  claim 1  wherein the moldable base member and the moldable flange comprise at least one cavity.  
   
   
       20 . The mouth guard of  claim 1  wherein the first and second non-planar biting surfaces comprise a plurality of cross-sectional shapes.  
   
   
       21 . The mouth guard of  claim 20  wherein the first and second non-planar biting surfaces both have a generally concave cross-sectional shape.  
   
   
       22 . The mouth guard of  claim 20  wherein the first and second non-planar biting surfaces both have a generally convex cross-sectional shape.  
   
   
       23 . The mouth guard of  claim 20  wherein the first non-planar biting surface has a generally convex cross-sectional shape and the second non-planar biting surface has a generally concave cross-sectional shape between the labial-buccal and lingual sides of the moldable base member.  
   
   
       24 . The mouth guard of  claim 1  wherein the first and second non-planar biting surfaces have a plurality of deformations.  
   
   
       25 . The mouth guard of  claim 1  wherein the moldable flange extends from the anterior portion of the moldable base member and generally perpendicularly to the first and second non-planar biting surfaces.  
   
   
       26 . The mouth guard of  claim 1  wherein the moldable flange extends from the posterior portion of the moldable base member and generally perpendicularly to the first and second non-planar biting surfaces.  
   
   
       27 . The mouth guard of  claim 1  wherein the moldable flange extends from both the anterior and the posterior portions of the moldable base member and generally perpendicularly to the first and second non-planar biting surfaces.  
   
   
       28 . The mouth guard of  claim 1  wherein the moldable flanges are shaped to conform to a plurality of frenae in a user's mouth.  
   
   
       29 . The mouth guard of  claim 28  wherein the moldable flanges are shaped to conform to the labial-buccal frenae of a user's mouth.  
   
   
       30 . The mouth guard of  claim 28  wherein the moldable flanges are shaped to conform to the lingual frenae of a user's mouth.  
   
   
       31 . The mouth guard of  claim 28  wherein the moldable flanges are shaped to conform to the maxillary frenae of a user's mouth.  
   
   
       32 . The mouth guard of  claim 28  wherein the moldable flanges are shaped to conform to the mandibular frenae of a user's mouth.  
   
   
       33 . The mouth guard of  claim 1  wherein the base member and the flanges comprise a thermoplastic adapted to be moldable at a temperature that is greater than the temperature in the user's mouth.  
   
   
       34 . The mouth guard of  claim 33  wherein the thermoplastic has a glass transition temperature greater than about 100 degrees Fahrenheit.  
   
   
       35 . The mouth guard of  claim 33  wherein the thermoplastic is adapted for molding to a user's teeth and soft oral tissues at a temperature less than about 180 degrees Fahrenheit.  
   
   
       36 . The mouth guard of  claim 33  wherein the thermoplastic is selected from the group consisting of ethylene vinyl alcohol, ethylene vinyl acetate, urethane, styrene block copolymer, rubber, polystyrene, polybutadiene, polyisoprene, polyolefin, organopolysiloxane, alicyclic saturated hydrocarbon resin, polycaprolactone, polyethylene, unfilled polycarbonate, ester gum, polyethylenetetraphthalate, terpolymer, nylon, nylon copolymer, polyester, copolyester, or any combination of one or more thereof.  
   
   
       37 . The mouth guard of  claim 1  wherein the mouth guard further comprises at least a first non-toxic thermochromic element configured to provide the mouth guard with at least a first color at less than about 100 degrees Fahrenheit.  
   
   
       38 . The mouth guard of  claim 37  wherein a second thermochromic element is configured to provide the mouth guard with a second color at more than about 100 degrees Fahrenheit.  
   
   
       39 . The mouth guard of  claim 38  wherein a third thermochromic element is configured to provide the mouth guard with a third color at about a temperature greater than the temperature at which the thermoplastic becomes adaptable for molding.  
   
   
       40 . The mouth guard of  claim 39  wherein a fourth thermochromic element is configured to provide the mouth guard with a fourth color at more than about 180 degrees Fahrenheit.  
   
   
       41 . The mouth guard of  claim 1  wherein the mouth guard further comprises size adjusting means.  
   
   
       42 . The mouth guard of  claim 41  wherein the size adjusting means comprises at least one hole, partial depth cut, slit, slot, scoring line, intermittent perforation, interrupted perforation or any combination thereof.  
   
   
       43 . The mouth guard of  claim 41  wherein the size adjusting means comprise one or more indicia, including but not limited to, visual markings, raised ridges, lines, dots, or any combination thereof to aid in the process of adjusting the size of the mouth guard.  
   
   
       44 . The mouth guard of  claim 1  further comprising a means for assisting in placement and positioning of the mouth guard and confirming positioning of the mouth guard in the user's mouth.  
   
   
       45 . The mouth guard of  claim 1  further comprising a means for retaining the mouth guard within the possession of the user and preventing loss of the mouth guard.  
   
   
       46 . The mouth guard of  claim 1  further comprising a means for assisting in repositioning of the mouth guard and confirming repositioning of the mouth guard in the user's mouth.  
   
   
       47 . The mouth guard of  claim 1  further comprising a means for retaining a flavoring substance releasable into a user's mouth.  
   
   
       48 . The mouth guard of  claim 1  further comprising a means for retaining a medicating substance releasable into a user's mouth.  
   
   
       49 . A mouth guard comprising a moldable base member, having a first non-planar biting surface and a second non-planar biting surface, for positioning between occlusal surfaces of a user's teeth, the moldable base member having an anterior portion, a posterior portion, a labial-buccal side and a lingual side, the mouth guard being made of a thermoplastic, wherein the thermoplastic comprises at least a first non-toxic thermochromic element, the moldable base member comprising a shape to receive at least a portion of a user's teeth and a handle having a distal end and a proximate end, the proximate end extending from the mouth guard and the distal end configured to extend out of the user's mouth.  
   
   
       50 . The mouth guard of  claim 49  wherein the moldable base member comprises a plurality of cross sectional shapes.  
   
   
       51 . The mouth guard of  claim 50  wherein the moldable base member comprises a sinusoidal or wave-like cross section.  
   
   
       52 . The mouth guard of  claim 50  wherein the moldable base member comprises a generally ‘X’-shaped cross section.  
   
   
       53 . The mouth guard of  claim 50  wherein the moldable base member comprises a generally circular solid elevational cross section.  
   
   
       54 . The mouth guard of  claim 49  wherein the first and second biting surfaces comprise a plurality of cross-sectional shapes.  
   
   
       55 . The mouth guard of  claim 54  wherein the first and second biting surfaces have a generally concave shape between the labial-buccal and lingual sides of the moldable base member.  
   
   
       56 . The mouth guard of  claim 54  wherein the first and second biting surfaces have a generally convex shape between the labial-buccal and lingual sides of the moldable base member.  
   
   
       57 . The mouth guard of  claim 54  wherein the first biting surface has a generally convex shape and the second biting surface has a generally concave shape between the labial-buccal and lingual sides of the moldable base member.  
   
   
       58 . The mouth guard of  claim 49  wherein the first and second biting surfaces have a plurality of deformations.  
   
   
       59 . The mouth guard of  claim 49  wherein the moldable base member comprises one or more cavities.  
   
   
       60 . The mouth guard of  claim 49 , further comprising at least one moldable flange extending inferiorly or superiorly from either the labial-buccal side or the lingual side of the moldable base member in a direction substantially perpendicularly from the first or second biting surface to form a barrier between the teeth and the soft oral tissue of a user.  
   
   
       61 . The mouth guard of  claim 60  wherein a moldable flange extends from the anterior portion of the moldable base member.  
   
   
       62 . The mouth guard of  claim 60  wherein a moldable flange extends from the posterior portion of the moldable base member.  
   
   
       63 . The mouth guard of  claim 60  wherein a moldable flange extends from both the anterior and the posterior portions of the moldable base member.  
   
   
       64 . The mouth guard of  claim 60  wherein the moldable flange is shaped to conform to at least one frenum.  
   
   
       65 . The mouth guard of  claim 64  wherein the moldable flange is shaped to conform to at least one of the labial-buccal frenae.  
   
   
       66 . The mouth guard of  claim 64  wherein the moldable flange is shaped to conform to at least one of the lingual frenae.  
   
   
       67 . The mouth guard of  claim 64  wherein the moldable flange is shaped to conform to at least one of the maxillary frenae.  
   
   
       68 . The mouth guard of  claim 64  wherein the moldable flange is shaped to conform to at least one of the mandibular frenae.  
   
   
       69 . The mouth guard of  claim 60  wherein the moldable flange comprises one or more cavities.  
   
   
       70 . The mouth guard of  claim 60  further comprising a means for assisting in placement and positioning of the mouth guard and confirming positioning of the mouth guard in the user's mouth.  
   
   
       71 . The mouth guard of  claim 60  further comprising a means for retaining the mouth guard within the possession of the user and preventing loss of the mouth guard.  
   
   
       72 . The mouth guard of  claim 60  further comprising a means for assisting in repositioning the mouth guard and confirming repositioning of the mouth guard in the user's mouth.  
   
   
       73 . The mouth guard of  claim 60  further comprising a means for retaining a flavoring substance releasable into a user's mouth.  
   
   
       74 . The mouth guard of  claim 60  further comprising a means for retaining a medicating substance releasable into a user's mouth.  
   
   
       75 . The mouth guard of claims  60  wherein the moldable flange comprises a thermoplastic adapted to be moldable at a temperature that is greater than the temperature in the user's mouth.  
   
   
       76 . The mouth guard of  claim 75  wherein the thermoplastic has a glass transition temperature greater than about 100 degrees Fahrenheit.  
   
   
       77 . The mouth guard of  claim 75  wherein the thermoplastic becomes suitable for molding to a user's teeth and soft oral tissues at a temperature less than about 180 degrees Fahrenheit.  
   
   
       78 . The mouth guard of  claim 75  wherein the thermoplastic is selected from the group consisting of ethylene vinyl alcohol, ethylene vinyl acetate, urethane, styrene block copolymer, rubber, polystyrene, polybutadiene, polyisoprene, polyolefin, organopolysiloxane, alicyclic saturated hydrocarbon resin, polycaprolactone, polyethylene, unfilled polycarbonate, ester gum, polyethylenetetraphthalate, terpolymer, nylon, nylon copolymer, polyester, copolyester, or any combination of one or more thereof.  
   
   
       79 . The mouth guard of  claim 75  wherein the thermoplastic further comprises at least a first non-toxic thermochromic element to provide the mouth guard with at least a first color at less than about 100 degrees Fahrenheit.  
   
   
       80 . The mouth guard of  claim 78  wherein the thermoplastic further comprises a second thermochromic element to provide the mouth guard with a second color at more than about 95 degrees Fahrenheit.  
   
   
       81 . The mouth guard of  claim 80  wherein the thermoplastic further comprises a third thermochromic element to provide the mouth guard with a third color at a temperature greater than or equal to the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic.  
   
   
       82 . The mouth guard of  claim 81  wherein the thermoplastic further comprises a fourth thermochromic element to provide the mouth guard with a fourth color at a temperature more than about 180 degrees Fahrenheit.  
   
   
       83 . The mouth guard of claims  49  wherein the base member comprises a thermoplastic adapted to be moldable at a temperature that is greater than the temperature in the user's mouth.  
   
   
       84 . The mouth guard of  claim 49  wherein the thermoplastic has a glass transition temperature greater than about 100 degrees Fahrenheit.  
   
   
       85 . The mouth guard of  claim 49  wherein the thermoplastic becomes suitable for molding to a user's teeth and soft oral tissues at a temperature less than about 180 degrees Fahrenheit.  
   
   
       86 . The mouth guard of  claim 49  wherein the thermoplastic is selected from the group consisting of ethylene vinyl alcohol, ethylene vinyl acetate, urethane, styrene block copolymer, rubber, polystyrene, polybutadiene, polyisoprene, polyolefin, organopolysiloxane, alicyclic saturated hydrocarbon resin, polycaprolactone, polyethylene, unfilled polycarbonate, ester gum, polyethylenetetraphthalate, terpolymer, nylon, nylon copolymer, polyester, copolyester, or any combination of one or more thereof.  
   
   
       87 . The mouth guard of  claim 49  wherein the thermochromic element is configured to provide the mouth guard with at least a first color at less than about 100 degrees Fahrenheit.  
   
   
       88 . The mouth guard of  claim 49  wherein a second thermochromic element is configured to provide the mouth guard with a second color at more than about 95 degrees Fahrenheit.  
   
   
       89 . The mouth guard of  claim 88  wherein a third thermochromic element is configured to provide the mouth guard with a third color at a temperature greater than or equal to the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic.  
   
   
       90 . The mouth guard of  claim 89  wherein a fourth thermochromic element is configured to provide the mouth guard with a fourth color at a temperature more than about 180 degrees Fahrenheit.  
   
   
       91 . The mouth guard of  claim 49  wherein the proximate end of the handle extends from an anterior portion of the moldable base member.  
   
   
       92 . The mouth guard of  claim 49  wherein the proximate end of the handle extends from a posterior portion of the moldable base member.  
   
   
       93 . The mouth guard of  claim 60  wherein the proximate end of the handle extends from an anterior moldable flange.  
   
   
       94 . The mouth guard of  claim 60  wherein the proximate end of the handle extends from a posterior moldable flange.  
   
   
       95 . The mouth guard of  claim 60  wherein the proximate end of the handle extends from a labial-buccal moldable flange.  
   
   
       96 . The mouth guard of  claim 60  wherein the proximate end of the handle extends from a lingual moldable flange.  
   
   
       97 . The mouth guard of  claim 49  wherein the mouth guard further comprises size adjusting means.  
   
   
       98 . The mouth guard of  claim 97  wherein the size adjusting means comprises at least one hole, partial depth cut, slit, slot, scoring line, intermittent perforation, interrupted perforation or any combination thereof.  
   
   
       99 . The mouth guard of  claim 97  wherein the size adjusting means comprise one or more indicia, including but not limited to, visual markings, raised ridges, lines, dots, or any combination thereof to aid in the process of adjusting the size of the mouth guard.  
   
   
       100 . The mouth guard of  claim 60  wherein the mouth guard further comprises size adjusting means.  
   
   
       101 . The mouth guard of  claim 100  wherein the size adjusting means comprise at least one hole, partial depth cut, slit, slot, scoring line, intermittent perforation, interrupted perforation or any combination thereof.  
   
   
       102 . The mouth guard of  claim 100  wherein the size adjusting means comprise one or more indicia, including but not limited to, visual markings, raised ridges, lines, dots, or any combination thereof to aid in the process of accurately adjusting the size of the mouth guard.  
   
   
       103 . The mouth guard of  claim 49  further comprising a means for assisting in placement and positioning of the mouth guard and confirming positioning of the mouth guard in the user's mouth.  
   
   
       104 . The mouth guard of  claim 49  further comprising a means for retaining the mouth guard within the possession of the user and preventing loss of the mouth guard.  
   
   
       105 . The mouth guard of  claim 49  further comprising a means for assisting in repositioning the mouth guard and confirming repositioning of the mouth guard in the user's mouth.  
   
   
       106 . The mouth guard of  claim 49  further comprising a means for retaining a flavoring substance releasable into a user's mouth.  
   
   
       107 . The mouth guard of  claim 49  further comprising a means for retaining a medicating substance releasable into a user's mouth.  
   
   
       108 . A mouth guard comprising a moldable base member, having a first non-planar biting surface and a second non-planar biting surface, for positioning between occlusal surfaces of a user's teeth, the moldable base member having an anterior portion, a posterior portion, a labial-buccal side and a lingual side, the mouth guard being made of a thermoplastic, wherein the thermoplastic comprises at least a first non-toxic thermochromic element, the moldable base member comprising a generally semi-arcuate shape conforming to the arch form of a user's jaws to receive substantially all of the user's teeth on at least one side of the user's mouth and a handle having a distal end and a proximate end, the proximate end extending from the mouth guard and the distal end configured to extend out of the user's mouth.  
   
   
       109 . A mouth guard comprising a moldable base member, having a first non-planar biting surface and a second non-planar biting surface, for positioning between occlusal surfaces of a user's teeth, the moldable base member having an anterior portion, a posterior portion, a labial-buccal side and a lingual side, the mouth guard being made of a thermoplastic, wherein the thermoplastic comprises at least a first non-toxic thermochromic element, the moldable base member comprising a generally arcuate shape conforming to the arch form of a user's jaws to receive substantially all of the user's teeth and a handle having a distal end and a proximate end, the proximate end extending from the mouth guard and the distal end configured to extend out of the user's mouth.  
   
   
       110 . A mouth guard comprising a moldable base member, having a first planar biting surface and a second planar biting surface, for positioning between occlusal surfaces of a user's teeth, the moldable base member having an anterior portion, a posterior portion, a labial-buccal side and a lingual side, the mouth guard being made of a thermoplastic, wherein the thermoplastic comprises at least a first non-toxic thermochromic element, the moldable base member comprising a shape to receive at least a portion of one of the user's teeth and a handle having a distal end and a proximate end, the proximate end extending out of the mouth guard and the distal end configured to extend out of the user's mouth.