Dental appliance

Abstract

A dental appliance is provided. The dental appliance includes a dental form configured to receive a portion of a dental arch of an individual, and an adhesive strip comprising a first side and a second side. The first side of the adhesive strip is attached to a portion of the dental form. The second side of the adhesive strip comprises a mucoadhesive configured to adhere the adhesive strip to a tongue of the individual such that the tongue of the individual can be selectively attached to the dental appliance.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dental appliance comprising:
 a dental form configured to receive a portion of a dental arch of an individual; and   an adhesive strip comprising a first side and a second side,   wherein the first side of the adhesive strip is attached to a portion of the dental form, and   wherein the second side of the adhesive strip comprises a mucoadhesive configured to attach the adhesive strip to a tongue of the individual such that the tongue of the individual can be selectively attached to the dental appliance.   
     
     
         2 . The dental appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the dental form is a custom dental form configured to receive a portion of a dental arch of a specific individual. 
     
     
         3 . The dental appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the dental arch is a superior dental arch. 
     
     
         4 . The dental appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the dental arch is an inferior dental arch. 
     
     
         5 . The dental appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive strip is attached to a rear exterior wall of the dental form. 
     
     
         6 . The dental appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the mucoadhesive is configured to remain active for a time between 8 and 10 hours. 
     
     
         7 . The dental appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the mucoadhesive comprises a material selected from the group consisting of a cellulose based adhesive, chitosan, carboxyl methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, a synthetic polypectin, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         8 . A device comprising:
 an adhesive strip comprising a first side and a second side,   wherein the first side of the adhesive strip comprises an adhesive configured to attach the adhesive strip to a dental form configured to receive a portion of a dental arch of an individual, and   wherein the second side of the adhesive strip comprises a mucoadhesive configured to attach the adhesive strip to a tongue of the individual such that the tongue of the individual can be selectively attached to the dental form.   
     
     
         9 . A kit comprising:
 a dental form configured to receive a portion of a dental arch of an individual; and   at least one adhesive strip comprising a first side and a second side,   wherein the first side of the adhesive strip comprises an adhesive configured to attach the adhesive strip to a dental form configured to receive a portion of a dental arch of an individual, and   wherein the second side of the adhesive strip comprises a mucoadhesive configured to attach the adhesive strip to a tongue of the individual such that the tongue of the individual can be selectively attached to the dental appliance such that the tongue of the individual can be selectively attached to the dental form.   
     
     
         10 . A device comprising:
 an adhesive strip comprising a first side and a second side,   wherein the first side of the adhesive strip comprises a first mucoadhesive configured to attach the adhesive strip to the teeth or an individual such that the adhesive strip can be selectively attached to the teeth,   wherein the second side of the adhesive strip comprises a second mucoadhesive configured to attach the adhesive strip to a tongue of the individual such that the tongue of the individual can be selectively attached to the dental form.   
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the adhesive strip comprises a first component strip forming the first side of the adhesive strip, and a second component strip forming the second side of the adhesive strip, the first component strip comprising the first mucoadhesive, and the second component strip comprising the second mucoadhesive. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the first component strip and the second component strip are attached to one another via an adhesive. 
     
     
         13 . A method comprising:
 providing an adhesive strip comprising a first side and a second side, wherein the first side of the adhesive strip comprises an adhesive, and wherein the second side of the adhesive strip comprises a mucoadhesive configured to removable attach the adhesive strip to a tongue of the individual such that the tongue of the individual can be selectively attached to the dental form;   attaching the first side of the adhesive strip to an item via the adhesive, the item being selected from the group consisting of a dental form, teeth of an individual, a device extending across the mouth of an individual, a mandibular advancement device, or a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device; and   attaching the second side of the adhesive strip to a tongue of the individual via the mucoadhesive.