| 摘要 |
An appliance for use in a method of reducing facial aging and/or oral parafunctional activity e.g. bruxism, comprises two parts, the parts intended in use to contact the posterior teeth on respective opposite sides of either the upper or lower jaw, each part comprising a composite structure comprising: iii) a first layer (2) formed of a durable, resilient, elastomeric material comprising a cured thermoset rubber and which in use contacts the occlusal biting surfaces of the posterior teeth; and iv) a second layer (3) formed of a durable, non-deformable material having a softening point over 100° C. and which in use provides a bite plate; wherein the second layer of each part, that has a substantially planar first surface, is provided with a protrusion (5), formed of durable, non-deformable material having a softening point over 100° C., which extends from at least 2 mm up to 20 mm from a second surface (4) of the second layer (3) away from the first layer (2) and which is positioned such that in use the protrusion extends from the surface above at least a part of the first and/or second molar teeth which are in contact with the first layer. A method of making the appliance and a kit of parts is also disclosed, as are several methods of use of the appliance. |
| 主权项 |
1. An appliance for use in a method of reducing facial aging and/or reducing oral parafunctional activity, which appliance comprises two parts, the parts intended in use to contact at least the first and/or second molar teeth on respective opposite sides of either the upper or lower jaw, each part comprising a composite structure comprising:
I) a first layer formed of a durable, resilient, elastomeric material and which in use contacts at least the occlusal biting surfaces of the first and/or second molar teeth; and II) a second layer, comprising a first surface that faces towards and contacts said first layer, a second surface that faces away from said first layer and one or more side walls that define the borders of said first and second surfaces, formed from a durable, non-deformable material having a softening point over 100° C. and which in use provides a bite plate; wherein the second layer of each part is provided with a protrusion, formed of durable, non-deformable material having a softening point over 100° C., which extends from at least 2 mm up to 20 mm from said second surface away from the first layer and which is positioned such that in use the protrusion extends from said second surface away from at least a part of the first and/or second molar teeth which are in contact with the first layer; characterized in that said durable, resilient, elastomeric material is an ambient-temperature-cured, thermoset rubber composition; said first surface of said second layer is substantially planar; and said second layer is free of any side walls that border said first surface and that extend from said first surface in a direction away from said second surface. |
