| 主权项 |
1. A method for generating mandibular advance in a patient, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a rigid and integral elongate body having a front end, an opposite back end, a back end portion at the back end, and a wall extending from the back end portion of the body away from the body to a free end of the wall, the wall having a front wall surface facing the front end of the body; (b) inserting the back end of the body a predetermined distance from the front of the mouth and into the open mouth of the patient and thereby placing the back end portion of the body inside of the mouth, the wall being placed adjacent to the inner side of the lower teeth and/or lower gums of the patient; (c) engaging the front wall surface of the wall against the inner side of the lower teeth and/or lower gums of the patient when the lower jaw of the patient is in a relaxed position; (d) having the patient close his or her mouth after insertion of the body inside the mouth of the patient; (e) initially engaging the lower teeth and/or lower gums of the patient against the front wall surface while the patient is closing his or her mouth before the mouth is fully closed; (f) driving the front surface of the wall against the lower teeth and/or lower gums of the patient displacing the lower jaw towards the front of the mouth; and (g) having the patient continue to close his or her mouth after initial engagement of the lower teeth and/or lower gums with the front wall surface and clench the body between the jaws of the patient whereby the lower teeth and/or lower gums slide along the front wall surface towards the front of the body and the front wall surface displaces the lower jaw of the patient towards the front of the body as the lower teeth and/or lower gums slide along the front wall surface during the continued closing of the patient's mouth. |
