Inventors:
Ross W. Anderson - Canton MI, US
International Classification:
A61C003/00
Abstract:
The present invention is a device () and method for applying posteriorly directed pressure to a patient's upper posterior tooth, and anteriorly directed pressure to the lower teeth and lower jaw (). The device includes a tooth attachment () fixed to a lower posterior tooth. A mounting base () is connected to the tooth attachment, and serves to mount a bumper unit (), which extends from the lower posterior tooth to the upper posterior tooth. The bumper unit includes a bite bumper (), for contacting the upper tooth. In the patient's retruded or uncorrected jaw position, the obstruction surface () of the bite bumper strikes the occlusal surface () of the upper posterior tooth, obstructing full closure of the jaws. Because this obstruction causes discomfort to the patient, the lower jaw is protruded into the forward or corrected jaw position. During protrusion, the bite bumper slides forwardly and upwardly into the adjacent opening () immediately anterior to the upper posterior tooth.