Inventors:
Steven J. Brown - Salt Lake City UT
Charles E. Comstock - Murray UT
International Classification:
A61F 546
Abstract:
A weight control device (10) and method for disrupting natural mastication and transport of food at chewing surfaces of the teeth (12), to thereby impede the rate of food consumption and provide an appliance useful for weight reduction. The device comprises an doutwardly projecting wing-guard or flange (14, 15, 40), which is attached by a support collar (11) to the posterior teeth along a distal to mesial orientation. The flange (14, 15, 40) is positioned laterally of the teeth and above the chewing surfaces, with the upper portion inclined away from the teeth and the relative movement of the teeth during occlusion. The corresponding inventive methods comprise the steps of (i) interposing a blocking member (14, 15) between the food manipulating muscles such as the tongue, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth; and/or (ii) intermittently interposing a blocking member (40) between the chewing surfaces of the individual's teeth in response to food within the mouth to intermittently preclude occlusion of the teeth for mastication.