Adjustable mouthpiece for snoring and teeth grinding prevention
A mouthpiece includes an upper mold including an upper teeth tray and a plurality of connection channels. The mouthpiece includes a lower mold including a lower teeth tray and a plurality of connection tabs. The plurality of connection channels are sized to allow the plurality of connection tabs to move within the plurality of connection channels. The mouthpiece includes a plug configured to be removably inserted between the upper mold and the lower mold.
1 . A mouthpiece, comprising:
an upper mold comprising an upper teeth tray, a plug slot, and a plurality of connection channels including a front connection channel and side connection channels having a slanted lip on an outer edge;
a lower mold comprising a lower teeth tray and a plurality of connection tabs including a front connection tab and side connection tabs, the side connection tabs having posts and hooks at distal ends of the posts, wherein the hooks are configured to engage with the slanted lip of the side connection channels and place tension on outer edges of the side connection channels, wherein the plurality of connection channels are longer along their longitudinal axes than corresponding connection tabs to allow sliding movement between the upper mold and the lower mold; and
a plug comprising a tab and legs extending from the tab, wherein the legs are configured to extend through the plug slot to create an airway between the upper mold and the lower mold.
2 . The mouthpiece of claim 1 , wherein the front connection tab comprises a post extending from a top surface of the lower mold and a head at a distal end of the post.
3 . The mouthpiece of claim 2 , wherein the hooks are configured to engage with the slanted lip of the side connection channels and place tension on outer edges of the side connection channels.
4 . The mouthpiece of claim 3 , wherein the tension can be reduced by applying pressure to sides of the mouthpiece to assist in adjusting the upper mold and the lower mold.
5 . The mouthpiece of claim 1 , wherein the upper mold and the lower mold are constructed of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA).
6 . The mouthpiece of claim 1 , wherein the plug is constructed of polycarbonate.
7 . The mouthpiece of claim 1 , wherein the front connection channel has a diamond shape and the side connection channels have a rectangular shape with a slanted lip on an outer edge.
8 . A mouthpiece apparatus, comprising:
an upper mold comprising an upper teeth tray configured to receive upper teeth of a user, a plug slot extending through the upper mold, and a plurality of connection channels including side connection channels having a slanted lip on an outer edge;
a lower mold comprising a lower teeth tray configured to receive lower teeth of the user and a plurality of connection tabs configured to engage with the plurality of connection channels, the plurality of connection tabs including side connection tabs having posts and hooks at distal ends of the posts, wherein the hooks are configured to engage with the slanted lip of the side connection channels and place tension on outer edges of the side connection channels, wherein the plurality of connection channels are configured to allow the plurality of connection tabs to move within the plurality of connection channels to enable relative positioning between the upper mold and the lower mold; and
a plug comprising a tab and legs extending from the tab, wherein the legs are configured to extend through the plug slot to create an airway between the upper mold and the lower mold.
9 . The mouthpiece apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the upper teeth tray comprises an outer ridge configured to mold to an outer surface of the upper teeth and an inner ridge configured to mold to an inner surface of the upper teeth.
10 . The mouthpiece apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the inner ridge is shorter in height relative to the outer ridge.
11 . The mouthpiece apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the upper mold and the lower mold are constructed of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA).
12 . The mouthpiece apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the plug is constructed of a rigid material configured to maintain structural integrity during a molding process.
13 . The mouthpiece apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the legs of the plug are longer than the plug slot to allow the upper mold and the lower mold to be moved relative to one another while maintaining the airway.
14 . A mouthpiece, comprising:
an upper mold comprising an upper teeth tray and a plurality of connection channels including side connection channels having a slanted lip on an outer edge;
a lower mold comprising a lower teeth tray and a plurality of connection tabs, the plurality of connection tabs including side connection tabs having posts and hooks at distal ends of the posts, wherein the hooks are configured to engage with the slanted lip of the side connection channels and place tension on outer edges of the side connection channels, wherein the plurality of connection channels are sized to allow the plurality of connection tabs to move within the plurality of connection channels; and
a plug configured to be removably inserted between the upper mold and the lower mold.
15 . The mouthpiece of claim 14 , wherein the plug is constructed of a rigid material.
16 . The mouthpiece of claim 15 , wherein the rigid material is polycarbonate.
17 . The mouthpiece of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of connection tabs comprises:
a front connection tab having a post extending from a top surface of the lower mold and a head at a distal end of the post; and
side connection tabs having posts and hooks at distal ends of the posts.
18 . The mouthpiece of claim 17 , wherein the hooks are configured to engage with the slanted lip of the side connection channels and place tension on outer edges of the side connection channels.
19 . The mouthpiece of claim 14 , wherein the upper mold and the lower mold are constructed of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA).
20 . The mouthpiece of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of connection channels comprises:
a front connection channel having a diamond shape; and
side connection channels having a rectangular shape with a slanted lip on an outer edge.