Background of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a dental appliance for use when recording a bite of a user and in one particular example, to a dental appliance for use when recording a bite of a user with the mandibular and maxillary teeth are held in a spaced apart arrangement.

Description of the Prior Art

[0002] The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that the prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

[0003] A bite fork is traditionally used in conjunction with bite registration materials to record the position of the mandible relative to maxilla. The bite fork is loaded with bite registration materials, placed in the mouth and the jaw brought into the required position. The position of the mandible relative to maxilla is recorded when the bite registration materials sets. Alternatively, digital intraoral scanning may in conjunction with a bite fork to record position of the upper and lower dentitions digitally.

[0004] A certain global or local gap between upper and lower teeth may be required during dental impression taking or digital intraoral scanning. A number of bite forks are developed to control a vertical height of the bite locally, e.g. in anterior region. However, existing bite forks are not able to accurately control the vertical height of the bite across the entire dental arch, in which there is a minimum gap between upper and lower teeth globally. The global vertical gap between upper and lower teeth is traditionally generated by putting more bite registration material on the bite fork and measuring the distance between upper and lower teeth after taking impression.

[0005] While using bite registration materials is not necessarily required for a digital intraoral scanning, registration materials may be used to maintain a certain minimum distance between upper and lower teeth during scanning. However, this arrangement is unreliable, and in particular can lead to variations in spacing between the mandibular and maxillary teeth. Therefore, there is a need for a tool to create a controlled global vertical gap between upper and lower teeth.

Summary of the Present Invention

[0006] In one broad form an aspect of the present invention seeks to provide a dental appliance for use when recording a bite of a user, the dental appliance including: a body; and arms extending from the body along a transverse plane, the arms being configured to be positioned within an oral cavity of the user, with the arms being provided between the users mandibular and maxillary teeth and wherein each arm includes linked, spacing blocks such that the mandibular and maxillary teeth are held in a spaced apart arrangement.

[0007] In one embodiment at least some of the blocks in each plurality of blocks have a constant height.

[0008] In one embodiment at least some of the blocks in each plurality of blocks have a height that decreases towards an end of the arms distal from the body.

[0009] In one embodiment at least some of the blocks have a height that is at least one of: at least 2 mm; at least 3 mm; at least 5 mm; at least 6 mm; less than 10 mm; and, less than 8 mm.

[0010] In one embodiment at least some of the blocks have a substantially rectangular cross- section.

[0011] In one embodiment at least some of the blocks have substantially an hourglass cross- section.

[0012] In one embodiment the arms are at least partially flexible about an axis defined by the transverse and coronal planes to allow movement in a direction perpendicular to the transverse plane.

[0013] In one embodiment at least some of the plurality of blocks are spaced apart by linking members. [0014] In one embodiment at least one of the linking members at least one of: is made of a rigid material; is made of a flexible material; and, includes an opening extending therethrough.

[0015] In one embodiment a shape of the openings is at least one of: circular; elliptical; triangular; trapezoidal; rectangular; and polygonal.

[0016] In one embodiment the blocks and linking members are defined by cut-outs.

[0017] In one embodiment a shape of the cut-outs is at least one of: V shaped; U shaped; circular; elliptical; triangular; rectangular; trapezoidal; and, polygonal.

[0018] In one embodiment at least one linking member is provided with a preferential failure point that allows a user to snap, tear or twist off a section of the respective arm that is distal the preferential failure point.

[0019] In one embodiment the at least one preferential failure point is provided at least one of: substantially midway between adjacent blocks; offset towards the body of the dental appliance; within a recess formed by an adjacent block with a substantially hourglass cross- section; by a reduction in cross sectional area of the at least one linking member; and, by a score line formed on one or both sides of the at least one linking member, each score line extending partially or completely across the at least one linking member.

[0020] In one embodiment at least some of the plurality of blocks are evenly spaced apart.

[0021] In one embodiment at least some of the plurality of blocks are variably spaced apart.

[0022] In one embodiment the dental appliance is made of at least one of: plastic; metal; polymer; wood; composites; rigid materials; and, flexible materials.

[0023] In one embodiment the dental appliance is made by at least one of: injection moulding; additive manufacturing; machining; thermoforming; moulding; and casting.

[0024] In one embodiment the body further includes a notch configured to receive an upper incisor of a user. [0025] In one embodiment the body further includes a second notch configured to receive a lower incisor of the user.

[0026] In one embodiment the dental appliance includes: a first notch configured to receive an upper incisor of a user; a second notch configured to receive a lower incisor of the user, and wherein the first and second notches are relatively moveable to adjust a degree of mandibular advancement.

[0027] In one embodiment the arms further include side walls.

[0028] In one embodiment the body includes a handle.

[0029] In one embodiment the dental appliance is configured to be used at least one of: individually; and, in combination with other tools and devices.

[0030] In one embodiment the dental appliance is configured to be used for at least one of: digital oral scanning; and, dental impression taking using a bite registration material.

[0031] In one embodiment the arms are curved to conform to dental arches.

[0032] In one broad form an aspect of the present invention seeks to provide a method of use when recording a bite of a user using a dental appliance including a body and arms extending from the body along a transverse plane, the method including: positioning the arms within an oral cavity of the user, with the arms being provided between the users mandibular and maxillary teeth, wherein each arm includes a plurality of linked, spacing blocks such that the mandibular and maxillary teeth are held in a spaced apart arrangement; positioning an upper incisor of the user in a notch in the body; and, measuring the bite by at least one of: digital oral scanning; and, taking a dental impression using a bite registration material.

[0033] It will be appreciated that the broad forms of the invention and their respective features can be used in conjunction, interchangeably and/or independently, and reference to separate broad forms is not intended to be limiting. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0034] Various examples and embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: -

[0035] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an example of a dental appliance for use when recording a bite of a user;

[0036] Figure 2 is a schematic side view of the dental appliance of Figure 1 in use;

[0037] Figure 3 is a schematic side view of an alternative example of a dental appliance for measuring bite of a user;

[0038] Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of a modified George gauge including a specific example of a dental appliance with a lower incisor locator;

[0039] Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of another example of a dental appliance for use when recording a bite of a user;

[0040] Figure 6A is a schematic perspective view of a further example of a dental appliance for use when recording a bite of a user;

[0041] Figure 6B is a schematic side view of the dental appliance of Figure 6A;

[0042] Figure 6C is a schematic plan view of the dental appliance of Figure 6A;

[0043] Figure 7 is a schematic side of the dental appliance of Figure 6A in use;

[0044] Figure 8A is a schematic side view of another example of a dental appliance for measuring bite of a user;

[0045] Figure 8B is an enlarged view of portion“B” identified in Figure 8A;

[0046] Figure 9A is a schematic side view of yet another example of a dental appliance for use when recording a bite of a user; and,

[0047] Figure 9B is an enlarged view of portion“B” identified in Figure 6B. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

[0048] An example of a dental appliance for use when recording a bite of a user will now be described with reference to Figure 1.

[0049] In this example, the dental appliance 100 includes a body 110, which optionally includes a notch 111 and arms 120 extending along a transverse plane from the body 110. In this example, the arms 120 are curved to generally conform to dental arches, although this is not essential and other arrangements, such as straight arms angled to align with dental arches, could be used. The arms 120 include a plurality of blocks 121, which in one example are spaced apart and connected via linking members 122, although this is not necessarily essential.

[0050] When in use, referring to Figure 2, the arms 120 are positioned within an oral cavity of the user and the arms are provided between the users mandibular and maxillary teeth, such that the mandibular and maxillary teeth are held in a spaced apart arrangement.

[0051] In the event that the body includes a notch 111, the notch can receive one or more upper incisors of a user, to thereby align the body with the user’s teeth. However, it will also be appreciated that the notch may not be required, and alignment could be manual, or may involve having the body abut against the user’s incisors. Alternatively, the dental appliance can be used in an inverted configuration, which the anterior upper or lower teeth are placed inside the notch 111, and the anterior teeth on the opposite jaw touch the surface 112. The notch 111 holds anterior teeth while the curved arms 120 are placed between lower and upper dental arches to maintain a certain minimum vertical gap between upper and lower teeth, particularly in posterior area. For the anterior and posterior jaw adjustment purpose, notch 111 holds anterior upper teeth and lower jaw may move back and forward while anterior lower teeth touches surface 112.

[0052] The above described arrangement allows a bite to be recorded for the user using either digital oral scanning, or by taking a dental impression. In the event of using a scanner, scanning can commence once the dental appliance 100 is positioned in the oral cavity as described above. In the event of obtaining bite registration with wax or vinyl polysiloxane (VP) putty materials, the material can be injected onto the arms of the dental appliance 100. Subsequently, the dental appliance 100 is positioned in the oral cavity of the user. Upon setting or curing of the material, the dental appliance 100 can be removed to obtain the bite registration or dental impression of the user.

[0053] Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the above described arrangement can provide a dental appliance for use when recording a bite of a user with increased functionality. This is particularly useful as this enables the mandibular and maxillary teeth of the user being spaced apart. Holding the teeth in a spaced apart arrangement allows the bite of the user to be recorded in a configuration which is suitable for oral appliances, such as a breathing assistance appliance, examples of which are described in WO2012155214 and WO2015149127, and elsewhere. It should also be appreciated that the dental appliance provides sufficient height without increasing bulk and rigidity of the dental appliance to maximise user comfort and ease of use.

[0054] A number of further features will now be described.

[0055] In one example, the blocks 121 have a constant height. It should be appreciated that this arrangement maintains a constant space between the mandibular and maxillary teeth of the user and facilitates in obtaining a clearer and more accurate measurement of the bite. The height can be at least 2 mm, at least 3 mm, at least 5 mm, at least 6 mm, less than 10 mm or less than 8 mm. The blocks are typically all the same height, but this is not essential and alternatively different heights might be used, for example, by having a decreasing height towards an end of the arms, so that the spacing between the mandibular and maxillary teeth is greater towards the front of the user’s mouth. In this regard, it will be appreciated that the particular arrangement used will depend on the shape of any dental appliance that is to be used.

[0056] In one example, the arms are at least partially flexible to allow movement in a direction perpendicular to the transverse plane, which in one example is achieved by allowing at least partial flexibility about an axis defined by transverse and coronal planes. As shown in Figure 2, this can assist with accommodating changes in the height of the user’s teeth, thereby maintaining spacing between the mandibular and maxillary teeth.

[0057] In one example, this flexibility is achieved by having at least some of the plurality of blocks are spaced apart by linking members, which can be flexible, or otherwise configured to allow the arms to bend, for example, by allowing for a hinging action where the linking members connect to the blocks, or at locations between the blocks. In any event, the linking members are provided to enhance flexibility of the arms, whilst the blocks can maintain stiffness against any vertical bite force, thereby ensuring spacing of the teeth is maintained.

[0058] In one example, the blocks and linking members are defined by cut-outs, which could be V shaped, U shaped, circular, elliptical, triangular, rectangular, trapezoidal, polygonal, or any combination thereof. It will be appreciated however that this is not essential, and the blocks and linking members could be of any appropriate configuration.

[0059] The linking members can be configured so that the blocks are provided in a spaced apart configuration, which can further facilitate flexibility of the arms, whilst also providing a recess between the blocks, which is capable of holding VP material while being easy to manufacture. In one example, the plurality of blocks are evenly spaced apart, so that the arms maintain relatively consistent flexibility throughout the arms. Alternatively, the plurality of blocks may be variably spaced apart when parts of the fork requires more flexibility than others, for example to provide greater spacing towards a rear of the oral cavity, or the like.

[0060] The blocks can have a rectangular cross sectional shape, although alternatively, the block has an hourglass cross-section. It should be appreciated that this arrangement allows the arms to be more flexible and retaining larger amount of VP material while maintaining the structure for the user to bite on.

[0061] In one example, the linking members include an opening 123 extending therethrough, which can improve flexibility, including allowing for lateral bending of the arms in the transverse plane, as well as allowing VP material to pass through the arms, which can facilitate engagement between the material and the arms.

[0062] The openings 123 could be of any particular shape, including one or more of circular, elliptical, triangular, trapezoidal, rectangular, polygonal, or combinations thereof. It will also be appreciated that different openings could have different shapes.

[0063] The dental appliance 100 may be entirely made of the same material, such as plastic or other material capable of flexing, by additive manufacturing or injection moulding. Alternatively, the body 110 may be made of metal or other rigid material, such as polymers, wood, composites, or the like, or can made of plastic or other material capable of flexing. Additionally, the plurality of spaced blocks 121 may be made of metal or other rigid material, and the linking member 122 is made of plastic or other material capable of flexing.

[0064] The body typically includes a handle, which can assist the person performing the bite measurements in correctly positioning the appliance in the oral cavity.

[0065] It will be appreciated that in practice, the dental appliance can be used individually and/or in combination with other tools and devices.

[0066] Referring to Figure 3, a further example of a dental appliance is shown. In this example, similar features are denoted by similar reference numerals albeit increased by 200. The dental appliance 300 has a body 310 including a notch 311, as well as arms 320 including blocks 321 connected via linking members 322. The body further includes a second notch 313 for receiving a lower incisor of the user. Thus, in this example, the anterior upper and lower teeth are placed inside notches 311, 313, while the arms 320 maintain a minimum gap between lower and upper dental arches, including in a posterior region. It should be appreciated that this arrangement is useful to locate the mandibular teeth of the user, for example to provide a set degree of mandibular advancement, whilst maintaining a set separation between the maxillary and mandibular teeth.

[0067] A further example is shown in Figure 4. In this example, similar features are denoted by similar reference numerals albeit increased by 300. The dental appliance 400 has a body 410 including a first notch 411 and a second notch 413, as well as arms 420 including blocks 421 connected via linking members 422, with openings 423.

[0068] In this example, the dental appliance is used with a George Gauge 414, which is a measuring device including a scale to measure the protrusion and retrusion of the lower jaw. In this example, the dental appliance is connected to the George Gauge 414 including the second notch 413, to allow the jaw to be held in a desired position, and in particular a desired degree of mandibular advancement, whilst maintaining a desired minimum separation between mandibular and maxillary teeth.

[0069] A further example is shown in Figure 5. In this example, similar features are denoted by similar reference numerals albeit increased by 400. In this example, the dental appliance 500 includes arms 520 with a plurality of spaced blocks 521 connected with a linking member 522, and the arms further include side walls 525 connected to the blocks 521 and linking members 522 via a lateral connecting planar body 524. It should be appreciated that this arrangement the side walls 525 are spaced apart so that the arms maintains flexible while being able to retain the VP material. Specifically, the bite registration materials are provided between the blocks 521 and side walls 525, including filling the spaces between the side walls and blocks 521, as well as holes 523 in the linking members 522, which can have a range of different shapes and facilitate retention of the bite registration materials. Side walls 525 may be extended towards one direction perpendicular to the transverse plane, to take impressions of one dental arch at a time. Alternatively, side walls may also be extended in opposite directions, towards upper and lower jaws, to take dental impression of both upper and lower arches at the same time.

[0070] A further example is shown in Figures 6 A to 6C and Figure 7. In this example, similar features are denoted by similar reference numerals albeit increased by 500. The dental appliance 600 has a body 610 including a notch 611, as well as arms 620 including blocks 6621 connected via linking members 622, with openings 623.

[0071] In this example, the blocks 621 have an hourglass shape, being wider at upper and lower faces and narrower at a central point, where the blocks 621 are interconnected via the linking members 622. This arrangement helps maximise the flexibility of the arms 620, whilst also maximising the surface area that engages the teeth, making the arrangement more comfortable to use and assisting in maintaining spacing the maxillary and mandibular teeth. A further benefit of this arrangement is that the when used with VP material, this helps the VP material bond to the dental appliance, holding this in place while the appliance is used.

[0072] A further example is shown in Figures 8 A and 8B. In this example, similar features are denoted by similar reference numerals albeit increased by 600. The dental appliance 700 has a body 710 including a notch 711, as well as arms 720 including blocks 721 having a rectangular cross-sectional shape and connected via linking members 722.

[0073] In this example, each of the linking members 722 is provided with a preferential failure point 723 that allows a user to snap, tear or twist off the section of the respective arm 720 that is distal the preferential failure point 723. It will be appreciated that such a configuration allows a user to shorten the overall length of the appliance by snapping, tearing or twisting off one or more blocks 722 from each arm 720. Whilst in this example a preferential failure point 723 is provided in each of the linking members 722, it will be appreciated that the ability to shorten the overall length of the appliance can be achieved with at least one linking member being provided with the preferential failure point.

[0074] In this example, the preferential failure point 723 is formed by a reduction in cross sectional area of each of the linking members 722 provided substantially midway between adjacent blocks 721. In this example, the reduction in cross sectional area is achieved by the provision of a score line formed on both sides of each linking member 722. Each score line may extend partially or completely across its respective linking member 722. It will be appreciated that, in alternative embodiments, the preferential failure point may be provided by other means, e.g. by a weakening in the material, notches formed in one or both of the edges of the linking member, appropriately shaped cut outs, etc.

[0075] A further example is shown in Figures 9A and 9B. In this example, similar features are denoted by similar reference numerals albeit increased by 700. The dental appliance 800 has a body 810 including a notch 811, as well as arms 820 including blocks 821 having a substantially hourglass cross-sectional shape and connected via linking members 822.

[0076] As with the example depicted in Figures 8 A and 8B, each of the linking members 822 in this example is provided with a preferential failure point 823 that allows a user to snap, tear or twist off the section of the respective arm 820 that is distal the preferential failure point 823. In this example, the preferential failure point 823 is provided offset towards the body 810 of the dental appliance 800. It will be appreciated that such a configuration may reduce the amount of broken linking member 822 that extends from the end of the respective arm 820 after it has been snapped, torn or twisted to length. This may reduce the potential for the snapped, tom or twisted stub of the linking member 822 to cause irritation when the arms 820 are being positioned within the oral cavity of a user.

[0077] In this example, the preferential failure point 823 is provided within a recess formed by the substantially hourglass cross-sectional shape of adjacent block 822 proximal the body 810 of the dental appliance 800. It will be appreciated that such a configuration may prevent the snapped, tom or twisted stub of the linking member 822 from extending beyond the overhangs of the adjacent block 822. This may further reduce the potential for the snapped, tom or twisted stub of the linking member 822 to cause irritation when the arms 820 are being positioned within the oral cavity of a user.

[0078] Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the above described arrangement provides an improve bite member that can be used to take bite measurements, particularly while the mandibular and maxillary teeth are held in a spaced apart configuration.

[0079] Throughout this specification and claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word“comprise”, and variations such as“comprises” or“comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. As used herein and unless otherwise stated, the term "approximately" means ±20%.

[0080] It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms“a,”“an,” and“the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to“a support” includes a plurality of supports. In this specification and in the claims that follow, reference will be made to a number of terms that shall be defined to have the following meanings unless a contrary intention is apparent.

[0081] It will of course be realised that whilst the above has been given by way of an illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations hereto, as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art, are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth.