Method and system for sizing an oral device

Abstract

Systems for sizing oral appliances comprise both a width measuring template or tool for determining the distance between opposed molars and an arch sizing tool for determining the size and shape of the patient's dental arch. Based on this information, individual appliances can be selected from an inventory of such appliances, where the selected appliance would best fit the patient.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for selecting an appropriately sized oral appliance from an inventory of oral appliances of different sizes, said method comprising:
 obtaining an image of a patient's dental arch showing the positions of individual teeth;   determining a width between opposed teeth on the image;   determining an arc geometry from a plurality of arch geometries which aligns best with the arch of the dental arch image; and   selecting an oral appliance having a molar width and arch geometry which best match those of the dental arch on the template which aligned best with the dental arch image.   
     
     
         2 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein obtaining the dental arch image comprises taking a bite wax impression. 
     
     
         3 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein determining the width comprises aligning opposed molars on the image with one of a plurality of width markings on a width sizing template. 
     
     
         4 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein determining an arc geometry comprises:
 aligning an arch sizing template over the image of the dental arch so that bottom markings are over or adjacent to the opposed molars; and   determining which one of a plurality of arcs on the template align best with the patient's dental arch image.   
     
     
         5 . A method as in  claim 4 , wherein there are a plurality of arch sizing templates with one arc template corresponding to each width marking on the width template, wherein selecting the arc template comprises selecting the one arch template which corresponds to the aligned width marking. 
     
     
         6 . A method as in  claim 4 , wherein determining the width comprises aligning opposed molars on the image with a width marking on each of the arch sizing templates. 
     
     
         7 . A method as in  claim 4 , wherein the arcs on the arch sizing template correspond to the front teeth between the canine teeth. 
     
     
         8 . A method as in  claim 4 , wherein the arcs on the arch sizing template correspond to the full dentition between the opposed molars. 
     
     
         9 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the oral appliance comprises structure for drawing a vacuum to treat sleep apnea.