Combined orthodontic movement of teeth with temporomandibular joint therapy

Abstract

Systems, devices and methods are disclosed for concurrently treating temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) and orthodontically moving teeth. The devices can have an orthodontic aligner and a TMD treatment device. The devices can be configured to concurrently reposition a mandible and orthodontically move one or more teeth.

1 - 3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . An oral appliance for the combined orthodontic movement of teeth and treatment of temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD), comprising:
 a first orthodontic aligner wearable on maxillary teeth;   a second orthodontic aligner wearable on mandibular teeth; and   a TMD treatment device comprising a first guide and a second guide,   wherein the first guide has a first guide surface along the first orthodontic aligner,   wherein the second guide has a second guide surface along the second orthodontic aligner,   wherein when the first orthodontic aligner is worn by a user, the first guide surface is between a buccal side and a lingual side of a maxillary tooth,   wherein when the second orthodontic aligner is worn by the user, the second guide surface is between a buccal side and a lingual side of the maxillary tooth,   wherein when the first and second orthodontic aligners are worn by the user and the user's lower jaw is in a closed position in which the TMD treatment device inhibits the lower jaw from closing further, the first and second guides are in a fully engaged configuration, and   wherein the first guide is shorter than the second guide.   
     
     
         5 . The oral appliance of  claim 4 , wherein the first guide surface is shorter than the second guide surface. 
     
     
         6 . The oral appliance of  claim 4 , wherein a longitudinal length of the first guide surface is shorter than a length of a maxillary molar and wherein a longitudinal length of the second guide surface is longer than a length of a mandibular molar. 
     
     
         7 . The oral appliance of  claim 4 , wherein when the first and second guides are in the fully engaged configuration, the first guide surface extends across less teeth than the second guide surface. 
     
     
         8 . The oral appliance of  claim 4 , wherein when the first and second guides are in the fully engaged configuration, a distal end of a contact region between the first and second guide surfaces is closer to a middle of the second guide surface than to a distal terminal end of the second guide surface. 
     
     
         9 . The oral appliance of  claim 4 , wherein when the first and second guides are in the fully engaged configuration, a second guide surface first portion is in contact with the first guide surface and a second guide surface second portion is exposed. 
     
     
         10 . The oral appliance of  claim 4 , wherein when the first and second guides are in the fully engaged configuration, the second guide surface extends away from a first guide surface distal terminal end. 
     
     
         11 . The oral appliance of  claim 4 , wherein the first guide has a first guide apex, and wherein when the first and second guides are in the fully engaged configuration, a space is between the second guide surface and the apex. 
     
     
         12 . The oral appliance of  claim 4 , wherein when the first and second guides are in the fully engaged configuration, the first guide surface is at a constant angle relative to the second guide surface. 
     
     
         13 . An oral appliance for the combined orthodontic movement of teeth and treatment of temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD), comprising:
 a first orthodontic aligner wearable on maxillary teeth;   a second orthodontic aligner wearable on mandibular teeth; and   a TMD treatment device comprising a first guide and a second guide,   wherein the first guide has a first guide surface along the first orthodontic aligner,   wherein the second guide has a second guide surface along the second orthodontic aligner,   wherein when the first orthodontic aligner is worn by a user, the first guide surface is between a buccal side and a lingual side of a mandibular tooth,   wherein when the second orthodontic aligner is worn by the user, the second guide surface is between a buccal side and a lingual side of the mandibular tooth,   wherein when the first and second orthodontic aligners are worn by the user and the user's lower jaw is in a closed position in which the TMD treatment device inhibits the lower jaw from closing further, the first and second guides are in a fully engaged configuration, and   wherein the first guide surface is shorter than the second guide surface.   
     
     
         14 . The oral appliance of  claim 13 , wherein when the first and second guides are in the fully engaged configuration, the second guide extends across at least two teeth proximal the first guide. 
     
     
         15 . The oral appliance of  claim 13 , wherein when the first and second guides are in the fully engaged configuration, a contact region between the first and second guides and a non-contact region between the first and second guides are between the maxillary and mandibular teeth. 
     
     
         16 . The oral appliance of  claim 15 , wherein the contact region is closer to a first guide distal terminal end than to a second guide proximal terminal end. 
     
     
         17 . The oral appliance of  claim 13 , wherein when the first and second guides are in the fully engaged configuration, a non-exposed portion of the second guide surface and an exposed portion of the second guide surface are between the maxillary and mandibular teeth. 
     
     
         18 . The oral appliance of  claim 17 , wherein the exposed portion is closer to a first guide distal terminal end than to a second guide proximal terminal end. 
     
     
         19 . The oral appliance of  claim 13 , wherein when the first and second guides are in the fully engaged configuration, the first and second guide surfaces are at the same angle. 
     
     
         20 . An oral appliance for the combined orthodontic movement of teeth and treatment of temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD), comprising:
 a first orthodontic aligner wearable on maxillary teeth;   a second orthodontic aligner wearable on mandibular teeth; and   a TMD treatment device comprising a first guide and a second guide,   wherein the first guide has a first guide surface along the first orthodontic aligner,   wherein the second guide has a second guide surface along the second orthodontic aligner,   wherein when the first orthodontic aligner is worn by a user, the first guide surface is between a buccal side and a lingual side of a maxillary tooth,   wherein when the second orthodontic aligner is worn by the user, the second guide surface is between a buccal side and a lingual side of a mandibular tooth,   wherein when the first and second orthodontic aligners are worn by the user and the user's lower jaw is in a closed position in which the TMD treatment device inhibits the lower jaw from closing further, the first and second guides are in a fully engaged configuration,   wherein the first guide surface has a first guide surface proximal terminal end and first guide surface distal terminal end,   wherein the second guide surface has a second guide surface proximal terminal end and second guide surface distal terminal end, and   wherein when the first and second guides are in the fully engaged configuration, the first guide surface distal terminal end is closer to a middle of the second guide surface than to the second guide surface proximal terminal end.   
     
     
         21 . The oral appliance of  claim 20 , wherein when the first and second guides are in the fully engaged configuration, the first guide surface distal terminal end is closer to the middle of the second guide surface than to the second guide surface distal terminal end. 
     
     
         22 . The oral appliance of  claim 20 , wherein when the first and second guides are in the fully engaged configuration, the second guide surface distal terminal end is longitudinally closer to a first guide distal terminal end than to the first guide surface distal terminal end. 
     
     
         23 . The oral appliance of  claim 20 , wherein when the first and second guides are in the fully engaged configuration, the first guide surface is in contact with a first portion of the second guide surface such that a second portion of the second guide surface is distal the first guide surface distal terminal end, and wherein the first and second portions of the second guide surface are at the same angle relative to each other.