Appeal No. 1999-2625
Application 08/763,929
and Poterack disclose dental appliances, the respective
appliances have somewhat dissimilar constructions and
functions.
Ross pertains to “protective mouthpieces for preventing
injury to the user” (column 1, lines 15 and 16). The
embodiment 40 relied upon by the examiner (see Figures 10
through 14) includes two resilient H-shaped channel members
41a and 41b and a resilient labial band 42 connecting the
anterior portions of the channel members. In use, the channel
members fit over and about the upper and lower posterior teeth
and the connecting band lies over the front surfaces of the
upper anterior teeth.
Poterack relates to “bite blocks for intubated patients
in which the compressive force resulting from the closure of
the jaws is borne by the molars” (column 1, lines 6 through
8). Poterack’s bite block 10 includes left and right wedges
12a and 12b and a U-shaped rib 14 connecting the anterior
portions of the wedges. As best seen in Figures 2 and 8, the
rib extends forwardly at an inclined angle relative to the
plane of the wedges. In use, the wedges lie between the
5
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Last modified: November 3, 2007