A new mouthstick prosthesis for handicapped patients

A one-appointment mouthstick appliance

Quadriplegics rely on mouthstick appliances to perform a variety of tasks to establish more self-sufficiency. Present techniques to fabricate a quality mouthstick applicance requires professional expertise, time, and laboratory expense. A technique for providing an inexpensive, durable mouthstick appliance in one appointment is described.

The use of vacuum-molded polyvinyl acetate-polyethylene copolymer (PVAC.PE) for a handicapped patient

This paper provides a survey of recent literature on the use of mouth sticks for patients who have little or no use of their limbs. Criteria for mouth stick design, types of appliances, and the fabrication of such devices are described. Details are given of a case of a young child with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita, in whom a novel approach was used to allow the safe intra-oral retention of writing implements.

Clinical applications of visible light-cured resin in maxillofacial prosthetics. Part I: Denture base and reline material

A visible light-cured resin system enables the dentist to accomplish chairside relining of removable prosthesis. The material is pliable and can be initially cured in the mouth with the regular hand-held visible light. A special unit is needed to completely cure the material, which thereafter is comparable in quality to heat-polymerized acrylic resin. The value of this system for the practice of maxillofacial prosthetics is demonstrated by the ease of relining of various devices and obturator prostheses.

Custom mouth protectors: a review of their applications

The greatest use of mouth protectors is the reduction of injuries in sports-related activities. However, mouth protectors are used with increasing frequency in other areas of therapeutic and preventive dentistry and medicine. Although the full scope of the use of custom mouth protectors has not yet been realized, this article reviewed the most common current uses. Health professionals should familiarize themselves with this treatment modality because the simplicity and cost of the custom mouth protector makes its use applicable to a wide range of patients for the potential preservation of oral structures.

Oral telescoping orthosis: an aid to functional rehabilitation of quadriplegic patients

The possibility of periodontal disease, chipping of various teeth, or extrusion from use of a mouthstick is minimized with a mouthpiece that covers the complete dentition. Even the simplest of these devices permits increased function for the quadriplegic patient. A case is reported of a young man for whom the oral telescoping orthosis was fitted with a mouthpiece that covered the complete dentition. Damage to the hard or soft tissue structures has not been apparent in eight years of use. Furthermore, the functional capability of the patient has been enhanced. The oral telescoping orthosis is recommended for motivated quadriplegic patients who retain sufficient control of the head and oral and pharyngeal muscles.