US Patent 11628043 Dental appliance for constraining the tongue

A dental appliance and method of treatment are disclosed. The dental appliance attaches to predetermined teeth of an upper jaw of a patient, and includes a constrainment mechanism positioned above a patient's tongue, wherein the constrainment mechanism is shaped to limit movement of a posterior zone of the patient's tongue. The constrainment mechanism allows at least an anterior zone and lateral edges of the patient's tongue to perform movements necessary for speech and swallowing. The method of treatment includes use of the dental appliance to reduce the volume of a patient's tongue and enlarge the airways, and can be combined with use of another dental appliance to correct another aspect of the patient's tongue.