{
  "patent_number": "US 12409012",
  "country": "US",
  "title": "A Modular Dental Tool for Holding Back Lips, Cheeks, and Tongue",
  "original_title": "Dental device",
  "summary": "A specialized dental device that keeps a patient's mouth open and clear by holding back the lips, cheeks, and tongue using a snap-fit, adjustable system.",
  "what_it_does": "This device helps dentists keep a patient's mouth clear during procedures by managing soft tissues that usually get in the way. It features a circular lip retractor and two arch-shaped arms that push the cheeks outward. The most distinct part is the tongue retractor, which is a separate piece that attaches to the cheek arms using a strap. This strap slides into a channel on the arms and is held in place by a snap-fit mechanism, allowing the dentist to adjust the tongue's position precisely.",
  "what_it_does_not_cover": [
    "Does not cover dental retractors that lack a removable tongue-retraction component.",
    "Does not cover systems that use adhesives or suction rather than a mechanical snap-fit channel to secure the tongue retractor.",
    "Does not cover retractors that do not include a circumferentially continuous annular body for the lips."
  ],
  "filed": "2020-02-25",
  "granted": "2025-09-09",
  "expires": null,
  "status": "active",
  "holder": "Individual",
  "holder_url": "https://patentbrief.org/company/individual",
  "inventors": [
    {
      "name": "Paul Moore",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/paul-moore"
    },
    {
      "name": "Hazel Hendy",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/hazel-hendy"
    }
  ],
  "times_cited": 0,
  "tags": [
    "mechanical",
    "consumer_electronics"
  ],
  "abstract": "Aspects of the present invention relate to a dental retractor for controlling the position of soft tissue within a mouth, the dental retractor comprising: a lip retractor for controlling the position of a lip; and a cheek retractor comprising a pair of arms for controlling the position of a cheek; and wherein the dental retractor comprises a tongue retractor removably coupled to the dental retractor for controlling the position of a tongue.",
  "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12409012/raptor-chamber-pressure",
  "markdown_url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12409012/raptor-chamber-pressure/md",
  "google_patents_url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US12409012",
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}