Heidelberg Mouth Retractor [data]

The 'Heidelberg Mouth Retractor‘ is a customizable, disposable mouth retractor designed for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) imaging. The retractor can be produced using a conventional vat polymerization printer with any resin approved for intraoral use. The device allows for reproducible and chairside defined mouth opening, which for many patients is critical to obtaining conclusive TMJ imaging. The technique is intended to reduce motion artifacts and supports a range of mouth openings from 12 to 72 mm, depending on the patient's requirements. The single-use design of the retractor facilitates its application in clinical settings and can be modified for patients with malocclusions. The approach is considered resource-efficient and demonstrates the feasibility of using 3D printing for customized oral appliances in dentistry.