PASSIVE MANDIBLE TRANSLATOR

A translator apparatus for achieving omnidirectional translation of the mandible of a human patient and having a maxillary translation plate having a maxillary mouthpiece thereon for temporarily fixing the maxillary dentition of a patient thereto. A mandibular translation plate is provided, also having a mandibular mouthpiece for temporary fixation with the mandibular dentition of the patient and the mandibular element. A translation control plate is interposed between the maxillary and mandibular translation plates and establishes linearly moveable guiding relation with elongate guide slots of both the maxillary and mandibular plates. The guide slots of the respective translation plates which may be straight or of curved configuration are arranged in 90 degree relation to permit relative omnidirectional translatory positioning and movement of the translation plates for consequent selective omnidirectional therapeutic or diagnostic positioning or movement of the mandible of a patient. A translation actuator is supported by one of the translation plates and has mechanical interaction with the maxillary and mandibular translation plates and is operative to establish protrusive, retrusive and lateral movement of the mandibular plate and mouthpiece for corresponding omnidirectional protrusive, retrusive and lateral therapeutic movement of the mandible of the patient or for diagnostic positioning and movement of the mandible.