Dentistry – Orthodontics – Bracket
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-31
2001-04-17
Manahan, Todd E. (Department: 3732)
Dentistry
Orthodontics
Bracket
Reexamination Certificate
active
06217322
ABSTRACT:
DESCRIPTION
The present invention relates in general to an orthodontic appliance, and more particularly to a low friction orthodontic appliance in the form of a buccal tube or a convertible buccal tube, and still more particularly to an archwire appliance having a control portion for the application of torque and a relieved portion for reducing sliding friction.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is well known to provide buccal tubes for anchoring archwires and applying torque during orthodontic treatment. During orthodontic treatment an archwire will have sliding movement relative to the tubes.
Heretofore, it has also been known to provide rectangular archwire for effecting torque control between the archwire and the buccal tubes. Where torque was desired, the lumens in the tubes were configured such that the sliding friction between the archwire and the tubes could affect treatment time. Some heretofore known tubes that control torque and provide some relief around portions of the archwire include U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,781,582; 5,057,012, and 5,727,941. However, treatment time is at least partially dependent on the level of sliding friction between the archwire and the tubes. A lower level of sliding friction enhances and shortens the treatment time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The improved tube of the present invention provides the maximum amount of reduced sliding friction between an archwire and a tube by providing a control portion for the archwire at one end of the tube and a relieved portion defining a relief around at least three sides of the archwire at the other end. The present invention is in providing a low friction orthodontic appliance of the present invention is in the form of a buccal tube or a convertible buccal tube wherein the lumen of the tube includes a control portion at one end capable of producing torquing forces and a relieved portion at the other end defining clearance along at least three sides of the archwire to reduce sliding friction. Preferably, the control portion will be at the mesial end of the tube (towards the front of the mouth), but it could be at the distal end thereof (toward the back of the mouth). In the form of a non-convertible buccal tube the relieved portion provides clearance about all surfaces and edges of the archwire and in the form of a convertible buccal tube at least three sides of the archwire. Thus, the sliding friction of torque-applying buccal tubes, either one-piece or convertible, is minimized by the present invention, thereby maximizing the treatment capability of the tube.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved buccal tube for use in orthodontic treatment that reduces the sliding friction between the archwire and the tube.
A further object of the present invention is in the provision of an orthodontic appliance in the form of a buccal tube or a convertible buccal tube that reduces friction between the archwire and the tube, thereby maximizing the efficiency of the orthodontic treatment of a patient.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a low friction buccal tube having a torque control portion at one of the ends of the tube and a relieved portion at the other end of the tube to minimize the sliding friction between the archwire and the tube.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a convertible buccal tube having a torque control portion at one end of the tube and a relieved portion at the other end of the tube providing clearance between at least three sides of the archwire and the appliance.
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed disclosure, taken in conjunction with the accompanying sheets of drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3494034 (1970-02-01), Kesling
patent: 3526961 (1970-09-01), Kesling
patent: 3838514 (1974-10-01), Polak
patent: 3874080 (1975-04-01), Wallshein
patent: 4028809 (1977-06-01), Wallshein
patent: 4781582 (1988-11-01), Kesling
patent: 4963092 (1990-10-01), Snead
patent: 5057012 (1991-10-01), Kesling
patent: 5230620 (1993-07-01), Watanabe
patent: 5292248 (1994-03-01), Schultz
patent: 5356288 (1994-10-01), Cohen
patent: 5556277 (1996-09-01), Yawata et al.
patent: 5727941 (1998-03-01), Kesling
patent: 5931667 (1999-08-01), Papandreas
Manahan Todd #E.
Zickert Lloyd L.
LandOfFree
Low friction orthodontic appliance does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Low friction orthodontic appliance, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Low friction orthodontic appliance will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2459122