Dentistry – Orthodontics – Tool
Reexamination Certificate
2000-12-26
2001-10-02
Wilson, John J. (Department: 3732)
Dentistry
Orthodontics
Tool
Reexamination Certificate
active
06296482
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an intra oral measurement device for the placement of orthodontic brackets, bands or tubes used in dentistry. More specifically, it relates to the placement of intraoral orthodontic appliances a specific distance from the occlusal or incisal edge of a tooth.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to placement of orthodontic brackets, bands or tubes at a specific distance from the occlusal or incisal edge of the tooth. The process for placement of brackets to the teeth includes first placing an adhesive on the underside of the orthodontic bracket. Next, the bracket is placed in the mouth with a tweezer-like instrument onto the tooth. Once placed on the tooth the bracket is positioned approximately in the center of the tooth from the front to back of the tooth and approximately in the center from gum tissue to the top edge of the tooth. More accurate placement is provided by the use of a height gauge which is placed on the top edge of the tooth. The bracket is then moved to a point where an element of the gauge fits into the bracket slot. This places the bracket at the correct height which in standard practice is precisely 3.5, 4.0, 4.5 or 5.0 mm from the top of the tooth.
Problems exist with prior art gauges because the instrument cannot be placed perpendicular to the buccal surface with any degree of comfort to the patient. This is because prior art gauges are rigid, unitary, elongate instruments which are difficult to fit into a patient's mouth at the proper angle with the tooth to which the bracket is to be affixed. The cheek prevents the instrument from being positioned properly. Inaccurate placement of the orthodontic attachments directly affects the ultimate position of the teeth and results in a poor final treatment result. Poorly placed brackets will result in height differentials and teeth that are malaligned in the vertical dimension.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been devised to overcome the problems in the orthodontic dental arts described above. The present invention is an orthodontic attachment height gauge that is double-ended and double-sided allowing all four measuring heights be contained in one instrument. Each end of the gauge is a moveable element capable of rotating and stopping (via a plunger mechanism which exerts pressure on the hexagonal shaped non-working portion of the shaft) at 0-45-90 degrees in either direction. This unique feature allows the instrument to pass into the mouth along the inside of the cheek and be positioned properly to measure the teeth. From the front of the mouth the instrument is set at 0 degrees for the anterior teeth. Along the side it can be rotated to 45 degrees and for the molars in back of the mouth to 90 degrees while held perpendicular to the long axis of the tooth to be measured. The low profile enables it to fit comfortably between the teeth and cheek. The center portion of the working element is placed on the occlusal/incisal surface of the teeth and the orthodontist chooses the height to be used and places the appropriate male extrusion in the bracket slot to accurately position the orthodontic attachment.
More specifically, it allows the orthodontist to place the orthodontic attachments at precisely 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0 mm from the top of the tooth with accuracy and patient comfort. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the height measuring gauge allows that all four heights are contained in one gauge and each end of the instrument is able to rotate to 45 and 90 degrees in either direction which allows access to the posterior teeth choosing any of the four heights.
It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a multiple height orthodontic gauge in one instrument. It is a further object to provide a height gauge instrument that can accurately place orthodontic appliances with patient comfort. Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following drawings and description of the preferred embodiment.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2290482 (1942-07-01), Neil
patent: 3871098 (1975-03-01), Dean
patent: 4273532 (1981-06-01), Hass
patent: 4959014 (1990-09-01), Sheridan
patent: 5312248 (1994-05-01), Zandkarimi
patent: 5876204 (1999-03-01), Day et al.
Gore Gregory J.
Wilson John J.
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