Dentistry – Orthodontics – Means to transmit or apply force to tooth
Reexamination Certificate
2000-11-22
2001-11-27
Wilson, John J. (Department: 3732)
Dentistry
Orthodontics
Means to transmit or apply force to tooth
Reexamination Certificate
active
06322357
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an orthodontic intraoral force module which is used to correct the position of the upper teeth relative to the lower teeth in an anterior-posterior direction.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART
A majority of malocclusions involve some discrepancy in the position of the upper teeth relative to the lower teeth. Either the upper or lower teeth may be protruded or retruded relative to each other. Because these types of malocclusion cannot be corrected by braces alone, different types of force modules have been used that attach to the patient's braces that in conjunction with the braces deliver the proper force to correct these problems. Until fairly recently these force modules have consisted mainly of headgear and elastics, which are placed onto the braces by the patient. Unfortunately, the lack of patient cooperation in wearing removable devices severely limits the predictability of their results.
More recently, intraoral devices that connect to the patient's braces have been introduced. These devices eliminate the need for patient cooperation, however they introduce other problems. There are two types of these interarch devices; the rigid piston rod and cylinder type and the flexible spring type. Relevant issued patents of which the inventor is aware include U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,752,823; 5,562,445; 3,798,773, 4,708,646; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,435,721. The rigid type devices disclosed in these patents have the advantage of being more durable but they are bulkier and interfere with normal oral function. The patient better tolerates the flexible type but they are more prone to breakage and they limit the patient's range of jaw motion.
Therefore, although there are a variety of interarch devices for correcting anterior-posterior tooth discrepancies, there is a continued need in the art to improve existing options and to provide new devices that function more reliably while increasing patient comfort.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an orthodontic appliance designed to move the upper teeth relative to the lower teeth in a forward or backward direction to result in a bite correction between the upper and lower teeth. The device contains a resilient body coupled with at least one rotating end portion that allows the device to spin freely. The advantage is that since the ends can spin freely, the stress of twisting on the flexible part will be eliminated thus reducing breakage. Also, the need for a different right and left device can be eliminated, thereby reducing inventory. In addition, this end portion may be telescoping in order to make the device expandable, thus allowing for the patient to open his/her mouth more fully which results in a second benefit of less appliance breakage. Another advantage is that by having the device be expandable, the flexible portion can be one size. This will result in a more consistent force output level and reduce the amount of parts needed to manufacture the appliance.
More specifically, the applicant has invented an orthodontic device for applying forces between appliances affixed to the upper and lower teeth of the patient. A central flexible portion includes a cylindrical body having an internal axial bore. The body portion is laterally deflectable and resiliently biased toward axial alignment of the portion. A pair of rotating, telescoping end rods extend axially from opposite ends of the body and extend internally into it. Two end caps are affixed to opposite ends of the body and each includes an internal wall and axial alignment with the bore of the body. The walls provide means for slidably engaging each of the rods. At the end of the attachment rods are hooks for engaging an orthodontic appliance attached to a patient's tooth. The flexible central portion is preferably a coil spring. In an alternate embodiment attachment rods may be blocked against telescoping axial movement but retain their ability to freely rotate within the end caps of the central portion.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3618214 (1971-11-01), Armstrong
patent: 3798773 (1974-03-01), Northcutt
patent: 4708646 (1987-11-01), Jasper
patent: 4795342 (1989-01-01), Jones
patent: 5562445 (1996-10-01), DeVincenzo et al.
patent: 5620321 (1997-04-01), Thornburg et al.
patent: 5711667 (1998-01-01), Vogt
patent: 6113390 (2000-09-01), Sirney et al.
Gore Gregory J.
Wilson John J.
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