GB2222950A

GB2222950A - Orthodontic treatment apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2222950A
Application number: GB8812819A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William John Clark
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-05-31
Filing date: 1988-05-31
Publication date: 1990-03-28
Anticipated expiration: 2008-05-31
Also published as: GB2222950B; GB8812819D0

Abstract

An orthodontic treatment apparatus is employed for intrusion of teeth (14, 16) into their respective dental arches (10, 12) for intrusion of a single tooth (14), or for application of anteroposterior forces in the mouth. The apparatus comprises attachment means (18) on the buccal surfaces of selected teeth (14, 16) for each end (22, 26) of an elastic member (20) comprising either a polymer tube or sheathed helical spring. The elastic member (20) lies between the buccal surfaces of the dental arches (10, 12) and the inside of the cheek. Mounting of the ends (22, 26) of the elastic member (20) can be by means of a pin and eye, by means of a wire element, or by means of a bifid tip element. Attachment in each dental arch can be selectively either to single teeth (14, 16) or to plural teeth where intrusion of teeth is not required. <IMAGE>

Description

ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT APPARATUS The present invention relates to an apparatus for orthodontic treatment. The invention particularly relates to apparatus for connection in the buccal cavity between the upper and lower dental arches.

The upper and lower dental arches meet, when the mandible and maxilla are brought together, along their occlusal surfaces. Should any teeth protrude from the general occlusal surface of either the upper dental arch or the lower dental arch, proper occlusion of the other teeth is prevented. It is one object of the present invention to provide means whereby a tooth, protruding from the genral occlusal surface of its dental arch, may be intruded into its dental arch such that its occlusal surface once more matches the occlusal surface of its dental arch.

The mandible may become anteriorly, posteriorly or transversely displaced with respect to the maxilla. It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus capable of exerting forces for correcting such displacement.

The present invention consists in an apparatus for orthodontic treatment comprising; an elastic member having first and second ends; first attachment means for attaching said first end of said elastic member to the buccal surface of a selected side of the upper dental arch; and second attachment means for attaching said second end of said elastic member to the buccal surface of the lower dental arch on said selected side; said first and second attachment means being operative to hold said elastic member on said buccal surfaces of said upper and lower dental arches and; said elastic member being operative to urge apart said first and second attachment means in direction to open the mouth.

The embodiment of the invention further provides that the elastic member is operative to urge apart first and second support means in an anteroposterior direction for the correction of misalignment between the maxilla and the mandible. It is also provided that the attachment means at either end is optionally capable of allowing the respective ends of the elastic member to move in a predetermined range - in the anteroposterior direction so that forces are applied only after movement within the predetermined range has been accommodated.

The embodiment of the invention herinafter described allows for the elastic member to be terminated in various ways. In one manner of attachment, the elastic member is provided at its end with en eye and the attachments means comprises a pin, fixed in relation to a tooth, passing through the eye. In another arrangement, the elastic member has, at its terminal end, a pair of spaced arms each provided with an eye. The attachment means comprises a pin which pdes through both eyes (one in each spaced arm) which fixes the end of the elastic member and also prevents rotation of the elastic member.

In another arrangement the elastic member is terminated in a bendable wire, the , wire being inserted into a horizontal tube attached to a tooth.

The embodiments of the invention also provide various possibilities for the manner in which intrusion of teeth will be effected. In one possibility, attachment is made to a single tooth in each of the upper and lower dental arches. This allows for the mutual intrusion of two teeth in opposite directions. In another possibility, attachment is made to a plurality of teeth in one dental arch and only to a single tooth in another dental arch. This possibility allows for the intrusion of a single tooth without significant intrusion for the plurally-attached teeth in the other dental arch.

In another possibility, the elastic member is attached to a plurality of teeth in the upper dental arch anda plurality of teeth in the lower dental arch. This possibility allows for the application of forces for correcting misalignment between the mandible and the maxilla without significant intrusion of any teeth.

The elastic member can be provided either in the form of a polymer tube or in the form of a helical spring surrounded by a flexible waterproof sheath.

The invention is further explained, by way of example, by the following description taken in conjunction with the appended drawings in which; FIG.1 shows a side elevation of human dentition with one form of the invention in place.

FIG.2a shows a posterior view of the tooth I- whereon a fixing tube is mounted, illustratively of the manner of mounting, and FIG.2b shows a plan elevation looking down on the occlusal surface of the tooth.

FIG.3a shows one form of termination of the elastic member where the elastic member comprises a polymer tube, and FI(;.3b shows a cross section of the polymer tube.

FIG.4 shows another form of termination for the elastic member in the form of an eye.

FIG.5 shows an alternative form of elastic member comprising a housed helical spring.

FIG.6 illustrates another method of attachment of the elastic member in a sigmoid form and also shows use of a pin-and-eye arrangement.

FIG.7 shows another means of attachment of the elastic member, illustrative of how a plurality of teeth in one dental arch may support intrusion of a single tooth in the other dental arch, and it is also illustrative of use of a pin between two support tubes.

FIG.8 shows yet another manner of attachment of the elastic member, this time to a plurality of teeth in each dental arch and employing a bifid termination to the elastic member, and FIG.9 shows, in greater detail, the bifid termination of FIG.8.

FIG1 shows a side- elevation of human dentition wherein the upper dental ard 10 and the lower dental arch 12 are provided respectively with a first anchor tooth 14 in the upper dental arch 10 and a second anchor tooth 16 in the lower dental arch 12. Each anchor tooth 16,14 comprises a respective fixing tube 18 on its respective buccal surface. An elastic member 20 is fixed between the first anchor tooth 14 and the second anchor tooth 16 using the fixing tubes 18 which lie in an anteroposterior direction. The elastic member 20 assumes a generally arcuate form and, in use, is situated on the buccal surfaces of the upper 10 and lower 12 dental arches. That is to say, the elastic member 20 is held between the teeth and the inner surface of the cheek on the side of the patients face.

A first end 22 of the elastic member 20 comprises a first tip element 24 which passes through the fixing tube 18 on the first anchor tooth 14 and is bent over at its distal end. As will later be described, the first tip element 24 is inserted into the elastic member 20 into the hollow section of a polymer tube.

Likewise, the elastic member 20 comprises a second end 26 having a corresponding second tip element 28 passed through the fixing tube 18 on the second anchor tooth 16.

The elastic member 20 co-operates with the attachment means on the first anchor tooth 14 and the second anchor tooth 16 to urge the first anchor tooth 14 as indicated by a first arro 30 into its respective dental arch to urge the second anchor tooth 16 as indicated by a second arrow 32 into the lower dental arch. In this manner, the anchor teeth 14,16 are pushed apart by selectively applied separating forces which act in a direction to cause the patients mouth to open.

FIG.2a shows a posterior elevation of the second anchor tooth 16 and illustrates how the fixing tube 18 is attached thereto. The fixing tube 18 comprises a fixing channel 34 running in an anteroposterior direction. The fixing tube 18 is held to the second anchor tooth 16 by means of a bilateral fixing comprising a pair of steel bands 36 passing right around the second anchor tooth 16 substantially parallel to its transverse plane (that is to say, the horizontal plane, at a right angle to the paper surface, as seen in FIG.1).

FIG.2b is a plan view of the second anchor tooth 16 seen from the occlusal surface of that tooth and serving further to illustrate the manner of attachment of the fixing tube 18 thereto. It is understood that the fixing tube 18 on the first anchor tooth 14 is attached in the same manner and, throughout this disclosure, wherever a fixing tube 18 is shown it will be understood that attachment is in this manner. Those skilled in the art will be aware that other means can be used for attaching the elastic member 20 to teeth 14,16. The use of anteroposterior fixing pins is hereinafter described.

The embodiments of the present invention also provide for use of any means whereby a fixing pin may be attached in fixed registration with a tooth. The use of fixing tubes is merely illustrative of one manner in which the elastic member 20 may be attached to teeth 14,16.

FIG.3a shows the first end 22 of the elastic member 20 and shows how the first element 24 is inserted into a channel 37 in a polymer tube 38, being held either by means of glue or by means of the inserted portion 40 being roughened before insertion into the channel 37.

FIG.3b shows a cross sectional view of the polymer tube 38 taken along the line X-X'looking in the direction of the arrows. The preferred diameter of the polymer tube 38 is in the region of 4 mm. and the channel 37 has a diameter which is sub-millimetric, being of smaller diameter than the inserted portion 40 of the first tip element 24. The exact chosen diameters of the channel 37 and the polymer tube 38 are chosen dependently upon material and required force. The length of the elastic element 20 is also chosen dependently upon the required force. Suitable materials for the polymer tube include silicon rubber, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, and any other polymer which does not chemically or mechanically break down in the mouth.The elastic coefficient of the material used for the polymer tube 38 is selected in accordance with the required force to be applied to the anchor teeth 14,16. If great force is to be applied, a very stiff material is selected whereas, if only a small force is to be applied, a relatively soft flexible material is chosen.

FIG.4 shows how the first tip element 24 can be bent at its distal end to form a formed eye 42 which, as will hereinafter be described, can have support pins passed there-through. The formed eye 42 can either be made using tools at the time of insertion of the elastic member 20 or can be preformed by machine providing an elastic member 20 ready for use.

FIG.5 shows an alternative form of the elastic member 20 wherein a helical spring 44 is housed in a watertight sheath 46 of generally cylindrical outline and is held between end caps 48 made from rigid material such as plastic or metal. The end caps 48 can, for example, comprise a terminal eye 50 in a tab 52. Alternatively, the end cap 48 can comprise a bendable wire element 54 suitable for insertion into the fixing tube 18. As illustrated in FIG.3a, in order to effect securing of a wire element 54 into a fixing tube 18; the distal end 56 of the wire element 54 can be bent using tools at the time of insertion of the wire elements 54 into the fixng tube 18.

Not shown in 54, but also possible within the terms of the present invention, a formed eye 42 such as is illustrated in FIG.4 can also be provided on an end cap 48.

The permutations possible in the embodiments of the present invention preclude specific illustration of each possibility because of the large number of drawings which would be required. It is to be understood that, hereinbefore and hereinafter, whenever an elastic member 20 is shown, it can be the type shown in FIGS.3a and 3b or can be the type shown in FIG.5. It is to be understood, that whenever a terminal element 24,54,50,52,42 is shown which passes round a support pin, a formed eye 42 or equally, an eye 50 passing through a tab 52 can be used.

FIG.6 shows side elevation of human dentition illustrating another manner in which the elastic member 20 can be placed.

In FIG.6, for the sake of illustrating yet another manner of attachment of the ends 26,22 of the elastic member 20, the fixing tubes 18 are shown each with a support pin 58 passing there-through. The elastic member 20 is terminated in an eye 42,50 as shown in FIG.4 or FIG.5. A first end of each support pin 58 is provided with a stopping member 60 in the for. of a sphere or other attachment of greater diameter, and its other end is bent over upon insertion through the fixing tube 18 in order to retain the support pin 58 in the support tube 18. The support pin 58 in each instance lies in a substantially anteroposterior direction.

The elastic member 20 assumes a substantially sigmoid form. This S-shaped configuration ensures that, not only are the first 14 and second 16 anchor teeth urged apart as indicated by third arrow 62, but the upper dental arch 10 and the lower dental arch 12 are urged in an anteroposterior direction in a sense indicated by fourth arrows 64.

In FIG.6 the elastic member 20 is shown being affixed to the anterior face of the fixing tube 18 on the first anchor tooth 14 in the upper dental arch 10 and to the posterior face of the fixing tube 18 on the second anchor tooth 16 in the lower dental arch 12. It is to be understood that the elastic member 20 could equally have been reversed such that it is mounted on the posterior face of the support tube 18 on the first anchor tooth 14 in the upper dental arch 10 and on the anterior face of the support tube 18 on the second anchor tooth 16 in the lower dental arch 12. In this instance the directions of the fourth arrows 64 is reversed.

Support pins 58 in FIG.6 are shown as providing an interval 66 between the fixing tube 18 and the stopping member 16 whereon the eye 50,42 is free to move over a predetermined range in the direction of the pin, that is to say, in an anteroposterior direction. By allowing the eye 42,50 to move a predetermined range, it is provided that the upper and lower dental arches 10,12 must move by more than a predetermined distance before restraining forces as indicated by the arrows 64 are effective. This provides a deadband over which no anteroposterior forces can be exerted.

The stopping member 60 can equally be provided hard against an end of the fixing tube 18 so that the eye 42,50 has no freedom to move on the support pin 58.

FIG.7 shows yet another manner in which the elastic member 20 can be attached.

The elastic member 20 is shown, in this instance, by way of illustration, attached to a single tooth in the upper dental arch 10 and to two teeth in the lower dental arch 12. It is to be understood that the situation can be reversed such that the single tooth to which attachment is made is in the lower dental arch 10 and the plural teeth to which attachment is made can be in the upper dental arch 12. It is equally to be understood that, whereas the plurality of teeth are here represented as two teeth, in fact three or more teeth can be used as a plural-tooth anchor.

A single fixing tube 18 is provided in the upper dental arch 10 on the first anchor tooth 14. By way of example, the elastic member 20 is shown terminated by a wire element 54 passing through the fixing tube 18.

A fixing tube 18 is provided on the second anchor tooth 16 in the lower dental arch 12 and, substantially axially aligned with the fixing tube 18 on the second anchor tooth 16, a fixing tube 18 is provided on a third anchor tooth 68 adjacent to the second anchor tooth 16 in the lower dental arch 12. An elongated support pin 70 is passed through the fixing tubes 18 on the anchor teeth 16,68 in the lower dental arch 12. The second end 26 of the elastic member 20 is terminated in an eye 50,42 such as is illustrated in FIGS.4 and 5 which surrounds an intermediate portion 72 of the elongated support pin 70 lying between the fixing tubes 18 on the adjacent anchor teeth 16,68 in the lower dental arch 12.

The second end 26 of the elastic member 20 is thus able to move over a predetermined anteroposterior range defined by the extent of the intermediate portion 72 of the elongated support pin 70. Alternatively, range limiting members (not shown in the figure) can also be threaded onto the intermediate portion 72 to limit the range whereover the second end 26 of the elastic member 20 can move.

The manner in which the second end 26 of the elastic member 20 is shown attached to the lower dental arch 12 is merely illustrative of one way in which attachment may be made to plural teeth. As an alternative, a wire element 54 may be passed through a plurality of fixing tubes 18 or, a bifid tip element, as will hereinafter be described, may have its spaced arms used each in the manner of a wire element 54 so that one spaced arm passes in each direction through fixing tubes 18 on the plural tooth mount.

The arrangement shown in FIG.7 means that the pressure of the elastic member 20 is concentrated on a single tooth 14 in the upper dental arch 10 but is distributed among a number of teeth 16,68 in the ' lower dental arch t2. The extent to which a tooth 14,16,68 is urged to e intruded into its respective dental arch increases with increasing applied pressure. Thus the anchor tooth 14 to which single attachment is made in the upper dental arch 10 receives a greater individual pressure than the plural anchor teeth 16,68 in the lower dental arch 12. The anchor tooth 14 in the upper dental arch 10 thus experiences greater movement than the plural anchor teeth 16,68 in the lower dental arch 12.The apparatus thus provides a means whereby, effectively, a single anchor tooth 14 can be intruded by distributing pressure in the opposite dental arch over such a plurality of teeth that intrusion effectively does not take place in the connected plurality of anchor teeth.

FIG.8 shows another manner in which the elastic member 20 can be mounted. This time, by way of example, the lower dental arch 12 is shown having a posterior displacement 74 with respect to the upper dental arch 10 which it is desired to correct.

It is to be understood that the manner of use of the elastic member 20 shown in FIG.8 could equally be used to correct an anterior displacement of the lower dental arch 12 with respect to the upper dental arch 10 (i.e., an undershot jaw).

As in FIG.7, fixing tubes 18 are provided on the second anchor tooth 16 and the third anchor tooth 68 in the lower dental arch 12. In addition to the fixing tubes 18 shown in FIG.7, FIG.8 also shows a fixing tube 18 attached to a fourth tooth 76 adjacent to the first anchor tooth 14 in the upper dental arch 10. In each instance, an elongated support pin 70 is.passed through the aligned fixing tubes 18 in each dental arch 10,12.

The elastic member 20 is terminated at either end 26,22 by a bifid tip element 78, illustrated in more detail in FIG.9. Bifid element 78 comprises a pair of spaced support arms 80. Except where bifid element 78 is to be used as described in connection with FIG.7, each support arm 80 is terminated in a formed eye 42 otherwise shown in FIG.4. The formed eye 42 may be made with tools at the time of installation or may be preformed. Equally, a tab 52 with a through penetrating eye 50 as shown inFIG.5 may be employed at the distal ends of each of the support arms 80.

The elongated support pin 70 is, in each instance, passed through both eyes 42 in the support arms 80. Elongated support pin 70 is fixed through the tandem, aligned fixing tubes 18 as earlier described (using a stopping member 60 at one end and by bending over of the other end).

Because the elongated support pin 70 passes through both eyes 42 in the bifid member 78, the bifid member 78 is prevented from twisting with respect to the elongated support pin 70. In FIG.8 both bifid members 78 are shown fixed with one support arm 80 on either side of a selected fixing tube 18. Equally, the bifid member 78 could be provided between fixing tubes 18 such that one formed eye 42 is proximate to each adjacent fixing tube 18, the bifid member 78 being held on an intermediate portion 72 of the elongated support pin 70.

By choosing the separation between the eyes 42 on the support arms 80 the bifid members, it is possible to allow a degree of anteroposterior movement of each bifid member 78 before it is constrained by a fixing tube 18. This can provide a deadband effect such that corrective forces are not applied unless a predetermined anteroposterior displacement between the upper dental arch 10 and lower dental arch 12 is reached.

Because the elastic member 20 is mounted on a plurality of teeth 76,14,16,68 in each of the upper 10 and lower 12 dental arches, the extent to which the anchor teeth 14,76,16,68 are intruded is small. On the other hand, a large corrective force, as indicated by fifth arrows 82, is provided in an anteroposterior direction tending to correct the posterior displacement 74 of the lower dental arch 12. The bifid member 78 in the upper dental arch 10, whilst shown in FIG.8 as being attached on the fourth anchor tooth 76, could equally have been attached on the first anchor tooth 14 in order to increase the anteroposterior force urging correction of the posterior displacement 74 of the lower dental arch 12.

While in FIG.8 attachment has been shown to just two teeth 14,76,16,68 in the upper 10 and lower 12 dental arches, it is to be understood the connection to three or more teeth in each dental arch 10,12 can be provided. It is also to be understood that the bifid member 78 can be employed to attach the elastic member 20 in the arrangement shown in FIGS.1,6 and 7 and that equally, the 'sliding eye 42,50 shown in FIGS.6 and 7 could equally be used to attach the elastic member 20 in FIG.8.

The present invention further consists in each item of novelty as herein-before described, taken singly or in combination.

In those instances where it is desired to intrude teeth using.the method substantially as shown in FIGS.1,6 or 7, but where it is undesirable to provide a symmetry of forces from one side of the dental arch to the other (i.e., where a 'balanced chew is necessary), it is possible to employ the apparatus of FIG.B (with any of the various means of attachment of the elastic member 20 as described in relation thereto) to balance forces from side-to-side on the mouth without intrusion of teeth. Accordingly, the present invention also includes the use of an apparatus as herein-before described with attachment on plural teeth in both the upper 10 and lower 12 dental arches on the opposite side of the mouth to an apparatus substantially as shown in FIGS.1, 6 and 7 used to intrude one or two teeth.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An apparatus for othodontic treatment comprising; an elastic member having first and second ends; first attachment means for attaching said first end of said elastic member to the buccal surface of a selected side of the upper dental arch; and second attachment means for attaching said said second end of said elastic member to the buccal surface of the lower dental arch on said selected side; said first and second attachment means being operative to hold said elastic member on said buccal surfaces of said upper and lower dental arches and; said elastic member being operative to urge apart said first and second attachment means in a direction to open the mouth.

2. An apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein said elastic member is further operative to urge apart said first and second support means in an anteroposterior direction.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said first attachment means is operative to allow said first end of said elastic member to move, within a predetermined range, in said anteroposterior direction.

4. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein said second attachment means is operative.

to allow said second end of said elastic member to move, within a predetermined range, in said anteroposterior direction.

5. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein said first end of said elastic member comprises an eye and wherein said first attachment means comprises a pin for passingthrough said eye

6. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4 wherein said first end of said elastic member comprises a pair of spaced arms, each spaced arm comprising an eye, and wherein said first attachment means comprises a pin for passing through said eyes in said spaced arms to prevent rotation of said first end of said elastic member.

7. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4 wherein said first end of said elastic member comprises a wire, wherein said first attachment means comprises a horizontal tube, and wherein said wire is inserted into said horizontal tube.

8. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 7 wherein said second end of said elastic member comprises an eye and wherein said second attachment means comprises a pin for passing through said eye

9. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 7 wherein said second end of said elastic member comprises a pair of spaced arms, each spaced arm comprising an eye, and wherein said second attachment means comprises a pin for passing through said eyes in said spaced arms to prevent rotation of said second end of said elastic member.

10. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 7 wherein said second end of said elastic member comprises a wire, wherein said second attachment means comprises a horizontal tube, said wire being inserted into said horizontal tube.

11. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein said first attachment means provides attachment to a single selected tooth in said upper dental arch and wherein said second attachment means provides attachment to a single selected tooth in said lower dental arch.

12. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 10 wherein said first attachment means provides attachment to a single selected tooth in said upper dental arch and wherein said second attachment means provides attachment to a plurality of teeth in said lower dental arch.

13. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 10 wherein said first attachment means provides attachment to a plurality of teeth in said upper dental arch and wherein said second attachment means provides attachment to a plurality of teeth in said lower dental arch.

14. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 10 wherein said first attachment means provides attachment to a plurality of teeth in said upper dental arch and wherein said second attachment means provides attachment to a single selected tooth in said lower dental arch.

15. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein said elastic member is vermiform and takes an arcuate form.

16. An apparatus accor.ding to any of claims 1 to 14 wherein said elastic member1 is vermiform and takes a sigmoid form.

17. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein said elastic member comprises an elastic polymer tube.

18 An apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 16 wherein said elastic member comprises a helical spring housed in a watertight sheath..

19. An apparatus substantially as described with reference to the appended drawings.