JP2008126009A - Dentition correcting mouthpiece and its manufacturing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve a correcting effect further in a dentition correcting mouthpiece for accelerating dentition correction by applying vibrations generated by an excitation actuator to the dentition of a user wearing the mouthpiece. <P>SOLUTION: In the mouthpiece 7 composed by combining double inner and outer pieces in a shape adapted to the dentiform 1 of a user, forming an expansion part 7a at the part of correction object teeth 3g and 3h in the piece on the outer side and storing a small-sized/light weight excitation actuator 8 inside the expansion part 7a, a housing space 7b for storing the excitation actuator 8 is formed to be larger than the excitation actuator 8 and a clearance is generated even when it is housed. Thus, a collision load generated when the excitation actuator 8 itself moves and collides with a wall surface forming the housing space 7b is added to a vibration load generated by the excitation actuator 8, and larger vibrations are applied to the dentition 3 of the user wearing the mouthpiece 7. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an orthodontic mouthpiece and a method for manufacturing the same.

  As a conventional orthodontic method, a wire is used, and by applying a constant force (static load) to the dentition by the return force of the wire, the arrangement of teeth and occlusion are cured. . That is, when a constant force is applied to the dentition, the alveolar bone that supports the teeth in the gums is gradually deformed, thereby correcting the dentition.

  However, such an approach takes a very long period, as early as six months, usually several years, and is particularly painful and often does not last for children who are of the right age for orthodontics. Therefore, Non-Patent Document 1 compares a sample in which a constant force is applied to the dentition and a sample in which a vibration force is applied to the dentition, and the sample to which the vibration force is applied is more effective in reducing the correction period. There is research that there is. Similarly, Non-Patent Document 2 compares a sample in which a constant force is applied to the dentition and a sample in which a constant force + vibration force is applied to the dentition. Research has also been done on how to reduce the correction period.

  According to these studies, the period of orthodontics is to be greatly shortened to about 1/2 to 1/3. In addition to that, non-patent document 1 gives only 1.5 hours per day, and non-patent document 2 only applies 2 minutes once every two weeks. That is, in Non-Patent Document 1, treatment may be continued for 1.5 hours per day, and in Non-Patent Document 2, treatment may be continued for 2 minutes once every two weeks. From these studies, it can be understood that applying a vibration force is more effective in significantly shortening the orthodontic period than simply applying a constant force to the dentition with a wire or the like.

  Therefore, as an attempt to put these studies into practical use, Patent Document 1 discloses an apparatus that applies ultrasonic vibration to the surrounding tissue around the mouthpiece attachment site that promotes movement of the correction target tooth. An apparatus for applying ultrasonic vibration to a target tooth has been proposed.

  However, in the techniques of Patent Documents 1 and 2, the ultrasonic supply head is pressed against the skin surface of the cheek, for example, to apply ultrasonic vibration from the outside, and the ultrasonic vibration is accurately applied only to the correction target tooth. There was a problem that it was difficult to give. Further, since an ultrasonic generator is required, there is a problem that treatment cannot be continued unless the patient visits a dental clinic equipped with this device.

  For this reason, the present applicant has previously proposed an orthodontic apparatus that can accurately apply vibration only to the correction target tooth and can simply and safely continue treatment without going to the dental clinic. Such an orthodontic apparatus includes a mouthpiece to be mounted on the dentition, and the mouthpiece has a structure in which an inner piece and an outer piece are overlapped, and an eccentric weight is placed on the portion of the correction target tooth in the overlapped portion. Like the motor which has, it becomes a vibration means and stores the vibration actuator which produces | generates a mechanical vibration.

According to this orthodontic apparatus, mechanical vibration (mechanical stimulation) can be accurately applied from the mouthpiece to the portion of the correction target tooth, and a high effect can be obtained. In addition, since the vibratory actuator is stored in the mouthpiece, treatment can be continued easily and safely at any time, for example, at home without going to the dental clinic. Furthermore, since the mechanical vibration of the vibration actuator is transmitted to the tooth part to be corrected through the overlapping part of the double mouthpiece, the tooth due to the mechanical vibration being directly transmitted to the tooth to be corrected. Can relieve pain.
Shimizu: Japanese Journal of Dentistry 45: 56-72, 1986 Ohmae et al .: Journal of Japanese Orthodontic Society, 60 (4): 201, 2001 JP 2002-102255 A JP 2004-201895 A

  However, there is a problem that it is difficult to apply a sufficient stimulus with a small vibration actuator.

  The objective of this invention is providing the orthodontic mouthpiece which can provide a bigger vibration, and its manufacturing method.

  The orthodontic mouthpiece of the present invention has an oscillating means, and the orthodontic that allows the orthodontic to be promoted by the vibration generated by the oscillating means being applied to the dentition of the wearing user. The mouthpiece is characterized in that there is a gap between the vibration generating means and the storage space for causing play in the vibration generating means.

  According to said structure, it has an excitation means in the mouthpiece with which it mounts | wears with a user's dentition, and the orthodontic correction can be accelerated | stimulated by adding the vibration which the oscillating means generate | occur | produced to the mounted dentition. An orthodontic mouthpiece to be configured, wherein the vibration generating means is sealed in a storage space formed between an inner piece and an outer piece, and the storage space is It is formed larger than the vibration generating means, and even if the vibration generating means is stored in the storage space, a gap is generated.

  Therefore, the vibration generating means is not completely fixed in the storage space but becomes movable, and play occurs in the storage space due to vibration. As a result, the vibration load generated by the vibration generating means is added with the collision load generated when the vibration generating means itself moves and collides with the wall surface forming the storage space, and the dentition of the user wearing the mouthpiece In addition, a larger vibration can be applied, and even a small and light actuator (with a small generated load) can provide sufficient stimulation for promoting the correction effect.

  In the orthodontic mouthpiece of the present invention, the gap in the storage space is formed to extend in a direction adapted to the correction direction of the correction target tooth.

  According to said structure, the direction of the said space | gap in the said storage space, ie, the direction of the play of a vibration means, is prescribed | regulated to the direction adapted to the correction direction of the correction object tooth. Specifically, when retracting the tooth that is in the front and pulling out the tooth that is in the back, set the direction of the gap in the direction perpendicular to the tooth surface and twist the tooth For example, the direction of the gap is set around the tooth axis.

  Therefore, even when the vibration generating means cannot incorporate a load that generates a directional load in terms of price and size, the directional load can be generated with an inexpensive and small rotary motor or vibration motor. It is possible to assign to a column.

  Furthermore, the method for manufacturing an orthodontic mouthpiece according to the present invention has an oscillating means, and the vibration generated by the oscillating means is added to the dentition of the user who wears it, so that the orthodontic can be promoted. A method of manufacturing an orthodontic mouthpiece to heat and mount a heat-softening sheet on the user's tooth mold, and the softened sheet on the tooth mold by an air flow A step of creating an inner piece by close contact, a step of mounting a dummy larger than the vibrating means on the inner piece, a step of forming a tooth mold on which the dummy is mounted, and heat softening on the dummy die A step of heating and mounting the sheet body having heat resistance, and bringing the softened sheet body into close contact with the dummy mold by an air flow to create an outer piece having a storage space corresponding to the dummy; After mounting on said inner piece is fitted to the outer piece, the enclosing said excitation means to said storage space, characterized in that it comprises the step of integrating the inner piece and the outer piece.

  According to said structure, the orthodontic mouthpiece which has a space | gap between the above vibration means and its storage space can be produced.

  As described above, the orthodontic mouthpiece of the present invention has a vibrating means in the mouthpiece to be mounted on the user's dental row, and vibration generated by the vibrating means is applied to the mounted dental row. An orthodontic mouthpiece that facilitates orthodontic correction, wherein the vibrating means is stored in a storage space formed between an inner piece and an outer piece. Even if the space is formed larger than the vibration generating means and the vibration generating means is stored in the storage space, a gap is generated.

  Therefore, the vibration generating means is not completely fixed in the storage space but becomes movable, and play occurs in the storage space due to vibration. As a result, the vibration load generated by the vibration generating means is added with the collision load generated when the vibration generating means itself moves and collides with the wall surface forming the storage space, and the dentition of the user wearing the mouthpiece In addition, a larger vibration can be applied, and even a small and light actuator (with a small generated load) can provide sufficient stimulation for promoting the correction effect.

  In addition, as described above, the orthodontic mouthpiece of the present invention defines the direction of the gap in the storage space, that is, the direction of play of the vibration generating means, in a direction adapted to the correction direction of the correction target tooth.

  Therefore, even if it is not possible to incorporate a device that generates a directional load in terms of price and size, the oscillating means can provide a directional load with an inexpensive and small rotary motor or vibration motor. It can be applied to the dentition.

  Furthermore, the manufacturing method of the orthodontic mouthpiece of the present invention has the vibration generating means as described above, and the vibration generated by the vibration generating means is added to the user's dental dentition wearing the tooth, In manufacturing an orthodontic mouthpiece that facilitates orthodontic treatment, a sheet body having heat softening properties is heated and mounted on the user's tooth mold, and the softened sheet body is air-flowed through the teeth. A step of making an inner piece in close contact with the mold, a step of mounting a dummy larger than the exciting means on the inner piece, a step of forming a tooth mold on which the dummy is mounted, and the dummy mold A step of heating and mounting a sheet body having heat softening property on the dummy mold, and bringing the softened sheet body into close contact with the dummy mold by an air flow to create an outer piece having a storage space corresponding to the dummy After mounting the excitation means on said inner piece is fitted to the outer piece, the enclosing said excitation means to said storage space, and a step of integrating the inner piece and the outer piece.

  Therefore, it is possible to produce an orthodontic mouthpiece having a gap between the vibration generating means and its storage space.

[Embodiment 1]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a mouthpiece 7 according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a user's lower jaw, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a user's lower jaw tooth mold 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line III-III in FIG. In the example of FIG. 2, brackets (wire locking metal fittings) 4 are fixed to the outer surface portions of the teeth 3b to 3m excluding the back teeth 3a and 3n among the teeth 3a to 3n of the tooth row 3, The wire 5 is locked in series across the bracket 4. Then, by applying a constant force (static load) to the dentition 3 with the return force of the wire 5, the teeth alignment and biting are corrected with these correction tools. In addition, the bracket 4 which latches the tooth | gear which fixes the bracket 4, and the wire 5 is not restricted to what was illustrated in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the mouthpiece 7 of the present embodiment is attached to the dentition 3 to which the wire 5 is attached. As shown in FIG. 4, the mouthpiece 7 includes an inner piece 7A that directly contacts the dentition 3, an outer piece 7B that covers the outer side of the inner piece 7A, and an airtight (watertight that does not allow moisture to enter) therebetween. And is provided with a vibration actuator 8 serving as a vibration generating means provided in a portion of the correction target tooth (3g, 3h in the example of FIG. 1).

  As the material of the inner piece 7A and the outer piece 7B, a material that is widely used as a mouthpiece (or mouthguard) and in which hygienic safety is ensured is used. For example, EVA (ethylene) which is a polymer material is used. It is preferable to form the (vinyl acetate resin) sheet as will be described later, since the effects of allergies to teeth and gums can be suppressed. The material of the inner piece 7A and the outer piece 7B is not limited to the EVA sheet, but the EVA sheet is more preferable because it has electrical insulation and functions as a heat insulating material. In particular, when an EVA sheet is used for the inner piece 7A, the inner piece 7A can be made soft, and thereby, a high-speed component of mechanical vibration transmitted from the vibration actuator 8 described later to the correction target teeth 3g and 3h. Therefore, it is possible to prevent damage to the correction target teeth 3g and 3h.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a bulge portion 7a corresponding to the vibration actuator 8 is formed on the correction target teeth 3g and 3h of the outer piece 7B, and a small and lightweight vibration actuator is formed in the bulge portion 7a. 8 is stored sideways (so that the vibration direction is substantially perpendicular to the tooth row 3). The vibration actuator 8 has a structure that generates mechanical vibration with an eccentric weight attached to a rotating shaft of a motor, and is widely used as a vibrator of a mobile phone.

  When the eccentric weight comes into direct contact with the inner surface of the storage space 7b of the bulging portion 7a, the vibration is easily restrained, so that the vibration force is not restrained in a casing made of metal or a polymer material such as rubber rubber. What is stored in advance in the state is preferably the vibration actuator 8 and stored in the storage space 7b. The power supply line 9 to the vibration actuator 8 is drawn out from a through hole (not shown specifically) formed in the bulging portion 7a of the outer piece 7B to the outside, and further drawn out from between the lips to the outside of the mouth. Is done. When the motor in the vibration actuator 8 is a direct current (DC) motor, the intensity and period of vibration can be adjusted by supplying electric power from a battery (battery) via a switch and a variable resistor. it can. The number of rotations of the vibration actuator 8, that is, the vibration frequency (frequency) is preferably about several Hz to several hundred Hz. The vibration actuator 8 may be an alternating current (AC) motor. In addition to the vibration actuator 8, the control board and the like may be provided in the mouthpiece 7 as necessary.

  It should be noted that in the mouthpiece 7 of the present embodiment, an oblong hole having a cross-section perpendicular to the axis of the oscillating actuator 8 is formed in the bulging portion 7a as the storage space 7b. It is formed. Therefore, when the vibration actuator 8 is sealed in the storage space 7b formed between the inner piece 7A and the outer piece 7B, the storage space 7b is formed larger than the vibration actuator 8, Even if the vibration actuator 8 is stored in the storage space 7b, a gap is generated. As a result, the vibration actuator 8 is not completely fixed in the storage space 7b but becomes movable, and play occurs in the storage space 7b due to vibration. As a result, the vibration load generated by the vibration actuator 8 is added with the collision load generated when the vibration actuator 8 itself moves and collides with the wall surface forming the storage space 7b. A large vibration can be applied to the dentition 3 of the person, and the correction effect can be further enhanced.

  FIG. 5 is a graph showing the experiment results of the present inventors. FIG. 5A shows the magnitude of vibration applied to the correction target teeth 3g and 3h when the storage space 7b is the same size as the vibration actuator 8, that is, when the vibration actuator 8 is fixed. 5 (b) shows the magnitude of vibration when there is play in the storage space 7b. From these figures, when fixed, a regular vibration of about 200 Hz due to the eccentric weight of the vibration actuator 8 is applied with a vibration load of about 30 g, but if there is play, it becomes irregular. It is understood that the vibration load is doubled to about 60 g at the maximum.

  Then, the major axis direction of the oval, that is, the direction of the gap (play) in the storage space 7b is formed to extend in a direction adapted to the correction direction of the correction target teeth 3g and 3h. Specifically, when retracting the tooth that is in the front and pulling out the tooth that is in the back, set the direction of the gap in the direction perpendicular to the tooth surface and twist the tooth As shown in FIG. 8, in the tooth to be twisted (3g in FIG. 8), in the direction to be twisted (right half facing counterclockwise in FIG. 8) Set the direction of the gap in the direction perpendicular to. Therefore, even if the vibration generating actuator 8 cannot incorporate a load generating a directional load in terms of price and size, the directional load can be applied with an inexpensive and small rotary motor or vibration motor. It can be applied to the dentition, and sufficient stimulation for promoting the correction effect can be applied.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the manufacturing apparatus 11 for the mouthpiece 7 configured as described above. The manufacturing apparatus 11 includes a stage 12 on which the tooth mold 1 is mounted, and a main body 14 including a pump that performs suction from a plurality of suction holes 13 formed in the stage 12, and a stand on the main body 14. It can be moved up and down by a support column 18 provided, and includes a pair of upper and lower sheet fixtures 16 and 17 sandwiching the EVA sheet 15 and an electric heater 19 mounted on the support column 18.

  FIG. 7 is a view for explaining a manufacturing method of the mouthpiece 7 using the manufacturing apparatus 11 described above. First, in step S1, an impression material is attached to the user's dentition 3 at the dental clinic to mold, and in step S2, gypsum is poured into the impression material holding the dentition shape in the dental laboratory. The plaster mold 1 is completed by taking out the plaster after solidification. Here, when a corrector such as a bracket 4 or a wire 5 is attached to the user's dentition 3, when the mouthpiece 7 is attached to or detached from the dentition 3, the inner piece 7A is pulled to the edge of the corrector. The inner piece 7A may be damaged or the bracket 4 may come off the tooth surface. In order to prevent such inconvenience, the gap between the bracket 4 and the wire 5 of the tooth mold 1 may be filled with a wax agent or the like to eliminate the edge. According to this method, when an impression is taken from the user, the burden on the user is reduced as compared with a method in which a non-toxic wax agent or the like that can be washed with water is filled in the gap between the bracket 4 and the wire 5 in advance. .

  The tooth mold 1 is mounted on the stage 12 of the manufacturing apparatus 11 in step S3. On the other hand, the EVA sheet 15 sandwiched between the sheet fixtures 16 and 17 is heated in the vicinity of the electric heater 19 when the sheet fixtures 16 and 17 rise on the support column 18 and soften. Descends and the EVA sheet 15 is gradually covered on the tooth mold 1. At this time, suction is performed from the suction hole 13, so that the EVA sheet 15 comes into close contact with the tooth mold 1 by the air flow. Therefore, the tooth mold 1 is provided with a notch 1a for suction so that the mold can be accurately taken.

  At this time, the electric heater 19 may also be lowered and continuously heated, or may be molded by pressurizing the entire EVA sheet 15 with air pressure or the like. In this way, the inner piece 7A is completed by performing pressure and suction molding. Up to this step S3, the conventional mouthpiece manufacturing method is the same.

  Here, by changing the thickness of the EVA sheet 15, it is possible to produce the inner piece 7A having a different thickness (thickness). When the inner piece 7A having a thinner thickness is used, the wearing feeling is improved and the inner piece 7A is raised. The transmission characteristic of mechanical vibration from the vibration actuator 8 is improved. Further, by changing the thickness of the inner piece 7A for each of the teeth 3a to 3n, it is also possible to change the transmission characteristics of mechanical vibrations for the individual teeth 3a to 3n.

  Then, in step S3, with the inner piece 7A fitted to the tooth mold 1, in step S4, a new mold is made using silicon resin or the like, and after pouring gypsum into the completed silicon mold and solidifying By taking out the plaster, the inner piece plaster model 1b is completed in step S5.

  In step S6, the dummy plaster model 1c, which becomes the bulging portion 7a of the outer piece 7B, is bonded to the inner piece plaster model 1b in the direction suitable for the correction direction as described above to form a dummy mold, and then heated. The softened EVA sheet 15 is applied to the inner piece plaster model 1b by suction molding, and after cooling, the dummy mold is removed from the EVA sheet, thereby completing the outer piece 7B in step S7.

  Thereafter, in step S8, the outer surface of the inner piece 7A and the outer piece 7B are covered with the inner piece 7A on the inner side of the outer piece 7B storing the actual vibration actuator 8 in the storage space 7b of the bulging portion 7a. The mouthpiece 7 is completed by airtightly joining and integrating the inner surface with ultrasonic welding or an adhesive. The total thickness of the mouthpiece 7 is preferably about 1 to 6 mm.

  Here, the outer face of the inner piece 7A and the inner face of the outer piece 7B may be joined only at the peripheral edge of the bulge 7a storing the vibration actuator 8 of the outer piece 7B, but the inner piece 7A and the outer piece 7B. In order to prevent the outer peripheral edge from rolling up, it is preferable that the entire outer peripheral edge of the inner piece 7A and the outer piece 7B be joined in an airtight manner, and also preferable for cleaning and storage after use of the mouthpiece 7. In this way, the mouthpiece 7 in which the vibration actuator 8 is stored in a state having play in the storage space 7b of the bulging portion 7a as described above can be manufactured.

  In the above-described embodiment, the outer piece 7B is molded to have a specified play in the storage space 7b of the bulging portion 7a. However, as another embodiment of the present invention, the vibration actuator 8 is It is also possible to store in an oval container corresponding to the storage space 7b and store the entire container in the storage space 7b. In that case, the inner piece 7A and the outer piece 7B can be integrated by directly attaching the container having the vibration actuator 8 to the inner piece 7A and then covering the EVA sheet 15 with the container. Is not required once, and the mouthpiece 7 can be manufactured very easily.

  The mouthpiece 7 of the present embodiment is applied to the tooth row 3 to which the wire 5 is attached, so that a constant force + vibration force is applied. However, the mouthpiece 7 is attached to the tooth row 3 to which the wire 5 is not attached. Thus, only the vibration force can be applied by the vibration actuator 8. In this case, at least the inner piece 7A may be formed of a hard resin so as to give a certain force (correction force) to the portions of the correction target teeth 3g and 3h. If comprised in this way, even if it does not attach the wire 5 to the dentition 3, since a fixed force + vibration force can be provided to the part of the correction object teeth 3g and 3h, practical value will come to increase.

It is a perspective view which shows the state which mounted | wore the user's lower jaw with the mouthpiece which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of a user's lower jaw tooth type. It is sectional drawing seen from the cut surface line III-III of FIG. It is the disassembled perspective view which looked at the mouthpiece of the structure piled up inside and outside double from the front side. It is a graph which shows the experimental result of this inventor. It is a perspective view of the manufacturing apparatus of a mouthpiece. It is a figure for demonstrating the manufacturing method of the mouthpiece which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention using the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. In the mouthpiece which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, it is a perspective view which shows the example in case the correction method differs from FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tooth type 3 Tooth row 5 Wire 7 Mouthpiece 7A Inner piece 7B Outer piece 7a Swelling part 7b Storage space 8 Excitation actuator 9 Feed line 11 Manufacturing apparatus 12 Stage 13 Suction hole 14 Main body 15 EVA sheet 16, 17 Sheet fixture 19 Electric heater 21 mount

Claims (3)

An orthodontic mouthpiece that has an oscillating means and allows vibrations generated by the oscillating means to be applied to the user's dentition, thereby promoting orthodontics,
An orthodontic mouthpiece characterized by having an air gap between the vibration generating means and the storage space for causing play in the vibration generating means.   The orthodontic mouthpiece according to claim 1, wherein the gap in the storage space is formed to extend in a direction adapted to a correction direction of a correction target tooth. A method of manufacturing an orthodontic mouthpiece that has an oscillating means and allows vibrations generated by the oscillating means to be applied to the user's dentition, thereby facilitating orthodontics,
A step of heating and mounting a sheet body having heat softening properties on the user's tooth mold, and making the softened sheet body in close contact with the tooth mold by an air flow to create an inner piece;
Mounting a dummy larger than the vibrating means on the inner piece;
Forming a tooth mold on which the dummy is mounted;
A sheet body having heat softening properties is heated and mounted on the dummy mold, and the softened sheet body is brought into close contact with the dummy mold by an air flow to create an outer piece having a storage space corresponding to the dummy. Process,
After the vibration generating means is mounted on the inner piece, the step of fitting into the outer piece, enclosing the vibration generating means in the storage space, and integrating the inner piece and the outer piece. A method of manufacturing an orthodontic mouthpiece, which is characterized.

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