JP4506706B2 - Orthodontic appliance - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an orthodontic apparatus.

  Conventionally, there is an orthodontic apparatus using a wire, and there is an orthodontic apparatus that cures teeth alignment and occlusion by applying a constant force (static load) to the dentition with the return force of the wire. 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, orthodontic treatment using wires takes a very long time (6 months at the earliest, usually several years), so it is particularly painful for children who are suitable for orthodontic treatment and should not last long. There are many.

  In order to shorten such an orthodontic period, as shown in FIG. 16A, a sample A in which a constant force is applied to the dentition and a sample B in which a vibration force is applied to the dentition are compared. For example, studies have been made that sample B to which vibration force is applied is more effective in shortening the period (Non-patent Document 1).

  Similarly, as shown in FIG. 16 (b), when comparing the sample C in which a constant force is applied to the dentition and the sample D in which a constant force + vibration force is applied to the dentition, the constant force + vibration force is obtained. Studies have also been made that the added sample D is more effective in shortening the period (Non-patent Document 2).

  According to these studies, the period of orthodontics is greatly reduced to about 1/2 to 1/3. In addition, the non-patent document 1 may apply the vibration force only for 1.5 hours per day, and the non-patent document 2 requires only 2 minutes once every two weeks. That is, in Non-Patent Document 1, it is only necessary to continue treatment for 1.5 hours per day, and in Non-Patent Document 2, it is only necessary to continue treatment 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.

  Then, as an attempt to put these researches into practical use, an apparatus that imparts ultrasonic vibration to the surrounding tissue around the mouthpiece attachment site that promotes movement of the correction target tooth (Patent Document 3), and ultrasonic vibration to the correction target tooth Has been proposed (Patent Document 4).

  However, in the techniques of Patent Documents 3 and 4, since the ultrasonic supply head is pressed against the skin surface of the cheek, for example, and the ultrasonic vibration is applied from the outside, the ultrasonic vibration is accurately applied only to the correction target tooth. There was a problem that it was difficult to give.

In addition, since an ultrasonic generator is required, there is a problem that treatment cannot be continued without visiting a dental clinic equipped with this device.
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

  Therefore, the applicant of the present invention 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 this mouthpiece has a structure in which at least an inner and an outer are overlapped, and an actuator that generates mechanical vibrations on the orthodontic teeth is the overlapping portion. Is stored.

  According to this orthodontic apparatus, since the actuator for generating mechanical vibration (mechanical stimulation) is stored in the portion of the correction target tooth of the superimposed multiple mouthpiece, only the portion of the correction target tooth is accurately stored. Can be vibrated. Further, since the actuator is stored in the mouthpiece, the 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 actuator is transmitted to the portion of the tooth to be corrected through the overlapping portion of the double mouthpiece, the tooth pain caused by the mechanical vibration being directly transmitted to the tooth to be corrected. Can be relieved. Furthermore, if the actuator is stored in a sealed state in the mouthpiece, it is hygienic and can be washed with water.

  The present invention is an improvement of the orthodontic apparatus according to the proposal of the present applicant, and can more accurately apply vibration only to the correction target tooth and change the direction and intensity of vibration for each correction target tooth. Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide an orthodontic apparatus that can adapt to various dentitions and occlusal conditions.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an orthodontic apparatus in which an actuator for generating mechanical vibration is stored in a portion of an orthodontic target tooth of a mouthpiece to be mounted on a dental array. Providing an orthodontic appliance characterized in that a segmented portion that is difficult to transmit mechanical vibration is formed in a portion of the mouthpiece other than the tooth to be corrected so as to affect the portion of the tooth to be corrected. To do.

  In order to facilitate the manufacture of the mouthpiece, the divided portion of the mouthpiece is a cutout portion in which either the root portion or the crown portion other than the teeth to be corrected of the mouthpiece is cut out, It can be set as the structure by which the front-and-rear part of a notch part is connected in series by the remaining other part.

  In order to facilitate manufacture of the mouthpiece, the divided part of the mouthpiece is a slit part formed in a part other than the correction target tooth of the mouthpiece, and the front and rear parts of the slit part are connected in series. can do.

  In order to facilitate the manufacture of the mouthpiece, the divided portion of the mouthpiece is a cutting portion formed in a portion other than the correction target tooth of the mouthpiece, and the front and rear portions of the cutting portion are connected in series by separate members. It can be set as a structure.

  In order to make the mouthpiece compact, the divided portion of the mouthpiece is a cut-out portion obtained by cutting off a portion other than the correction target tooth of the mouthpiece, and is configured to be attached only to the correction target tooth. be able to.

  In order to make the actuator inexpensive or compact, the actuator is an electric motor that generates mechanical vibration, or a permanent magnet that generates mechanical vibration by a magnetic field generated by a magnetic field generating means different from the mouthpiece It can be.

  According to the present invention, an actuator that generates mechanical vibration (mechanical stimulation) is stored in the portion of the tooth to be corrected of the mouthpiece, and the divided portion is difficult to transmit mechanical vibration to the portion other than the tooth to be corrected. Therefore, partial vibration can be applied only to the correction target tooth more accurately.

  In addition, by dividing the mouthpiece into one or more segments by the dividing part, it is possible to change the direction and intensity of vibration given to each segment, and it can be adapted to various dentitions and occlusal conditions. .

  Furthermore, one or a plurality of actuators can be stored for each segment, and in the case of a plurality of segments, it is possible to change the type of actuator, the direction of vibration, the strength, and the like.

  Here, the dividing part is a segment in which the front and rear parts of the dividing part are connected in series, or it can be completely cut by the dividing part and can be an independent segment in which the front and rear parts of the dividing part are not connected. it can.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tooth mold 1 on the lower jaw side. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a reference example in which a mouthpiece 7 ′ having a structure in which the inner and outer double layers according to the orthodontic apparatus previously proposed by the applicant is mounted on the dentition 3 of the tooth mold 1 of FIG. 1 is mounted. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the mouthpiece 7 ′ of FIG. 2 viewed from the front side, and FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the mouthpiece 7 ′ of FIG. 2 viewed from the back side. 5A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II of FIG. 2, FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II of FIG. 2, and FIG. 5C is a wiring diagram of the electric motor.

  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 of the tooth mold 1 of FIG. The wires 5 are locked in series across the brackets 4. Then, by applying a constant force (static load) to the dentition 3 with the return force of the wire 5, it is possible to cure the tooth alignment and biting with these correction tools. In addition, the tooth | gear which fixes the bracket 4 and the bracket 4 which latches the wire 5 are not restricted to what was illustrated in FIG.

  First, the mouthpiece 7 'of the reference example previously proposed by the present applicant will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the mouthpiece 7 ′ is attached to the tooth row 3 to which the wire 5 is attached, for example.

  Referring to FIG. 5A, the mouthpiece 7 ′ is composed of an inner mouthpiece 7A that directly covers the tooth row 3 and an outer mouthpiece 7B that covers the outer side of the inner mouthpiece 7A.

  As the material of the inner mouthpiece 7A and the outer mouthpiece 7B, a material that is normally used as a mouthpiece (or mouthguard) material and in which sanitary safety is ensured, for example, EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) that is a polymer material is guaranteed. It is preferable to use a resin-molded sheet (the method for producing the mouthpiece 7 'will be described later) because the effects of allergies to teeth and gums can be suppressed.

  Although the material is not limited to the EVA sheet, 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 mouthpiece 7A, the inner mouthpiece 7A can be made soft, and thereby, high-speed mechanical vibration transmitted from the electric motor 8 described later to the correction target teeth 3g and 3h. Since the relaxation action acts on the components, it is possible to prevent damage to the correction target teeth 3g and 3h.

  As shown in FIG. 5 (b), outwardly bulging portions 7a having an inner shape that is slightly larger than the outer shape of the electric motor 8 that is an actuator are provided on the correction target teeth 3g and 3h on the surface side of the outer mouthpiece 7B. Thus, the small and light electric motor 8 is stored in the gap in the bulging portion 7a in a lateral direction (so that the vibration direction is substantially perpendicular to the tooth row 3). The electric motor 8 has a structure that generates mechanical vibration with an eccentric weight attached to a rotating shaft, and is widely used as a vibrator function for a mobile phone or the like. Instead of the electric motor 8, a linear motor having a movable element that reciprocally vibrates, a solenoid, a voice coil motor, or the like may be used.

  Then, in a state where the inner mouthpiece 7A is put on the inner side of the outer mouthpiece 7B in which the electric motor 8 is stored in the bulging portion 7a, the outer surface of the inner mouthpiece 7A and the inner surface of the outer mouthpiece 7B are separated from the overlapping surface. In order to prevent saliva, washing water, etc. from entering the bulging portion 7a, it is watertightly joined by ultrasonic welding or the like so as to be integrated.

  When the electric motor 8 is in direct contact with the inner surface of the bulging portion 7a or the like, the vibration force is likely to be restrained. Therefore, the vibration force is not restrained in a case made of a hard polymer or a soft polymer material such as rubber rubber. It is preferable to store what was previously stored in a state in the gap in the bulging portion 7a.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5C, when the electric motor 8 is a direct current (DC) motor, the power supply line 9 is a through hole (specifically, a bulge portion 7a of the outer mouthpiece 7B). (Not shown in the figure) is drawn out to the outside in a watertight manner, and is further drawn out of the mouth from between the lips, and is connected to a battery (battery) 11 via a variable resistance volume 10 and a switch 12. The variable resistance volume 10 and the battery 11 are installed on a desk or the like near the user wearing the mouthpiece 7. By adjusting the DC voltage level supplied to the electric motor 8 by the variable resistance volume 10, the rotation speed, that is, the vibration frequency of the electric motor 8 can be adjusted. The vibration frequency (frequency) is preferably about several Hz to several hundred Hz. The electric motor 8 may be an alternating current (AC) motor.

  Next, the manufacturing method of the mouthpiece 7 'of the reference example will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, in step S <b> 1, the impression material is attached to the user's dentition 3, the mold is taken, removed from the dentition 3, and the plaster is poured into the impression material holding the dentition shape. By removing the gypsum after solidification, the user's dentition gypsum model E is completed in step S2.

  Here, when the orthodontic appliances such as the bracket 4 and the wire 5 are attached to the user's dentition 3, when the inner mouthpiece 7A of the mouthpiece 7 'is attached to the dentition 3, the inner mouthpiece 7A If caught on the edge of the orthodontic appliance, the inner mouthpiece 7A may be damaged, or the bracket 4 may be detached from the tooth surface. In order to prevent such inconvenience, it is possible to eliminate the edge by filling the gap between the bracket 4 portion and the wire 5 portion of the dentition gypsum model E with a wax agent or the like. According to this method, when the inner mouthpiece 7A is manufactured, before attaching the impression material to the dentition 3, the gap between the bracket 4 and the wire 5 is filled with a non-toxic wax agent that can be washed with water. The burden on the user is reduced compared to the case of taking an impression after the loss.

  The EVA sheet softened by heating is applied to the dental plaster model E, suction molded, and after cooling, the dental plaster model A is removed from the EVA sheet, thereby completing the inner mouthpiece 7A in step S3. . Up to this step S3, the conventional mouthpiece manufacturing method is the same.

  By changing the thickness of the EVA sheet, it is possible to manufacture the inner mouthpiece 7A having different thicknesses (thicknesses). When the inner mouthpiece 7A having a small thickness is used, the mounting feeling is improved and the electric motor 8 is provided. The transmission characteristics of mechanical vibrations from are improved. Further, by changing the thickness of the inner mouthpiece 7A for each of the teeth 3a to 3n, it is also possible to change the transmission characteristics of mechanical vibration for the individual teeth 3a to 3n.

  Then, in step S3, with the inner mouthpiece 7A fitted to the dentition gypsum model E, in step S4, a new mold is made using silicon resin or the like, and gypsum is poured into the completed silicon mold, By removing the gypsum after conversion, the inner mouthpiece gypsum model F is completed in step S5.

  In step S6, a gypsum model F ′ that becomes the bulging portion 7a of the outer mouthpiece 7B is bonded to the inner mouthpiece gypsum model F, and the EVA sheet softened by heating is applied to the inner mouthpiece gypsum model F. The outer mouthpiece 7B is completed in step S7 by removing the inner mouthpiece gypsum model F from the EVA sheet after suction molding and cooling.

  Thereafter, in step S8, the inner mouthpiece 7A is covered with the inner mouthpiece 7B on the inner side of the outer mouthpiece 7B in which the electric motor 8 is stored in the bulging portion 7a, and the outer face of the inner mouthpiece 7A and the inner face of the outer mouthpiece 7B are exceeded. The mouthpiece 7 ′ is completed by water-tight joining and integration with sonic 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 mouthpiece 7A and the inner face of the outer mouthpiece 7B may be joined only at the peripheral edge of the bulge 7a storing the electric motor 8 of the outer mouthpiece 7B. In order to prevent the outer periphery of the outer mouthpiece 7B from rolling up, it is preferable that the inner periphery of the inner mouthpiece 7A and the outer periphery of the outer mouthpiece 7B are joined together in a watertight manner. This is also preferable.

  As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, in the mouthpiece 7 ′, if the battery 11 serving as the power source of the electric motor 8 is a small button battery 11 ′, the electric motor 8 formed on the outer mouthpiece 7B is stored. It is also possible to form a storage bulge portion 7d for the button battery 11 'in the vicinity of the bulge portion 7a so that the electric motor 8 and the button battery 11' are directly joined to each other in the bulge portions 7a and 7d by a power supply line or the like. . A switch 13 that is turned on / off by a push / push operation from the outer surface of the outer mouthpiece 7B can be incorporated in the power supply line or the like.

  If comprised in this way, since it becomes unnecessary to pull out the feeder 9 from mouthpiece 7 'out of the mouth from between lips, and to connect to the battery 11 installed on the desk etc., the feeder 9 inside the oral cavity is eliminated. Is not touched, electrical safety is ensured and wearing feeling can be expected. In addition, carrying becomes convenient, and practical value increases.

As an actuator, a permanent magnet 15 can be used as shown in FIG. 8A instead of the electric motor 8. In this example, the permanent magnets 15 are respectively stored in the bulging portions 7a of the outer mouthpiece 7B formed in the portions of the correction target teeth 3f and 3i.

  8B and 8C, a ring-shaped magnetic field generating coil (magnetic field generating means) 16 different from the mouthpiece 7 'is fitted around the head of the user wearing the mouthpiece 7. (The magnetic field generating coil 16 is isolated from the user), and a mechanical vibration can be generated in the permanent magnet 15 by the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating coil 16.

  If comprised in this way, since it suffices to store the permanent magnet 15 in the mouthpiece 7 ′, the mouthpiece 7 ′ becomes compact, and the burden on the user when worn is reduced. In addition, carrying becomes convenient and practical value is increased.

  Below, the mouthpiece 7 of embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the location of the same structure and an effect | action as the mouthpiece 7 'of the reference example mentioned above, and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The mouthpieces 7-1 to 7-7 of the present embodiment are different from the mouthpiece 7 'of the reference example in that the mouthpiece is limited so that the mechanical vibration acts on the portions of the correction target teeth 3g and 3h. 7 is formed in a portion other than the orthodontic teeth 3g and 3h that are difficult to transmit mechanical vibration. In addition, in the mouthpieces 7-1 to 7-7 of the present embodiment, it is possible to store the permanent magnet 15 instead of the electric motor 8.

  FIG. 9 shows the mouthpiece 7-1 of the first embodiment, and the basic structure is the same as that of the mouthpiece 7 ′ of the reference example, but the dividing portion of the mouthpiece 7-1 is the mouthpiece 7-1. For example, a mouthpiece 7- is a cutout portion 7p in which the crown portions other than the teeth 3g and 3h to be corrected (in this example, the crown portions of the teeth 3c to 3e and the teeth 3j to 3l) are cut into an oval shape, for example. The front and back portions of the cutout portion 7p are connected in series with the root portion 7q remaining in FIG.

  FIG. 10 shows the mouthpiece 7-2 of the second embodiment, and the divided portion of the mouthpiece 7-2 is a root portion other than the correction target teeth 3g and 3h of the mouthpiece 7-1 (in this example, the tooth 3c). -3e and tooth roots of teeth 3j-3l) are, for example, cutout portions 7p cut out in an arc shape, and the front and back portions of the cutout portions 7p are connected in series with the crown portion 7r remaining on the mouthpiece 7-1. Has been.

  In the case of the mouthpieces 7-1 and 7-2 of the first and second embodiments, mechanical vibration (mechanical stimulation) is generated in the portions of the teeth 3g and 3h to be corrected of the mouthpieces 7-1 and 7-2. The electric motor (actuator) 8 to be stored is housed and a notch (divided part) 7p that is difficult to transmit mechanical vibration is formed in parts other than the correction target teeth 3g and 3h, so that the correction target is more accurate. Partial vibrations can be applied only to the teeth 3g and 3h.

  Moreover, since the notch part 7p can be formed in a crown part or a tooth root part by post-processing using the cutter knife etc. for the mouthpiece 7 'of a reference example, the mouthpieces 7-1 and 7 which have the notch part 7p -2 is easy to manufacture, and the mouthpiece 7 'of the reference example that is actually worn by the user can form the cutout portion 7p by post-processing.

  Furthermore, since the front and rear portions of the cutout portion 7p are connected in series with the root portion 7q or the crown portion 7r remaining in the mouthpieces 7-1 and 7-2, the mouthpieces 7-1 and 7-2 Since it is shaped to be attached to the entire dentition 3, the operation to be attached to the dentition 3 is easy, and if it is attached to the dentition 3, the electric motor 8 is accurately applied to the portions of the correction target teeth 3g and 3h. Can be positioned.

  Moreover, since the electric motor 8 is stored in the mouthpieces 7-1 and 7-2, the treatment can be easily and safely continued at any time, for example, at home without going to the dental clinic. .

  Further, since the mechanical vibration of the electric motor 8 is transmitted to the correction target teeth 3g and 3h via the inner mouthpiece 7A, the mechanical vibration is directly transmitted to the correction target teeth 3g and 3h. Can relieve tooth pain caused by

  If the electric motor 8 is used as an actuator, it is inexpensive, and if it is a structure that generates mechanical vibrations with an eccentric weight attached to the rotating shaft of the electric motor 8, it is a small and lightweight that is widely used as a vibrator function for mobile phones and the like. Since things can be diverted, it is cheaper.

  If the electric motor 8 is stored in the mouthpieces 7-1 and 7-2 so that the vibration direction is substantially perpendicular to the dentition 3, the mechanical weight is generated by the eccentric weight. Since the rotation direction and the vibration direction coincide with each other, even if the electric motor 8 is of a type that is long in the direction of the rotation axis, the protruding height from the mouthpieces 7-1 and 7-2 is reduced, and the uncomfortable feeling is reduced. Moreover, since the vibration of the electric motor 8 can be directly applied to the correction target teeth 3g and 3h, the vibration transmission efficiency is improved.

  If the electric motor 8 is driven by a direct current (DC) power supply, the frequency (rotation speed) of the electric motor 8 can be easily adjusted by adjusting the DC voltage level by the variable resistance volume 10. In addition, if the DC power source is the battery 11, treatment can be performed even in a place where there is no AC outlet (for example, outdoors).

  FIG. 11 shows a mouthpiece 7-3 according to the third embodiment, and the divided portion of the mouthpiece 7-2 is a portion other than the correction target teeth 3g, 3h of the mouthpiece 7-3 (in this example, the teeth 3f, 3g and between the teeth 3h and 3i), and the front and rear portions of the slit 7s are connected in series. In FIG. 11, the right slit portion 7 s exemplifies the slit portion facing from the root portion side to the crown portion side, and the left slit portion 7 s is from the crown portion side to the root portion side. The slit part of the direction which faced is illustrated.

  Even if it is the mouthpiece 7-3 of 3rd Embodiment, there can exist an effect similar to the mouthpieces 7-1 and 7-2 of 1st and 2 embodiment.

  FIG. 12 shows a mouthpiece 7-4 according to the fourth embodiment, and the divided portion of the mouthpiece 7-4 is a portion other than the correction target teeth 3g, 3h of the mouthpiece 7-4 (in this example, the teeth 3f, 3t and between teeth 3h and 3i), the front and rear portions of the cut portion 7t are connected in series by another member, for example, a wire 21 insert-molded on the mouthpiece 7-4. .

  Even with the mouthpiece 7-4 of the fourth embodiment, the same effects as the mouthpieces 7-1 and 7-2 of the first and second embodiments can be achieved.

  FIG. 13 shows a mouthpiece 7-5 according to the fifth embodiment. The orthodontic teeth 3g and 3h of the mouthpiece 7-5 are formed of a normal mouthpiece material, and a divided portion of the mouthpiece 7-5. Is a flexible part 7u formed of a flexible material that is difficult to transmit mechanical vibrations (see hatching) other than the correction target teeth 3g and 3h.

  Even with the mouthpiece 7-5 of the fifth embodiment, the same effects as the mouthpieces 7-1 and 7-2 of the first and second embodiments can be achieved. There is an advantage that there is no gap space such as the notch 7p.

  FIG. 14 shows a mouthpiece 7-6 according to the sixth embodiment, and the divided portion of the mouthpiece 7-6 includes the correction target teeth 3g and 3h of the mouthpiece 7-4 (in this example, the correction target teeth 3g and 3h). This includes a cut-out portion 7v (see a two-dot chain line) obtained by cutting off portions other than the teeth 3f and 3i in the vicinity, and is attached only to the correction target teeth 3g and 3h.

  Even with the mouthpiece 7-6 of the sixth embodiment, the same effects as the mouthpieces 7-1 and 7-2 of the first and second embodiments can be achieved.

  The mouthpiece 7-6 of the sixth embodiment is attached to the correction target teeth 3g and 3h and the teeth 3f and 3i in the vicinity thereof. For example, the mouthpiece 7-6 is provided only for the single correction target tooth 3g and 3h. 7-6 can be mounted.

  Moreover, if all the teeth 3a-3n are correction object teeth, it can also be set as the structure which mounts the mouthpiece 7-6 individually for every one of all the correction object teeth 3a-3n. In this case, it is possible to remove the mouthpiece 7-6 after the treatment in order. Further, for example, the mouthpiece 7-6 is first attached to the teeth on the back tooth side and treatment is performed. After the treatment is completed, the mouthpiece 7-6 is removed, and then the mouse is placed on the teeth on the front tooth side. It is possible to mount and remove sequentially from the back tooth side to the front tooth side, such as performing treatment with the piece 7-6 attached.

  FIG. 15 shows the mouthpiece 7-7 of the seventh embodiment, and the divided part of the mouthpiece 7-6 is a portion other than the correction target teeth 3c, 3d and 3g, 3h, 3k and 3l of the mouthpiece 7-4. This is a cut-off portion 7v (see a two-dot chain line) that is cut off and is attached only to the correction target teeth 3c, 3d, 3g, 3h, 3k, 3l.

  Even with the mouthpiece 7-7 of the seventh embodiment, the same effects as the mouthpieces 7-1 and 7-2 of the first and second embodiments can be achieved.

  In the mouthpiece 7-7 of the seventh embodiment, the mouthpiece 7-7 is divided into a plurality (three in this example) of independent segments by a cut-off portion (dividing portion) 7v. Therefore, it is possible to change the direction and intensity of vibration applied to each segment, and it is possible to adapt to various dentitions and occlusal states. In addition, one or a plurality of electric motors 8 or permanent magnets 15 can be stored for each segment. In the case of a plurality of segments, the type of actuator, that is, the electric motor 8 or permanent magnet 15, the direction of vibration, the strength, etc. can be changed. It becomes possible.

  In the mouthpieces 7-1 to 7-4 of the first to fourth embodiments, the front and rear portions of the divided portion are connected in series by the cutout portion 7p, the slit portion 7s, and the cut portion 7t that are the divided portions. Although it is a single segment, it is difficult to transmit mechanical vibration to the front and rear parts of the split part, so it can be regarded as if the front and rear parts of the split part are divided into multiple independent segments. If the electric motor 8 or the like is stored in the same segment as the mouthpiece 7-7 of the seventh embodiment, the direction and intensity of vibration applied to each segment can be changed. It can adapt to the state of occlusion. In addition, one or a plurality of electric motors 8 or permanent magnets 15 can be stored for each segment. In the case of a plurality of segments, the type of actuator, that is, the electric motor 8 or permanent magnet 15, the direction of vibration, the strength, etc. can be changed. It becomes possible.

  Moreover, in the mouthpieces 7-1 to 7-4 of the first to fourth embodiments, the notch portion 7p, the slit portion 7s, and the cutting portion 7t, which are the dividing portions, are formed. If the electric motor 8 or the like is stored in each segment, a segment that does not require treatment or a segment that has undergone treatment can be cut and removed at the dividing portion according to the treatment plan. In addition, it is preferable that the segment cut | disconnected by the parting part can be combined again. For this purpose, for example, a detachable metal fitting, magnet, adhesive material or the like can be attached and connected to the cut portion in advance.

  The mouthpieces 7-1 to 7-7 of the above-described embodiment have a structure in which the inner and outer double layers are overlapped, and an actuator (electric motor 8 or Although the permanent magnet 15) is stored, the mouthpieces 7-1 to 7-7 are not limited to the double and double overlapping structures. In short, the actuator is stored in the tooth portion to be corrected. Any storage format may be used. For example, the mouthpiece has a normal single structure, and the case body storing the electric motor 8, the electric motor 8, the button battery 11 ', and the permanent magnet 15 is joined in the vicinity of the tooth to be corrected of the single-piece mouthpiece. But it ’s okay.

  The mouthpieces 7-1 to 7-7 of the present embodiment are provided with a constant force + vibration force by being attached to the tooth row 3 to which the wire 5 is attached, but the tooth row to which the wire 5 is not attached. 3, it is possible to apply only vibration force with the electric motor 8 or the permanent magnet 15. In this case, the mouthpieces 7-1 to 7-7 may be added with a shape that gives a constant force (correction force) to the portion of the correction target tooth. 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 tooth, practical value comes to increase.

It is a perspective view of a tooth type on the lower jaw side. It is the perspective view which attached the mouthpiece of the reference example to the dentition. It is the disassembled perspective view which looked at the mouthpiece of FIG. 2 from the front side. It is the disassembled perspective view which looked at the mouthpiece of FIG. 2 from the back side. (A) is the II sectional view taken on the line of FIG. 2, (b) is the II-II sectional view of FIG. 2, (c) is the wiring diagram of an electric motor. It is a system diagram of the process of manufacturing the mouthpiece of FIG. It is the mouthpiece of another example of FIG. 2, (a) is a perspective view, (b) is the IV-IV sectional view taken on the line of (a). It is a mouthpiece of another example of a reference example, (a) is a perspective view, (b) is a top view of a user and a magnetic field generating coil, and (c) is a front view of a user and a magnetic field generating coil. It is the perspective view which mounted | wore the tooth row | line | column with the mouthpiece of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the perspective view which mounted | wore the dentition with the mouthpiece of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the mouthpiece of a 3rd embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view of the mouthpiece of a 4th embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view of the mouthpiece of a 5th embodiment of the present invention. It is the perspective view which equipped the mouthpiece of 6th Embodiment of this invention to the dentition. It is a perspective view of the mouthpiece of a 7th embodiment of the present invention. (A) (b) is a graph for demonstrating the effect of shortening the period of orthodontics, respectively.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tooth type 3 Dental row 3g, 3h Correction object tooth 7-1 to 7-7 Mouthpiece 7a Swelling part 7p Notch part 7q Root part 7r Crown part 7s Slit part 7t Cutting part 7u Flexible part 7v Cutting part 8 Electric Motor 11 Battery 15 Permanent magnet 16 Magnetic field generating coil

Claims (6)

In an orthodontic apparatus that stores an actuator that generates mechanical vibrations in a portion of an orthodontic tooth of a mouthpiece to be attached to the dentition,
Teeth characterized in that a split portion that hardly transmits mechanical vibration is formed in a portion other than the correction target tooth of the mouthpiece so that the mechanical vibration acts on the correction target tooth portion in a limited manner. Column straightening device.   The divided part of the mouthpiece is a cutout part in which either the root part or the crown part other than the correction target tooth of the mouthpiece is cut out, and the other part remaining on the mouthpiece is the front and back of the cutout part. The orthodontic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the parts are connected in series.   The dentition according to claim 1, wherein the divided part of the mouthpiece is a slit part formed in a part other than the teeth to be corrected of the mouthpiece, and front and rear parts of the slit part are connected in series. Straightening device.   The divided part of the mouthpiece is a cut part formed in a part other than the correction target tooth of the mouthpiece, and front and rear parts of the cut part are connected in series by separate members. Orthodontic appliance.   The tooth according to claim 1, wherein the divided portion of the mouthpiece is a cut-out portion obtained by cutting off a portion other than the correction target tooth of the mouthpiece, and is attached only to the correction target tooth. Column straightening device.   6. The actuator according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is an electric motor that generates mechanical vibration, or a permanent magnet that generates mechanical vibration by a magnetic field generated by a magnetic field generating means different from the mouthpiece. The orthodontic appliance according to any one of the above.

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