JP5624094B2 - Orthodontic bracket - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an orthodontic bracket.

  Conventionally, when orthodontic treatment is performed to correct the alignment of teeth, orthodontic brackets are respectively attached to the tooth surfaces that are the surfaces of the teeth, and the orthodontic wires are attached to the adjacent orthodontic brackets. Wear it over the bridge. As a result, a predetermined tension is applied to the orthodontic wire to cause a force to interact between the orthodontic wire and the orthodontic bracket in the direction necessary for orthodontic treatment, thereby allowing the teeth to pass through the orthodontic bracket. The corrective force is applied to the teeth to correct the dentition.

  Specifically, the orthodontic bracket is provided with a substantially U-shaped groove into which an orthodontic wire can be inserted, and after the orthodontic wire is inserted into the groove, an adhesive is put into the groove. The orthodontic wire is fixed by filling, and a force corresponding to the tension applied to the orthodontic wire is applied to the orthodontic bracket, and the orthodontic force is applied to the teeth through the orthodontic bracket. It is acting.

  However, when the orthodontic wire is fixed to the orthodontic bracket via an adhesive, the orthodontic wire does not displace relative to the orthodontic bracket, so a sufficient force is applied to the teeth immediately after installation. Although it can be corrected by applying it, the force acting on the teeth gradually decreases as the dentition is corrected. In order to suppress such a decrease in force, it is known that the orthodontic wire is preferably mounted so as to be displaceable with respect to the orthodontic bracket.

  Therefore, the orthodontic bracket locks the base part with a groove into which the orthodontic wire is inserted and the orthodontic wire inserted into the groove of the base part to correct from the groove. It is composed of a locking piece for preventing the wire from falling off. In particular, the locking piece functions as a leaf spring, and the urging force generated on the locking piece causes the correction wire to move against the base part. An orthodontic bracket that is held in the groove to such an extent that it can be displaced has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  However, since the locking piece is very small and easily lost and difficult to handle, the locking piece is integrated with the base of the orthodontic bracket so that it can be opened and closed in the vertical direction via the pivot shaft. Has been proposed. In such a locking piece-integrated bracket, when the orthodontic bracket is attached to the patient and the orthodontic wire is inserted into the groove of the orthodontic bracket, the locking piece before closing is closed. Since the position is not constant, it is necessary to perform the insertion operation while retracting the locking piece so as not to obstruct the insertion each time the correction wire is inserted.

  Therefore, the orthodontic orthodontic that facilitates the insertion work of the orthodontic wire by devising the relationship between the shape of the shaft hole of the locking piece and the outer shape and material of the shaft so that the locking piece does not move freely Brackets have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2001-104340 A JP 2012-66074 A

  However, in the orthodontic bracket disclosed in Patent Document 2, since the shape of the shaft hole of the locking piece and the shape of the shaft are complicated and difficult to process, the manufacturing cost is inevitably high. .

  Moreover, since it is necessary to give each member a certain thickness due to the structure, it is difficult to reduce the size of the entire orthodontic bracket.

  In addition, because of the structure that prevents the locking piece from moving freely when the correction wire is inserted, depending on the shape of the shaft hole of the locking piece and the relationship between the shape of the shaft and the material, etc. Even in the operation of closing the locking piece after the insertion, a certain level of skill is required, and there is a problem in terms of operability.

  Furthermore, apart from the structure that prevents the locking piece from moving freely, it is necessary to provide a structure that engages and fixes the locking piece to the base, and the structure of the orthodontic bracket is complicated. Therefore, it was disadvantageous for manufacturing cost and overall miniaturization.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the open / close block does not get in the way when the orthodontic wire is inserted into the wire insertion groove of the orthodontic bracket, and the structure is simple and compact. It is an object of the present invention to provide an orthodontic bracket that can be made easy and can be easily opened and closed.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following.

In the first aspect of the present invention, a tooth contact plate that can be connected to the tooth surface via an adhesive, a wire insertion block having an approximately U-shaped cross-section in the upper opening, and a horizontal axis in the block via a longitudinal axis. The open / close block is configured by an open / close block having a substantially U-shaped cross section that is openably and closably connected. The open / close block includes an upper piece, a lower piece, and a back plate, and the back plate extends upward. And a lower tie wing extending downward, forming a curved surface whose corners are chamfered and curved outward, and when opening and closing the opening and closing block via the longitudinal axis, it possible to open and close the upper opening of the wire insertion block by substantially U-shaped said upper piece and said lower piece is configured so as to sandwich the wire insertion block from above and below direction, said wire insertion block The opening and closing blower When the cover is opened by 90 °, a locking projection for holding the 90 ° open state that becomes an obstacle to closing or further opening is provided on the upper end surface of the front side wall of the wire insertion block or the The open / close block is formed on the outer bottom of the wire insertion block so as to be positioned immediately before the open / close block when the open / close block is opened by 90 °, and the open / close block is engaged with the engaging projection when the cover is closed. An orthodontic bracket characterized in that a locking recess is formed .

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the opening / closing block is open / closed in the horizontal direction, the opening / closing block is different from the opening / closing direction in the vertical direction. If they are combined, the open / close block naturally moves due to gravity or the like unless the patient moves during treatment, and the workability is improved without hindering the insertion of the correction wire. In addition, orthodontic brackets are foreign substances in the oral cavity, so depending on the shape of the back plate that easily comes in contact with the lips and tongue, the surface of the back plate is curved because it is painful and uncomfortable. Even if the lips and tongue come into contact with the back plate, there is no pain or discomfort. Also, a ligature rubber or ligature for ligation between the orthodontic wire and the orthodontic bracket used between the tooth contact plate and the back plate including the upper and lower tie wings in order to adjust the front and back positions of the teeth. The upper and lower tie wings can protect the wires from touching the lips and tongue.

  Further, since the orthodontic bracket has a simple structure, it can be miniaturized and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  In addition, since the open / close block is an integral structure pivotally supported by the wire insertion block of the orthodontic bracket, it is possible to prevent the open / close block from being lost.

  Also, since the upper and lower pieces of the open / close block are integrated via the back plate to clamp the wire insertion block from above and below, the correction wire that acts on the upper piece when the open / close block is closed Since the upward force can be distributed in the lower piece, the load on the open / close block is reduced, and the strength of the orthodontic bracket can be improved.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, mounting and fixing to the wire insertion block is achieved simultaneously with closing of the opening / closing block, and the upper piece of the opening / closing block can hold the correction wire closed from above. Therefore, unnecessary work for mounting and fixing the opening / closing block is unnecessary, and workability is improved.

  Further, if the locking means is formed at a position where the opening / closing block can be fixed in a state where the opening / closing block is opened approximately 90 °, the lid is closed from the opening position of approximately 90 ° unless a certain force acts on the opening / closing block. Further, since the lid is not further opened, the open / close block can maintain the open state of about 90 ° even if the patient moves during the treatment, so that the correction wire can be easily inserted. Workability is improved.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, both the locking convex portion and the locking concave portion have a simple structure as the locking means, so that the size can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  In addition, a locking projection is formed on the wire insertion block immediately before one or both of the upper and lower pieces when the opening / closing block is opened approximately 90 °, and the locking recess corresponding to this locking projection is opened and closed. If a block is formed, unless a certain force is applied to the open / close block, the open / close block is not opened from the open position of about 90 °, and the open / close block can be opened even if the patient moves during treatment. Can hold an open state of approximately 90 °. Therefore, the straightening wire can be easily inserted and workability is improved, and mounting and fixing of the wire insertion block and the opening / closing block can be achieved at the same time. Furthermore, it is not necessary to form separate locking means in other parts to fix the open / close block and the wire insertion block, so that the orthodontic bracket structure can be simplified and miniaturized, and further manufactured. Cost can be kept low.

(A) It is a rear view of the orthodontic bracket of the embodiment according to the present invention. (B) It is a top view of the bracket for orthodontics of embodiment which concerns on this invention. (C) It is a left view of the orthodontic bracket of embodiment which concerns on this invention. (D) It is a bottom view of the orthodontic bracket of the embodiment according to the present invention. (E) It is AA 'sectional drawing of the orthodontic bracket of embodiment which concerns on this invention. (F) It is a front view of the orthodontic bracket of the embodiment according to the present invention. It is a front upper perspective view of the orthodontic bracket of the embodiment according to the present invention. (A) It is a front upper perspective view when the open / close block of the orthodontic bracket of the embodiment according to the present invention is opened. (B) It is a front lower perspective view when the open / close block of the orthodontic bracket of the embodiment according to the present invention is opened. (A) It is a part of A-A 'sectional drawing which shows immediately before closing the opening-and-closing block of the orthodontic bracket of embodiment which concerns on this invention. (B) It is a part of A-A 'sectional view which shows the state which closed the opening-and-closing block of the orthodontic bracket of embodiment which concerns on this invention. (C) It is a part of A-A 'sectional view which shows the state which closed the opening-and-closing block of the orthodontic bracket of embodiment which concerns on this invention. (A) It is a top view which shows the state which opened the opening-and-closing block of the orthodontic bracket of embodiment which concerns on this invention about 90 degrees. (B) It is a top view which shows the state which opened the open / close block of the orthodontic bracket of embodiment which concerns on this invention more than 90 degrees. (C) It is a top view which shows the state which opened the opening-and-closing block of the orthodontic bracket of embodiment which concerns on this invention less than 90 degrees. (A) It is a top view which shows the state which opened the opening-and-closing block of the orthodontic bracket of embodiment which concerns on this invention less than 90 degrees. (B) It is a top view which shows the state which opened the opening-and-closing block of the orthodontic bracket of embodiment which concerns on this invention about 90 degrees. (C) It is a top view which shows the state which opened the opening-and-closing block of the orthodontic bracket of embodiment which concerns on this invention about 90 degrees. It is the perspective view which showed the state which mounts the orthodontic bracket of embodiment which concerns on this invention to a patient's tooth surface, and inserts the wire for correction. (A) It is a top view which shows the state which mounted | wore the patient's lip side tooth surface with the orthodontic bracket of embodiment which concerns on this invention, and penetrated the correction wire. (B) It is a top view which shows the state which mounted | wore the patient's lingual tooth surface with the orthodontic bracket of embodiment which concerns on this invention, and penetrated the correction wire.

  The gist of the orthodontic bracket 1 according to the present invention includes a tooth contact plate 2 that can be connected to a tooth surface 31 via an adhesive 32, a wire insertion block 5 having a substantially U-shaped cross section in an upper opening, The block 5 is composed of an open / close block 14 having a substantially U-shaped cross section that is connected to the block 5 via the vertical pivot shafts 10 and 11 so as to be opened and closed laterally. When opening and closing, it is possible to open and close the upper opening portion of the wire insertion block 5 by configuring the substantially U-shaped upper piece 18 and lower piece 19 of the opening and closing block 14 to sandwich the wire insertion block 5 from above and below. It is in that. That is, the orthodontic bracket 1 has a simple structure and can be miniaturized without the opening / closing block 14 becoming obstructive when the orthodontic wire 30 is inserted into the wire insertion groove 6 of the orthodontic bracket 1. is there.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As orthodontic methods, orthodontic brackets are attached to the tooth surface on the lips side of the dentition (the surface of the tooth visible to the third party) and the teeth on the lingual side of the dentition are used. There are at least two types of orthodontic methods: orthodontic brackets attached to the surface (the surface of the tooth that cannot be seen by a third party).

[Embodiment]
First, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  The orthodontic bracket 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is used for all teeth T1 to T7 on the lips side, and all teeth T4 to T7 except for the central incisors T1, side incisors T2, and canines T3 on the lingual side. An orthodontic appliance that can be used.

  FIG. 1 shows an orthodontic bracket 1 which is an orthodontic tool. 1A is a rear view of the orthodontic bracket 1, FIG. 1B is a plan view of the orthodontic bracket 1, and FIG. 1C is an orthodontic bracket. 1 (d) is a bottom view of the orthodontic bracket 1, FIG. 1 (e) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA ′ of the orthodontic bracket 1, FIG. 1 (f) is a front view of the orthodontic bracket 1. 2 is a front upper perspective view of the orthodontic bracket 1, and FIGS. 3A and 3B are a front upper perspective view and a front lower perspective view when the open / close block 14 is opened by approximately 90 °. FIG.

  The orthodontic bracket 1 is laterally opened via a tooth contact plate 2, a wire insertion block 5 fixed to the rear part thereof, and two longitudinal shafts 10, 11 on the wire insertion block 5. And an open / close block 14 connected to be openable and closable.

  The orthodontic bracket 1 may be of any type as long as it is a metal that has been confirmed to be medically safe. For example, it can be formed of stainless steel, titanium, zirconia, synthetic resin material (composite resin or the like), ceramic, or the like. In particular, by forming the orthodontic bracket 1 using such a material, it does not deteriorate or corrode even in a severe usage environment for the metal in the mouth. As a result, the damage or the like of the orthodontic bracket 1 is reduced. As for the color, white is used in addition to silver which is a normal metal color.

  First, the tooth contact plate 2 will be described. As shown in each drawing of FIG. 1, the tooth contact plate 2 has a substantially square three-dimensional shape, a tooth joint surface 3 that is bonded to the tooth surface via an adhesive (resin) 32, and the back surface of the tooth joint surface 3. And the outer surface 4.

  The orthodontic bracket 1 is disposed on the tooth to be treated by bonding and fixing the tooth joint surface 3 to the surface of the tooth to be treated. Accordingly, the tooth joint surface 3 of the tooth contact plate 2 is a flat or concave curved surface that is easy to adhere to the surface of the patient's teeth.

  A wire insertion block 5 is fixed to the outer surface 4 of the tooth contact plate 2 along the tooth contact plate 2.

  As shown in FIGS. 1E and 3A, the wire insertion block 5 has a substantially U-shaped cross section in which the concave portion of the upper opening is formed along the tooth contact plate 2. An orthodontic wire 30 is inserted into the wire insertion groove 6 from above, and the teeth of the patient are applied by an urging force corresponding to the initial shape of the orthodontic wire 30 via each orthodontic bracket 1 joined to each tooth. The column can be corrected.

  In addition, the cross-sectional shape of the correction wire 30 is mainly a quadrangular shape, and is processed into a horseshoe shape or a mushroom shape as a whole. In addition, although the material is mainly stainless steel, an alloy of nickel and titanium, etc. is also used. As for the color, gold, lemon and white are used mainly with silver which is a normal metal color.

  As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 (a) and 3 (b), the upper end surface 8 a of the front side wall 7 a on the distal end side of the both side walls 7 a and 7 b of the wire insertion groove 6 of the wire insertion block 5. At the end of the outer bottom portion 9, upper and lower vertical pivot shafts 10 and 11 for vertically supporting an opening / closing block 14 to be opened and closed in a lateral direction are provided upright and vertically.

  In the present embodiment, the two vertical shafts 10 and 11 are formed on the upper and lower sides. However, when the strength as the orthodontic bracket 1 can be secured, the lower vertical shaft 11 is not formed. May be.

  Next, as shown in FIGS. 1B, 1C, 1D, and 1F, the open / close block 14 includes an upper piece 18 and a lower piece 19 as shown in FIGS. , And the back plate 15, the transverse opening has a substantially U-shaped cross section.

  The opening / closing block 14 is configured to freely open and close around the vertical axes 10 and 11. When the opening / closing block 14 is closed, the upper piece 18 is inserted into the wire insertion groove 6 of the wire insertion block 5. The upper part of the wire 30 is covered, and the lower piece 19 covers the outer bottom part 9 of the wire insertion block 5. That is, when the open / close block 14 is closed, the open / close block 14 is configured to sandwich the wire insertion block 5 so that the upper opening of the wire insertion block 5 can be opened and closed.

  In this way, the upper piece 18 and the lower piece 19 of the opening / closing block 14 are integrated via the back plate 15 to sandwich the wire insertion block 5 from above and below, so that the upper piece 18 is closed when the opening / closing block 14 is closed. Since the downward force of the orthodontic wire 30 acting on the lower piece 19 can be dispersed in the lower piece 19, the load on the open / close block 14 is reduced, and the strength of the orthodontic bracket 1 is improved. be able to.

  As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 (a) and 3 (b), the opening / closing block 14 has an upper shaft hole 20 disposed so that the upper and lower vertical shafts 10, 11 of the wire insertion block 5 pass through. In the piece 18, a lower shaft hole 21 is formed in the lower piece 19.

  Thus, since the open / close block 14 has an integral structure that is pivotally supported by the wire insertion block 5 of the orthodontic bracket 1, the open / close block 14 can be prevented from being lost.

  The back plate 15 has a substantially square three-dimensional shape that extends vertically and forms a curved surface whose corners are chamfered and curved outward.

  Here, since the orthodontic bracket 1 including the tooth contact plate 2, the wire insertion block 5, and the opening / closing block 14 is a foreign substance in the oral cavity, it depends on the shape of the back plate 15 that easily comes into contact with the lips and tongue. However, since the surface of the back plate 15 is a curved surface as described above, there is no pain or discomfort even if the lips or the tongue come into contact with the back plate 15 as described above.

  Further, a portion extending above the back plate 15 is an upper tie wing 16, and a portion extending below the back plate 15 is a lower tie wing 17. The upper and lower tie wings 16 and 17 are portions that are effective when it is necessary to adjust the front and rear positions of the teeth in the orthodontic process. Specifically, the orthodontic wire 30 and the orthodontic bracket 1 used between the tooth contact plate 2 and the back plate 15 including the upper and lower tie wings 16 and 17 in order to adjust the front and back positions of the teeth. The upper and lower tie wings 16 and 17 can serve to protect the ligature rubber or ligature wire (both not shown) for ligation with the lips and the tongue from contact with the lip and tongue.

  Next, mounting and fixing by the locking means when the opening / closing block 14 is closed and mounted on the wire insertion block 5 will be described.

  With respect to the mounting and fixing of the wire insertion block 5 and the opening / closing block 14, locking means can be provided on the sliding portions (8a, 8b, 9, 22, 23) of the blocks 5, 14. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the outer bottom portion 9 of the wire insertion block 5 having a rectangular shape in a bottom view is opposite to the short side near the lower longitudinal axis 11. A convex semi-spherical locking convex portion 12 is formed at the center of the side edge of the short side of the side, and the lower portion of the opening / closing block 14 is located at a position corresponding to the locking convex portion 12 when the opening / closing block 14 is closed. The first locking recess 13 having a concave shape and a semispherical shape is formed on the upper surface 22 of the piece 19 so that it can be engaged and fixed.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the locking convex portion 12 and the first locking concave portion 13 are integrally formed as a part of the wire insertion block 5 or the opening / closing block 14, but these are the present embodiment. However, at least the locking projection 12 may be formed by press-fitting other parts. Furthermore, various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the lower piece 19 is moved until the locking projection 12 and the first locking recess 13 are engaged when the opening / closing block 14 is closed. It is necessary to move to the closed position while resisting the locking projection 12. Accordingly, the distance between the outer bottom portion 9 of the wire insertion block 5 and the upper surface 22 of the lower piece 19 and the locking convex portion 12 are prevented so that the lower piece 19 and the like are not plastically deformed by the force acting on the lower piece 19 and the like during movement. It is necessary to fully consider the height of the open / close block, and it is also necessary to consider that the closed open / close block 14 can be opened.

  Further, as a method for reducing the load when the opening / closing block 14 is closed, for example, a corner portion, which is a portion where the lower piece 19 first comes into contact with the locking convex portion 12, is chamfered or rounded. (Not shown) It is possible to form the upper surface 22 portion of the lower piece 19 that contacts the top of the locking projection 12 lower than the other portions (not shown). With respect to a method for reducing the load at the time of closing the lid by the engagement between the convex portion and the concave portion, the same structure can be used in the same locking means described later.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4C, the first locking recess 13 does not need to be a concave hemispherical shape, and a second hole is formed so that the locking protrusion 12 is engaged. It is good also as the latching recessed part 13a.

  In addition, the latching means by engagement of a convex part and a recessed part is not limited to the shape of this embodiment, If a convex part and a recessed part fit and engage, it is in a claim. Various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described.

  In this embodiment, the locking projection 12 is formed on the wire insertion block 5 side, and the first locking recess 13 is formed on the opening / closing block 14 side. The first locking recess 13 or the like may be formed, and the locking projection 12 may be formed on the opening / closing block 14 side.

  In the present embodiment, a pair such as the locking convex portion 12 and the first locking concave portion 13 is formed at the above-described position. The sliding portion of both blocks 5, 14, specifically, the outer bottom portion 9 in the case of the wire insertion block 5, and the upper pieces 18 a and 8 b of the two front and rear side walls 7 a and 7 b, and the upper piece 18 in the case of the opening and closing block 14 A plurality of them may be formed at arbitrary positions on the lower surface 23 of the lower surface 19 and the upper surface 22 of the lower piece 19.

  By forming the locking means with the simple structure as described above, the fixing of the opening / closing block 14 and the wire insertion block 5 is achieved simultaneously with the closing of the opening / closing block 14, and the upper piece 18 of the opening / closing block 14 is fixed to the straightening wire 30. Can be held in a state of being closed from above, an extra work for fixing the opening / closing block 14 is unnecessary, and workability is improved.

  Moreover, the simplification of the structure of the orthodontic bracket 1 due to the simple structure as the locking means enables the downsizing, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  Since the open / close block 14 can be opened and closed around the vertical axes 10 and 11, the open / close block 14 is opened before the correction wire 30 is inserted into the wire insertion groove 6 of the wire insertion block 5. When the cover is closed, as shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C, the operating range of the open / close block 14 is wide.

  Therefore, when the correction wire 30 is inserted into the wire insertion groove 6 from above, as shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C, if the opening / closing block 14 is at a position where it interferes with the correction wire 30, The straightening wire 30 cannot be inserted. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5A, it is necessary to retract the open / close block 14 to a position where it does not interfere with the correction wire 30.

  Since the open / close block 14 is opened and closed in the horizontal direction, it is different from the open / close direction in the vertical direction, and before the correction wire 30 is inserted, as shown in FIG. If the open / close block 14 is combined, the open / close block 14 naturally moves due to gravity or the like unless the patient moves, so that the insertion of the correction wire 30 is not hindered and workability is improved.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6A, the corners of the upper piece 18 of the opening / closing block 14 that easily interferes with the correction wire 30 can be chamfered. Thereby, even if an unintended movement of the opening / closing block 14 occurs, it is possible to further reduce the possibility that the opening / closing block 14 impedes the operation when the correction wire 30 is inserted.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 6B, the locking means can be formed at a position where the opening / closing block 14 can be fixed in a state of being opened by about 90 °. . Specifically, when the opening / closing block 14 is opened by approximately 90 °, both blocks which are the upper end surface 8a of the front side wall 7a of the wire insertion block 5 and come into contact with the lower surface 23 of the upper piece 18 of the opening / closing block 14 5, 14, or at the outer bottom 9 of the wire insertion block 5, at any position of both the blocks 5, 14 contacting the upper surface 22 of the lower piece 19 of the opening / closing block 14, or both, One or more pairs of first stopper convex portions 28 having the same structure as the locking convex portions 12 and first stopper concave portions 29 having the same structure as the first locking concave portions 13 can be formed.

  In addition, as shown in FIG.4 (c), the 1st stopper recessed part 29 does not need to be a concave hemispherical shape, and the hole which the 1st stopper convex part 28 (12) engages is drilled. The third stopper recess 29b may be used.

  By configuring as described above, unless a certain force is applied to the opening / closing block 14, the lid is not closed from the opening position of about 90 ° and is not further opened, so that the patient moves during the treatment. However, since the opening / closing block 14 can maintain the open state of about 90 °, the straightening wire 30 can be easily inserted, and the workability is improved.

  Even if the first stopper convex portion 28 and the first stopper concave portion 29 are formed only at the above-described positions, they do not play the role of fixing the wire insertion block 5 when the opening / closing block 14 is closed. As shown in FIGS. 3A, 3 </ b> B, and 6 </ b> B, the position on the opening / closing block 14 side corresponding to the first stopper protrusion 28 or the first stopper recess 29 when the opening / closing block 14 is closed. The second stopper convex portion 28a or the second stopper concave portion 29a is formed in the same structure, or the locking convex portion 12 and the first locking concave portion 13 are provided at different locations of the sliding portions of the blocks 5 and 14. To form a locking means for fixing when the lid is closed.

  As shown in FIG. 4 (c), the second stopper recess 29a does not need to be a concave hemispherical shape, and has a hole that engages with the second stopper protrusion 28a (12, 28). It is good also as the 4th stopper recessed part 29c.

  3 (a), 3 (b), and 6 (c), one of the locking projections 12 described above is connected to the central portion of the upper end surface 8a of the front side wall 7a of the wire insertion block 5. Stopper lock having the same structure as the semicircular and convex locking protrusion 12 in the vicinity, that is, when the opening / closing block 14 is opened approximately 90 °, just before the upper end surface 24 of the upper piece 18 A convex portion 26 is formed, and the upper piece 18 is concave and semicircular at a predetermined position corresponding to the stopper locking convex portion 26 so as to be engaged with the wire insertion block 5 when the opening / closing block 14 is closed. A first stopper locking recess 27 having the same structure as the spherical first locking recess 13 can also be formed.

  As a result, if the opening / closing block 14 is opened by approximately 90 °, the upper end surface 24 of the upper piece 18 is obstructed by the stopper engaging convex portion 26 immediately before, so that a constant force does not act on the opening / closing block 14. As long as the lid is not closed and no further opening. Therefore, even when the patient moves during the treatment, the open / close block 14 can maintain the open state of about 90 °, so that the straightening wire 30 can be easily inserted and workability is improved.

  Further, since the pair of stopper locking projections 26 and the first stopper locking recesses 27 are the same as the structure of the locking projections 12 and the first locking recesses 13 described above, when the opening / closing block 14 is closed, the wires are inserted. Mounting and fixing with the block 5 can be achieved at the same time.

  Accordingly, it is not necessary to form separate locking means in other portions and attach and fix the open / close block 14 and the wire insertion block 5, so that the structure of the orthodontic bracket 1 can be simplified and miniaturized. Thus, the manufacturing cost can be further reduced.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the outer bottom portion 9 is used together with or instead of the stopper locking convex portion 26 formed on the upper end surface 8 a of the front side wall 7 a of the wire insertion block 5. In the position facing the stopper locking convex portion 26, specifically, when the open / close block 14 is opened by approximately 90 °, it is convex and semicircular at a position immediately before the lower end surface 25 of the lower piece 19. A stopper locking projection 26 having the same structure as the spherical locking projection 12 is formed, and the lower piece 19 is engaged with the stopper locking projection 26 when the opening / closing block 14 is closed, so that the opening / closing block 14 is engaged. A first stopper locking recess 27 having the same structure as the concave semi-spherical first locking recess 13 is formed at a predetermined position corresponding to the stopper locking projection 26 so as to be fixed to the wire insertion block 5. You can also

  In addition, as shown in FIG.4 (c), the 1st stopper latching recessed part 27 does not need to be a concave hemispherical shape, and the stopper latching convex part 26 (12,28,28a) engages. A second hole may be formed as the second stopper locking recess 27a.

  In addition, when the stopper locking convex portion 26 is formed only in one of the upper end surface 8a and the outer bottom portion 9 of the front side wall 7a of the wire insertion block 5, the formation on the outer bottom portion 9 may be given priority. desirable. This is because the force acting on the opening / closing block 14 when the opening / closing block 14 is closed is only the direction of the correction wire 30 being inserted, that is, the upward force on the upper opening side of the wire insertion block 5. Therefore, if the stopper latching convex portion 26 is formed on the outer bottom portion 9, even if the opening / closing block 14 moves upward, the mounting and fixing due to the engagement does not loosen, but rather it becomes strong. On the contrary, when it is formed on the upper end surface 8a, the stopper locking convex portion 26 and the first stopper locking concave portion 27 and other concave and convex portions are directed away from each other. This is because the lid may be opened unintentionally. This is the same also about the formation location of the latching convex part 12 mentioned above, the 1st latching recessed part 13, etc. FIG.

  The usage pattern of the orthodontic bracket 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

[Usage form]
FIG. 7 shows a case where a patient's dentition is visually recognized from the side of a doctor or the like, and shows a working state with respect to the right side divided into left and right with the two central incisors T1 and T1 at the center. For the right side, the orthodontic bracket 1 that can open the open / close block 14 toward the right second molar tooth T7 side is used, and for the left side, the left second molar tooth T7 side. The orthodontic bracket 1 that can be opened is used. By properly using the right and left symmetrical orthodontic brackets 1 as described above, it becomes possible to easily insert the orthodontic wire 30 into the orthodontic bracket 1. But the same is true.

  Further, FIG. 7 shows a case where the tooth contact surface 3 of the tooth contact plate 2 of the orthodontic bracket 1 is joined to the tooth surface 31 on the lip side of the patient through the resin 32 and then the first tooth from the canine T3. The state where the correction wire 30 is inserted into the wire insertion groove 6 of the orthodontic bracket 1 over the molar T6 is shown.

  With regard to the orthodontic bracket 1 attached to the canine T3 and the first premolar tooth T4, the orthodontic wire 30 is already inserted and the open / close block 14 is closed, and the second premolar tooth T5 and the first premolar tooth T6 are attached. The mounted orthodontic bracket 1a can be positioned with the open / close block 14 opened by approximately 90 ° and the orthodontic wire 30 can be inserted from above.

  In this case, as described above, the opening / closing block 14 is opened / closed by sliding in the lateral direction, so that the opening / closing block 14 naturally moves by gravity or the like unless the patient moves, unlike the opening / closing in the vertical direction. 30 insertions are not inhibited.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 6A, if the corners of the upper piece 18 are chamfered, the opening / closing block 14 is not inserted when the correction wire 30 is inserted even if the opening / closing block 14 moves unintentionally. The possibility of hindering work can be further reduced.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 6B, and 6C, any one of the first and second stopper convex portions 28 and 28a and the first and second stopper concave portions 29 and 29a is used. If the opening / closing block 14 is opened by approximately 90 °, the lid is closed and further fixed unless a certain force acts on the opening / closing block 14. The lid is not made. Therefore, even if the patient moves during the treatment, the open / close block 14 can maintain the open state of about 90 °, and therefore the correction wire 30 can be inserted more easily.

  By inserting the straightening wire 30 into the wire insertion groove 6 of the wire insertion block 5 and closing the open / close block 14 by any of the methods described above, the locking means (12, 13, 13a, ( 26, 27, 27a) and (28, 28a, 29, 29a, 29b, 29c)) are fixedly attached by engagement between the open / close block 14 and the wire insertion block 5, and the orthodontic bracket 1 And the straightening wire 30 are integrated. Therefore, the patient's dentition can be corrected by the urging force corresponding to the initial shape of the correction wire 30 via each orthodontic bracket 1 joined to each tooth.

  In addition, since the orthodontic bracket 1 according to the present embodiment has the wire insertion groove 6 of the wire insertion block 5 as an upper opening in order to insert the correction wire 30 from above, a substantially vertical tooth surface 31. It is comprised so that the tooth joint surface 3 may be joined with respect to.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8A, the orthodontic bracket 1 according to this embodiment is applied to all teeth T1 to T7 on the labial side where the tooth surfaces 31 of all teeth T1 to T7 are substantially vertical. Can be used. However, as shown in FIG. 8B, on the lingual side, the tooth surfaces 31 of the first premolar tooth T4 to the second premolar tooth T7 are substantially vertical, so the orthodontic bracket 1 according to this embodiment can be used. However, since the tooth surfaces 31 of the central incisor T1, the side incisor T2, and the canine T3 are inclined surfaces, orthodontic correction is performed using the existing dedicated bracket 35 for this portion.

  As described above, the wire insertion groove 6 can be closed from above by the opening / closing block 14 with a simple structure, and at the same time the lid of the opening / closing block 14 is closed, the wire insertion groove 6 can be fixed by engagement with the wire insertion block 5 with a simple structure. It is possible to provide an orthodontic bracket 1 that can be easily inserted into the wire insertion groove 6.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims. It can be changed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Orthodontic bracket 2 Tooth contact plate 5 Wire insertion block 8a Upper end surface 9 Outer bottom part 10 Upper vertical axis 11 Lower vertical axis 12 Locking convex part 13 First locking concave part 14 Opening and closing block 18 Upper piece 19 Lower piece 22 Upper surface 23 Lower surface 31 Tooth surface 32 Adhesive (resin)

Claims (1)

A tooth contact plate that can be connected to the tooth surface via an adhesive;
A wire insertion block having a substantially U-shaped cross section in the upper opening;
An open / close block having a substantially U-shaped cross section connected to the block via a longitudinal axis so as to be openable and closable in a laterally open manner,
The opening / closing block is composed of an upper piece, a lower piece, and a back plate,
The back plate includes an upper tie wing extending upward and a lower tie wing extending downward, and forms a curved surface whose corners are chamfered and curved outward.
When the opening / closing block is opened / closed through the longitudinal axis, the upper and lower pieces of the substantially U-shaped block of the opening / closing block are configured to sandwich the wire insertion block from above and below. The upper opening of the insertion block can be opened and closed ,
The wire insertion block has a locking projection for holding the 90 ° open state as an obstruction of closing or further opening when the open / close block is opened 90 °. On the upper end surface of the front side wall of the common block or on the outer bottom of the wire insertion block, the open / close block is formed so as to be positioned immediately before the open / close block when the cover is opened by 90 °. A locking recess is formed that engages with the locking projection when the lid is closed .
An orthodontic bracket characterized by that.

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