WO2013143532A1

WO2013143532A1 - Cap for an orthodontic bracket

Info

Publication number: WO2013143532A1
Application number: PCT/DE2013/100094
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tena Eichenberg
Original assignee: Tena Eichenberg
Priority date: 2012-03-28
Filing date: 2013-03-13
Publication date: 2013-10-03
Also published as: DE102012006173B4; DE102012006173A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a cap (100) for an orthodontic bracket (110), wherein the bracket (110) has a holding plate (101) that can be attached to a tooth surface and at least two retaining wings (102) shaped on the holding plate (101) at a distance from one another, between which a space is formed for receiving and guiding a wire arch (103) extending along a series of teeth. The cap according to the invention is characterised in that the cap (100) has a first recess (104) on the bottom side thereof for receiving the free ends of the retaining wings (103) in a detachably secured manner, the cap (100) has a continuous groove (105) for receiving a tensioning band (106) extending parallel to the wire arch (103), and the cap (100) has a first securing device (107) for the detachable securing of the tensioning band (106) in the groove (105).

Description

Cap for an orthodontic brackel

The invention relates to a cap for an orthodontic bracke !, wherein the Braoket has an attachable to a tooth surface holding plate and at least two spaced-apart, with the holding plate, preferably one-piece, connected Hafteffügel, between which a gap for receiving an archwire is formed.

Orthodontic brackets are well known in various embodiments. For example, WO 2011/012486 A1 of the same Applicant discloses a current further development of an orthodontic bracket: a self-releasing brakelel with an archwire made of a nickel-titanium alloy to be accommodated therein. The brakel comprises a retaining plate and at least a pair of spaced, integrally connected adhesive wings between which the archwire is snap-latched, the at least one pair of fenestration arms defining a gap extending in the lengthwise direction of the archwire, the cross section of the archwire

Interspace has a trapezoidal shape, and the retaining wings on the holding plate remote ends, tongues having at least approximately parallel to Haltepiatte extending retaining surfaces on the side facing the gap. In this case, the archwire on a shape that deviates from the trapezoidal shape of the gap so that the retaining wings, which are designed by the Haltepiatte inclined running outward, sliding the archwire sliding away from the Haltepiatte to the retaining surfaces of the tongues, so that one

self-aligning, play-free mounting of the arch wire under tension in the

Space between the bracket results.

Caps for orthodontic brackets are also known and used to date

exclusively for protection against uppilling of the uppull mucosa by orthodontic brackets and / or the optical "occlusion" of the orthodontic appliances applied to the teeth, and thus essentially aesthetic concerns.

Such a cap is known for example from US 4,527,975 Ä. The cap described therein has a labial tooth-like surface covering an entire visible front surface of a tooth and thus the orthodontic appliance attached to the tooth. The cap has means for releasably fixed fixation the orthodontic device.

Furthermore, from US Pat. No. 5,160,260 A, a cap for an orthodontic bracket is known. This cap also serves essentially aesthetic purposes, is made of a

Siiikonmaterial made and conceals the attached to the tooth orthodontic device (bracket, etc.).

The object of the invention is to provide caps for an orthodontic Brackels, which also allow orthodontic / biomechanical functionality in addition to the aesthetic functionality.

The invention results from the Merkmaien of the independent claims. Advantageous developments and refinements are the subject of the dependent claims. Other features, uses and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, as well as the explanation of embodiments of the invention, which are illustrated in the figures.

The object is achieved with a cap for an orthodontic bracket, wherein the bracket has an attachable to a tooth surface Haiteplatte and at least two spaced apart, integrally formed on the Haftepiatte Halieflügei, between which a space for receiving and preferably play-free guidance of a see along a row of teeth extending Archwire is formed The inventive cap is characterized in that the cap on its underside a first

Recess for releasably fixing receiving the free ends of Haltefiügei, the cap has a continuous groove for receiving a parallel to the arch wire extending tension band, and the cap has a first fixing device for releasably fixing the tension band in the groove.

The caps of the invention applied to brackets of a row of teeth

allow a decoupling of the force input from the archwire, which now essentially defines only the direction of grind of the brackets / caps providing teeth. The Gieitrichtung of the teeth is determined by the design of the arch wire, the play and possible frictionless in the space between the at least two Halteflügei the respective brackets, while the introduction of forces by the (preferably elastic) drawstring takes place, the tension from the train the caps transmit forces across the caps, which are eventually conveyed to the respective teeth by brackets. The leadership of the teeth in the predetermined by the arch wire Sliding direction thus takes place in a first {arch -} "plane", while the

The archwire preferably has a round or trapezoidal cross section, and the caps according to the invention are particularly preferably used for brackets, as disclosed in WO 2011/012486 Al. These caps have The openable housing for the design of the brackets described therein is hereby explicitly included, in particular the description pages 6 to 13 contained therein and the figures 1 to 5.

A preferred further development of the cap according to the invention is distinguished by the fact that the first recess is adapted to the Haiteflügel such that the releasably fixing receiving the Haiteflügel in the recess by a frictional or a formschfüssige connection between the holding wings and the cap. A variety of possible embodiments of such a releasable fixation are known to those skilled in the art. For example, the recess and the Haiteflügel can also have a coordinated releasable fixing snap mechanism. The releasable fixation / connection must be designed such that the connection between the cap and the bracket by the tension on the respective cap

transmitted maximum forces can not be solved.

A particularly preferred embodiment of the cap according to the invention is characterized in that the continuous groove has two parallel groove flanks. The spacing of the groove flanks is preferably chosen such that it is slightly larger than the thickness of the tension band so that a band portion of the (elastic) tension band can be completely and preferably completely inserted into the groove with its entire width. Further preferably, the groove flanks extend parallel to a lower side of the cap or, in the state applied to the bracket, parallel to the holding plate of the brackets.

The cap preferably has a substantially cuboid-shaped contour with rounded edges and corners. Of course, other known geometrical designs of the cap (hemispherical, halbellipsiod, cube-shaped, etc.) deviate from the spirit of the invention

The cap is preferably made of a material (in particular a plastic material, a metal, preferably a nickel-titanium alloy, in particular a Nttinol- Alloy), which has a sufficient hardness and Formstabltat to ensure in the connected state with the bracked a defined force transmission of the forces introduced by the elastic tension band in the cap on the tooth on the tooth, and if necessary, sufficient elasticity to the releasably fixing recording to ensure the Malfeflügei formed on the retaining plate. Nitinol is an intermetallic phase ΝΠΊ with an ordered-cubic crystal structure and the best-known representative of the so-called shape memory alloys. A

nitinol cap according to the invention is ideally suited for brackets which are described in WO 2011/012486 A1,

Preferably, the buccal top of the cap is designed to be optically, i. in terms of material appearance and color, a surface of a tooth corresponds, and / or at least one character, a letter, a number, a pattern, a logo, an image, a St ich code, a gemstone and / or a ground glass body. The latter allows the creation of a variety of additional aesthetic impressions.

The first fixing device is used to fix the introduced into the continuous groove of the cap tension band (section) in the groove. This fixation is required in order to be able to transmit forces deliberately via the drawstring to the cap, since otherwise the band would slip through the groove and consequently no targeted force transmission from the drawstring to the cap according to the invention would be possible. For the fixing device, a large number of possible realizations are suitable, from which the skilled person can select depending on the requirement.

Preferably, the first Fixierelnrichtung the cap has at least a second

Recess in the region of the groove, which is designed to form-fit: receiving at least a portion of a fixing strip arranged on the tension band. The

Fixing element is in this case preferably a structure which rises above a tension band surface of the tension band, for example, a (semi-) spherical body, a (semi-) cylinder, a cube or a cuboid. The second recess is preferably formed as a groove open on one side, which is arranged orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the continuous groove in one or both groove flanks of the continuous hat. The drawstring is doing so in the

inserted through the continuous groove, that the fixing element in the second Äusnehmung (eg. The one-sided open groove) is received.

Another particularly preferred embodiment is characterized in that the first Fixiereinrichiung at opposite open ends of the ongoing courage each having at least one second recess, which are each formed to a positive reception of at least a portion of a tensioning band arranged on the Fixieretements.

To enable further orthodontic / biomechanical functionalities, in another embodiment, on an outer side of the cap according to the invention, preferably on an oKkusal and / or gingival oriented outside of the cap, for fixing a force-introducing tension element, for example, another tension band, a spring element, a Wire, etc., a second Fixiereinrichiung arranged. This second fixing device is preferably designed in the manner of a hook, a web, or an eyelet. This second Fixiereinrichiung allows in addition to the force introduced by the elastic tension band in the direction of the wire arch, an individual introduction of an additional force input for modulating the force acting on a tooth force in magnitude and direction. Thus, tooth-specific force effects can be adjusted.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the cap and in particular the first recess for releasably fixing receiving the Haiteflügei is designed such that the cap applies forces in a connected to the bracket state forces on the Haiteflügei that cause the Haiteflügei be pressed towards each other. For this purpose, the Kappenmateriai on a certain elasticity, on the one hand allows the inclusion of the retaining wings in the first recess and on the other hand generates the said forces in the connected state of the cap and bracket.

Another particularly preferred development is characterized in that the first recess and / or a peripheral edge of the first recess on the underside of the cap is ausgestalteni such that the cap in a state connected to the bracket, the archwire in the space between the support birds In direction

Holding plate presses or fixed him as possible in a haitepiattennahen position as possible without play, so that no movement of the archwire perpendicular to Haitepiatte is possible, however, a sliding movement of the brace along the archwire is possible.

A further aspect of the invention relates to an elastic drawstring for the caps described above, which is designed such that it can be batted into the through groove of the cap. The elastic tension band according to the invention has at predetermined intervals over a surface of the tension band raised fixing elements, the one releasable fixation of the drawstring serve in the first fixing of the caps. The fixing elements are preferably structures that rise above a tension band surface of the tension band, for example, (half) body parts, (half) cylinders, cubes or a cuboid. The fixing elements furthermore preferably extend essentially in each case 5 transversely to a longitudinal direction of the elastic tension band. The distances of the

Fixing elements of each other are based on the actual distances of the individual teeth in the considered row of teeth and each biomechaniscb, according to a

Treatment plan applied forces. If a change of the Zahnsteliungen erfoigi, if necessary, a new drawstring is to make and use.

-f r *

Another aspect of the invention relates to a device for tooth regulation, which comprises a plurality of attachable to each tooth surfaces orthodontic Brackeis, each with a Haftepfatte and at least two spaced-apart, integrally formed on the holding plate holding wings, between which a space for receiving and

15 play-free guidance of a along a row of teeth of a patient extending

Archwire is formed. In particular, brackets are used as disclosed in WO 2011/012486 A1. Furthermore, the device comprises for each bracket a cap, and an elastic drawstring for insertion and fixation in the / the grooves of the caps, as each described above.

0

Further advantages, features and individual features will become apparent from the following description in which reference to the drawings embodiments in the

Individual are described. Described and / or illustrated features, alone or in any meaningful combination, form the subject matter of the invention, 5 optionally also independent of the claims, and may in particular

additionally also be the subject of one or more separate applications. The same, similar and / or functionally identical parts are provided with the same reference numerals.

Show it:

0

Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of inventive caps of a first

Embodiment and its use on brackets

2 is a schematic representation of a cross section A-A 'through a bracket 5 with a cap fixed thereto according to the first embodiment,

Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of a cap according to the first Embodiment in a view obliquely from below,

Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of a cap according to the first

Embodiment in a view obliquely from above,

Fig. 5 is a schematic representation of inventive caps of a second

Embodiment and its use on brackets,

Fig. 6 is a schematic representation of a cross section A-A 'through a bracket

with a cap fixed thereto according to the second embodiment,

Fig. 7 is a schematic representation of a cap according to the second

Embodiment in a view obliquely from below,

Fig. 8 is a schematic representation of a cap according to the second

Embodiment in a view obliquely from above, and

Fig. 9 is a schematic representation of a cross section A-A 'through a bracket with a cap fixed thereto according to a third embodiment

Flg. 1 shows a schematic representation of caps 100 according to the invention of a first embodiment and their application to brackets 110. Several caps 100 for orthodontic brackets 110 can be seen, each bracket 110 having a hair plate 101 which can be attached to a tooth surface (not shown) and at least two spaced apart ones. on the Haitepiatte 101 integrally formed retaining wings 102, between which a space for receiving and guiding a along a row of teeth (not shown) extending arch wire 03 is formed. The draping arch 103 extends in the space between the support vanes 102 and below the caps 100 fixed to the support vanes 102. In the present case, the caps 100 in the state fixed to the flail vanes 102 cause the drape arch 103 to be pushed into the space towards the support plate 101.

The caps 100 whose at their lower sides 1 1 each have a first recess 104 for releasably fixing receiving the free ends of the holding lie! 102 on. The caps 00 furthermore have a continuous groove 105 oriented in the longitudinal direction of the archwire 103 for laterally receiving a tension band 106 extending parallel to the archwire 103. In Fig. 1 are respective band portions of the tension band 106 in the passed through grooves 105 of the respective caps 100 completely. The elastic tension band 106 has in the present case at its opposite longitudinal edges spherical fixing elements 1 3, which each rise above the surface of the tension band 06. The caps 100 also have at the opposite open ends 1 14 of the groove 105 each second hemispherical recesses 112, each for a positive reception of a half of the tension band 106th

arranged fixing elements 113 are formed. By means of the fixing elements 113, the respective band section of the tension band 106 is fixed in the respective cap in the longitudinal direction of the archwire (but also transversely thereto, so that lateral slipping out of the tension band from the continuous groove 105 is prevented). By a suitable choice of the distances of the fixing elements 113 according to a

Treatment plan, the forces acting on the individual caps 00 force entries can be set. The caps 100 have on each of its side surfaces for fixing force-inducing tension elements second Fixieretnrichtungen 109. In the present case, the second fixing devices 109 are designed in the manner of a hook.

Furthermore, Fig. 1, the position of a cross-sectional plane A ~ A 'are removed, soft for Flg. 2 is relevant.

Flg. FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a cross section through the bracket 10 with the cap 100 fixed thereto according to the first embodiment of the present invention

Cross-sectional plane A-A 'of Fig. 1. The bracket 110 can be seen with two

opposite holding wings 102 in the intermediate space of the arch wire 103 is guided. The free ends of the Halteflögei 102 are releasably connected formschfüssig with the cap 100. For this purpose, the cap 100 has, on its underside 11, the first recess 104 for releasably fixing the free ends of the retaining fins 103. The width of the recess 104 increases with increasing Ausnehrnungstiefe. The shape of the ends of the retaining wings 102 is adapted to the shape of the recess 104, so that the Haltefiügel 102 by pressing the cap 100 into the recess

snapping positively. In the present case, the cap 100 is essentially designed as a cuboid with rounded edges and corners. The upper side 115 of the cap 100 is preferably designed such that it has a surface structure and color

Zahnoberfiäche corresponds. In the longitudinal direction of the archwire 102 extending through the groove 105 is presently a portion of the elastic tension band 106 is completely inserted.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of the cap 100 according to the first

Embodiment in a view obliquely from below. Clearly visible is the on the Bottom 1 11 of the cap 100 disposed recess 104, which is for receiving at least the end of the Haltefiügel 102 (not shown) and for releasably fixing the cap 100 to the Halteflügetn 102 (not shown) is formed, that the first fixing device (107) to the The open ends 114 of the continuous groove 105 each have first fixing means 107, which in the present case are designed as second recesses 12 for a positive reception of at least part of the fixing elements 1 13 arranged on the tension band 106 (see FIG. 1). Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of the cap of Fig. 3 in a view obliquely from above.

Fig. S is based on Fig. 1 and shows a schematic representation of caps 100 according to the invention of a second embodiment and their application to Brackeis 110. Fig. 5 differs from Fig. 1 in the manner of arranged on the tension band

Fixing elements 113, the present case as a transverse to the longitudinal direction of the drawstring 103 deputed cylindrical structural elements are ausgeführi. Furthermore, the position of a cross-sectional plane A-A ', which is relevant for FIG. 6, can be taken from FIG. Flg. 6 shows a schematic representation of a cross section through a cap 100 according to the second embodiment for the cross-sectional plane A-A 'of FIG. 5. Clearly visible is the continuous groove 105 at its opposite open ends 114, the groove 105 has each second recess 112 which are formed in the present case to formschfüssigen receiving at least a portion of the tension band 106 arranged cylindrical fixing elements 113. Suggested (by dashed

Lines) is the first recess on the underside 1 of the cap 100, which serves to receive and releasably fix the ends of the Haltefiügel 102.

Fig. 7 shows a schematic representation of a cap 100 according to the second

Embodiment in a view obliquely from below. 8 shows a schematic representation of the cap 100 according to the embodiment in a view obliquely from above.

FIG. 9 is based on FIG. 2. In contrast to FIG. 2, in the present case the first recess 104 of the cap 100 is made deeper, so that the recess 104 in the illustrated connected state receives approximately half of the retaining pin 02 formed on the retaining plate 101. The Haltefiügel 102 and the cap 100 are presently made of Niiinol manufactured and therefore have sufficient elasticity, so that the shark flights! 102 can be deformed during the joining with the cap 100, and produce a fixing positive connection in the illustrated connected state, the retaining ridges! 102 are in the connected state of the cap 100 (more precisely: of the corresponding

Inner surfaces of the recess 104) pressed toward each other. The reference numerals 1 6 indicate the corresponding forces that are transmitted from the cap 100 to the retaining wings.

By the peripheral edge of the first Ausnehrnung 104, which is shown in phantom in the region of the cross section shown in Fig. 9, the arch 103 is pressed when joining cap 100 and brackel 110 in the direction of holding plate 101, and fixed so backlash that no movement of the arch wire 103 is perpendicular to the Halteptatte 101 is possible, however, nevertheless a sliding movement of the bracket 110 along the arch wire 1Ö3 is possible. The reference numeral 117 indicates a direction of movement of the archwire 103 when joining the cap 100 and brackel 110.

Bezugszeicheniiste

100 cap

101 holding pate

102 retaining wings

103 archwire

104 first recess

105 continuous Nui

106 elastic drawstring

107 first fixing device

108

109 second fixing device

110 bracket

11 Bottom of the cap

112 second recess

113 Fixiereiemerst e

1 4 open ends of the groove

1 15 top of the cap

16 forces that press the Haltefiügei each other

117 Movement of the archwire when connecting the cap to the bracket

Claims

claims

1. Cap (100) for an orthodontic bracke! (110), wherein the bracket (110) has an attachable to a tooth surface Haliepiatte (101) and at least two spaced from each other, on the Haiteplatte (101) integrally formed Haltefiügei (102), between which a space for receiving and guiding one along a Tooth row extending Drahfbogens (103) is formed,

dadu ch marked that

- The cap (100) on its underside a first recess (104) to be releasably

has fixing receiving the free ends of Haltefiügei (103),

- The cap (100) has a continuous hat (05) for receiving a parallei to the arch wire (03) extending tension band (106), and

- The cap (100) has a first fixing device (107) for releasably fixing the

Tieback (106) in the groove (105).

2. cap (100) according to claim 1,

characterized in that the first recess (04) is adapted to the Haltefiügei (102) such that the iösbar fixing recording by a reibschiüssige or a positive connection between the Haiiefiügein (102) and the cap (100)

3. cap (100) according to claim 1 or 2,

dadurc gekennze c net, that the continuous groove (105) has two parallel groove flanks.

4. cap (100) according to claim 3,

characterized in that the groove flanks parallel to a

Bottom (111) of the cap (100) run.

5. cap (1Ö0) according to one of claims 1 to 4,

dadu ch characterized in that the cap (100) has a substantially cuboid outer contour with rounded edges and corners.

6. cap (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5,

characterized in that the cap (100) consists of a

Kunststoffmaferial or consists of metal or a titanium-nickel alloy.

7. cap (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6

characterized in that the first fixing device {107) comprises at least one second recess (112) in the region of the groove (05), which is designed for a positive reception of at least part of a tensioning band (106) arranged fixing element (113).

8. cap (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8,

characterized in that the first fixing device (107) at the opposite open ends (114) of the groove (105) each have at least one second recess (112), each for a positive reception of at least a portion of the tension band (106) arranged fixing element (113) are formed.

9. cap (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8,

characterized in that a second fixing device (109) is arranged on an outside of the cap (100) for fixing a force-inducing tension element.

10. cap (100) according to claim 9,

characterized in that the second fixing device (109) is designed in the manner of a hook, a web, or an eyelet,

11. elastic drawstring (106) for caps (100) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized gekennze c net, that the elastic drawstring (106) at predetermined intervals over a surface of the drawstring (106) raised fixing elements (113), which serve for releasable fixing of the drawstring (106) in the first fixing devices (107) of the caps (100),

12. Elastic tension band (106) according to claim 11,

characterized in that the said Fixlerelemente (113) as over a surface of the drawstring (106) uplifting structural elements

are formed, which extend substantially transverse to a longitudinal direction of the elastic tension band (106) substantially.

13. Elastic tension band (06) according to claim 12,

characterized in that the structural elements Im Are designed essentially as a Haibzylinder or hemisphere.

1 . Device for tooth regulation, comprising:

- Several on each attachable to tooth surfaces orthodontic Brackels

(110), each having a holding plate (101) and at least two spaced apart, on the Haiteplatte (101) integrally formed Haltefiügefn (102), between which a space for receiving and play-free guidance of an extending along a row of teeth arch wire {03} is formed .

- For each bracket (110) a cap {100} according to one of claims 1 to 10, and

- An elastic drawstring (106) according to any one of claims 11 to 13 for

Insertion and fixation in the grooves {106} of the caps {100).