WO2016130828A1

WO2016130828A1 - Buccal tube

Info

Publication number: WO2016130828A1
Application number: PCT/US2016/017584
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jefferson Sabilla; Aaron COSTELLO
Original assignee: Lancer Orthodontics, Inc.
Priority date: 2015-02-12
Filing date: 2016-02-11
Publication date: 2016-08-18

Abstract

A buccal tube includes an entry funnel associated with the mesial end of the buccal tube. The entry funnel is tapered and the opening to the funnel is greater than the opening to the archwire slot. The distal end of the archwire is more easily received into the entry funnel and advanced into the archwire slot

Description

BUCCAL TUBE

BACKGROUND

[0001] The present disclosure relates to orthodontic appliances, and more particularly, to orthodontic brackets for use in treating and moving molars. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to buccal tubes for use on molars during orthodontic treatment. The buccal tube typically provides an anchor, that is, it receives an end of an archwire and the buccal tube usually is mounted on the first and second molars. Typical buccal tubes are used with archwires in which an archwire is inserted through an opening and into an archwire slot (tube slot), the archwire slot extending through the buccal tube. Existing buccal tubes have a shape in which it is difficult to insert the end of the archwire into the archwire slot. Further, conventional buccal tubes are difficult to adjust during mounting on a molar in order to provide the correct orientation to move the molar into the desired alignment.

[0002] What is needed is a buccal tube which more easily facilitates the insertion of the end of the archwire into the archwire slot and to adjust the buccal tube as it is being placed on the tooth during mounting. The foregoing features and advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood upon consideration of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In one embodiment of the present invention, an orthodontic appliance is configured for use with an archwire, typically for use on the molars. In this embodiment, the orthodontic appliance has a base and a buccal tube attached to the buccal surface of the base. The buccal tube has a first opening and a second opening and an archwire slot extending between the first opening and the second opening, the archwire slot being dimensioned to receive an archwire. An entry funnel is associated with the first opening to receive an end of the archwire and guide the end of the archwire into the first opening, through the archwire slot and out of the second opening. Thus, the end of the archwire extends slightly out of the second opening while the archwire extends longitudinally through the buccal tube. The entry funnel assists in guiding the end of the archwire into and through the first opening when the archwire is first mounted into the buccal tube. The entry funnel has a mesial-end opening, a distal-end opening and tapering surfaces extending from the mesial-end opening to the distal-end opening, so that the mesial-end opening is greater in size than the size of the distal-end opening. In one embodiment, the entry funnel is configured to be biased toward the gingival side. In another embodiment, the buccal tube and the base are a two-piece design with a metal injection molded buccal tube welded or brazed to a foil mesh base.

[0004] In one embodiment, the buccal tube has an outer surface in which a longitudinally oriented V-shaped notch extends along the buccal tube outer surface. The V-shaped notch helps in horizontal alignment when the buccal tube is mounted on a molar, and the notch also accepts scaler tools or other tools of varying sizes for fine adjustments during mounting. In another embodiment, the buccal tube outer surface has a rectangular- shaped notch similar to the V-shaped notch. The rectangular- shaped notch along the axis of the buccal tube helps in aligning the buccal tube in the horizontal direction when mounting on a molar, and also accepts scaler tools or other tools for fine adjustments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] FIGS. 1A-1B are elevation views of a mesial end of a buccal tube depicting the entry funnel and the archwire slot.

[0006] FIG. 2 is a top view of the buccal tube depi cting the rectangular notch.

[007] FIGS. 3A-3B are side elevation views of the buccal tube and foil mesh base.

[008] FIG. 4 is a perspective elevation view depicting the distal end of the buccal tube including the second opening where the archwire exits the archwire slot.

[009] FIG. 5 is a distal end elevation view showing the distal end of the buccal tube in which the archwire extends slightly out of the archwire slot.

[0010] FIG. 6 is a perspective side elevation view of the buccal tube in which the end of the archwire extends out of the archwire slot past the second opening. [0011] FIGS. 7A-7B are mesial end elevation views of the buccal tube depicting the entry funnel and the archwire slot.

[0012] FIG. 8 is a top view of the buccal tube depicting the V-shaped notch.

[0013] FIGS. 9A-9B are side elevation views depicting the buccal tube mounted on the foil mesh base.

[0014] FIG. 10 is a perspective elevation view of the distal end of the buccal tube and depicting the second opening where the end of the archwire extends out of the archwire slot.

[0015] FIG. 11 is an elevational view of the mesial end of the buccal tube depicting the archwire in the archwire slot.

[0016] FIGS. 12 and 13 are are mesial end elevation views of the buccal tube depicting the entry funnel and the archwire slot.

[0017] FIG. 14 is a top view of the buccal tube depicting the V-shaped notch.

[0018] FIG. 15 is a perspective elevation view of the distal end of the buccal tube and depicting the second opening where the end of the archwire extends out of the archwire slot.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Referring to FIGS. 1A-6, one embodiment of the present invention relates to an orthodontic appliance for use with an archwire. In this embodiment, the orthodontic appliance 10 has a base 12 and a buccal tube 14. Typically, the buccal tube is attached to a buccal surface 16 of the base by known methods, such as brazing. It is contemplated, however, that the base and the buccal tube can be formed as a one- piece unit. The base 12 has a lingual surface 18 which is applied to and mounted on the tooth surface. The buccal tube 14 has a first opening 20 and a second opening 22, with an archwire slot 24 extending between the first opening and the second opening. The archwire slot is dimensioned to receive an archwire 25. An entry funnel 26 is associated with the first opening 20 to receive an end 27 of the archwire and guide the end of the archwire into the first opening 20, through the archwire slot 24, and out of the second opening 22. The end 27 of the archwire 25 extends slightly out of the second opening 22 during use. The entry funnel 26 assists in guiding the end 27 of the archwire 25 into and through the first opening 20 when the archwire is first inserted into the buccal tube. In order to further assist in the insertion of the end 27 of the archwire 25 into the entry funnel 26, the entry funnel has a gingival side 28, an occlusal side 30, a lingual side 32 and a buccal side 34. Each of these sides tapers from the mesial to the distal direction to create a tapering surface extending from a mesial end opening 45 toward a distal end opening 46 of the entry funnel 26. These tapering surfaces 47 ensure that as the archwire is inserted into the buccal tube, the end 27 of the archwire 25 can easily slide over the tapering surfaces 47 from the larger mesial end opening 45 of the entry funnel toward the relatively smaller distal end opening 46 and through the first opening 20. The buccal tube 14 also has smooth outer surfaces including a gingival outer surface 36, an occlusal outer surface 38, a lingual outer surface 40, and a buccal outer surface 42, so that the outer surfaces are more comfortable to the patient.

[0020] As used herein, the term "archwire slot" is defined as an elongated opening configured to receive an archwire. As shown in the figures herein, the archwire slot 24 has a rectangular cross-sectional shape which can receive a rectangular cross- sectional- shaped archwire, a square cross-sectional-shaped archwire, or a round (circular) cross-sectional-shaped archwire. The archwire slot 24 does not have to have a rectangular shape (i.e., it can be square or round/circular), however, it is preferred that archwire slot 24 have a rectangular cross- sectional shape.

[0021] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the buccal tube has an outer surface 49 in which a rectangular- shaped notch 48 extends on the outer surface along the longitudinal axis of the buccal tube. The rectangular- shaped notch assists in visual alignment of the buccal tube in the horizontal direction when mounting the buccal tube on a molar, and it has a depth sufficient enough to accept scaler tools or other tools for fine adjustments during mounting.

[0022] In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the buccal tube 14 has an occlusal notch 52 and a gingival notch 54 midway along the length of the buccal tube. Locating the occlusal notch 52 and gingival notch 54 at the midpoint of the buccal tube improves buccal tube placement by reducing slippage of the tool and ensures that the tool always rests directly on the center of the tube during mounting. In one embodiment, both the occlusal notch 52 and the gingival notch 54 have a V-shape. The occlusal notch 52 and the gingival notch 54 can have other shapes other than a V- shape, such as the heart-shaped (occlusal notch 52) as shown in FIG. 8, and the flat surface (gingival notch 54, FIG. 8). Likewise, any of the V-shaped, heart-shaped or flat surfaces of the occlusal notch 52 and gingival notch 54 can be on either side of the buccal tube and in various configurations. In other words, a buccal tube may have two flat surface notches, two V-shaped notches, or two heart-shaped notches, or any combination of these notch configurations. Further, other shapes for the notches are contemplated in order to accept various tools.

[0023] Referring to FIGS. 7A-11, one embodiment of the present invention relates to an orthodontic appliance for use with an archwire. In this embodiment, the orthodontic appliance 10 has a base 12 and a buccal tube 14. Typically, the buccal tube is attached to a buccal surface 16 of the base by known methods, such as brazing. It is contemplated, however, that the base and the buccal tube can be formed as a one- piece unit. The base 12 has a lingual surface 18 which is applied to and mounted on the tooth surface. The buccal tube 14 has a first opening 20 and a second opening 22, with an archwire slot 24 extending between the first opening and the second opening. The archwire slot is dimensioned to receive an archwire 25. An entry funnel 26 is associated with the first opening 20 to receive an end 27 of the archwire and guide the end of the archwire into the first opening 20, through the archwire slot 24, and out of the second opening 22. The end 27 of the archwire 25 extends slightly out of the second opening 22 during use. The entry funnel 26 assists in guiding the end 27 of the archwire 25 into and through the first opening 20 when the archwire is first inserted into the buccal tube. In order to further assist in the insertion of the end 27 of the archwire 25 into the entry funnel 26, the entry funnel has a gingival side 28, an occlusal side 30, a lingual side 32 and a buccal side 34. Each of these sides tapers from the mesial to the distal direction to create a tapering surface extending from a mesial end opening 45 toward a distal end opening 46 of the entry funnel 26. These tapering surfaces 47 ensure that as the archwire is inserted into the buccal tube, the mesial end opening 45 of the entry funnel toward the relatively smaller distal end opening 46 and through the first opening 20. The buccal tube 14 also has smooth outer surfaces including a gingival outer surface 36, an occlusal outer surface 38, a lingual outer surface 40, and a buccal outer surface 42, so that the outer surfaces are more comfortable to the patient. Further, the buccal tube 14 has a curved buccal outer surface 44, the curvature of which mimics the curvature of the tooth thereby providing a more comfortable feel for the patient.

[0024] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7B, entry funnel 26 is biased toward the gingival side 28 to keep the buccal tube 14 out of occlusion. The gingival outer surface 36 has a length (in the mesial/distal direction) and a height (in the lingual/buccal direction) as does the occlusal outer surface 38. To create the bias, the gingival outer surface 36 is shorter in height than the height of the occlusal outer surface 38.

[0025] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the buccal tube has an outer surface 49 in which a V-shaped notch 50 extends on the outer surface along the longitudinal axis of the buccal tube. The V-shaped notch assists in visual alignment of the buccal tube in the horizontal direction when mounting the buccal tube on a molar, and it has a depth sufficient enough to accept scaler tools or other tools for fine adjustments during mounting.

[0026] Referring to FIGS. 12-15, one embodiment of the present invention relates to an orthodontic appliance for use with an archwire. In this embodiment, the orthodontic appliance 10 has a buccal tube 14. Typically, the buccal tube is attached to a buccal surface of a base (not shown) by known methods, such as brazing. It is contemplated, however, that the base and the buccal tube can be formed as a one-piece unit. The buccal tube 14 has a first opening 20 and a second opening 22, with an archwire slot 24 extending between the first opening and the second opening. The archwire slot is dimensioned to receive an archwire 25. An entry funnel 26 is associated with the first opening 20 to receive an end 27 of the archwire and guide the end of the archwire into the first opening 20, through the archwire slot 24, and out of the second opening 22. The end 27 of the archwire 25 extends slightly out of the second opening 22 during use. The entry funnel 26 assists in guiding the end 27 of the archwire 25 into and through the first opening 20 when the archwire is first inserted into the buccal tube. In order to further assist in the insertion of the end 27 of the archwire 25 into the entry funnel 26, the entry funnel has a gingival side 28, an occlusal side 30, a lingual side 32 and a buccal side 34. Each of these sides tapers from the mesial to the distal direction to create a tapering surface extending from a mesial end opening 45 toward a distal end opening 46 of the entry funnel 26. These tapering surfaces 47 ensure that as the archwire is inserted into the buccal tube, the end 27 of the archwire 25 can easily slide over the tapering surfaces 47 from the larger mesial end opening 45 of the entry funnel toward the relatively smaller distal end opening 46 and through the first opening 20. The buccal tube 14 also has smooth outer surfaces including a gingival outer surface 36, an occlusal outer surface 38, a lingual outer surface 40 and a buccal outer surface 42, so that the outer surfaces feel more comfortable to the patient.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 14, in this embodiment the mesial end opening 45 of the entry funnel 20 is at an acute angle A relative to a line 60 that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 62 of the buccal tube 14. Angle A can vary in a range from 5° to 85°, depending upon the size of the buccal tube. In one embodiment, angle A can be any angle in the range of 5° to 35°. In one embodiment the angle A can be any angle in the range of 2° to 45°. The angle A results from an occlusal outer surface 38 having a length (in the mesial/distal direction) that is shorter than a length of a gingival outer surface 36. As shown in FIG. 14, if occlusal outer surface 38 were slightly longer, angle A would be smaller, and if occlusal outer surface 38 were shorter than shown, angle A would be larger. The angle A allows for a more tactile feel for the orthodontists (or other end user) when placing the archwire 25 into the buccal tube 14. For example, the orthodontist (or other end user) runs the archwire 25 on the occlusal surface 38 of the buccal tube 14 (in the direction of the arrow) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 62, and because the gingival outer surface 36 is slightly longer than the occlusal outer surface 38, the entry funnel 26 has a better chance of catching the end 27 of archwire 25, like a basket. [0028] The buccal tubes disclosed herein can be formed by conventional manufacturing methods including metal injection molding (MIM) and the tube can be brazed or welded to the base by known methods.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED:

1. An orthodontic appliance for use with an archwire, the orthodontic appliance comprising:

an orthodontic appliance having a base and a buccal tube attached to a buccal surface of the base;

the buccal tube having a first opening and a second opening and an archwire slot extending between the first opening and the second opening, and the archwire slot dimensioned to receive an archwire; and

an entry funnel associated with the first opening to receive an end of the archwire and guide the archwire into the first opening, through the archwire slot, and out of the second opening.

2. The orthodontic appliance of claim 1, wherein the entry funnel has a gingival side, an occlusal side, a lingual side and a buccal side.

3. The orthodontic appliance of claim 2, wherein the entry funnel is configured to form an angle A to assist in inserting the archwire into the entry funnel.

4. The orthodontic appliance of claim 3, wherein the entry funnel has a mesial end opening, a distal end opening and tapering surfaces extending from the mesial end opening to the distal end opening, the mesial end opening being greater in size than the size of the distal end opening.

5. The orthodontic appliance of claim 3, wherein the buccal tube has a gingival outer surface, an occlusal outer surface, a lingual outer surface and a buccal outer surface, the gingival outer surface having a length that is greater than a length of the occlusal outer surface, thereby creating the angle A toward the occlusal outer surface of the entry funnel.

6. The orthodontic appliance of claim 1, wherein the buccal tube has a curved buccal outer surface that is the same as the curvature of the tooth on which the buccal tube is mounted.

7. The orthodontic appliance of claim 6, wherein the buccal outer surface of the buccal tube has a V-shaped notch.

8. The orthodontic appliance of claim 6, wherein the buccal outer surface of the buccal tube has a rectangular- shaped notch.

9. The orthodontic appliance of claim 1, wherein the buccal tube has an occlusal outer surface and gingival outer surface, the outer occlusal surface has an occlusal notch and the gingival surface has a gingival notch.