WO2017111716A1

WO2017111716A1 - Self-ligating bracket

Info

Publication number: WO2017111716A1
Application number: PCT/TR2015/000391
Authority: WO
Inventors: Resai Aydin
Original assignee: Resai Aydin
Priority date: 2015-12-25
Filing date: 2015-12-25
Publication date: 2017-06-29

Abstract

This invention relates to an orthodontic apparatus used in dentistry, namely to an apparatus providing self-ligating option. This orthodontic apparatus is an apparatus called bracket and used in orthodontic treatment in order to correct the position of the teeth by passing a wire between them and bonding them on the teeth.

Description

DESCRIPTION

SELF-LIGATING BRACKET

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an orthodontic apparatus used in dentistry and more particularly an apparatus which enables self-ligation. This orthodontic apparatus is an apparatus called bracket and used in order to correct position of the teeth in orthodontic treatment by putting wire between it and bonding it on the teeth.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION Self-ligating brackets provide convenience to the dentist applying orthodontic treatment, save time and also allow a faster movement of the teeth.

The bracket, through which the arch wire passes, needs to have a suitable closing method and able to apply actively force in order to adjust its tightness such to depress the wire when necessary.

Arch wires are available in very different cross-sections. While more flexible round wires applying less force are used at the beginning of orthodontic treatment, diagonal wires, which can exert torque force on the teeth, are used in subsequent stages. There are self-ligating brackets with different mechanisms in order to couple the arch wire to bracket slot. These brackets are in two types, being passive or active. Passive systems keep arch wire in the slot passively and do not apply any force. And in active systems, flexible clips apply force on the arch wire after it reaches a certain thickness in self-ligating systems that are known under the available technique.

The disadvantage of passive systems is that they cannot control the arch wire through sufficient compression. The easy movement of the arch wire in the bracket slot is good at the beginning in terms of wire's applying low forces to teeth; however, its failure to provide sufficient compression even though the wire is thickened creates a more uncontrolled force and angles adjusted in the bracket slot at the production stage to direct teeth are not reflected to the teeth at a sufficient level. That is why active systems have emerged. In most active systems, force is started to be applied on the arch wire with a flexible clip after the arch wire reaches a certain thickness. However, many problems occurred related to the structure of this clip. The most important are the deformations of the clip and secondly the problems related to the opening-closing mechanism. An extra device is used in both active and passive systems to open or close the mechanism. It is very important that this device functions practically in the mouth and does not cause the dentist to lose time. The most important disadvantages of self-ligating brackets are the problems related to their opening-closing mechanisms.

The aim in self-ligating brackets is to enable the dentist to lock the bracket by exerting the least effort and using fewest additional instruments.

The features of an ideal orthodontic bonding system are to offer a safe and durable coupling, to be in full compliance with the bracket, to couple quick and easily, its low friction and compatibility with the comfort and hygiene of the patient. In previous technique, different suggestions were put forward for ligation systems used in self-ligating brackets. One of these is explained in the reference numbered US 5 586 882. The ligating element of this self-ligating bracket is made of a metal alloy with a super elastic shape-memory. The ligating piece is formed in C-shape and thus it allows that the hooks, pulling springs and also other members are mounted on it.

However, the first disadvantage of this system is that clip passes under the bracket. This increases the profile height of bracket, thus creating a bigger bracket. This is undesirable in terms of its look and ergonomics. The second disadvantage is to keep the thickness of the clip at a certain level in order to avoid a further increase of the bracket height. The applied force decreases due to thin clip, too. The third disadvantage is the position of the point where it should be applied in order to open the clip. It may result in difficulties in terms of ease of application when it is close to gingiva and in a less visible portion. US 8 636 507 might be said as another previous technical reference related to current invention. In the bracket under this patent is the ligation cover provided in a way to fit into the recesses within bracket wings. This ligation cover can move between an open position and locking position and allows access the arch wire slot in the open position and it is impossible to access the arch wire slot in the closed position.

However, the disadvantage of the self-ligating apparatus of this previous technical reference is that the force to be applied on the wire is low due to the low resistance of the C-shaped broad clip and that the clip is deformed during opening by being pulled through the hole on it.

In the reference numbered US 2103/0260329, being another previous technical reference, a locking piece with flexible arms is being described. Here are the locking pieces with flexible arms designed such to fit in the vertical slots in bracket body and, according to the provided description, the arms move in the upper part of slots in the body and enable the decrease and increase of the force on the arch wire.

However, the disadvantage of the apparatus suggested in this reference is that potential problems that may be faced during opening and closing. The lateral arms going through a narrow slot will distort and the clip will be squeezed when they face a thick angular wire. It is very likely that there will be difficulty in opening the clip due to the impact of residues inside the mouth and more force will be applied. Another disadvantage is that the clip entering and exiting the bracket in an angled way increases the profile height of the bracket. High profile means a voluminous and large bracket. In the reference number EP2425798A2, being another technical reference, the active arm of the clip passes below the bridge and closes thus the arch wire slot. The disadvantage of this invention is the profile height of the bracket. The profile height increases since one arm of the clip passes below the slot and the other arm is located after having passed below the bridge. The bridge is forced to be positioned in a higher location since the clip is C-shaped and the pressure by the active arm is applied on the wire from the far edge of the wire as it is the case in other C-shaped clips. Beside this, the possibility of mobility in the mesiodistal direction within the body is high during the opening and closing of the locking piece due to the locking mechanism of the clip. This might result in difficulties for the dentist during the application. In order to abolish the disadvantages of the previous technical references described above, a bracket with a self-ligating apparatus is suggested with present invention subject to application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is about a bracket involving a slidable ligating slide. The ligating slide consists of a body and one or more ligating arms positioned on this body. The bracket body includes an arch wire slot with an arch wire placed inside in order to apply a force towards the teeth. The body consists of two pieces, being divided into two by this slot. The ligating slide is passed through a slot opened in these parts of the bracket body and placed with its front part into a recess opened in the other part. Thus, the ligating slide passes over the arch wire slot in the occlusal-gingival direction and the ligating arm or arms reaching towards the slot will apply a force on the arch wire and lock it at its position. The ligating slide slides towards outside the slot it passes through and the arms pressing on the arch wire are removed when it is necessary to replace the arch wire.

The important feature of this invention is that the ligating arms in question are structured in the direction out of the slot, meaning in the occlusal direction. Such that, whilst the body of the ligating slide is in a parallel structure according to the base wall of the arch wire slot, the ligating arm progresses inclined in the occlusal direction such to reach the base wall. While thus the ligating slide is set into the open position in order to change the arch wire, the free edge of the arms are able to be stopped thanks to the stopping surface provided in the slot inside the bracket body and prevented that the ligating slide is completely separated from the bracket body. Another advantage is that, as it is the case at all other active ligating bracket types, it allows to apply forces on the angular arch wires from the close edge, not from the far edge, and this prevents a further increase of the profile height.

A special groove is created in the slot in the bracket body where the ligating slide sits where each arm will sit in, in order to control the operating of the arms during the slide of the ligating slide in the occlusal-gingival direction. The feature of this groove is that it consists of parts angled such to move and/or fix the free edge of the ligating arm by the ground. For this purpose, a ramp surface is created in the first section opened in the arch wire slot of the ground. This ramp surface is angled such to remove the free edge of the ligating arm from the arch wire by pushing it in the labial direction while sliding the ligating slide in the occlusal direction in order to set it into the open position. A stopping surface is established in the part of the slot base facing outside preferably to constitute a protrusion towards inside the slot. This stopping surface stops the ligating arm's free edge and prevents a full release of the ligating slide out of the slot in the bracket when the ligating slide reaches the end of the movement when being slid in the occlusal direction in order to set it into the open position.

The number, dimension and position of the arms provided in the ligating slide in the alternative embodiments of the invention, and accordingly the number, dimension and position of the grooves they will sit in the body may vary. There are two ligating arms located in the mesiodistal direction at definite intervals on the ligating slide body and a respective groove embodiment at the preferred application. Alternatively, an embodiment with one or more auxiliary arms and between these two arms and their respective auxiliary grooves can be applied. As another alternative, an embodiment with a single ligating arm and groove may be selected, too.

In the light of the information above, an orthodontic bracket consisting of a body containing a bonding base to bond to the tooth, one pair of wing placed in occlusal and one pair of wings placed in gingival, gingival and occlusal wings appears from the labial side of the body; an arch wire slot goes throughout the body in the mesiodistal direction between the occlusal and gingival wings placed in the mesial and distal edges in order to position the arch wire; a ligating slide including a body and at least one ligating arm generated in this body, capable to move between an open position, where the arch wire is removed or placed and a closed position, where it is prevented to be removed or placed, a slot through which the ligating slide passes and moves in the occlusal-gingival direction and special formed grooves inside this slot where the ligating arm or arms sit in are provided in a modelling of the invention.

The ligating slide and the bracket body may be made of different materials. The arch wire will sit in the arch wire slot when the ligating slide is in the open position and the arch wire is kept inside the arch wire slot when it is in the locked position.

The bracket subject to the invention will be described in detail referring to the figures attached. In these figures, Figure 1 is the perspective view of the flexible ligating slide while in the closed position where the arch wire is kept inside the arch wire slot and invention's modelling of the self- ligating orthodontic bracket.

Figure 2 a and b are the planar perspective views of the preferred modelling of the self- ligating orthodontic bracket from two different angles.

Figure 3 a and b are the perspective views of the cross -section of the preferred modelling of self-ligating orthodontic bracket from two different angles indicating the slot and groove structure in the body.

Figure 4a is the lateral view of the preferred modelling of self-ligating orthodontic bracket when the ligating slide is in the closed position.

Figure 4b is the lateral view of the preferred modelling of self-ligating orthodontic bracket when the ligating slide is in the open position.

Figure 4c is the lateral view of the preferred modelling of self-ligating orthodontic bracket indicating the angulation of the groove base.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the modelling of self-ligating orthodontic bracket.

Figure 6 a and b are perspective views of another alternative embodiment of the modelling of self-ligating orthodontic bracket.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the modelling of self- ligating orthodontic bracket.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the modelling of self- ligating orthodontic bracket.

Though the invention is described in connection with definite modelling, the self-ligating orthodontic bracket can practically not be limited to a specific type. The claim of the modellings of the invention may include in the light of the scope and content indicated in the claims different alternatives, modifications and equivalent embodiments. Particularly specialists in the technique will recognize that the parts of the modelling of the invention might also be arranged in very different ways.

The numbers of the parts used in the pictures are as following:

Self-ligating bracket 10

Bracket body portion 12

Ligating Slide 14 Arch wire slot 16

First body portion 18

Bonding base 19

Second body portion 20

Recess between the wings in the first body portion 21

Wings 22a-d

Socket in the first lateral wall 23

Arch wire slot first lateral wall 24

Arch wire slot base wall 25

Arch wire slot second lateral wall 26

Slot base ramp surface 27

Slot base guidance surface 28

Slot base stopping surface 29

Bridge 30

Slot in the second body portion 31

Groove inside the slot 32

Arch wire slot recess in the first lateral wall 33

Recess between the wings in the second body portion 34

Slot internal supporting surface 35

Ligating slide body 36

Ligating slide arm 38

Ligating slide front edge 41

Ligating slide free edge 39

Auxiliary ligating slide arm 40

Auxiliary groove 42

Auxiliary groove guidance surface 48

Auxiliary groove ramp surface 49

Bar 50

Wire 52 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As to be seen in Figure 1 and 2, the orthodontic bracket (10) includes a bracket body (12) and a mobile closing element attached to the bracket body (12). Another embodiment includes the movable closure member a flexible ligating slide (14) connected to bracket body (12) in a sliding fashion. The bracket body (12) includes an arch wire slot (16) adapted to receive arch wire (52) in order to apply the right forces on the teeth. The ligating slide (14) can move between the open position (Figure 4b), where the arch wire (52) can be placed in the slot (16) and the closed position (Figure 4a), where the arch wire is captured in the slot (16). The bracket body (12) and the ligating slide (14) form together an orthodontic bracket (10) to be used in corrective orthodontic treatments.

Orthodontic bracket (10) is described here by using a reference framework where it is bonded on the labial surface of a tooth from the lower jaw unless otherwise stated. As a result, as in here, terms such as labial, lingual, mesial, distal, occlusal and gingival, that are used to describe the bracket (10) are within this chosen reference framework. Nevertheless, the embodiments of the invention are not only limited to this chosen reference framework and the terms and the orthodontic bracket (10) may be used in various orientations and teeth within the oral cavity. For example, the bracket (10) may also be applied on the lingual surface of the tooth while remaining within the scope of the invention. The ligating slide (14), while moving to closed position, may move in gingival direction as described here or may also be applied to the tooth such to move in occlusal direction. The bracket body (12), with reference to Figure 2, includes an arch wire slot (16), first body portion (18) of the arch wire slot (16) in gingival direction and a second body portion (20) in occlusal direction. The arch wire slot (16) includes a first lateral wall (24) at the first side, a second lateral wall (26) at the second side and a bottom wall (25) extending between the first and second lateral walls (24,26). The bracket body (12) includes a bonding base (19) that enables the coupling of the bracket (10) with the tooth on the lingual surface.

The second body portion (20) includes a bridge (30) and a slot (31) provided in this bridge. There is at least one groove (32) inside slot (31) in question in alternative shapes and number and positions in different embodiments of the invention. The groove (32) said in the first embodiment of the invention indicated in Figure 1-4 is provided such to be two grooves, being both on the mesial and distal sides of the slot (31). The lingual surface of the slot (31) remaining between the grooves (32) constitutes a support surface (35).

There are wings (22a,22b) established to which various orthodontic apparatus may be coupled when necessary on both mesial and distal sides of the bridge (30) horizontally and there is a recess (34) between these wings (22a, 22b). Both ends of the slot (31) provided inside the bridge (30) are open and one of these ends opens to the slot (16) side, where the arch wire will be placed in, and the other end in the opposite direction of the bracket body (31).

And the first body portion (18) has also wings (22c, 22d) where different orthodontic apparatus may be coupled on and a recess (21) between these. Beside this, there is a recess (33) provided in parallel with the arch wire slot on the first lateral wall (24) of the arch wire slot at the first body portion (18). In addition, a socket (23) is provided in the section above the recess (33) in question between the wings (22c, 22d).

The ligating slide (14) that forms the other part of the ligating bracket (10) and ensures the ligation consists of a body (36) and at least one ligating slide arm (38). The ligating arm (38), stretches in parallel with the occlusal-gingival sliding axis, where the ligating slide (14) set into the open and closed positions and is established angular to the body (36) in question. Such that, the ligating slide arm (38) progress inclined such to approach the base wall (25) in the occlusal direction when the body (36) is in parallel with the arch wire slot base wall (25). The angle (a) between the labial surface of the body (36) and the labial surface of the arm (38) indicated in Figure 4a is between 5-40 degrees and the most preferable is between 10-20 degrees. The ligating arms (38) indicated in the first embodiment of the invention in Figure 1- 4 are established to be two, such to be on the mesial and distal side. The ligating slide (14) is provided to the end user being assembled to the bracket body (12). In the closed position, indicated in Figure 4a, passes the ligating slide (14) in the whole length trough the bridge (30) and its front edge (41) sits into the recess (33) at the first lateral wall (24) of the arch wire slot. Whilst the body (36) sits on the support surface (35) inside the bridge (30) in this positions, the ligating arms (38) in question sit into the grooves (32) in question provided in the slot (31) inside the bridge.

The bottom of the groove (32) said is not plane, but consists of surfaces arranged angular to each other. The bottom of each groove consists in the preferable embodiment of the invention of at least three angled surfaces, being a ramp surface (27), a guidance surface (28) and a stopping surface (29). In this embodiment indicated in Figure 4 and Figure 3 starts the bottom of the groove (32) in the area opening to the arch wire slot (16) with a ramp surface (27) with an inclination towards the slot (16). The inclination (27a) of the ramp surface is established such to be 5 to 45 degrees towards the slot base (25). The guidance surface (28) following the ramp surface is established inclined to the slot base (25). The guidance surface (28) ends with the stopping surface at the other end of the groove (32). The stopping surface (29) is basically established perpendicular to the slot base (25). The angle (29a) between the stopping surface (29) and the slot base (25) is between 75 to 110 degrees.

In the closed position indicated in Figure 4a, while the front edge (41) of the ligating slide (14) sits inside the recess (33) and the ligating arm (38) sits inside the groove (32), the free end of the ligating arm (39) leans on the ramp surface (27) at the groove base. The portion of the ligating arm (38) remaining above the slot (16) applies in this position the desired pressure force on the arch wire (52) inside the slot. While the ligating member is slid in the occlusal- gingival direction in order to set it into the open position indicated in Figure 4b, the ramp surface (27) in question pushes the ligating arm (38) upwards due to its angle (27a) and releases the arch wire (52). It is prevented that the ligating member (14) completely is released out of the slot (31), consequently its detachment from the bracket body (12) by that the free edge of the arm (39) progressing its movement on the guidance surface (28) rests on the stopping surface (29) of the groove baser.

A suitable tool, e.g. a mini screwdriver, or a similar tool inserted manually and externally into the socket (23) may be used to move the flexible ligating slide (14) between open and closed positions.

As to be seen in Figure 5, the ligating arms (38) can be arranged in a different embodiment more inside from the outer edge of the body (36). It is waived in this embodiment from the recess (33) in the first body portion (18). In another alternative embodiment of the invention to be seen in Figure 6 includes the ligating slide (14) in addition to a body (36) and two ligating arms (38), established on both sides like at the preferred arrangement described in Figure 1-4, an auxiliary ligating arm (40). Against this is an auxiliary groove (42) established, located between the two grooves (32) on the bracket body (12). The auxiliary groove (42) in question is not open on the side facing the slot and includes only one guidance surface (48) and a ramp surface (49).

In another alternative embodiment of the invention to be seen in Figure 7 may the body (36) and the ligating arms (38) of the ligating slide (14) be coupled to each other with a bar (50).

In another alternative embodiment of the invention to be seen in Figure 8 may the ligating slide (14) preferably include only one ligating arm (38) established in the mid-section of the body (36) be coupled to each other with a bar (50). Again against this established groove base in the bracket body (12) is arranged such to include the ramp (27), guidance (28) and stopping surfaces (29) in question.

A self-ligating orthodontic bracket with a flexible ligating slide, in accordance with the principles of the invention, may be made using any suitable material and manufacturing technique. The material to make the said ligating slide may be manufactured of any material suitable for this purpose; e.g. the bracket body may be of stainless steel, translucent aluminium oxide or a polymer-based material (i.e., a plastic), and the ligating slide may be made of a titanium alloy, a nickel/titanium alloy or a polymer-based material (i.e., a plastic). The ligating slide may be manufactured at the same time by using different types of materials. The ligating arms of ligating slide (14) may be manufactured with different materials at varying flexibility.

Claims

An orthodontic bracket (10) in order to be used at corrective orthodontic treatments characterized by consisting of a slot (16) including at least a bonding base ensuring the coupling to the tooth on the lingual surface and where the arch wire (52) can be placed in, a bracket body (12), including on the gingival side of this slot a first body portion (18) and on the occlusal side a second body portion (20) and at least one ligating slide (14) assembled such to be capable to move between an open position and a closed position in the occlusal-gingival direction in order to apply the pressure on the arch wire (52) in question in the desired manner; a body (36) in parallel with the base wall (25) in lingual direction of the said arch wire slot (16) of the said ligating slide (14) and at least one ligating arm (38) which has an angle (a) such to stretch towards the said slot base (25) in the occlusal direction, being integrated into this body in the gingival direction.

The orthodontic bracket (10) of Claim 1, wherein the said ligating slide (14) passes in the occlusal-gingival direction through a slot (31) with both ends open, established in the second body portion (20) of the bracket body (12) and performs its said movement between the open and closed positions by sliding inside this slot (31).

The orthodontic bracket (10) of Claim 2, wherein the said ligating arm (38) sits in at least one groove (32) established in the said slot (31).

The orthodontic bracket (10) of Claim 3, wherein the said groove (32) base includes at least one ramp surface (27) and one stopping surface (29).

The orthodontic bracket (10) of Claim 4, wherein the said groove (32) base includes a guidance surface (28) stretching between the said ramp and stopping surfaces (27, 29).

The orthodontic bracket (10) of Claim 4 or 5, wherein the said ramp surface (27) is established in the section of the groove (32) facing towards the arch wire slot (16) inclined towards the slot (16).

7. The orthodontic bracket (10) of Claim 6, wherein angle (27a) between the said ramp surface (27) and the slot base wall (25) is between 5 to 45 degrees.

The orthodontic bracket (10) of Claim 4 to 7, wherein the said stopping surface (29) is principally established perpendicular to the slot base wall (25) in the section of the groove (32) facing out in the occlusal direction.

9. The orthodontic bracket (10) of Claim 8, wherein angle (29a) between the said stopping surface (29) and the slot base wall (25) is between 75 to 110 degrees.

10. The orthodontic bracket (10) of any of Claim 4 to 9, wherein the free end (39) of the arm (38) of the said ligating slide (14) is on the said ramp surface (27) in the groove (32) in its closed position.

11. The orthodontic bracket (10) of Claim 10, wherein the free end (39) of the arm (38) of the said ligating slide (14) is on the said stopping surface (29) in the groove (32) in its open position.

12. The orthodontic bracket (10) of any of the Claims above, wherein the front edge (41) of the said body (36) sits into a recess (33) established in the first portion of the bracket body (18) in the closed position of the said ligating slide (14).

13. The orthodontic bracket (10) of any of the Claims above, wherein the angle (□) between the said ligating arm (38) and the said body (36) is between 5 to 40 degrees.

14. The orthodontic bracket (10) of any of the Claims above, wherein the said slot (31) includes in the lingual surface a supporting surface (35) bearing the body portion (36) of the said ligating slide.

15. The orthodontic bracket (10) of any of Claim 1 to 14, wherein the said ligating arm (38) is arranged as being two in the number placed in definite intervals on the body (36) in the mesiodistal direction and where also the said groove (32) is arranged as being two in the number inside the slot (31) at matching positions.

16. The orthodontic bracket (10) of any of Claim 15, wherein there is an additional auxiliary ligating arm (40) in the area between the said two ligating arms (38) and an established auxiliary groove (42) inside the said slot (31) at a position matching this.

17. The orthodontic bracket (10) of any of Claim 16, wherein the said auxiliary groove (42) includes a guidance surface (48) and a ramp surface (49).

18. The orthodontic bracket (10) of Claim 15 to 17, wherein the said ligating arms (38) are arranged at the outer edge of the body (36).

19. The orthodontic bracket (10) of any of Claim 15 to 17, wherein the said ligating arms (38) are arranged more inside from the outer edge of the body (36).

20. The orthodontic bracket (10) of any of Claim 15 to 18, wherein the said ligating arms (38) are connected with the body (36) via a bar (50) established in the front section.

21. The orthodontic bracket (10) of any of Claim 1 to 14, wherein the said ligating arm (38) is established as one in the number, and the said groove (32) is established in the said slot (31) is established as one in the number at a position matching this.

22. The orthodontic bracket (10) of any of the Claims above, wherein the said slot (31) is established in a bridge (30) in the first body portion (20).

23. The orthodontic bracket (10) of any of the Claims above, wherein there are wings (22a, 22b) on the said bridge (30) to which diverse orthodontic apparatus may be coupled when necessary and wherein there is a recess (34) between these wings (22a, 22b). The orthodontic bracket (10) of any of the Claims above, wherein there are wings (22c, 22d) on the said body portion (18) to which diverse orthodontic apparatus may be coupled when necessary and wherein there is a recess (21) between these wings (22c, 22d).

The orthodontic bracket (10) of any of the Claims above, wherein the said ligating slide (14) can be moved between the open and closed positions manually with a suitable tool inserted from outside into a socket (23) established via a recess (33) in the first portion of the body (18).