Method and apparatus for tooth regulation with heavy forces

Abstract

Methods are provided for regulating tooth movement and for maintaining or improving tissue health using heavy forces. Such methods comprise allowing a heavy force to be exerted on one or more teeth of a patient in need thereof; and administering an effective amount of light to the maxillary or mandibular alveolar bone of the patient, wherein the light is administered before, during, or after the heavy force is exerted. The light can have a wavelength in the range of about 585 nm to about 665 nm, or about 815 nm to about 895 nm. An apparatus useful for providing light therapy is also provided.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of and claims priority to International Patent Application No. PCT / CA2011 / 050639, filed Oct. 12, 2011, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 392,809, filed Oct. 13, 2010, the disclosure of each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.FIELD OF INVENTION[0002]This invention relates to methods and apparatuses useful in orthodontics, and in particular to methods and apparatuses useful for regulating tooth movement; reducing, preventing or minimizing tooth-root resorption; reducing bone resorption or inflammatory dentin resorption or cementum resorption of the tooth root or periodontium; preventing or minimizing inflammation of tissue surrounding one or more teeth upon which heavy forces are or were exerted; or regenerating maxillary or mandibular alveolar bone, using heavy forces.BACKGROUND[0003]Orthodontics involves the movement of teeth through bone. By...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013]Another aspect of the invention provides methods for maintaining or improving tissue health, comprising allowing a heavy force to be exerted on one or more teeth of a patient in need thereof; and administering an effective amount of light to the maxillary or mandibular alveolar bone of the patient, wherein the light is administered before, during, or after the heavy force is exerted.

Problems solved by technology

Pressure can cause resorption and tension can cause deposition regardless of where they occur along a tooth root surface.

Long-term orthodontic treatment can have an increased risk of root resorption, gingival inflammation and dental caries.

Moreover, movement of teeth through bone can be uneven, as teeth might “tip” due to the force applied, i.e., the crown of the tooth can move in the desired direction more quickly than the root of the tooth, resulting in tipping of the tooth.

These substances might increase the rate of tooth movement, but might also cause side effects such as local pain and discomfort for a patient during the process of injection.

Light emitting apparatuses can be difficult to position consistently over the affected area.

However, even with a tattoo or other reference mark it can be difficult to consistently administer light therapy treatments to an affected area.

Such repeated visits can be time consuming or expensive.

LEDs and other light emitters suitable for generating light for light therapy can get hot when they operate.

Such light emitters can be inefficient at higher temperatures.

Hot apparatuses can also be uncomfortable or even dangerous to patients.

Other limitations of the related art will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings.

Images