An orthodontic appliance

Abstract

The present invention discloses an orthodontic appliance, which includes a main body and a movable component. The main body has an arch wire groove. The movable component cooperates with the main body and can move relative to the main body between an open position and a closed position. An activatable elastic member is provided on the main body. The elastic member can be moved above the arch wire groove. The elastic member has a locking portion, and the movable component has a limiting portion. When the movable component is in the open position, the locking portion is located outside the movable component. When the movable component is in the closed position, the elastic member is located below the movable component, and the locking portion is locked with the limiting portion. The locking portion is the part that repeatedly rubs against the movable component. In the novel orthodontic appliance provided by the present invention, when the movable component is in the open position, the locking portion is located outside the movable component and can be directly observed. If the elastic member is severely fatigued and worn, it can be found by observing the locking portion, and the elastic member can be replaced in a timely manner according to the fatigue condition.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of oral orthodontic instruments, and in particular to an instrument used for dental orthodontics. Background Art

[0002] Orthodontics refers to the correction of teeth, elimination of malocclusion and deformity. Orthodontic treatment mainly uses various correction devices to adjust the coordination between facial bones, teeth and maxillofacial nerves and muscles, that is, to adjust the abnormal relationship between the upper and lower jaws, between the upper and lower teeth, between the teeth and the jaws, and the nerves and muscles that connect them. The ultimate correction goal is to achieve balance, stability and beauty of the oral and maxillofacial system. The main orthodontic appliances currently used include brackets, buccal tubes, etc., among which brackets are important components of fixed correction technology. The archwire applies correction force to the teeth through the bracket. The main function of the bracket is to fix the archwire so that the archwire can better exert its correction force to achieve the purpose of orthodontic correction. Most of the existing self-locking brackets include a bracket body and a removable cover, insert or clamp, which is movably connected to the bracket body and is used to open and close the archwire slot that accommodates the archwire.

[0003] Patent CN201380070480.2 discloses a self-ligating orthodontic bracket with a sliding cover, including a body and a ligating archwire cover, the archwire cover having a locking member that is centrally arranged and extends forward, the locking member including a flexible locking joint, the locking joint being suitable for when the archwire cover moves from an open position toward a closed position, and the locking structure matches the protrusion on the body to realize the closing and opening of the archwire cover. In the technical solution of this application, the flexible locking joint is an elastic joint, and when the archwire cover is opened and closed, the locking structure needs to rub repeatedly with the protrusion on the body, and elastic materials generally have the problem of poor wear resistance. After multiple openings and closings, the problem of loose locking and automatic opening is easy to occur. In view of the above problems, this application provides a dental correction appliance, which can check the wear of the elastic parts during use and facilitate the replacement of the elastic parts. Summary of the invention

[0004] In view of the above technical problems, the present invention provides a dental correction appliance that can check the wear of elastic parts during use and facilitate the replacement of elastic parts.

[0005] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the technical problem is:

[0006] A dental orthodontic appliance, characterized in that it comprises a main body and a movable component. The main body has an arch wire groove, and the movable component cooperates with the main body and can close or open the arch wire groove. An activatable elastic member is provided on the main body. The elastic member has a locking portion, and the movable component has a limiting portion. When the movable component is in the closed position, the elastic member is located below the movable component, and the locking portion is locked with the limiting portion. When the movable component is in the open position, the locking portion is exposed. The locking portion is used to lock and fix the movable component in the closed position, is the main functional part of the elastic member, and is also the part where the elastic member and the movable component rub against each other repeatedly. In the novel dental orthodontic appliance provided by the present invention, when the movable component is in the open position, the locking portion is exposed and can be directly observed. If the elastic member is severely fatigued and damaged, it can be found by observing the locking portion, and the elastic member can be replaced in a timely manner according to the fatigue condition.

[0007] In some preferred embodiments, when the movable component is in the closed position, the elastic member moves above the arch wire groove. In other embodiments, when the movable component is in the closed position, the elastic member may still be above the main body.

[0008] In a further preferred embodiment, the elastic member further has an occupying portion. When the elastic member moves above the arch wire groove, the occupying portion can occupy a part of the space of the arch wire groove. The elastic member has an occupying portion. When the movable component is in the closed position, it occupies a part of the space of the arch wire groove, so that the torque of the arch wire can be better expressed, and even presses against the arch wire to achieve locking of the arch wire, which can prevent the arch wire from rotating in the arch wire groove and enable the torque of the arch wire to be fully expressed. Specifically, the shape and size of the occupying portion can be specifically set according to needs.

[0009] In some preferred embodiments, one end of the elastic member is connected to the main body through a shaft. Specifically, the shaft can be fixedly connected to the main body by welding or the like, or the shaft can be rotatably connected relative to the main body. When the movable component needs to be moved to the closed position, the elastic member is rotated and placed above the arch wire groove, and then the movable component is pushed until it is locked with the locking portion. When the movable component needs to be moved to the open position, a force is applied to the movable component, the limiting portion squeezes the elastic member to deform, the limiting portion passes over the elastic member, and then the movable component can be moved to the open position, and then the elastic member is rotated to open the arch wire groove.

[0010] In some further embodiments, a groove is provided on the body, and a sliding track is provided on the side wall of the groove. The shaft can slide along the sliding track. When the arch wire groove needs to be opened, at least a part of the elastic member moves into the groove. When the movable member needs to be moved to the closed position, first hook out the elastic member that is fully or partially received in the groove, apply a force to the elastic member to drive the shaft to slide along the sliding track, then rotate the elastic member and place it above the arch wire groove, and then push the movable member until it is locked with the locking portion. When the movable member needs to be moved to the open position, apply a force to the movable member, the limiting portion squeezes the elastic member to deform, the limiting portion crosses the elastic member, and then the movable member can be moved to the open position. Then rotate the elastic member and push the elastic member into the groove for storage, which can prevent the elastic member from automatically rotating to above the arch wire groove when the arch wire groove is opened, thus avoiding affecting the operation of the doctor.

[0011] In some further embodiments, the sliding track extends in the labiolingual direction.

[0012] In some preferred embodiments, the body is respectively a first body part and a second body part on both sides of the arch wire groove. The movable member is movably arranged on the first body part, the elastic member is arranged on one of the first body part and the second body part, and a first supporting platform for supporting the elastic member is provided on the other of the first body part and the second body part. The first supporting platform is used to support one end of the elastic member to prevent the elastic member from falling into the arch wire groove.

[0013] In some further preferred embodiments, a second supporting platform for supporting the movable member is provided on the second body part. The second supporting platform is used to support the end of the movable member facing the second body part to prevent the end of the movable member from falling into the arch wire groove.

[0014] In some further preferred embodiments, when the elastic member moves above the arch wire groove, the elastic member does not block the placement of the movable member on the second supporting platform, that is, the height of the part of the elastic member located on the second body part is not higher than the height of the second supporting platform.

[0015] In some further preferred embodiments, a limiting member is provided on one of the movable member and the first main body portion, and a limiting groove matching the limiting member is provided on the other of the movable member and the first main body portion. During the movement of the movable member, the limiting member moves relatively within the limiting groove, and the side wall of the limiting groove can block the limiting member to prevent the movable member from falling off the main body when moving towards the open position.

[0016] In some preferred embodiments, the locking portion is in a convex shape, and the limiting portion is a convex or concave shape.

[0017] Advantages of the present invention: The present application provides an orthodontic appliance, including a main body and a movable member. The main body has an arch wire groove. The movable member cooperates with the main body and can move relative to the main body between an open position and a closed position. An activatable elastic member is provided on the main body. The elastic member can be moved above the arch wire groove. The elastic member has a locking portion, and the movable member has a limiting portion. When the movable member is in the open position, the locking portion is located outside the movable member. When the movable member is in the closed position, the elastic member is located below the movable member, and the locking portion is locked with the limiting portion. The locking portion is the part that repeatedly rubs against the movable member. In the novel orthodontic appliance provided by the present invention, when the movable member is in the open position, the locking portion is located outside the movable member and can be directly observed. If the elastic member is severely fatigued and worn, it can be found by observing the locking portion, and the elastic member can be replaced in a timely manner according to the fatigue situation.

[0018] The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the drawings and embodiments. Description of the Drawings

[0019] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a tooth reference.

[0020] Figure 2 is a front view of the orthodontic appliance of Embodiment 1.

[0021] Figure 3 is a left view of the orthodontic appliance of Embodiment 1.

[0022] Figure 4 is a sectional view of the orthodontic appliance of Embodiment 1.

[0023] Figure 5 is an exploded structure diagram of the orthodontic appliance of Embodiment 1.

[0024] Figure 6 is a sectional view of the orthodontic appliance of Embodiment 2.

[0025] Figure 7 It is a sectional view of the orthodontic appliance in the closed state of Example 3.

[0026] Figure 8 It is a sectional view of the orthodontic appliance in the open state of Example 3.

[0027] Figure 9 It is a schematic structural view of the orthodontic appliance of Example 4.

[0028] Figure 10 It is a sectional view of the orthodontic appliance of Example 4.

[0029] Figure 11 It is an exploded structural view of the orthodontic appliance of Example 4. Detailed implementation manners

[0030] Unless otherwise specified, in the following structural descriptions, a reference system of teeth needs to be used to describe the orthodontic brackets. For details, see Figure 1 , and the terms such as labial, lingual, mesial, distal, occlusal, and gingival used herein to describe the orthodontic brackets are in the reference system of the corresponding teeth. However, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the selected reference system and the described terms, because the orthodontic brackets can be used for other teeth in the oral cavity and in other directions. For example, the orthodontic brackets can also be adhered to the lingual surface of the teeth for use, which also falls within the scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will realize that when there are changes in the reference system, the descriptive terms used herein may not be directly applicable. However, the embodiments of the present invention are intended to be independent of the position and direction in the oral cavity, and the related terms used to describe the embodiments are only for providing a clear description of the embodiments in the drawings. Similarly, the related terms labial, lingual, mesial, distal, occlusal, and gingival will never limit the present invention to a specific position or direction.

[0031] It should be noted that the related terms labial, lingual, mesial, distal, occlusal plane, and gingival are industry terms in orthodontic treatment. Taking the lower teeth as an example, the surface of the orthodontic bracket can be roughly divided into six surfaces. The surface facing the lips is the labial surface of the orthodontic bracket, and the surface facing the tongue is the lingual surface of the orthodontic bracket. The labial surface and the lingual surface are opposite, and the direction formed by the labial surface and the lingual surface is also called the labiolingual direction. The surface facing the occlusal surface of the upper teeth is the occlusal surface of the orthodontic bracket, which can also be called the occlusal plane or the occlusal end face; the surface facing the gingival tissue of the tooth to which it is adhered is the gingival end face of the orthodontic bracket; the occlusal surface and the gingival end face are opposite, and the direction formed by the occlusal surface and the gingival surface is also called the occlusogingival direction. The surface of the tooth facing the tooth midline is the mesial surface, and the surface opposite to the mesial surface is called the distal surface. The direction formed by the mesial surface and the distal surface is called the mesiodistal direction.

[0032] In the description of directions, such as the labiolingual direction, it generally refers to a two-way direction. While in the case of the labio-lingual direction, it specifically refers to a single direction, that is, the direction from the labial surface to the lingual surface, with the addition or non-addition of a short horizontal line as the distinction.

[0033] The axis inclination marking line refers to an inclined line provided on the orthodontic bracket with the same angle as the bracket axis inclination angle, which is used for more accurate positioning when the doctor bonds the bracket to the tooth surface.

[0034] Furthermore, the components and spaces described below are also described with reference to the reference system of the mandibular teeth, such as the gingival-junctional direction and the junctional end face of a certain component, etc., but this does not impose any restrictions on such components and spaces.

[0035] Embodiment 1:

[0036] Refer to Figures 2 - 5 , Figure 2 is the front view of the tooth correction appliance of Embodiment 1, Figure 3 is the left view of the tooth correction appliance of Embodiment 1, Figure 4 is the sectional view of the tooth correction appliance of Embodiment 1, Figure 5 is the exploded structure diagram of the tooth correction appliance of Embodiment 1. This embodiment provides a tooth correction appliance, including a main body 10 and a movable component 20. The main body 10 has an arch wire groove 11. The movable component 20 cooperates with the main body 10 and can move relative to the main body 10 between an open position and a closed position, that is, the movable component 20 cooperates with the main body 10 and can close or open the arch wire groove 11. An activatable elastic member 30 is provided on the main body 10. The elastic member 30 can move above the arch wire groove 11. The elastic member 30 has a locking portion 31. The movable component 20 has a limiting portion 21. When the movable component 20 is in the closed position, the elastic member 30 is located below the movable component 20, and the locking portion 31 is locked with the limiting portion 21. The locking portion 31 is in a convex shape, and the limiting portion 21 is a convexity. When the movable component 20 is in the open position, the locking portion 31 is exposed. The locking portion 31 is used to lock and fix the movable component 20 in the closed position. It is the main functional part of the elastic member 30 and is also the part where the elastic member 30 and the movable component 20 undergo repeated friction. In the novel tooth correction appliance provided by the present invention, when the movable component 20 is in the open position, the locking portion 31 is exposed outside the movable component 20 and can be directly observed. If the elastic member 30 is severely fatigued and damaged, it can be found by observing the locking portion 31, and the elastic member 30 can be replaced in a timely manner according to the fatigue situation.

[0037] The first main body part 12 and the second main body part 13 are respectively located on both sides of the arch wire groove 11 of the main body 10. The movable part 20 is movably arranged on the first main body part 12, the elastic part 30 is arranged on the second main body part 13, and a first supporting platform 121 is arranged on the first main body part 12. The first supporting platform 121 is used for supporting one end of the elastic part 30 to prevent the elastic part 30 from falling into the arch wire groove 11.

[0038] A second supporting platform 131 is arranged on the second main body part 13. The second supporting platform 131 is used for supporting the end 22 of the movable part 20 facing the second main body part 13 to prevent the end 22 of the movable part 20 from falling into the arch wire groove 11. The height of the part of the elastic part 30 located on the second main body part 13 is not higher than the height of the second supporting platform 131. When the elastic part 30 moves above the arch wire groove 11, the elastic part 30 will not block the placement of the movable part 20 on the second supporting platform 131.

[0039] A limiting part 122 is arranged on one of the movable part 20 and the first main body part 10, and a limiting groove 23 matching the limiting part 122 is arranged on the other of the movable part 20 and the first main body part 12. In this embodiment, the limiting groove 23 is arranged on the movable part 20. Specifically, the limiting groove 23 is arranged on the lingual side surface of the movable part 20, the limiting part 122 is arranged on the first main body part 12, and the limiting part 122 is arranged on the labial side surface of the first main body part 12. During the movement of the movable part 20, the limiting part 122 moves relatively in the limiting groove 23, and the side wall of the limiting groove 23 can block the limiting part 122 to prevent the movable part 20 from falling off the main body 10 when moving towards the open position. In this embodiment, the limiting part 21 is the side wall of the limiting groove 23, which can lock with the locking part 31 to fix the movable part 20 and can also cooperate with the limiting part 122 to prevent the movable part 20 from falling.

[0040] One end of the elastic part 30 is connected to the main body 10 through a shaft 40. Specifically, the shaft 40 can be fixedly connected to the main body 10 by welding or the like, or the shaft 40 can be rotatably connected to the main body 10. In this embodiment, symmetric holes 132 are arranged on the second main body part 13. After the shaft 40 is inserted into the holes 132, it is fixed by spot welding.

[0041] When the movable part 20 is to be moved to the closed position, rotate the elastic member 30 and place it above the arch wire groove 11, and then push the movable part 20 until it is locked with the locking portion 31. When the movable part 20 is to be moved to the open position, apply a force to the movable part 20, the limiting portion 21 squeezes the elastic member 30 to deform, the limiting portion 21 crosses the elastic member 30, and then the movable part 20 can be moved to the open position, and then rotate the elastic member 30 to open the arch wire groove 11.

[0042] Embodiment 2:

[0043] Referring to Figure 6 , Figure 6 is a sectional view of the orthodontic appliance of Embodiment 2. This embodiment provides an orthodontic appliance that is basically the same as Embodiment 1, except that: the elastic member 30 further has a positioning portion 32. When the elastic member 30 moves above the arch wire groove 11, the positioning portion 32 can abut against the arch wire. The elastic member 30 has a positioning portion 32. When the movable part 20 is in the closed position, the positioning portion 32 can occupy a part of the space of the arch wire groove 11, reduce the clearance of the arch wire groove 11, so that the data of the arch wire can be better expressed, and even can abut against the arch wire to achieve the locking of the arch wire, which can prevent the arch wire from rotating in the arch wire groove 11 and enable the torque of the arch wire to be fully expressed. Specifically, the shape and size of the positioning portion 32 can be specifically set according to needs.

[0044] Other structures are the same as those in Embodiment 1 and will not be described in detail.

[0045] Embodiment 3:

[0046] Referring to Figure 7 and Figure 8 , Figure 7 is a sectional view of the orthodontic appliance in the closed state of Embodiment 3, Figure 8It is a sectional view of the orthodontic appliance in the open state of Embodiment 3. This embodiment provides an orthodontic appliance that is basically the same as Embodiment 1, except that: a groove 133 is provided on the main body. Specifically, a groove 133 is provided on the second main body portion 13. A sliding track 134 is provided on the side wall of the groove 133. The shaft 40 can slide along the sliding track 134. When the arch wire groove 11 needs to be opened, at least a part of the elastic member 30 moves into the groove 133. When the movable member 20 needs to be moved to the closed position, first hook out the elastic member 30 that is fully or partially received in the groove 133, apply a force to the elastic member 30 to drive the shaft 40 to slide along the sliding track 134, then rotate the elastic member 30 and place it above the arch wire groove 11, and then push the movable member 20 until it is locked with the locking portion 31. When the movable member 20 needs to be moved to the open position, apply a force to the movable member 20, the limiting portion 21 squeezes the elastic member 30 to deform, the limiting portion 21 passes over the elastic member 30, and then the movable member 20 can be moved to the open position. Then rotate the elastic member 30 and push the elastic member 30 into the groove 133 for storage. This can prevent the elastic member 30 from automatically rotating to above the arch wire groove 11 when the arch wire groove 11 is opened, thus avoiding affecting the doctor's operation.

[0047] Other structures are the same as those in Embodiment 1 and will not be elaborated here.

[0048] Embodiment 4:

[0049] Refer to Figures 9 - 11 , Figure 9 It is a schematic structural view of the orthodontic appliance of Embodiment 4, Figure 10 It is a sectional view of the orthodontic appliance of Embodiment 4, Figure 11Exploded structural view of the tooth correction appliance of Embodiment 4. This embodiment provides a tooth correction appliance that is basically the same as that of Embodiment 1, with the difference being that the elastic member 30 is connected to the second main body portion 12 through a shaft 40, and a first support platform 121 is provided on the first main body portion 13. The first support platform 121 is used to support one end of the elastic member 30 to prevent the elastic member 30 from falling into the arch wire groove 11. The movable member 20 is provided with a limiting groove 23. Specifically, the limiting groove 23 is provided on the labial side surfaces of the mesial and distal sides of the movable member 20, and a limiting member 122 is provided on the first main body portion 12 at a position corresponding to the limiting groove 23. A sliding groove for the movable member 20 to slide is formed on the first main body portion 12, and the limiting member 122 is provided on the side wall of the sliding groove facing the labial side surface of the movable member 20. During the movement of the movable member 20, the limiting member 122 moves relatively in the limiting groove 23, and the side wall of the limiting groove 23 can block the limiting member 122 to prevent the movable member 20 from falling off the main body 10 when moving towards the open position.

[0050] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. If various modifications or variations of the present invention do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and provided that these modifications and variations are within the scope of the claims of the present invention and equivalent technical scope, then the present invention also intends to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. An orthodontic appliance, characterized in that, It includes a main body and a movable part. The movable part is slidably connected to the main body. The main body has an arch wire groove. The movable part cooperates with the main body, and the movable part realizes closing or opening the arch wire groove by sliding and switching positions on the main body. An active elastic member is provided on the main body. The elastic member has a locking portion, and the movable part has a limiting portion. When the movable part is in the closed position, the elastic member is located below the movable part, and the locking portion is locked with the limiting portion. When the movable part is in the open position, the locking portion is exposed.

2. The orthodontic appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the movable part is in the closed position, the elastic member moves to above the arch wire groove.

3. The orthodontic appliance according to claim 2, wherein The elastic member further has an occupying portion. When the elastic member moves to above the arch wire groove, the occupying portion can occupy a part of the space of the arch wire groove.

4. The orthodontic appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that, One end of the elastic member is connected to the main body through a shaft.

5. The orthodontic appliance according to claim 4, wherein A groove is provided on the main body. A sliding track is provided on the side wall of the groove. The shaft can slide along the sliding track. When the arch wire groove needs to be opened, at least a part of the elastic member moves into the groove.

6. The orthodontic appliance according to claim 5, characterized in that, The sliding track extends along the labiolingual direction.

7. The orthodontic appliance according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The two sides of the main body where the arch wire groove is located are respectively a first main body part and a second main body part. The movable part is movably arranged on the first main body part. The elastic member is arranged on one of the first main body part and the second main body part. A first supporting platform for supporting the elastic member is provided on the other of the first main body part and the second main body part.

8. The orthodontic appliance according to claim 7, characterized in that, A second supporting platform for supporting the movable part is provided on the second main body part.

9. The orthodontic appliance according to claim 7, characterized in that, A limiting member is provided on one of the movable part and the first main body part, and a limiting groove matching the limiting member is provided on the other of the movable part and the first main body part.

10. The orthodontic appliance according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The locking portion is in a convex shape, and the limiting portion is a convex or a concave.

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