Dental instrument

Abstract

The invention provides a dental instrument which comprises a first occlusion model which is a U-shaped long-strip-shaped entity, the side, away from the occlusion face, of the first occlusion model is concaved inwards to form a first cavity used for containing a first shell-shaped tooth appliance, the first shell-shaped tooth appliance is an integrated shell and forms a cavity for containing a first dentition of a patient, and the first cavity is used for containing a second dentition of the patient. The first dentition is one of an upper jaw dentition and a lower jaw dentition of the patient.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application generally relates to a dental instrument. Background Art

[0002] Shell-shaped dental appliances are becoming more and more popular due to their advantages in terms of aesthetics, convenience, and ease of cleaning. However, shell-shaped dental appliances are limited in their ability to adjust the arch shape and the position of the mandible. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a new dental appliance. Summary of the invention

[0003] One aspect of the present application provides a dental device, which includes: a first occlusal model, which is a U-shaped long strip entity, and its side away from the occlusal surface is concave inward to form a first cavity for accommodating a first shell-shaped dental orthodontic appliance, wherein the first shell-shaped dental orthodontic appliance is an integrated shell, forming a cavity for accommodating a patient's first dentition, and the first dentition is one of the patient's maxillary dentition and mandibular dentition.

[0004] In some embodiments, the size of the cross-section of the first cavity varies with the first shell-shaped dental appliance.

[0005] In some embodiments, the geometry of the first cavity matches that of the first shell-shaped dental appliance.

[0006] In some embodiments, the wall thickness variation range of the first occlusal module is greater than the wall thickness variation range of the first shell-shaped dental appliance.

[0007] In some embodiments, the surface of the first cavity is fitted based on the outer surface of the first shell-shaped dental appliance.

[0008] In some embodiments, the elastic modulus of the material of the first occlusal module is lower than the elastic modulus of the material of the first shell-shaped dental appliance.

[0009] In some embodiments, the geometry of the tooth receiving cavity of the first shell-shaped dental appliance matches the first dentition of the patient in the first tooth layout.

[0010] In some embodiments, the geometry of the outer surface of the first shell-shaped dental appliance varies with the geometry of the inner surface thereof.

[0011] In some embodiments, the first shell-shaped dental appliance forms a first fixing structure protruding outward, the first cavity forms a corresponding second fixing structure concave inward, and the first shell-shaped dental appliance is fixed to the first cavity through the cooperation between the first and second fixing structures.

[0012] In some embodiments, the first shell-shaped dental appliance extends outward at the opening to form a fixing edge, and the first occlusal module forms a slot at the opening, and the fixing edge is inserted into the slot to fix the first shell-shaped dental appliance in the first cavity.

[0013] In some embodiments, the dental apparatus further includes the first shell-shaped dental appliance received in the first cavity.

[0014] In some embodiments, the dental device also includes a second bite module, which is a U-shaped long strip entity, and its side away from the occlusal surface is recessed inward to form a second cavity for accommodating a second shell-shaped dental brace, wherein the second shell-shaped dental brace is an integrated shell, forming a cavity for accommodating the patient's second dentition, the second dentition is the opposite dentition of the first dentition, and the first and second bite modules are fixed to each other.

[0015] In some embodiments, the size of the cross-section of the second cavity varies with the second shell-shaped dental appliance.

[0016] In some embodiments, the geometry of the second cavity matches that of the second shell-shaped dental appliance.

[0017] In some embodiments, the wall thickness variation range of the second occlusal module is greater than the wall thickness variation range of the second shell-shaped dental appliance.

[0018] In some embodiments, the surface of the second cavity is fitted based on the outer surface of the second shell-shaped dental appliance.

[0019] In some embodiments, the elastic modulus of the material of the second occlusal module is lower than the elastic modulus of the material of the second shell-shaped dental appliance.

[0020] In some embodiments, the geometry of the tooth receiving cavity of the second shell-shaped dental appliance matches the second dentition of the patient in the second tooth layout.

[0021] In some embodiments, the geometry of the outer surface of the second shell-shaped dental appliance varies with the geometry of the inner surface thereof.

[0022] In some embodiments, the second shell-shaped dental appliance forms a first fixing structure protruding outward, and the second cavity forms a corresponding second fixing structure concave inward, and the second shell-shaped dental appliance is fixed to the second cavity through the cooperation between the first and second fixing structures.

[0023] In some embodiments, the second shell-shaped dental appliance extends outward at the opening to form a fixing edge, and the second occlusal module forms a slot at the opening, and the fixing edge is inserted into the slot to fix the second shell-shaped dental appliance in the second cavity.

[0024] In some embodiments, the dental apparatus further includes the second shell-shaped dental appliance received in the second cavity.

[0025] In some embodiments, the first and second bite modules are formed integrally.

[0026] In some embodiments, the relative position of the first cavity of the first bite module and the second cavity of the second bite module is customized according to the target relative position of the patient's upper and lower dentition.

[0027] In some embodiments, the material of the first and second bite molds is one of the following: silicone, rubber, TPU and any combination thereof. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The above and other features of the present application will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and detailed descriptions thereof. It should be understood that these drawings only illustrate several exemplary embodiments according to the present application and should not be considered as limiting the scope of protection of the present application. Unless otherwise specified, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and similar reference numerals represent similar components.

[0029] Figure 1A A dental apparatus in one embodiment of the present application is schematically shown;

[0030] Figure 1B Schematically shows Figure 1A The assembly relationship of the dental instruments shown;

[0031] Figure 1C for Figure 1A A view of the dental appliance shown from the maxillary to mandibular direction;

[0032] Figure 1D for Figure 1C A cross-sectional view of the dental appliance shown at AA;

[0033] Figure 1E for Figure 1A A view of the dental appliance shown from the lingual to labial direction;

[0034] Figure 1F for Figure 1E A cross-sectional view of the dental appliance shown at BB; and

[0035] Figure 2 A dental instrument in yet another embodiment of the present application is schematically illustrated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The following detailed description refers to the drawings that form part of this specification. The illustrative embodiments mentioned in the specification and drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present application. Under the guidance of the present application, those skilled in the art will understand that many other embodiments can be adopted and various changes can be made to the described embodiments without departing from the subject matter and scope of protection of the present application. It should be understood that the various aspects of the present application described and illustrated herein can be arranged, replaced, combined, separated and designed according to many different configurations, and these different configurations are within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0037] Please refer to Figures 1A-1F , schematically illustrates a dental apparatus 700 in one embodiment of the present application, wherein, Figure 1A is a perspective view of a dental apparatus 700, Figure 1B Schematically shows Figure 1A The assembly relationship of the dental apparatus 700 shown, Figure 1C for Figure 1A The dental appliance 700 is shown in a view from the upper jaw to the lower jaw, Figure 1D for Figure 1C The cross-sectional view of the dental apparatus 700 is shown at AA. Figure 1E for Figure 1A The dental device 700 is shown in a lingual to labial view. Figure 1F for Figure 1E The dental appliance 700 is shown in cross-section at BB.

[0038] The dental apparatus 700 includes an upper occlusal module 701, a lower occlusal module 703, a shell-shaped maxillary appliance 705, and a shell-shaped mandibular appliance 707 which are fixed to each other.

[0039] In one embodiment, the upper bite module 701 and the lower bite module 703 may be formed in one piece. In another embodiment, they may also be independent components fixed to each other by mechanical means.

[0040] In one embodiment, the upper occlusal module 701 forms a cavity 7011 for accommodating a shell-shaped maxillary appliance 705, and its geometry matches that of the maxillary appliance 705. The lower occlusal module 703 forms a cavity 7031 for accommodating a shell-shaped mandibular appliance 707, and its geometry matches that of the mandibular appliance 707. In this case, for orthodontics of a single dentition (e.g., maxillary or mandibular dentition), not only the immovable teeth of the dentition can provide support for the mobile teeth, but also the opposing dentition can provide support for them, thereby improving the correction effect.

[0041] In another embodiment, the geometry of the cavity 7011 does not match the maxillary appliance 705, but its cross-sectional dimensions vary with the maxillary appliance 705, so that it can accommodate the maxillary appliance 705 and form at least point contact with the maxillary appliance 705 at multiple locations, thereby providing support for the maxillary appliance 705. The relationship between the cavity 7031 and the mandibular appliance 707 is similar.

[0042] In another embodiment, the geometry of the cavity 7011 changes with the maxillary appliance 705. For example, at the front teeth, the geometry of its cross section is approximately V-shaped, while at the back teeth, the geometry of its cross section is approximately rectangular, so that it can accommodate the maxillary appliance 705 and form at least point contact with the maxillary appliance 705 at multiple locations, thereby providing support for the maxillary appliance 705. The relationship between the cavity 7031 and the mandibular appliance 707 is similar.

[0043] The shell-shaped maxillary appliance 705 is an integrated shell, forming a cavity for accommodating maxillary teeth, the geometry of which is consistent with a first tooth layout of the maxillary teeth, the first tooth layout may be a current tooth layout, or may be different from the current tooth layout, so as to reposition the maxillary teeth from the current layout to the first tooth layout. Similarly, the shell-shaped mandibular appliance 707 is an integrated shell, forming a cavity for accommodating mandibular teeth, the geometry of which is consistent with a second tooth layout of the mandibular teeth, the second tooth layout may be a current tooth layout, or may be different from the current tooth layout, so as to reposition the mandibular teeth from the current layout to the second tooth layout.

[0044] If the dental treatment using the dental apparatus of the present application does not involve moving teeth, then the first and second tooth arrangements may be the current tooth arrangements of the patient's upper and lower dentitions. If the dental treatment using the dental apparatus of the present application involves moving teeth, then the first and second tooth arrangements may be the target tooth arrangements to be achieved using the current dental apparatus or tooth arrangements slightly exceeding the target tooth arrangements.

[0045] In one embodiment, in order to enable the shell-like maxillary appliance 705 and the shell-like mandibular appliance 707 to be better maintained in the cavities 7011 and 7031 respectively, a plurality of protruding structures 7051 and 7071 may be formed on the shell-like maxillary appliance 705 and the shell-like mandibular appliance 707 respectively, which cooperate with the recessed structures 7013 and 7033 formed in the cavities 7011 and 7031 respectively.

[0046] In one embodiment, the elastic modulus of the material of the shell-shaped maxillary appliance 705 and the shell-shaped mandibular appliance 707 is higher than that of the upper bite module 701 and the lower bite module 703. In this configuration, not only can the teeth be moved with the help of the excellent mechanical properties of the shell-shaped appliance, but also the dental arch shape correction and mandibular position adjustment can be achieved with the help of the upper and lower bite modules.

[0047] Please refer to Figure 2 , schematically illustrates a dental apparatus 800 in yet another embodiment of the present application.

[0048] The dental apparatus 800 includes an upper occlusal module 801, a lower occlusal module 803, a shell-shaped maxillary appliance 805, and a shell-shaped mandibular appliance 807 which are fixed to each other.

[0049] The edges of the maxillary appliance 805 and the mandibular appliance 807 are respectively expanded outward (i.e., the lingual side wall expands outward toward the lingual side, and the labial and buccal side wall expands outward toward the labial and buccal side) to extend to form fixing edges 8051 and 8071. The cross-sections of the maxillary appliance 805 and the mandibular appliance 807 are trumpet-shaped at the fixing edges 8051 and 8071.

[0050] The upper occlusal module 801 forms a cavity 8011 for accommodating the shell-shaped maxillary appliance 805 , and a slot 8013 is formed at the opening of the cavity 8011 , and a fixing edge 8051 of the maxillary appliance 805 is inserted into the slot 8013 to keep the maxillary appliance 805 in the cavity 8011 .

[0051] The lower occlusal module 803 forms a cavity 8031 ​​for accommodating the shell-shaped mandibular appliance 807 , and a slot 8033 is formed at the opening of the cavity 8031 ​​, and a fixing edge 8071 of the mandibular appliance 807 is inserted into the slot 8033 to keep the mandibular appliance 807 in the cavity 8031 ​​.

[0052] In light of the present application, it can be understood that the dental apparatus of the present application may also include only a single occlusal module and a corresponding shell-shaped dental appliance.

[0053] In one embodiment, the upper and lower engaging modules may respectively adopt their own common external dimensions.

[0054] In light of this application, it can be understood that the dental arch sizes of patients of different age groups vary greatly. Therefore, in one embodiment, the dental arch size range can be divided into several intervals, and a universal upper bite module and a universal lower bite module can be designed for each interval. In another embodiment, several age groups can also be set, and a universal upper bite module and a universal lower bite module can be designed for each age group.

[0055] In another embodiment, the outer dimensions of the upper and lower bite modules can also be customized. For example, their cross-sectional dimensions can be changed with the upper and lower shell-shaped dental appliances, respectively.

[0056] Typically, the shell-shaped maxillary appliance 705 and the shell-shaped mandibular appliance 707 are manufactured by a hot pressing film forming process, and the difference in wall thickness at various locations depends on the manufacturing process and is generally small.

[0057] Since the wall thickness of the upper and lower bite modules is much greater than that of the upper and lower shell-shaped dental appliances, when the cavities of the upper and lower bite modules respectively match the upper and lower shell-shaped dental appliances, the wall thickness variation range of the upper and lower bite modules is greater than the wall thickness variation range of the upper and lower shell-shaped dental appliances.

[0058] In one embodiment, the upper bite module and the lower bite module can be manufactured by 3D printing. The manufacturing of a single bite module is taken as an example to explain it in detail below.

[0059] In one embodiment, a first three-dimensional digital model may be obtained, the outer contour of which is consistent with the outer contour of the first shell-shaped appliance (maxillary or mandibular shell-shaped appliance).

[0060] A second three-dimensional digital model is obtained, whose outer contour is consistent with the outer contour of the occlusal module and is a U-shaped long strip entity.

[0061] Next, the first and second three-dimensional digital models are positioned according to a predetermined relative position relationship (i.e., the position of the tooth receiving cavity in the occlusal module), and then Boolean subtraction is used to remove the overlapping parts of the first three-dimensional digital model from the second three-dimensional digital model to obtain a third three-dimensional digital model, i.e., the three-dimensional digital model of the occlusal module.

[0062] Then, the third three-dimensional digital model is used to control a 3D printing device to manufacture the occlusal module.

[0063] The use of 3D printing technology to produce the bite module has at least the following advantages: first, special structures such as cavitation can be freely set inside the bite module; second, different materials can be freely controlled in different parts of the bite module.

[0064] In yet another embodiment, the occlusal module may be manufactured by a molding method.

[0065] In one embodiment, the first and second three-dimensional digital models and the position of the tooth receiving cavity in the occlusal module can be obtained. Then, based on these data, a fourth three-dimensional digital model is generated, which is a three-dimensional digital model representing the mold of the occlusal module, and is generally a U-shaped long strip box, and the bottom protrusion of the box forms a structure matching the first three-dimensional digital model.

[0066] Next, the fourth three-dimensional digital model is used to control a 3D printing device to make a mold of the occlusal module.

[0067] Then, the molten bite module material is injected into the mold of the bite module, and after it is cooled and solidified, the mold is removed to obtain the bite module.

[0068] In one embodiment, the upper and lower bite modules can use a material with a lower elastic modulus (softer) (lower elastic modulus than the upper and lower shell-like dental braces) to improve the wearing comfort of the dental instrument and make the upper and lower shell-like dental braces easier to install on the upper and lower bite modules.

[0069] In one embodiment, the upper engaging module and the lower engaging module may be made of silicone, rubber or TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane).

[0070] In light of the present application, it can be understood that in order to achieve specific treatment goals, the upper occlusal module and / or the lower occlusal module can locally adopt different materials, for example, materials with a higher elastic modulus.

[0071] Since the occlusal module provides additional support for the shell-shaped dental appliance, the performance of the dental device of the present application in terms of arch adjustment (arch expansion or arch contraction) is improved.

[0072] Since the upper bite module and the lower bite module are fixed to each other, the dental apparatus of the present application has good performance in adjusting the position of the mandible.

[0073] In some cases, for some cases with large correction range, it may be difficult to achieve the correction goal using only a single dental appliance, or the force applied is too large, resulting in reduced wearing comfort. In this case, at least two successive dental appliances worn in stages can be used to gradually achieve the correction goal.

[0074] In one embodiment, these successive dental instruments gradually adjust the mandible to a target position by gradually changing the relative position of the cavities of the bite module.

[0075] In one embodiment, these successive dental appliances gradually adjust the arch shape of the corresponding dentition to a target arch shape by gradually changing the arch shape of the occlusal module.

[0076] In one embodiment, the elastic modulus of the material of the bite module of these successive dental appliances may be gradually increased.

[0077] In one embodiment, the surface of the cavity of the bite module is fitted based on the outer surface of the corresponding shell-like dental appliance. More specifically, the lingual surface of the cavity of the bite module is fitted based on the lingual outer surface of the corresponding shell-like dental appliance, and the labial and buccal surfaces of the cavity of the bite module are fitted based on the labial and buccal outer surfaces of the corresponding shell-like dental appliance.

[0078] In one embodiment, multiple points can be sampled on the lingual outer surface of the shell-shaped dental appliance, and the lingual surface of the cavity of the occlusal module can be fitted based on these sampled points. Similarly, multiple points can be sampled on the labial and buccal outer surface of the shell-shaped dental appliance, and the labial and buccal surfaces of the cavity of the occlusal module can be fitted based on these sampled points. The geometric shape of the cavity of the occlusal module obtained by fitting is precisely consistent with the target arch shape.

[0079] As is known to those skilled in the art, orthodontic treatment using a shell-shaped dental appliance generally requires a group of multiple successive shell-shaped dental appliances. If the outer surface of one of the group of multiple successive shell-shaped dental appliances fits the surface of the cavity of the bite module, then the bite module is at least suitable for the shell-shaped dental appliance and several shell-shaped dental appliances before and after it. After wearing the dental device with the current shell-shaped dental appliance installed, the current shell-shaped dental appliance can be removed from the bite module, and then the next shell-shaped dental appliance can be installed on the bite module and continued to be worn, which can effectively reduce costs.

[0080] Although various aspects and embodiments of the present application are disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments of the present application will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the present application. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes only and not for limiting purposes. The scope and subject matter of the present application are determined solely by the appended claims.

[0081] Likewise, various diagrams may illustrate exemplary architectures or other configurations of the disclosed methods and systems that aid in understanding the features and functions that may be included in the disclosed methods and systems. The claimed content is not limited to the exemplary architectures or configurations shown, and the desired features may be implemented with various alternative architectures and configurations. In addition, for flow charts, functional descriptions, and method claims, the order of blocks presented herein should not be limited to various embodiments that are implemented in the same order to perform the described functions, unless otherwise clearly indicated in the context.

[0082] Unless otherwise expressly noted, the terms and phrases used herein and their variations should be interpreted as open ended, not restrictive. In some instances, the appearance of broad words and phrases such as "one or more", "at least", "but not limited to", or other similar terms should not be understood as an intent or need to indicate a narrowing of the example where such broad terms may not be present.

Claims

1. A dental apparatus comprising: The first occlusal model is a U-shaped long strip entity, and its side away from the occlusal surface is concave inward to form a first cavity for accommodating a first shell-shaped dental appliance, wherein the first shell-shaped dental appliance is an integrated shell, forming a cavity for accommodating the patient's first dentition, and the first dentition is one of the patient's maxillary dentition and mandibular dentition.

2. The dental apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The size of the cross-section of the first cavity varies with the first shell-shaped dental appliance.

3. The dental apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: The geometry of the first cavity matches that of the first shell-shaped dental appliance.

4. The dental apparatus according to claim 3, wherein: The wall thickness variation range of the first occlusal module is greater than the wall thickness variation range of the first shell-shaped dental appliance.

5. The dental apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: The surface of the first cavity is fitted based on the outer surface of the first shell-shaped dental appliance.

6. The dental apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The elastic modulus of the material of the first occlusal module is lower than the elastic modulus of the material of the first shell-shaped dental appliance.

7. The dental apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The geometry of the tooth receiving cavity of the first shell-shaped dental appliance matches the first dentition of the patient under the first tooth layout.

8. The dental apparatus according to claim 7, wherein: The geometry of the outer surface of the first shell-shaped dental appliance varies with the geometry of the inner surface thereof.

9. The dental apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The first shell-shaped dental appliance forms a first fixing structure protruding outward, and the first cavity forms a corresponding second fixing structure concave inward. The first shell-shaped dental appliance is fixed to the first cavity through the cooperation between the first and second fixing structures.

10. The dental apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The first shell-shaped dental appliance extends outward at the opening to form a fixing edge, and the first occlusal module forms a slot at the opening, and the fixing edge is inserted into the slot to fix the first shell-shaped dental appliance in the first cavity.

11. The dental apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The dental apparatus further comprises the first shell-shaped dental appliance received in the first cavity.

12. The dental apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: It also includes a second occlusal module, which is a U-shaped long strip entity, and its side away from the occlusal surface is recessed inward to form a second cavity for accommodating a second shell-shaped dental appliance, wherein the second shell-shaped dental appliance is an integrated shell, forming a cavity for accommodating the patient's second dentition, the second dentition is the opposite dentition of the first dentition, and the first and second occlusal modules are fixed to each other.

13. The dental apparatus according to claim 12, wherein: The size of the cross-section of the second cavity varies with the second shell-shaped dental appliance.

14. The dental apparatus according to claim 13, wherein: The geometry of the second cavity matches that of the second shell-shaped dental appliance.

15. The dental apparatus according to claim 14, wherein: The wall thickness variation range of the second occlusal module is greater than the wall thickness variation range of the second shell-shaped dental appliance.

16. The dental apparatus according to claim 13, wherein: The surface of the second cavity is fitted based on the outer surface of the second shell-shaped dental appliance.

17. The dental apparatus according to claim 12, wherein: The elastic modulus of the material of the second occlusal module is lower than the elastic modulus of the material of the second shell-shaped dental appliance.

18. The dental apparatus according to claim 12, wherein: The geometry of the tooth receiving cavity of the second shell-shaped dental appliance matches the second dentition of the patient under the second tooth layout.

19. The dental apparatus according to claim 18, wherein: The geometry of the outer surface of the second shell-shaped dental appliance varies with the geometry of the inner surface thereof.

20. The dental apparatus of claim 12, wherein: The second shell-shaped dental appliance forms a first fixing structure protruding outward, and the second cavity forms a corresponding second fixing structure concave inward. The second shell-shaped dental appliance is fixed to the second cavity through the cooperation between the first and second fixing structures.

21. The dental apparatus according to claim 12, wherein: The second shell-shaped dental appliance extends outward at the opening to form a fixing edge, and the second occlusal module forms a slot at the opening, and the fixing edge is inserted into the slot to fix the second shell-shaped dental appliance in the second cavity.

22. The dental apparatus of claim 12, wherein: The dental apparatus further comprises the second shell-shaped dental appliance received in the second cavity.

23. The dental apparatus of claim 12, wherein: The first and second snap-in modules are integrally formed.

24. The dental apparatus of claim 1, wherein: The relative position of the first cavity of the first occlusal module and the second cavity of the second occlusal module is customized according to the target relative position of the upper and lower dentitions of the patient.

25. The dental apparatus of claim 12, wherein: The material of the first and second bite molds is one of the following: silicone, rubber, TPU and any combination thereof.

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