Shell-shaped dental instrument

Abstract

The invention provides a shell-shaped tooth appliance which comprises a first shell-shaped tooth appliance body and a second shell-shaped tooth appliance body which are arranged in pairs, the first shell-shaped tooth appliance body is worn on a first dentition of a patient, the second shell-shaped tooth appliance body is worn on a second dentition of the patient, the first shell-shaped tooth appliance body comprises a first main body, and the second shell-shaped tooth appliance body comprises a second main body. The first shell-shaped tooth appliance comprises a first main body which is an integrated shell and forms a cavity for accommodating the first dentition, at least one first chewing block is arranged on the occlusal surface of the rear tooth area on at least one side of the first main body, and a first guide groove is formed in the top of the first chewing block; the second main body is provided with a first chewing block matched with the first chewing block to form a cavity for accommodating the second dentition, the second main body is provided with a second chewing block matched with the first chewing block on the occlusal surface of the rear tooth area, first guide teeth are formed at the top of the second chewing block, and at least part of the first guide teeth is located in the first guide groove in the occlusal state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application generally relates to shell-shaped dental instruments, and in particular shell-shaped dental instruments with chewing blocks. Background Technology

[0002] Due to their aesthetic appeal, convenience, and ease of cleaning, shell-shaped dental instruments based on polymer materials (such as shell-shaped orthodontic appliances and shell-shaped retainers) are becoming increasingly popular. Shell-shaped dental instruments are typically a single, integrated shell that forms a cavity to accommodate multiple teeth, with the geometry of the cavity closely matching the arrangement of these teeth.

[0003] Orthodontic treatment using shell-shaped orthodontic appliances typically requires dozens of successive shell-shaped orthodontic appliances. By wearing these appliances one after another, the patient's teeth are gradually repositioned from the initial tooth layout to the target tooth layout.

[0004] In orthodontic treatment using shell-shaped braces, patients typically need to wear them for more than 20 hours a day, removing them for eating. This is because shell-shaped dental appliances are generally made of polymer materials, their geometry matches the tooth contour, and their relatively smooth surface results in poor chewing efficiency. In some cases, in addition to the upper and lower shell-shaped braces applying force to the upper and lower teeth respectively, additional structures are needed to allow the upper and lower jaws to exert force on each other, such as mandibular prognathism. Since patients do not wear traditional shell-shaped braces while eating, they lose the interaction force between the upper and lower jaws generated by wearing shell-shaped braces during eating.

[0005] After discovering the above-mentioned problems, the inventors of this application believed it was necessary to provide a new shell-shaped orthodontic appliance. Summary of the Invention

[0006] One aspect of this application provides a shell-shaped orthodontic appliance, comprising a pair of first and second shell-shaped orthodontic appliances. The first shell-shaped orthodontic appliance is for wearing on a patient's first dentition, and the second shell-shaped orthodontic appliance is for wearing on the patient's second dentition. The first and second dentitions are opposing dentitions. The first shell-shaped orthodontic appliance includes a first body, which is an integral shell forming a cavity for accommodating the first dentition. At least one first chewing block is provided on the occlusal surface of at least one side of the first body in the posterior region. The first chewing block forms a first guide groove at its top. The second shell-shaped orthodontic appliance includes a second body, which is an integral shell forming a cavity for accommodating the second dentition. The second body has a second chewing block on the occlusal surface of the second body in the posterior region that matches the first chewing block. The second chewing block forms a first guide tooth at its top. In the occlusal state, the first guide tooth is at least partially located within the first guide groove.

[0007] In some embodiments, the second chewing block forms a second guide groove at its top, and the lingual and buccal sides of the second guide groove protrude toward the opposing jaw to form a second lingual tooth and a second buccal tooth, respectively. The first guide tooth is either the second buccal tooth or the second lingual tooth. The lingual and buccal sides of the first guide groove protrude toward the opposing jaw to form a first lingual tooth and a first buccal tooth, respectively. The second guide tooth is either the first lingual tooth or the first buccal tooth. In the occlusal state, the second guide tooth is at least partially located within the second guide groove, and the mating relationship between the second guide groove and the second guide tooth is consistent with the mating relationship between the first guide groove and the first guide tooth.

[0008] In some embodiments, the cooperation between the first guide groove and the first guide tooth enables the shell-shaped orthodontic appliance to exert a forward or backward force on the mandible under the action of occlusal force.

[0009] In some embodiments, the extending directions of the bottoms of the first and second guide grooves and the extending directions of the ridges of the first and second guide teeth form an angle greater than or equal to 10° and less than or equal to 45° with the meshing surface.

[0010] In some embodiments, the first guide groove, the first guide tooth, the second guide groove, and the second guide tooth are provided with a plurality of protruding, slender chewing teeth. During chewing, these chewing teeth cooperate with each other to enhance the friction, compression, and cutting of the food.

[0011] In some implementations, the bottom of the first guide groove is smooth.

[0012] In some embodiments, the first and second chewing blocks are integrally formed with the first and second bodies, respectively.

[0013] In some embodiments, the sides of the first and second chewing blocks are formed with vertical reinforcing ribs.

[0014] In some embodiments, a rigid body with a matching geometry is disposed within the cavity formed by the first and second chewing blocks.

[0015] In some embodiments, the first guide tooth has a predetermined lateral range of motion within the first guide groove.

[0016] In some embodiments, a locking structure is formed at the bottom of the first guide groove and on the side opposite to the guide direction of the ridge of the first guide tooth. The locking structure, in the engaged state, can prevent the mandible from moving in the opposite direction to the guide direction.

[0017] In some embodiments, the shell-shaped orthodontic appliance has first and second working states. In the first working state, the first and second bodies can move relative to each other in a front-back direction, generating a forward or backward force on the mandible under the action of occlusal force. In the second working state, the locking structure engages, preventing the second body from moving in the opposite direction to the guiding direction.

[0018] In some embodiments, the locking structure includes a locking tooth formed at the bottom of the first guide groove that protrudes in the opposite direction to the guiding direction, and a locking groove formed on the ridge of the first guide tooth that is recessed in the opposite direction to the guiding direction.

[0019] In some implementations, the first chewing block is located on the occlusal surface of a single posterior tooth.

[0020] In some embodiments, the second chewing block extends at least from the occlusal surface of the first posterior tooth to the occlusal surface of the second posterior tooth adjacent to the first posterior tooth.

[0021] In some embodiments, the second chewing block includes at least two segments, each segment engaging with a corresponding segment of the first chewing block.

[0022] In some embodiments, the projection of the extension directions of the first guide groove and the first guide tooth onto the occlusal surface is substantially consistent with the mesiodistal direction.

[0023] In some embodiments, the first dentition is the maxillary dentition, the second dentition is the mandibular dentition, the first chewing blocks are provided on both the left and right sides of the first body, and the second chewing blocks are provided on both the left and right sides of the second body. The cooperation between the first guide groove and the first guide tooth enables the shell-shaped orthodontic appliance to generate a force along a first direction on the mandibular dentition under the action of occlusal force. The first chewing block is closer to the first direction than the second chewing block it is paired with. The first direction is either forward or backward.

[0024] In some embodiments, the first body and / or the second body form a receiving cavity on the lingual or buccal side of the tooth corresponding to the chewing block to receive a retention attachment bonded to the tooth surface, thereby enhancing the retention of the first body and / or the second body on the tooth.

[0025] Another aspect of this application provides a shell-shaped orthodontic appliance system comprising a plurality of successive shell-shaped orthodontic appliances, characterized in that the total height of the first and second chewing blocks of at least one of the plurality of successive shell-shaped orthodontic appliances is lower than the total height of the first and second chewing blocks of a previous shell-shaped orthodontic appliance. Attached Figure Description

[0026] The above and other features of this application will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and their detailed description. It should be understood that these drawings only illustrate several exemplary embodiments according to this application and should not be considered as limiting the scope of protection of this application. Unless otherwise specified, the drawings are not necessarily to scale, and similar reference numerals denote similar parts.

[0027] Figure 1 A shell-shaped orthodontic appliance is illustrated in one embodiment of this application.

[0028] Figure 2A It is shown schematically from the first perspective. Figure 1 The chewing block shown;

[0029] Figure 2B This is illustrated schematically from a second perspective. Figure 1 The chewing block shown;

[0030] Figure 2C It schematically demonstrates from a third perspective Figure 1 The mandibular chewing block shown; and

[0031] Figure 3 The locking mechanism at the bottom of the guide groove and the top of the lingual teeth is shown schematically. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The following detailed description incorporates the accompanying drawings, which 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 this application. Those skilled in the art will understand, based on the teachings of this application, that many other embodiments can be employed and various changes can be made to the described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of this application. It should be understood that the various aspects of this application illustrated herein can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designed in many different configurations, all of which are within the scope of this application.

[0033] Please refer to Figure 1 The image schematically illustrates a shell-shaped orthodontic appliance 100 in one embodiment of this application.

[0034] The shell-shaped orthodontic appliance 100 includes a maxillary shell-shaped orthodontic appliance 101 and a mandibular shell-shaped orthodontic appliance 103. The maxillary shell-shaped orthodontic appliance 101 is worn on the patient's maxillary dentition 201, and the mandibular shell-shaped orthodontic appliance 103 is worn on the patient's mandibular dentition 203.

[0035] The maxillary shell-shaped orthodontic appliance 101 includes a main body 1011, which is an integral shell forming a cavity to accommodate the maxillary dentition. The geometry of this cavity corresponds to the maxillary dentition of the patient in the corresponding dental layout. The maxillary shell-shaped orthodontic appliance 101 also includes multiple chewing blocks 1013, which are disposed on the occlusal surfaces of the posterior teeth on both sides of the main body 1011 and protrude toward the opposing jaw.

[0036] The mandibular shell-shaped orthodontic appliance 103 includes a main body 1031, which is an integral shell forming a cavity to accommodate the mandibular dentition. The geometry of this cavity conforms to the mandibular dentition of the patient in the corresponding dental layout. The mandibular shell-shaped orthodontic appliance 103 also includes multiple chewing blocks 1033, which are disposed on the occlusal surfaces of the posterior teeth on both sides of the main body 1031 and protrude toward the opposing jaw.

[0037] The chewing blocks 1013 of the maxillary shell-shaped orthodontic appliance 101 and the chewing blocks 1033 of the mandibular shell-shaped orthodontic appliance 103 are arranged in pairs.

[0038] Please refer again. Figure 2A and Figure 2B They illustrated the concepts from different angles. Figure 1 The pair of chewing blocks shown are 1013 and 1033.

[0039] Chewing blocks 1013 and 1033 form guide grooves 1015 and 1035 at their respective ends near the opposing jaw. The lingual and buccal sides of guide groove 1015 protrude towards the opposing jaw to form lingual teeth 1017 and buccal teeth 1019, respectively. The lingual and buccal sides of guide groove 1035 protrude towards the opposing jaw to form lingual teeth 1037 and buccal teeth 1039, respectively. In occlusion, lingual teeth 1017 and buccal teeth 1039 are located within guide groove 1015.

[0040] The mating portions of the top surfaces (i.e., the surfaces adjacent to the opposing jaw) of the chewing blocks 1013 and 1033 are provided with multiple protruding, elongated chewing teeth 1021 and 1041. During chewing, these chewing teeth help to better squeeze and rub food, giving the shell-shaped orthodontic appliance 100 excellent chewing function. Therefore, patients can wear the shell-shaped orthodontic appliance 100 while eating, extending the daily wearing time of the appliance and helping to ensure the effectiveness of orthodontic treatment.

[0041] In one embodiment, the chewing teeth 1021 and 1041 may extend along a straight line, a broken line, or a curve.

[0042] In one embodiment, the cross-sections of the chewing teeth 1021 and 1041 can be triangular, trapezoidal, or other angular shapes to enhance the squeezing, friction, and cutting effects on food.

[0043] In one embodiment, the angle θ between the projections of the extending directions of the masticating teeth 1021 and 1041 (or the average extending direction if they are broken lines or curves) and the extending directions of the guide grooves 1015 and 1035 onto the occlusal surface is 0° ≤ θ ≤ 90°. In a preferred embodiment, 15° ≤ θ ≤ 45°.

[0044] In one embodiment, the top surfaces of chewing blocks 1013 and 1033 are curved surfaces. As can be understood from the teachings of this application, the cross-sections of the guide groove and the mating lingual or buccal teeth can also be triangular or trapezoidal shapes.

[0045] The ridges of the guide grooves 1015 and 1055, as well as the lingual teeth 1017 and buccal teeth 1039, form an acute angle α with the occlusal surface, generating a force that pushes the mandible forward during occlusion. Therefore, the shell-shaped orthodontic appliance 100 has the function of guiding the mandible forward. In a preferred embodiment, 10° ≤ α ≤ 45°.

[0046] exist Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, each maxillary chewing block 1013 is positioned on the occlusal surface of a single posterior tooth, and each of the three mandibular chewing blocks 1033 near the anterior teeth is positioned on the occlusal surface of two adjacent posterior teeth (i.e., each has a portion located on the occlusal surface of two adjacent posterior teeth). Thus, the posterior thrust along direction A received by the maxillary chewing block 1013 is concentrated on the corresponding maxillary posterior tooth, which is beneficial for the distalization of these maxillary molars. The mandibular chewing blocks 1033 positioned on the occlusal surfaces of two adjacent posterior teeth can distribute the anterior thrust along direction B more evenly to the corresponding two posterior teeth, which is beneficial for the rational distribution of anchorage.

[0047] Please refer again. Figure 2C This schematically demonstrates, from another perspective, Figure 1 The mandibular masticatory block 1033 is shown. The maxillary masticatory block 1013 and the mandibular masticatory block 1033 may have similar geometric shapes.

[0048] Although, in the above embodiments, the guide groove 1015 of the maxillary masticatory block 1013 mates with the buccal teeth 1039 of the mandibular masticatory block 1033, and the guide groove 1035 of the mandibular masticatory block 1033 mates with the lingual teeth 1037 of the maxillary masticatory block 1013, it can be understood that the guide groove 1015 of the maxillary masticatory block 1013 mates with the lingual teeth 1037 of the mandibular masticatory block 1033, and the guide groove 1035 of the mandibular masticatory block 1033 mates with the buccal teeth 1039 of the maxillary masticatory block 1013. The mating relationship between the maxillary and mandibular masticatory blocks can be determined based on the width of the maxillary and mandibular dental arches and the position of the masticatory blocks along the buccal-lingual direction.

[0049] Although, in the above embodiments, the extension direction of the guide groove 1015 of the maxillary chewing block 1013 and the guide groove 1035 of the mandibular chewing block 1033 enables the mandibular protraction effect during occlusion, the extension direction of the guide groove can be changed according to specific needs, so that the mandibular retraction effect can be generated during occlusion.

[0050] Figure 1 A illustrates the positional relationship between the maxillary shell-shaped dental appliance 101 and the mandibular shell-shaped dental appliance 103 along the anterior-posterior direction after the mandible has been guided forward a certain distance under the action of occlusal force. In fact, before the mandible is guided forward, the maxillary masticatory block 1013 is located further forward of its paired mandibular masticatory block 1033.

[0051] In another embodiment, one side of the mandibular shell-shaped orthodontic appliance may be provided with only a single mandibular chewing block, which includes multiple segments, each of which is respectively matched with a corresponding upper chewing block.

[0052] In one embodiment, the bottom of the guide groove and the top of the mating lingual or buccal tooth are smooth, without chewing teeth. In the occlusal state, the bottom of the guide groove and the top of the mating lingual or buccal tooth abut against each other, and the contact area is smooth, which facilitates the sliding of the two against each other, thereby facilitating the forward or backward movement of the mandible.

[0053] In one embodiment, in the biting state, there is a gap between the sidewall of the guide groove and the sidewall of the mating lingual or buccal tooth; that is, the lingual or buccal tooth has a predetermined range of motion within the corresponding guide groove. The gap is small enough that the two chewing teeth can interact to enhance the cutting, friction, and compression of food.

[0054] In one embodiment, a locking structure may be provided at the bottom of the guide groove and at the top of the mating lingual or buccal tooth, which, when engaged, can hold the mandible in a locked position and prevent it from moving forward or backward.

[0055] Please refer to Figure 3 The diagram illustrates a locking structure in one embodiment of this application.

[0056] The bottom of the guide groove 1035 protrudes rearward to form a locking tooth 1043, and the top of the tongue tooth 1017 is recessed rearward to form a locking groove 1023.

[0057] During eating, the mandible is guided to some extent by the inclination of the bottom of the guide groove 1035 and the top of the lingual tooth 1017.

[0058] When it is necessary to lock the mandibular position, the patient can extend the mandible forward so that the top of the locking tooth 1043 enters the locking groove 1023, and then move the mandible backward so that the locking tooth 1043 engages with the locking groove 1023. At this time, the mandibular position is locked and cannot move backward.

[0059] It is understandable that, in the case of a posterior mandible, the orientation and setting position of the locking teeth and locking slots are opposite to those in the case of an anterior mandible.

[0060] In one embodiment, the portion of the maxillary shell-shaped orthodontic appliance 101 and / or the mandibular shell-shaped orthodontic appliance 103 corresponding to at least one tooth provided with a chewing block forms an attachment receiving cavity on the lingual or buccal side. This cavity accommodates and cooperates with a protruding attachment cemented to the surface of the corresponding tooth. On the one hand, this allows the shell-shaped orthodontic appliance to be worn more securely on the tooth. On the other hand, it allows the force on the chewing block in the mesiodistal direction to be applied more concentratedly to the tooth.

[0061] In one embodiment, the maxillary shell-shaped orthodontic appliance and the mandibular shell-shaped orthodontic appliance may have paired chewing blocks on only one side of the left and right sides to correct the mandible.

[0062] In one embodiment, the chewing block can be integrally formed with the shell-shaped orthodontic appliance body. For example, a 3D digital model of the chewing block can be added to the corresponding position of a 3D digital model of the patient's dentition to obtain a 3D digital model of the positive mold. Then, the 3D digital model of the positive mold is used to control a 3D printing device to produce the positive mold. Next, the shell-shaped orthodontic appliance is formed by pressing a film onto the positive mold using a thermoforming process.

[0063] In one embodiment, to improve the strength of the chewing block, a suitable material (e.g., light-curing adhesive) can be filled into the cavity corresponding to the chewing block of the shell-shaped orthodontic appliance and cured to form a rigid body with a geometry that matches the cavity.

[0064] In another embodiment, the chewing block of the positive mold can be detached from the positive mold, and the chewing block on the positive mold can be peeled off the positive mold together with the shell-shaped orthodontic appliance formed by the pressure film.

[0065] In another embodiment, vertical reinforcing ribs may be provided on the sidewalls of the chewing blocks of the shell-shaped orthodontic appliance.

[0066] In another embodiment, the chewing block can be a prefabricated element, bonded to the body of a shell-shaped orthodontic appliance to obtain the shell-shaped orthodontic appliance. For example, the body of the shell-shaped orthodontic appliance may have an adhesive surface formed at a corresponding position on the occlusal surface, the adhesive surface having an artificially designed geometry and contour that differs from the geometry of the corresponding tooth's occlusal surface. The surface of the shell-shaped orthodontic appliance body opposite to the adhesive surface contacts at least one point on the tooth to provide support for the adhesive surface. The edge contour of the adhesive surface matches the edge contour of the adhesive surface of the chewing block, so that the chewing block can be precisely bonded to a predetermined position.

[0067] In one embodiment, the distance between the highest point of the chewing block and its bottom is less than 7 mm.

[0068] In one embodiment, the difference between the angle between the guide groove of each chewing block and the occlusal surface is less than or equal to 5°.

[0069] In one embodiment, the angle between each pair of projections of the guide grooves of the chewing blocks on the occlusal surface is less than or equal to 10°.

[0070] In one embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the chewing block can be horseshoe-shaped. It is understood that, in addition to horseshoe-shaped, the cross-section of the chewing block can also be other suitable shapes, such as circular, trapezoidal, elliptical, etc.

[0071] In one embodiment, the shell-shaped orthodontic appliance of this application without a locking mechanism can be used in combination with a conventional shell-shaped orthodontic appliance with a locking mechanism. For example, during non-eating times, the conventional shell-shaped orthodontic appliance with a locking mechanism is worn to keep the mandible in a predetermined position using the locking mechanism. During eating, the shell-shaped orthodontic appliance of this application without a locking mechanism is worn to guide or push the mandible forward or backward using the guiding force generated by occlusion.

[0072] Orthodontic treatment using shell-type appliances typically requires multiple successive sets of shell-type appliances, for example, at least 10 pairs, or even at least 20 pairs, with each pair (including maxillary and mandibular shell-type appliances) corresponding to one treatment step. In some more complex cases, it is necessary to open the bite during orthodontic treatment to avoid interference from opposing teeth. However, as orthodontic treatment progresses, the required degree of bite opening may decrease. In such cases, the successive sets of shell-type appliances can be designed such that the total height of the maxillary and mandibular masticatory blocks of at least one pair of shell-type appliances is less than the total height of the maxillary and mandibular masticatory blocks of the corresponding pair of previous pairs of shell-type appliances.

[0073] Although various aspects and embodiments of this application have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments of this application will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon inspiration from this application. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes only and not for limiting purposes. The scope and spirit of this application are determined solely by the appended claims.

[0074] Similarly, the diagrams may illustrate exemplary architectures or other configurations of the disclosed methods and systems, which aid in understanding the features and functions that may be included in the disclosed methods and systems. The claims are not limited to the exemplary architectures or configurations shown, and the desired features may be implemented with various alternative architectures and configurations. Furthermore, the order of the blocks given herein with respect to flowcharts, functional descriptions, and method claims should not be limited to various embodiments implemented in the same order to perform the said functions, unless explicitly indicated in the context.

[0075] Unless otherwise expressly stated, the terms and phrases used herein, and their variations thereof, should be interpreted as open-ended rather than restrictive. In some instances, the appearance of extended words and phrases such as “one or more,” “at least,” “but not limited to,” or other similar expressions should not be construed as an intention or necessity to indicate a narrower scope in examples where such extended expressions might not exist.

Claims

1. A shell-shaped orthodontic appliance comprising a pair of first shell-shaped orthodontic appliances and a second shell-shaped orthodontic appliance, the first shell-shaped orthodontic appliance being worn on a patient's first dentition, the second shell-shaped orthodontic appliance being worn on the patient's second dentition, the first and second dentitions being opposing dentitions, the first shell-shaped orthodontic appliance comprising a first body being an integral shell forming a cavity for receiving the first dentition, at least one first chewing block being disposed on the occlusal surface of at least one side of the first body in the posterior region, the first chewing block forming a first guide groove at its top, the second shell-shaped orthodontic appliance comprising a second body being an integral shell forming a cavity for receiving the second dentition, the second body being disposed on the occlusal surface of the second body in the posterior region with a second chewing block matching the first chewing block, the second chewing block forming a first guide tooth at its top, the first guide tooth being at least partially located within the first guide groove in the occlusal state.

2. The shell-shaped orthodontic appliance as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The second chewing block forms a second guide groove at the top. The lingual and buccal sides of the second guide groove protrude toward the opposing jaw to form a second lingual tooth and a second buccal tooth, respectively. The first guide tooth is either the second buccal tooth or the second lingual tooth. The lingual and buccal sides of the first guide groove protrude toward the opposing jaw to form a first lingual tooth and a first buccal tooth, respectively. The second guide tooth is either the first lingual tooth or the first buccal tooth. In the occlusal state, the second guide tooth is at least partially located within the second guide groove. The mating relationship between the second guide groove and the second guide tooth is consistent with the mating relationship between the first guide groove and the first guide tooth.

3. The shell-shaped orthodontic appliance as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The cooperation between the first guide groove and the first guide tooth enables the shell-shaped orthodontic appliance to exert a forward or backward force on the mandible under the action of biting force.

4. The shell-shaped orthodontic appliance as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The extension direction of the bottom of the first and second guide grooves and the extension direction of the ridges of the first and second guide teeth form an angle greater than or equal to 10° and less than or equal to 45° with the occlusal surface.

5. The shell-shaped orthodontic appliance as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The first guide groove, the first guide tooth, the second guide groove, and the second guide tooth are provided with a plurality of protruding, slender chewing teeth. During chewing, these chewing teeth cooperate with each other to enhance the friction, compression, and cutting of food.

6. The shell-shaped orthodontic appliance as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom of the first guide groove is smooth.

7. The shell-shaped orthodontic appliance as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first and second chewing blocks are integrally formed with the first and second bodies, respectively.

8. The shell-shaped orthodontic appliance as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The first and second chewing blocks have vertical reinforcing ribs formed on their sides.

9. The shell-shaped orthodontic appliance as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The cavity formed by the first and second chewing blocks is provided with a rigid body whose geometry matches that of the cavity.

10. The shell-shaped orthodontic appliance as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first guide tooth has a predetermined lateral range of motion within the first guide groove.

11. The shell-shaped orthodontic appliance as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The bottom of the first guide groove and the ridge of the first guide tooth form a locking structure on the side opposite to the guiding direction. When engaged, the locking structure can prevent the mandible from moving in the opposite direction to the guiding direction.

12. The shell-shaped orthodontic appliance as described in claim 11, characterized in that, The shell-shaped orthodontic appliance has two working states: first and second. In the first working state, the first and second bodies can move relative to each other in the front-back direction, generating a forward or backward force on the mandible under the action of biting force. In the second working state, the locking structure engages, preventing the second body from moving in the opposite direction to the guiding direction.

13. The shell-shaped orthodontic appliance as described in claim 11, characterized in that, The locking structure includes a locking tooth formed at the bottom of the first guide groove that protrudes in the opposite direction to the guiding direction, and a locking groove formed on the ridge of the first guide tooth that is recessed in the opposite direction to the guiding direction.

14. The shell-shaped orthodontic appliance as described in claim 1 or 3, characterized in that, The first chewing block is located on the occlusal surface of a single posterior tooth.

15. The shell-shaped orthodontic appliance as described in claim 14, characterized in that, The second chewing block extends at least from the occlusal surface of the first posterior tooth to the occlusal surface of the second posterior tooth adjacent to the first posterior tooth.

16. The shell-shaped orthodontic appliance as described in claim 15, characterized in that, The second chewing block includes at least two segments, each segment engaging with a corresponding segment in the first chewing block.

17. The shell-shaped orthodontic appliance as described in claim 14, characterized in that, The projection of the extension direction of the first guide groove and the first guide tooth onto the occlusal surface is basically consistent with the mesiodistal direction.

18. The shell-shaped orthodontic appliance as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The first dentition is the maxillary dentition, and the second dentition is the mandibular dentition. The first chewing block is provided on both the left and right sides of the first main body, and the second chewing block is provided on both the left and right sides of the second main body. The cooperation between the first guide groove and the first guide tooth enables the shell-shaped orthodontic appliance to generate a force along a first direction on the mandibular dentition under the action of occlusal force. The first chewing block is closer to the first direction than the second chewing block it is paired with. The first direction is either forward or backward.

19. The shell-shaped orthodontic appliance as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first body and / or the second body form a receiving cavity on the lingual or buccal side of the tooth corresponding to the chewing block to receive a retention attachment bonded to the tooth surface, so as to enhance the retention of the first body and / or the second body on the tooth.

20. A shell-shaped orthodontic appliance system comprising a plurality of sequential shell-shaped orthodontic appliances as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The total height of the first and second chewing blocks of at least one of these successive shell-shaped orthodontic appliances is lower than the total height of the first and second chewing blocks of the previous shell-shaped orthodontic appliance.

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