Orthodontic hook

Abstract

An orthodontic hook includes a hook body and a base pad connectable to a tooth surface, the hook body extending through a connection portion projecting from the base pad to a cantilever portion forming a cantilever beam above the base pad, thereby forming a groove within the hook, a first end of the end portion being a maximum extension point along the cantilever portion, a second end of the end portion being a maximum extension point along the cantilever portion, and a third end of the end portion being a maximum extension point along the cantilever portion. The first tail end of the tail end part is closest to the bottom pad, the second tail end of the tail end part is closest to the bottom pad, a groove opening is formed between the first tail end and the bottom pad, a groove narrowing area is formed between the second tail end and the bottom pad, and the groove continuously narrows from the groove opening to the groove narrowing area and continuously widens from the groove narrowing area to the center of the groove. And the fifth width W5 of the groove narrowing area is less than 1.0 mm. Another feature is that the tip portion forms a protrusion with the second tip as a top end, the protrusion continuously decreasing in a direction toward the second tip, and a distance D9 between the second tip and a top surface of the tip portion is at least 2.4 times a distance D5 between the first tip and the top surface of the tip portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to dentistry, and particularly to orthodontic hooks. Background Art

[0002] Clear aligners and orthodontic appliances often need to be used in combination with dental elastic rubber bands to align teeth for the treatment of tooth misalignment or malocclusion. Other orthodontic appliances (such as the known Carriere Motion appliance) may use elastic rubber bands to correct the relationship between the upper and lower jaws.

[0003] Currently, there are many types of orthodontic hooks available for hanging elastic rubber bands. When using these traditional orthodontic hooks, the rubber bands often accidentally fall off, especially when the patient speaks or moves their mouth in other ways. Some patients also complain that when these hooks adhere to the tooth surface, these hooks can irritate their buccal mucosa or tongue because these hooks usually have a protruding head, which may irritate the soft tissue.

[0004] The most commonly used hook for hanging elastic rubber bands has a mushroom-shaped protrusion at the head. The groove under the mushroom-shaped protrusion is used to accommodate the elastic rubber band. The groove of this hanging groove is very shallow, so the rubber band may often accidentally fall off. The side edge of the mushroom-shaped protrusion is a thin plate-shaped edge, which may irritate the buccal mucosa or tongue.

[0005] Chinese Patent Application CN2126661977 discloses an orthodontic hook, which includes a bottom pad and a hook body. The bottom pad can be adhered to the tooth surface. The hook body protrudes from the bottom pad and forms a cantilever beam. A groove is formed between the cantilever beam and the bottom pad. The end of the cantilever beam is a small round ball, which is slightly thicker than the cantilever beam so that the cantilever beam can be made more blunt. This small round ball design does not have an obvious guiding slope, so it is not enough to guide the rubber band into the groove. Therefore, the groove must be large enough, generally greater than 1.5 mm, to facilitate the patient to hang the rubber band. There is no obvious groove narrowing area near the opening of the groove, so it is impossible to prevent the rubber band from accidentally falling off.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a new orthodontic hook for orthodontic treatment, so that the rubber band will not accidentally fall off even when the patient speaks or moves their mouth in other ways, and the rubber band can be pulled in multiple directions without falling off. Another object of the present invention is to prevent the hook from irritating the patient's tongue or buccal mucosa.

[0007] Sometimes it is difficult to pick up traditional orthodontic hooks with forceps. Therefore, it is also difficult to place traditional hooks on the lingual surface of the posterior molars in the oral cavity. To solve this problem, the present invention has developed a new method for clamping the new orthodontic hook. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The above disadvantages can be solved by an orthodontic hook provided by the present invention that can be connected to the tooth surface. The hook includes: a bottom pad that can be connected to the tooth surface; and a hook body that includes a connecting portion and a cantilever portion. The connecting portion projects from the bottom pad and extends to the cantilever portion. The cantilever portion forms a cantilever beam above the bottom pad, thereby forming a groove in the orthodontic hook. The cantilever portion terminates at an end portion at its end. The first end of the end portion is the maximum extension point along the cantilever portion. The second end of the end portion is closest to the bottom pad. A groove opening is formed between the first end and the bottom pad. A groove narrowing region is formed between the second end and the bottom pad. The groove continuously narrows from the groove opening to the groove narrowing region and continuously widens from the groove narrowing region to the groove center, and the fifth width W5 of the groove narrowing region is less than 1.0 mm.

[0009] The fourth width W4 of the groove opening can be at least twice the fifth width W5 of the groove narrowing region. The first distance D1 between the first end and the base pad can be at least twice the second distance D2 between the second end and the base pad. The end portion can form a protrusion with the second end as the top, and the protrusion gradually becomes smaller in the direction of the second end. The groove gradually narrows from the groove opening to the groove narrowing region and gradually widens from the groove narrowing region to the groove center. There can be a second protrusion extending from the base pad towards the end portion to a second top and gradually becoming smaller in the direction of the second top, thereby forming the groove narrowing region between the second end and the second top. The second distance D2 can be less than 1.0 mm. The second distance D2 can be less than 0.8 mm. The bottom of the groove of the groove is the farthest from the second end. The third end is located on the top surface of the connecting portion and is the farthest from the bottom of the groove. The seventh distance D7 between the third end and the bottom of the groove can be greater than the eighth distance D8 between the first end and the bottom of the groove. The ninth distance D9 between the second end and the top surface of the end portion can be at least 2.4 times the fifth distance D5 between the first end and the top surface of the end portion. The ninth distance D9 between the second end and the top surface of the end portion can be at least 2.8 times the fifth distance D5 between the first end and the top surface of the end portion. The sixth distance D6 between the first end and the second end can be at least twice the fifth distance D5 between the first end and the top surface of the end portion. The sixth distance D6 between the first end and the second end can be at least three times the fifth distance D5 between the first end and the top surface of the end portion. The shape of the connecting portion can be conducive to interacting with the invisible orthodontic appliance to align the teeth. There can be an angle less than 180 degrees between the longitudinal axis of the connecting portion and the longitudinal axis of the cantilever portion. The distance D3 from the top surface of the hook body to the base pad can be at least 1.3 mm. The fourth distance D4 from the second end to the bottom of the groove can be at least 1 mm. D1 can be greater than 1.5 mm. The second end can be provided directly above the base pad. D2 can be less than or equal to 0.5 mm. D2 can be less than 0.3 mm. D2 can be less than 0.7 mm. W4 can be at least 2.6 times W5. The width W1 of the end portion can be greater than the width W2 of the middle portion. The groove narrowing region between the second end and the base pad can be the narrowest part of the groove. The elastic rubber band used for the orthodontic hook can have a first thickness when stretched and a second thickness when relaxed. The first thickness is less than the second thickness. The second distance D2 between the second end and the base pad can be greater than the first thickness but less than the second thickness. The size of the protrusion of the end portion can be used to prevent the elastic rubber band from passing through the groove narrowing region when relaxed. The size of the protrusion of the end portion can be used to prevent the elastic rubber band from slipping out of the groove when relaxed. The size of the protrusion of the end portion can be such that D2 is equal to or greater than the first thickness.The size of the protrusion at the distal end can be such that D2 is less than the second thickness. W1 can be equal to W2. The base pad can be part of another orthodontic appliance. The distal end has an end face extending between a first end and a second end, and the end face can form an acute angle with the base pad, and the acute angle can be less than 80 degrees and greater than 30 degrees. The base pad can have an outer surface conforming to the selected tooth surface. The fifth width W5 can be less than 1.0 mm. The fifth width W5 can be less than 0.8 mm. The fifth width W5 can be less than 0.5 mm.

[0010] Another feature of the present invention is to provide an orthodontic hook that can be connected to the tooth surface. The orthodontic hook includes: a base pad that can be connected to the tooth surface; and a hook body that includes a connecting portion and a cantilever portion. The connecting portion projects from the base pad and extends to the cantilever portion. The cantilever portion forms a cantilever beam above the base pad, thereby forming a groove in the orthodontic hook. The cantilever portion terminates at a distal end at its end. The first end of the distal end is the maximum extension point along the cantilever portion. The second end of the distal end is closest to the base pad. The distal end forms a protrusion with the second end as the apex. The protrusion gradually decreases in the direction of the second end, and the distance D9 between the second end and the top surface of the distal end is at least 2.4 times the distance D5 between the first end and the top surface of the distal end.

[0011] The ninth distance D9 between the second end and the top surface of the end portion may be at least 2.8 times the fifth distance D5 between the first end and the top surface of the end portion. The sixth distance D6 between the first end and the second end may be at least 2 times the fifth distance D5 between the first end and the top surface of the end portion. A groove opening is formed between the first end and the base pad, and a groove narrowing region is formed between the second end and the base pad. The width W4 of the groove opening may be at least 1.8 times the width W5 of the groove narrowing region. W4 may be 2 times W5. W4 may be 2.6 times W5. The groove continuously narrows from the groove opening to the groove narrowing region and continuously widens from the groove narrowing region to the groove center. There may be a second protrusion extending from the base pad towards the end portion to a second top end and continuously decreasing in the direction towards the second top end, thereby forming the groove narrowing region between the second end and the second top end. The first distance D1 from the first end to the base pad may be at least 2.0 times the second distance D2 from the second end to the base pad. The second distance D2 may be less than 0.8 mm. The bottom of the groove is the farthest from the second end. The third end is located on the top surface of the connecting portion and is the farthest from the bottom of the groove. The seventh distance D7 between the third end and the bottom of the groove may be greater than the eighth distance D8 between the first end and the bottom of the groove. The bottom of the groove is the farthest from the second end. The fourth end of the second protrusion is the farthest from the bottom of the groove. The distance between the first end and the fourth end may be at least 1.8 times the fifth width W5 between the second end and the second top end. The fifth width W5 may be less than 1.0 mm. The fifth width W5 may be less than 0.8 mm. The fifth width W5 may be less than 0.7 mm. The fifth width W5 may be less than 0.5 mm. The first distance D1 between the first end and the base pad may be at least 2.6 times the second distance D2 between the second end and the base pad. The distance D6 between the first end and the second end may be at least 4 times the distance D5 between the first end and the top surface of the end portion. The distance D6 between the first end and the second end may be at least 3 times the distance D5 between the first end and the top surface of the end portion. The shape of the connecting portion may be conducive to interacting with the invisible dental aligner to align the teeth. There may be an angle less than 180 degrees between the longitudinal axis of the connecting portion and the longitudinal axis of the cantilever portion. The distance D3 from the top surface of the hook body to the base pad may be at least 1.3 mm. The distance D4 from the second end to the bottom of the groove may be at least 1 mm. D1 may be greater than 1.2 mm. The second end may be provided directly above the base pad. D2 may be less than or equal to 0.5 mm. D2 may be less than 0.3 mm. D2 may be less than 0.7 mm. D1 may be at least 3 times D2. The width W1 of the end portion may be greater than the width W2 of the middle portion.The size of the middle part can facilitate clamping with tweezers. The narrowed area of the groove between the second end and the bottom pad can be the narrowest part of the groove. The size of the narrowed area of the groove can impede, but not prevent, the elastic rubber band from slipping out of the groove. The size of the end part can be used to impede (but not prevent) the elastic rubber band from slipping out of the groove. The end part can have a protrusion extending towards the bottom pad, and a groove narrowed area can be formed between the tip of the protrusion and the bottom pad. The size of the protrusion of the end part can be used to impede (but not prevent) the rubber band from slipping out of the groove. The elastic rubber band used for the orthodontic hook can have a first thickness when stretched and a second thickness when relaxed. The first thickness can be less than the second thickness. The distance D2 between the second end and the bottom pad can be greater than the first thickness but less than the second thickness. The size of the protrusion of the end part can allow the elastic rubber band to pass through the groove narrowed area when stretched. The size of the protrusion of the end part can be used to prevent the elastic rubber band from passing through the groove narrowed area when relaxed. The size of the protrusion of the end part can be used to prevent the elastic rubber band from slipping out of the groove when relaxed. The size of the protrusion of the end part can be such that D2 is equal to or greater than the first thickness. The size of the protrusion of the end part can be such that D2 is less than the second thickness. The width W3 of the connecting part can be greater than W2. W1 can be equal to W3. W2 can be less than W1 and W3, so that the size of the middle part is convenient for clamping with tweezers. W1 can be equal to W2. The length of the middle part can be selected so that the size of the middle part is convenient for clamping with tweezers. The bottom pad can be part of other orthodontic appliances. The end part has an end face extending between the first end and the second end, and the end face can form an acute angle with the bottom pad, and the acute angle can be less than 80 degrees and greater than 30 degrees. The bottom pad can have an outer surface consistent with the selected tooth surface.

[0012] The above abstract is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be limiting in any way. Other aspects and features of the present invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art after reviewing the following description of the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the drawings and the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Various objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of the embodiments of the present invention, as shown in the drawings. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, but rather emphasize the principles of the various embodiments of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the orthodontic hook.

[0015] Figure 2 is a perspective side view of the first embodiment of the orthodontic hook.

[0016] Figure 3 is a side view of the first embodiment of the orthodontic hook.

[0017] Figure 4 Top view of the first embodiment of the orthodontic hook.

[0018] Figure 5 Side view of the first embodiment of the orthodontic hook, showing the defined distances D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6 and D9.

[0019] Figure 6 Top view of the first embodiment of the orthodontic hook, showing the defined widths W1 and W2.

[0020] Figure 7 Side view of the first embodiment of the orthodontic hook, showing the angle Q and the force F.

[0021] Figure 8 Left side view of the second embodiment of the orthodontic hook.

[0022] Figure 9 Top view of the second embodiment of the orthodontic hook.

[0023] Figure 10 Side view of the third embodiment of the orthodontic hook, showing the defined distances D7 and D8.

[0024] Figure 11 Top view of the third embodiment of the orthodontic hook.

[0025] Figure 12 Side view of the fourth embodiment of the orthodontic hook, showing the defined distances W4, W5 and the second protrusion. Detailed Description

[0026] The device for hanging elastic rubber bands includes: a device for receiving elastic rubber bands; a device for preventing but not blocking the dislocation of elastic rubber bands; a device that can interact with a dental appliance and align teeth; a device that can guide the elastic rubber bands into place.

[0027] Figure 1 and Figure 2 Perspective view of the first embodiment of the orthodontic hook 10.

[0028] The orthodontic hook 10 can be connected to the tooth surface or other orthodontic appliances (not shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 ). In some cases, the hook 10 is bonded to the tooth surface. In some embodiments, the hook 10 can even become part of the integral structure of another orthodontic appliance (not shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 ), which is bonded to the tooth surface.

[0029] The hook 10 includes a base pad 12 that can be connected to the tooth surface. In some cases, the base pad 12 is bonded to the tooth surface. In some embodiments, the base pad 12 can be part of the integral structure of another orthodontic appliance (not shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 ), and this orthodontic appliance can be bonded to the tooth surface.

[0030] The hook 10 further includes a hook body 30, and the hook body 30 includes a connecting portion 14 and a cantilever portion. The cantilever portion includes an intermediate portion 16 and a distal portion 18. The connecting portion 14 projects from the base pad 12 and extends to the intermediate portion 16 of the hook body 30, and the intermediate portion 16 continues to extend to the distal portion 18 of the hook body 30. The intermediate portion 16 and the distal portion 18 form a cantilever beam above the base pad 12, thereby forming a groove 40 in the orthodontic hook 10. The first end 48 of the distal portion 18 is the maximum extension point along the cantilever portion, and the second end 32 of the distal portion 18 is the closest to the base pad 12. The bottom 28 of the groove is the part in the groove 40 that is the farthest from the second end 32. The second end 32 is the top 32 of the protrusion 20 of the distal portion 18. In different embodiments, the first end 48 and the second end 32 can be a point, a line, or a surface. The cantilever portion terminates at the distal portion 18 at its end, and the distal portion 18 forms a protrusion 20 with the second end 32 as the top. The protrusion 20 gradually becomes smaller in the direction of the second end 32, and the cross-sectional area of the protrusion 20 gradually becomes smaller in the direction of the second end 32.

[0031] Refer to Figures 1 to 6 , the first distance D1 ( Figure 5 ) between the first end 48 and the base pad 12 is at least 1.8 times the second distance D2 ( Figure 5 ) between the second end 32 and the base pad 12. In some embodiments, D1 is at least 2 times D2. The orthodontic hook 10 can be made of metal, plastic, ceramic, composite resin, or any other suitable material.

[0032] Figure 3 is a side view of the orthodontic hook 10 of the first embodiment. The orthodontic hook 10 can be attached to the tooth surface or be part of another orthodontic appliance (not shown). The hook 10 includes a base pad 12 that can be attached to the tooth surface. In some embodiments, the base pad 12 can be part of other orthodontic appliances, and the other orthodontic appliances can be Carriere Motion appliances, buccal tubes, brackets, etc. The base pad 12 can have different shapes, such as circular, rectangular, oval, or irregular shapes. The outer surface of the base pad 12 for bonding to the tooth surface is a flat surface as shown in Figure 3 . In some embodiments, the base pad 12 has a curved surface that conforms to the tooth surface.

[0033] The orthodontic hook 10 includes a hook body 30, and the hook body 30 includes a connecting portion 14, an intermediate portion 16, and a terminal portion 18. The connecting portion 14 protrudes from the base pad 12 and extends to the intermediate portion 16 of the hook body 30, and the intermediate portion continues to extend to the terminal portion 18 of the hook body 30. The intermediate portion 16 and the terminal portion 18 form a cantilever beam above the base pad 12, so that a groove 40 is formed between the hook body 30 and the base pad 12. A protrusion 20 extends from the terminal portion 18 of the hook body 30 towards the base pad 12, so that a narrowing area 24 of the groove 40 is formed between the tip 32 of the protrusion 20 and the base pad 12. The narrowing area 24 can be the narrowest part of the groove 40. Figures 1 to 7 The shown narrowing area 24 is directly above the base pad 12.

[0034] The bottom 28 of the groove is shown as a part of the groove 40 in Figures 1 to 7 and is the farthest from the second end 32. The first end 48 of the terminal portion 18 is the maximum extension point along the cantilever portion, and the second end 32 of the terminal portion 18 is the tip 32 of the protrusion 20. In Figures 1 to 7 the shown embodiment, the second end 32 of the terminal portion is the point closest to the base pad 12 in the terminal portion 18.

[0035] In Figures 1 to 7 the embodiment, the protrusion 20 has the second end 32 as the tip, and its cross-sectional area gradually decreases from the cross-section where the first end 48 is located to the second end 32. A groove narrowing area 24 is formed between the second end 32 and the base pad 12, a groove opening 22 is formed between the first end 48 and the base pad 12, a groove narrowing area 24 is formed between the second end 32 and the base pad 12, and the groove 40 continuously narrows from the groove opening 22 to the groove narrowing area 24 and continuously widens from the groove narrowing area 24 to the groove center 44. The relatively wide groove opening 22 is very helpful for hooking an elastic rubber band (not shown) at the beginning. The narrowing area 24 can be used to prevent the elastic rubber band from accidentally falling off. In this embodiment, the already-positioned elastic rubber band must be pulled in a certain direction to remove the elastic rubber band. The relatively large and smooth terminal portion 18 has no sharp edges, which can minimize the irritation to the tongue and mucosa.

[0036] Figure 4 is a top view of the orthodontic hook 10 of the first embodiment. The shown hook body 30 is as long as the base pad 12, so that the projection of the hook body 30 on the base pad 12 does not exceed the base pad 12. Refer to Figure 6 , the width W1 of the terminal portion 18 of the hook body 30 is greater than the width W2 of the intermediate portion 16 of the hook body 30. Figures 1 to 6 The embodiment in

[0037] The hook 10 is adapted to be held by tweezers on both side surfaces 46 of the middle portion 16 of the hook body 30. This clamping method can more conveniently and accurately place the hook 10.

[0038] Figure 5 is a side view of the orthodontic hook 10 of the first embodiment. A groove opening 22 is formed between the first end 48 and the bottom pad 12, and a groove narrowing region 24 is formed between the second end 32 and the bottom pad 12. In this figure, the first distance D1 is the distance from the first end 48 to the bottom pad 12. The second distance D2 is the distance from the second end 32 to the bottom pad 12. The second distance D2 is also the width W5 of the narrowing region 24 of the groove 40. The width W5 of the narrowing region 24 is the shortest distance from the second end 32 to the bottom pad 12. The first distance D1 is also the width W4 of the opening region 22 of the groove 40. The end face (guide face) 42 is a smooth surface between the first end 48 and the second end 32, and this surface is located at the end of the hook body 30. The end face 42 can be a flat surface or a curved surface. In Figure 5 the embodiment of, the end face 42 is a curved surface. An elastic rubber band (not shown) can easily pass from the opening 22 of the groove 40 along the end face 42 through the groove narrowing region 24 into the groove center 44 ( Figure 3 ). In some specific embodiments, D1 is at least 1.5 mm, the end face 42 is smooth and forms an acute angle with the bottom pad 12. The width (D2) of the groove narrowing region 24 is generally less than or equal to 0.5 mm. The elastic rubber band (not shown) can be larger than D2 in its initial state, but under the action of tension, the elastic rubber band becomes thinner, so that the elastic rubber band can easily pass through the groove narrowing region 24 under tension. In Figure 5 the embodiment of, D1 is at least 2.6 times of D2. In some embodiments, D1 is at least 2 times of D2. In some embodiments, D1 is at least 1.8 times of D2. In some cases, D2 is less than 0.3 mm. In some cases, D2 is less than 0.8 mm. In some cases, D2 is less than 1.0 mm. In some cases, D2 is less than 0.5 mm.

[0039] The dimensions of the groove narrowing region 24 can impede, but not prevent, the elastomeric rubber band from slipping out of the groove. The dimensions of the distal end portion 18 can be used to impede (but not prevent) the elastomeric rubber band from slipping out of the groove 40. The dimensions of the protrusion 20 can be used to impede (but not prevent) the rubber band from slipping out of the groove. The elastomeric rubber band used for the orthodontic hook 10 can have a first thickness when stretched and a second thickness when relaxed. The second thickness is generally greater than 1.0 mm, and the first thickness can be less than the second thickness. The distance D2 between the second distal end 32 and the base pad 12 can be greater than the first thickness but less than the second thickness. The dimensions of the protrusion 20 can allow the elastomeric rubber band to pass through the groove narrowing region 24 when stretched. The dimensions of the protrusion 20 can be used to prevent the elastomeric rubber band from passing through the groove narrowing region 24 when relaxed. The dimensions of the protrusion 20 can be used to prevent the elastomeric rubber band from slipping out of the groove 40 when relaxed. The dimensions of the protrusion 20 can make D2 equal to or greater than the first thickness. The dimensions of the protrusion 20 can make D2 less than the second thickness. Previous orthodontic hooks did not have a distinct groove narrowing region near the groove opening, and previous orthodontic hooks did not have a distinct guiding inclined surface near the groove opening.

[0040] The ninth distance D9 between the second distal end 32 and the top surface 26 of the distal end portion 18 is at least 2.2 times the fifth distance D5 between the first distal end 48 and the top surface 26 of the distal end portion 18. In some embodiments, D9 is at least 2.4 times D5. In some embodiments, D9 is at least 2.8 times D5. In some embodiments, D9 is at least 3 times D5. When the distal end portion 18 is spherical, D9 is 2 times larger than D5. When D9 is more than 2 times larger than D5, it shows that the distal end portion 18 protrudes significantly towards the base pad 12. The more D9 is larger than 2 times D5, the more the distal end portion 18 protrudes towards the base pad 12. In this embodiment, the top surface 26 of the distal end portion 18 is a flat surface, and the distal end portion 18 has no protrusion in the direction away from the base pad 12. The difference between D9 and D5 is the height of the protrusion 20. D9 is large and D5 is small, so that a larger guiding inclined surface 42 and a distinct groove narrowing region 24 can be obtained by increasing the height of the protrusion 20 without increasing the height of the hook 10.

[0041] D5 refers to the fifth distance from the first end 48 to the top surface 26 of the end portion 18, and D6 refers to the sixth distance from the first end 48 to the second end 32. D6 can be at least twice D5. In some embodiments, D6 can be more than three times D5. The first end 48 is placed as close as possible to the top surface 26, and the second end 32 is placed as close as possible to the bottom pad 12, thus creating a relatively large guiding surface 42, which can guide the rubber band into the groove narrowing area 24. The special design of the guiding surface 42 as large as possible enables the groove narrowing area 24 to be less than 0.5 mm, and the hook 10 has little irritation to the surrounding soft tissues, and the rubber band is not easily slipped off from the groove. D6 is required to be large enough so that the embodiments of the present invention provide an important guiding surface 42 for guiding the rubber band into the narrow groove narrowing area 24, while D5 cannot be too small to avoid sharp edges or corners being formed on the top surface 26 of the end portion 18, which may irritate the patient's tongue and / or buccal mucosa. The edges and corners of the top surface 26 are preferably rounded and smooth.

[0042] When the top surface 26 of the end portion 18 is a curved surface, D5 is the distance from the first end 48 to the tangent plane passing through the most protruding point of the top surface 26, and D9 is the distance from the second end 32 to the tangent plane passing through the most protruding point of the top surface 26. The distance from point to point and the distance from point to plane in this article both refer to the shortest distance.

[0043] Each end in this article can be a point, a line or a plane in different embodiments. The top surfaces 26 of the end portion 18, the middle portion 16 and the connecting portion 14 in each embodiment of this article are all on the same plane and have the same distance from the bottom pad 12. In some embodiments, the top surfaces 26 of the end portion 18, the middle portion 16 and the connecting portion 14 may not be on the same plane.

[0044] Reference Figure 5 , the hook body 30 has a smooth top surface 26. The third distance D3 from the top surface 26 of the hook body to the bottom pad 12 is at least 1.8 mm. In Figures 1 to 6 embodiments, the hook 10 can be clamped by tweezers (not shown) on two side surfaces 46 of the hook body 30 ( Figure 6 ). In some embodiments, the third distance D3 is at least 1.5 mm.

[0045] Reference Figure 5 , the fourth distance D4 is the distance from the second end 32 to the bottom of the groove 28. In most embodiments, D4 should be at least 0.8 mm. D4 should be large enough to allow the orthodontic hook 10 to accommodate one or two elastic rubber bands.

[0046] Figure 6It is a top view of the orthodontic hook 10 of the first embodiment. In this figure, the width W1 of the end portion 18 is greater than the width W2 of the middle portion 16, so that the elastic rubber band is not easily detached from the hook 10.

[0047] Figure 7 It is a side view of the orthodontic hook 10 of the first embodiment. In this figure, the angle Q formed between the end face 42 and the bottom pad 12 is an acute angle. The angle Q is generally less than 80 degrees and greater than 30 degrees, and the end face 42 is a smooth surface.

[0048] Figure 7 An arrow F indicating the direction of the installation force "F" applied to the elastic rubber band (not shown) is also shown.

[0049] The elastic rubber band (not shown) can slide from the opening 22 of the groove to the narrowed area 24 of the groove along the inclined and smooth end face 42 under the action of the installation force "F", then pass through the narrowed area 24 of the groove and finally enter the center 44 of the groove. Generally, the narrowed area 24 of the groove is the narrowest part of the groove 40, and its size is designed to prevent the rubber band from accidentally falling off. Generally, the attachment adhered to the tooth surface is usually in the range of 1.5 - 2.8 mm (an overly high attachment can irritate the tongue or mucosa). The design of the narrowed area 24 of the groove helps to obtain a relatively large end face 42 to guide the elastic rubber band (not shown) into the narrowed area 24 of the groove. The relatively large end face 42 also has the least irritation to the patient's tongue and buccal mucosa.

[0050] Figure 8 It is a left side view of the orthodontic hook 10 of the second embodiment. The orthodontic hook 10 of the second embodiment includes a bottom pad 12, which can be attached to the tooth surface or can be attached to another orthodontic appliance (not shown). In some cases, the bottom pad 12 can be bonded to the tooth surface. In some embodiments, the bottom pad 12 can even be a part of another orthodontic appliance (not shown), and this orthodontic appliance can be bonded to the tooth surface.

[0051] Figure 8 and Figure 9 The orthodontic hook 10 of the second embodiment shown also includes a hook body 30, which includes a connecting portion 14, a middle portion 16, and an end portion 18. The connecting portion 14 protrudes from the bottom pad 12 and extends to the middle portion 16 of the hook body, and the middle portion 16 continues to extend to the end portion 18 of the hook body. The middle portion 16 and the end portion 18 form a cantilever beam above the connecting portion 14 and the bottom pad 12, thereby forming a groove 40 in the orthodontic hook 10. The bottom 28 of the groove is as Figure 8Shown is a part of the groove 40, which is the part of the groove 40 farthest from the second end 32. The first end 48 of the end portion 18 is the maximum extension point where the cantilever beam extends outward. The second end 32 of the end portion 18 is closest to the base pad 12. In this embodiment, a part of the groove 40 is formed between the middle portion 16 of the hook body 30 and the connecting portion 14 of the hook body 30.

[0052] The protrusion 20 extends from the end portion 18 towards the base pad 12 to the second end 32 and tapers towards the direction of the second end 32. The second protrusion 54 extends from the base pad towards the end portion to the second top end 56 and tapers towards the direction of the second top end 56, thereby forming a groove narrowing area 24 between the second end 32 and the second top end 56.

[0053] Figure 9 is a top view of the orthodontic hook 10 of the second embodiment, which shows that the width D1 of the end portion 18 is greater than the width D2 of the middle portion 16. In this embodiment, the projected lengths of the middle portion 16 and the end portion 18 of the hook body 30 do not exceed the lengths of the base pad 12 and the connecting portion 14.

[0054] Figure 10 Shows a side view of the third embodiment of the orthodontic hook 10. The orthodontic hook 10 can be attached to the tooth surface. The hook 10 includes a base pad 12 that can be attached to the tooth surface.

[0055] The orthodontic hook 10 of the third embodiment further includes a hook body 30, which includes a connecting portion 14, a middle portion 16, and an end portion 18. The connecting portion 14 extends from the base pad 12 and extends to the middle portion 16 of the hook body 30. The middle portion 16 continues to extend to the end portion 18 of the hook body 30 and terminates at the end portion 18. The middle portion 16 and the end portion 18 form a cantilever beam above the base pad 12, such that a groove 40 is formed between the hook body 30 and the base pad 12. The protrusion 20 extends from the end portion 18 of the hook body 30 towards the base pad 12, forming a narrowing area 24 of the groove between the tip 32 of the protrusion 20 and the base pad 12. The narrowing area 24 is the narrowest part of the groove 40. In Figure 10 the embodiment, the distance from the tip 32 of the protrusion 20 to the base pad 12 is less than 0.5 mm. Figure 10 The shown narrowing area 24 is located directly above the base pad 12.

[0056] In Figure 10 the embodiment, the top surfaces 26 of the end portion 18, the middle portion 16, and the connecting portion 14 are at the same distance from the base pad 12. In Figure 10 the embodiment and variants of other embodiments, the distances of the top surfaces 26 of different parts of the hook body 30 from the base pad 12 can be different.

[0057] The bottom 28 of the groove is as Figure 10As shown, it is the part in the groove 40 that is farthest from the second end 32. The first end 48 of the end part 18 is the maximum extension point where the cantilever beam of the hook body 30 extends outward, and the second end 32 of the end part 18 is the top end 32 of the protrusion 20. The second end 32 is closest to the bottom pad 12. The third end 50 of the connecting part 14 is located on the top surface 26 of the connecting part 14 and is farthest from the bottom of the groove 28. In Figure 10 In the embodiment of, the seventh distance D7 between the third end 50 and the bottom of the groove 28 is greater than the eighth distance D8 between the first end 48 and the bottom of the groove 28.

[0058] Figure 10 The relatively large connecting part 14 in can be used as an attachment on the tooth surface. The size of the connecting part 14 is designed to be tightly covered by the invisible aligner appliance, and the invisible aligner appliance can transmit the orthodontic force to the tooth by holding the attachment (connecting part 14). The hook body 30 has a relatively large connecting part 14, which occupies at least half of the length of the bottom pad 12. When the orthodontic hook 10 is bonded to the tooth surface and an invisible aligner appliance (not shown) is installed on the tooth, its connecting part 14 can be completely or partially covered by the invisible aligner appliance (not shown), and the connecting part 14 plays the role of an attachment on the tooth surface during invisible orthodontics. This is very helpful for patients with short dental crowns during the treatment with invisible aligner appliances. Using such an orthodontic hook 10 combined with an attachment in invisible orthodontics has great practical value. For example, for the orthodontic hook 10 installed and bonded on the canine tooth, on the one hand, the orthodontic hook 10 can change the mesiodistal inclination of the canine tooth through the traction of rubber bands with other hooks, and at the same time, the change in the mesiodistal inclination of the canine tooth can further help the invisible aligner improve the anterior overbite. If the root of the canine tooth is pulled distally to cause the crown to incline mesially, it is beneficial for the invisible aligner to open the anterior deep overbite. If the root of the canine tooth is moved in the opposite direction, the anterior overbite can be deepened.

[0059] Figure 11 is a top view of the third embodiment of the orthodontic hook 10, which shows that the longitudinal axis 52 of the connecting part 14 forms an angle H with the longitudinal axes 52 of the middle part 16 and the end part 18. The angle H is less than 180 degrees. Sometimes, the angle H can be close to 90 degrees. This design helps to bond the attachment (relatively large connecting part 14) and the hook 10 on the surface of a short dental crown, and part or all of the connecting part 14 will be covered by the invisible aligner appliance. The size of the connecting part 14 is designed to be covered by the invisible aligner appliance and interact with the invisible aligner appliance to correct the teeth. Although Figure 11 the embodiment of uses an arc-shaped longitudinal axis 52, any embodiment disclosed herein can use a straight, arc-shaped or curved longitudinal axis 52.

[0060] Figure 12Shows a side view of a fourth embodiment of the orthodontic hook 10. The orthodontic hook 10 can be attached to the tooth surface. The hook 10 includes a base pad 12 that can be attached to the tooth surface.

[0061] The orthodontic hook 10 of the fourth embodiment further includes a hook body, which includes a connecting portion 14, an intermediate portion 16, and a terminal portion 18. The connecting portion 14 extends from the base pad 12 and extends to the intermediate portion 16 of the hook body 30, and the intermediate portion 16 continues to extend to the terminal portion 18 of the hook body 30 and terminates at the terminal portion 18. The intermediate portion 16 and the terminal portion 18 form a cantilever beam above the base pad 12, so that a groove 40 is formed between the hook body 30 and the base pad 12. A protrusion 20 extends from the terminal portion 18 towards the base pad 12 to the second terminal 32 and tapers in the direction of the second terminal 32. A second protrusion 54 extends from the base pad 12 towards the terminal portion 18 to the second top 56 and tapers in the direction of the second top 56, thereby forming a groove narrowing area 24 between the second terminal 32 and the second top 56. The groove bottom 28 of the groove 40 is the farthest from the second terminal 32. The fourth terminal 58 of the second protrusion 54 is the farthest from the groove bottom 28. The distance between the first terminal 48 and the fourth terminal 58 is at least 1.8 times the distance between the second terminal 32 and the second top 56. In this embodiment, the first guiding inclined surface 42 extends from the first terminal 48 to the second terminal 32, and the second guiding inclined surface extends from the fourth terminal 58 to the second top 56. The two guiding inclined surfaces cooperate to guide the rubber band into the groove narrowing area 24. The protrusion 20 has the second terminal 32 as its top, and its cross-sectional area gradually decreases from the cross-section where the first terminal 48 is located towards the second terminal 32. The second protrusion 54 has the second top 56 as its top, and its cross-sectional area gradually decreases from the cross-section where the fourth terminal 58 is located towards the second top 56. The width W4 of the groove opening 22 and D1 are the distance from the first terminal 48 to the base pad 12, without considering the presence of the second protrusion. The width W5 of the groove narrowing area 24 is the distance between the second terminal 32 and the second top 56. D2 is equal to W5 at this time. The width W4 of the groove opening 22 is at least 1.8 times the width W5 of the groove narrowing area 24. In some embodiments, W4 is at least 2 times W5. In some embodiments, W4 is at least 2.6 times W5. W4 is at least 1.5 mm. W5 is less than 1.0 mm. In some embodiments, W5 is less than 0.8 mm. In some embodiments, W5 is less than 0.7 mm. In some embodiments, W5 is less than 0.5 mm. In some embodiments, W5 is less than 0.3 mm.

[0062] This embodiment may also have the following variations. In one case, the protrusion 20 is spherical, extending from the end portion 18 towards the bottom pad 12 to the second end 32 and gradually decreasing in size towards the direction of the second end 32. The second protrusion 54 extends from the bottom pad 12 towards the end portion 18 to the second tip 56 and gradually decreases in size towards the direction of the second tip 56, thereby forming a groove narrowing region 24 between the second end 32 and the second tip 56. In another case, there is no protrusion 20, and only the second protrusion 54 extends from the bottom pad towards the end portion 18 to the second tip 56 and gradually decreases in size towards the direction of the second tip 56, thereby forming a groove narrowing region 24 between the end portion 18 and the second tip 56.

[0063] The various features of the present invention have been described and illustrated in connection with specific embodiments of the present invention. Any feature associated with a particular embodiment herein can be used in any other embodiment herein, unless it results in an incompatible combination of features.

[0064] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated, these embodiments should be regarded as illustrative of the present invention only. The present invention may include variations not described or shown in detail herein. Therefore, the embodiments described and illustrated herein should not be regarded as a basis for limiting the present invention as construed by the appended claims.

[0065] List of reference numerals

[0066] 10 Orthodontic hook

[0067] 12 Bottom pad

[0068] 14 Connecting portion of the hook body

[0069] 16 Middle portion of the hook body

[0070] 18 End portion of the hook body

[0071] 20 Protrusion

[0072] 22 Groove opening

[0073] 24 Groove narrowing region

[0074] 26 Top surface of the hook body

[0075] 28 Groove bottom

[0076] 30 Hook body

[0077] 32 Tip of the protrusion (second end)

[0078] 40 Groove

[0079] 42 End face (guide face)

[0080] 44 Groove center

[0081] The side of the hook body 46

[0082] The first end of the terminal part 48

[0083] The third end of the connecting part 50

[0084] The longitudinal axis of the hook body 52

[0085] The second protrusion 54

[0086] The second tip 56

[0087] The fourth end 58

Claims

1. An orthodontic hook that can be attached to a tooth surface, the orthodontic hook comprising: a base pad attachable to a tooth surface; and A hook body, the hook body comprising a connecting portion and a cantilever portion, the connecting portion protruding from the base pad and extending to the cantilever portion, the cantilever portion forming a cantilever beam above the base pad, thereby forming a groove in the orthodontic hook, the cantilever portion terminates at a terminal portion located at its end, the first end of the terminal portion is the maximum extension point along the cantilever portion, the second end of the terminal portion is closest to the base pad, a groove opening is formed between the first end and the base pad, and a groove narrowing area is formed between the second end and the base pad, It is characterized in that the groove narrows continuously from the groove opening to the groove narrowing area and widens continuously from the groove narrowing area to the groove center, and the fifth width W5 of the groove narrowing area is less than 1.0 mm.

2. The orthodontic hook according to claim 1, characterized in that: The terminal portion forms a protrusion with the second terminal as the top end, and the protrusion becomes smaller toward the second terminal.

3. The orthodontic hook according to claim 2, characterized in that: The fourth width W4 of the trench opening is at least twice the fifth width W5 of the trench narrowing region.

4. The orthodontic hook according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The second protrusion extends from the bottom pad toward the end portion to a second top end and becomes smaller toward the second top end, thereby forming the groove narrowing area between the second end and the second top end.

5. The orthodontic hook according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fifth width W5 is less than 0.8 mm.

6. The orthodontic hook according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom of the groove is farthest from the second end, the third end is located on the top surface of the connecting portion and is farthest from the bottom of the groove, and the seventh distance D7 between the third end and the bottom of the groove is greater than the eighth distance D8 between the first end and the bottom of the groove.

7. The orthodontic hook according to claim 1, characterized in that: A ninth distance D9 between the second end and the top surface of the terminal portion is at least 2.4 times greater than a fifth distance D5 between the first end and the top surface of the terminal portion.

8. An orthodontic hook that can be attached to a tooth surface, the hook comprising: a base pad attachable to a tooth surface; and A hook body, the hook body comprising a connecting portion and a cantilever portion, the connecting portion protruding from the base pad and extending to the cantilever portion, the cantilever portion forming a cantilever beam above the base pad, thereby forming a groove in the orthodontic hook, the cantilever portion terminates at a terminal portion located at its end, the first end of the terminal portion is the maximum extension point along the cantilever portion, the second end of the terminal portion is closest to the base pad, the terminal portion forms a protrusion with the second end as the top end, and the protrusion becomes smaller towards the second end. And a ninth distance D9 between the second end and the top surface of the terminal portion is at least 2.4 times the fifth distance D5 between the first end and the top surface of the terminal portion.

9. The orthodontic hook according to claim 8, characterized in that: A sixth distance D6 between the first end and the second end is at least twice as large as a fifth distance D5 between the first end and the top surface of the end portion.

10. The orthodontic hook according to claim 8, characterized in that: A groove opening is formed between the first end and the base pad, a groove narrowing area is formed between the second end and the base pad, and the groove narrows continuously from the groove opening to the groove narrowing area and widens continuously from the groove narrowing area to the groove center.

11. The orthodontic hook according to claim 8, characterized in that: The second protrusion extends from the bottom pad toward the end portion to a second top end and becomes smaller toward the second top end, thereby forming a groove narrowing area between the second end and the second top end.

12. The orthodontic hook according to claim 10, characterized in that: The fourth width W4 of the trench opening is at least 1.8 times the fifth width W5 of the trench narrowing region.

13. The orthodontic hook according to claim 12, characterized in that: The fifth width W5 is less than 0.8 mm.

14. The orthodontic hook according to claim 8, characterized in that: The bottom of the groove is farthest from the second end, the third end is located on the top surface of the connecting portion and is farthest from the bottom of the groove, and the seventh distance D7 between the third end and the bottom of the groove is greater than the eighth distance D8 between the first end and the bottom of the groove.

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