Orthodontic treatment device

Abstract

An orthodontic treatment device for treating malocclusion by distalizing the molars has two sliding tubes, a push element connecting the sliding tubes, and a fastening element arranged in the area of ​​a first of the sliding tubes for attaching an elastic band. The sliding tubes have a non-circular, particularly rectangular, internal cross-section and are oriented with their central axes along a possibly curved line, so that a guide arch of corresponding cross-section can be passed through and the device is guided on the guide arch in a slidingly displaceable but rotationally invariant manner.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an orthodontic treatment device for treating malocclusion by distalizing the molars.

[0002] For various malocclusions, especially Class 2 malocclusions, correction is achieved by moving the large molars backward (distal) in the dental arch. Extraoral appliances are often used for this purpose, but their use is limited in terms of wear time and patient cooperation.

[0003] A device known as the Carriere Distalizer is available on the market. This device is adhesively attached between the canine and anterior molar, and to which an intermaxillary elastic band is hooked. The device has two adhesive pads connected by a bracket, which are bonded to the canine and the first molar like brackets. The front adhesive pad is rigid, while the back adhesive pad is connected to the bracket via a ball joint. However, the use of this device can lead to undesirable side effects, such as inward rotation of the molars, the formation of a crossbite, and the lengthening of the canine or first premolar. Furthermore, the device is generally only used for preliminary treatment, which is usually followed by further treatment with a fixed appliance, thus extending the overall treatment time.

[0004] The present invention has for its object to provide a treatment device for the distalization of molars, which at least partially avoids the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0005] The object is achieved by a treatment device according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments can be found in the dependent claims.

[0006] According to the invention, a treatment device of the type mentioned above comprises two sliding tubes, a thrust element connecting the sliding tubes, and a fastening element arranged in the region of a first of the sliding tubes for attaching an elastic band. The sliding tubes have a non-circular, in particular rectangular, internal cross-section and are oriented with their central axes along a possibly curved line, so that a guide arch of corresponding cross-section can be passed through and the device is guided on the guide arch in a slidingly displaceable but rotationally invariant manner.

[0007] From an intermaxillary elastic band attached to the attachment element, a distalizing force is transmitted directly to the large molar via the treatment device, which is slid onto the guide arch. This eliminates the need to advance the entire row of teeth, which would take significantly longer. This allows for faster distalization of the molars than with conventional intermaxillary elastic bands.

[0008] The device can be used in front of both the first and second large molars. Furthermore, it can be used in both the upper jaw for the treatment of a Class 2 malocclusion, and in the lower jaw for the treatment of a Class 3 malocclusion, and is intended within the scope of the invention.

[0009] Compared to previous devices, a pretreatment period of three-quarters to one year is not required; instead, a multi-bracket appliance can be inserted directly, resulting in a corresponding time savings of three-quarters to one year in treatment time. Furthermore, the archwire guide eliminates unwanted side effects, unlike non-archwire-guided devices.

[0010] Conveniently, the pusher element runs at a distance from and approximately parallel to the line defined by a guide arch that passes through the sliding tubes. This allows the device to be inserted so that it runs above the guide arch, where it is least disruptive to patients.

[0011] This can be achieved, for example, by connecting the thrust element to the sliding tubes via legs protruding from them.

[0012] The distance between the thrust element and the line defined by a guide arc to be guided through the sliding tubes can preferably be 3 mm to 5 mm, in particular 4 mm.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the sliding tubes are rigidly connected to the thrust element, in particular by a material bond. The thrust element can be made, for example, of hard steel wire with a diameter of at least 0.9 mm and welded to the respective sliding tube at the ends. A laser welding process, for example, is suitable for this. Alternatively, the device can be manufactured in one piece, in particular using 3D printing or a metal casting process, whereby the sliding tubes can also be designed as sliding bushings integrated into the ends of the thrust element.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the pusher element bridges a typical distance between a canine and a molar, in particular a first molar, or between a front premolar and a molar, in particular a first molar. In a preferred embodiment, the pusher element can have a length of 15 mm to 17 mm, in particular 16 mm. The length of the sliding tubes can expediently be approximately 3 mm.

[0015] The device is suitable for use in an orthodontic treatment appliance comprising a multi-bracket appliance with a guide arch whose cross-section is adapted to the inner cross-section of the sliding tubes, onto which the treatment appliance is extended. In particular, such an appliance can be provided with a treatment appliance of the type described above slid onto the guide arch on each side.

[0016] A suitable guide archwire is a steel archwire with a rectangular cross-section (square) and dimensions of at least 0.016 x 0.022 inches, as is commonly used in multi-bracket appliances. The guide tubes have a corresponding inner cross-section, allowing them to be slid onto the archwire smoothly and with virtually no play. This inner profile is also called a slot.

[0017] Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of an exemplary embodiment based on the figures. It shows: Fig. 1 a side view of a treatment device according to the invention for distalizing the molars and Fig. 2 a view of a typical treatment situation with inserted multibracket appliance, treatment device according to Fig. 1 and intermaxillary elastic band.

[0018] The Fig. The orthodontic treatment device 1 shown in Figure 1 has two sliding tubes 2, 3 that are rigidly attached to both ends of a U-shaped bracket-like thrust element 4. Also attached to the front sliding tube 3 is a fastening element 5 in the form of a hook with a ball head, which serves as an attachment point for attaching an elastic band.

[0019] The sliding tubes 2 and 3 have a so-called slot, i.e., an inner opening with a rectangular cross-section. The center axes of the slots are aligned along a line, allowing them to be slid onto a guide arch with a corresponding cross-section of a multi-band appliance, or a guide arch with a corresponding cross-section can be inserted into the slots.

[0020] The thrust element 4 is connected to the sliding tubes 2, 3 by two legs 6, 7 which are welded to them and project upwards from the sliding tubes 2, 3, so that the U-shaped bracket is created.

[0021] The straight central section of the push element 4 serves as a push rod to transfer the tension of an elastic band suspended from the fastening element 5 to a bracket attached to a molar. If necessary, the central section of the push element 4, which acts as a push rod, can be bent to fit the dentist or supplied pre-shaped so that the push element 4 adapts to the longitudinal alignment of the row of teeth.

[0022] The push rod of the push element 4 runs at a distance of approximately 4 mm and approximately parallel to a guide curve onto which the sliding tubes 2, 3 are pushed. However, the invention is not limited to the illustrated U-shape of the bracket 4 with legs 6, 7 projecting vertically from the sliding tubes 2, 3 and a push rod 4 extending at right angles. Rather, the legs 6, 7 can also be attached at an oblique angle, or the entire push element 4 can be designed in an anatomically curved shape. In the latter case, the push element can optionally be manufactured together with the sliding tubes using a metal casting or metal printing process.

[0023] In Fig. Figure 2 shows a typical treatment situation. Brackets of a multi-bracket appliance are bonded to the patient's upper and lower teeth. The brackets are adapted to the anatomical shape of the teeth. Therefore, brackets 10 and 12 on the anterior lower and upper molars ("sixes") are larger.

[0024] A steel guide arch 8 with a rectangular profile of .016 x .022 is inserted into the brackets in the upper jaw. The two sliding tubes 2 and 3 of the treatment device 1, each equipped with a corresponding slot, are pushed onto this guide arch 8, so that the posterior sliding tube 2 rests against the bracket 12 on the anterior maxillary molar. The anterior sliding tube 3 lies freely between the brackets on the canine and first premolar. Alternatively, it would also be possible to make the pusher element 4 slightly longer and insert the posterior sliding tube 2 in front of the posterior molar.

[0025] In this application, an arch with a rectangular profile is also used in the lower jaw, without the invention being limited to this. A hook 11 for attaching an elastic band is arranged on the bracket 10 of the anterior molar in the lower jaw. An intermaxillary elastic band 9 is hooked between the hook 11 on the lower six and the fastening element 5, designed as a hook, on the anterior sliding tube 3 and exerts a distal force component on the bracket 12 on the upper six via the thrust element 4. Other force components exerted by the elastic band 9 that do not act in the direction of the guide arch 8 are absorbed and compensated by the guide arch 8, so that unwanted extrusion on the premolars and inward rotation of the molars cannot occur, as is the case with conventional devices.

[0026] What is essential here is the longitudinally displaceable but rotationally invariant sliding guidance of the sliding tubes 2, 3 on the guide arch 8, which is achieved by the non-circular cross-sectional geometry - here rectangular shape - of the guide arch 8 and the inner cross sections ("slots") of the sliding tubes.

[0027] In Fig. 2 shows only one side of a patient's dentition. However, the treatment device 1 according to the invention can also be used on both sides, so that an intermaxillary elastic band 9 can be worn on each side of the dentition. In principle, the treatment device 1 can be used both unilaterally in the case of unilateral distal occlusion and bilaterally in the case of bilateral distal occlusion, depending on the indication.

Claims

[1] Orthodontic treatment device (1) for the treatment of malocclusion by distalization of the molars, characterized by two sliding tubes (2, 3), a thrust element (4) connecting the sliding tubes (2, 3) and a fastening element (5) arranged in the region of a first of the sliding tubes (3) for suspending an elastic band (9), wherein the sliding tubes (2, 3) have a non-circular, in particular rectangular, internal cross-section and their central axes are oriented along an optionally curved line for guiding a guide curve (8) of corresponding cross-section through. [2] Orthodontic treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the pushing element (4) is spaced from and approximately parallel to the line defined by a guide arch (9) to be guided through the sliding tubes. [3] Orthodontic treatment device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the thrust element (4) is connected to the sliding tubes (2, 3) via legs (6, 7) projecting from them. [4] Orthodontic treatment device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the distance between the pushing element (4) and the line defined by a guide arch (9) to be guided through the sliding tubes (2, 3) is 3 mm to 5 mm, in particular 4 mm. [5] Orthodontic treatment device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the sliding tubes (2, 3) are rigidly, in particular materially, connected to the thrust element (4). [6] Orthodontic treatment device according to one of claims 1 to 3, in which the sliding tubes (2, 3) and the thrust element (4) are manufactured in one piece, in particular by 3D printing or a metal casting process. [7] Orthodontic treatment device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the pushing element (4) bridges a typical distance between a canine tooth and a molar, in particular a first molar, or a front premolar and a molar, in particular a first molar. [8] Orthodontic treatment device according to claim 6, wherein the thrust element has a length of 15 mm to 17 mm, in particular 16 mm. [9] Orthodontic treatment device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the length of the sliding tubes (2, 3) is approximately 3 mm. [10] Orthodontic treatment apparatus with a treatment device according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a multi-bracket appliance with a guide arch (9) with a cross-section adapted to the inner cross-section of the sliding tubes (2, 3), onto which the treatment device (1) is pushed out, in particular onto which a treatment device (1) according to one of the preceding claims is pushed on each side.

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