Orthodontic device

Abstract

The invention relates to an orthodontic device for the treatment of dental malocclusion, dental alignment and / or OSAS, the device comprising a first upper aligner and a second mandibular aligner each configured to fit to the dental arch, which aligners co-operate via at least one connecting element formed by the association of a pin with an apertured fin, the first aligner co-operating with the second aligner through the insertion of the pin into the slot of the fin so as to allow the longitudinal translational movement of the pin in the slot of the fin in a direction parallel to the outer face of the dental arch of the user.

Description

Orthodontic device

[0001] The present invention falls within the field of medical devices, in particular orthodontic appliances intended to treat dental pathology.

[0002] The invention particularly relates to an orthodontic device, of the dental orthosis type.

[0003] Such a device will find particular application in the treatment of dental malocclusion, in particular class 2 or class 3 dental malocclusion, or the correction of dental alignment, but also in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).

[0004] It should be noted that there are many devices such as connecting rod dental orthoses, often metallic or spring-loaded, to treat dental malocclusion or OSA.

[0005] However, these devices have, in part or as a whole, the following disadvantages:

[0006] - the structural design of these devices does not allow treating both dental malocclusion and a dental alignment problem with a single device and in parallel,

[0007] - the association with another device for the correction of dental alignment is often impossible due to excessive space in the mouth or structural incompatibility of operation,

[0008] - the presence of a connecting rod or spring, often metallic, on each side of the dental arch, at the level of the vestibular surface of the teeth is cumbersome in the mouth of users and generates a risk of injury to the mucous membranes, particularly at the level of the cheeks or near the patient's lips,

[0009] - the total volume occupied by the device in the patient's mouth causes significant discomfort when opening or closing the jaw, or even limits and prevents the patient from opening his mouth,

[0010] - spring systems involving compression / decompression present a risk of breakage due to their rigidity, but are also limited by the compression length of the spring, the (de)compression size of the spring may be unsuitable for the morphology or the mouth opening capacity of the user,

[0011] - connecting rod systems with sliding telescopic tubes present a risk of blocking the telescopic movement and are limited by the fixed length of the connecting rod tubes,

[0012] - the rigidity of the materials used for fixation and connection between the upper jaw and the lower mandible do not allow precise mandibular correction, or a certain flexibility in the lateral movement of the jaw,

[0013] - in certain cases, correction of dental malocclusion, particularly in the antero-posterior direction, is no longer possible once the mouth is opened, with a pronounced vertical movement.

[0014] The present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of the state of the art, by proposing an orthodontic device (1), for the treatment of dental malocclusion and / or the correction of dental alignment and / or the treatment of OSA, characterized in that it comprises:

[0015] - a first upper oral gutter (2), and a second mandibular oral gutter (3), each configured to at least partially fit the dental arch of a user,

[0016] - the first gutter (2), being shaped to cover at least one of the premolars (PS) and / or molars (MS), on each side of the maxilla of the upper arch (4) of the user,

[0017] - the second gutter (3), being shaped to cover at least one of the premolars (PI) and / or the molars (MI) and / or the canines (CI), on each side of the maxilla of the lower arch called "mandible" (5) of the user,

[0018] - the first gutter (2) cooperates with the second gutter (3) by means of at least one connecting element (6), deployed at the vestibular face of the user's teeth or deployed at the palatal and lingual faces of the user's teeth,

[0019] - the connecting element (6) comprises the association of a spike (7), integral with the first gutter (2) or the second gutter (3), with a fin (8) with light (81), respectively integral with the second gutter (3) or the first gutter (2),

[0020] - the spike (7), projecting along a plane perpendicular to that of the vestibular face, or the palatal and lingual faces of the user's teeth, is shaped to pass through the lumen (81) of the fin (8) and be blocked there transversely,

[0021] - the fin (8), of substantially triangular shape, has a light (81), preferably of substantially oblong shape,

[0022] - the fin (8) is deployed vertically between the first gutter (2) and the second gutter (3), along a plane parallel to that of the vestibular face, or the palatal and lingual faces of the user's teeth,

[0023] - the light (81) extends between the first gutter (2) and the second gutter (3) along a longitudinal axis (L),

[0024] - the first gutter (2) cooperating with the second gutter (3), by integration of the spike (7) in the light (81) of the fin (8), so as to allow the longitudinal translational movement of said spike (7) in the light (81) of the fin (8), in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis (L) extending between the first gutter (2) and the second gutter (3).

[0025] Thus, the device 1 makes it possible to treat both class 2 and 3 dental malocclusion by means of its specific connecting element 6, and if necessary, dental alignment by an adapted conformation of the aligners, this in the open or closed mouth position, while being of simple design and structure, not bulky in the labial area and limiting the risk of injury to the patient's mucous membranes.

[0026] Furthermore, according to other characteristics of the invention:

[0027] - said device comprises two connecting elements (6) positioned on either side of the dental arch, in a plane parallel to that of the longitudinal axis (L) extending between the first gutter (2) and the second gutter (3), preferably the two connecting elements (6) being positioned at the vestibular face of the user's teeth,

[0028] - the connecting element (6) is deployed, in the direction of the vestibular face or the palatal and lingual faces of the user's teeth, over a thickness (E) of between 0.8 mm and 1.2 mm, preferably 1 mm.

[0029] Thus, even with two connecting elements, the device is not bulky in the user's mouth, neither at the level of the mucous membranes of the cheeks when positioned at the vestibular surface, nor at the level of the palate or lips when positioned at the palatal and lingual surfaces. The device of the invention, being of small oral size, does not hinder or prevent the user from moving his jaw.

[0030] According to an embodiment of the device of the invention, the fin (8), substantially triangular, is made up on the one hand of a side (82) whose entire length serves as an anchoring base (82) on the first gutter (2) or the second gutter (3), and, on the other hand of another side (83) whose end is secured, through the insertion of the spike (7) in the light (81), respectively to the second gutter (3) or the first gutter (2).

[0031] As a result, the connecting element secures the two gutters through the anchor base of the fin and the insertion of the spike into the light of the fin. The connecting element keeps the two gutters together.

[0032] According to a preferred embodiment of the device of the invention suitable for treating class 2 or 3 dental malocclusion,

[0033] - the fin (8) is substantially in the form of a right triangle, with a hypotenuse (84) connected by two adjacent legs (82, 83) at a substantially right angle (d), one of which serves as an anchoring base (82), and in that, on the one hand, the hypotenuse (84) extends between the first gutter (2) and the second gutter (3) and, on the other hand, the right angle (d) consists of a first anchoring point (P1) on one of the two gutters (2 or 3) while the spike (7), inserted in the light (81), consists of a fixing point (P2) with the fin (8), respectively on the other of the two gutters (3 or 2),

[0034] - the anchoring point (P1) or the fixing point (P2) is positioned, on one of the two gutters (2, 3), at the level of the disto-vestibular cusp, or, of the mesio-vestibular cupside of the first molar, or of the vestibular face of the second premolar,

[0035] - the cathet (83) of the fin not serving as an anchoring base (82), has an angular offset of between 0 and 20°, preferably 16° relative to the anchoring point (P1) at right angle (d) of the first gutter (2) or second gutter (3).

[0036] This preferred embodiment allows mandibular propulsion or retropropulsion so as to treat both class 2 or 3 dental malocclusion, and to act mechanically on OSA in particular thanks to the presence of the connecting element of the device. This embodiment also makes it possible, if necessary, to correct dental alignment by a specific molding of the gutters covering all or part of the user's teeth.

[0037] It is thus possible with a single device of simple design and manufacture, which adapts to any type of jaw, dental arch or dentition, to treat three pathologies simultaneously or separately.

[0038] According to another preferred characteristic of the device of the invention, the spike (7) forms with the first gutter (2) or the second gutter (3) a single-piece part, and / or, said fin (8) with light (81) forms, with the first gutter (2) or the second gutter (3) a single-piece part.

[0039] The use in the form of a single piece makes the device simple to manufacture, and its assembly and positioning in the mouth easy. The device does not require a complex attachment system with tube interlocking or hook fixation, spring positioning, it is easily placed or removed from the patient's mouth, its cleaning is therefore possible by users.

[0040] According to a preferred embodiment, the spike (7) forms with the first gutter (2) or the second gutter (3) a single-piece part, and / or, said fin (8) with light (81) forms, with the first gutter (2) or the second gutter (3) a single-piece part in order to limit the size and volume that the device occupies in the mouth, and to make it more comfortable to wear for users.

[0041] Advantageously, the device is obtained by thermoforming or by stereo lithography.

[0042] These two processes are quick to implement, require only a few steps, can be carried out at low cost and within less than 1 hour after taking the patient's dental impressions. Industrially, the production of the device is easy using these two processes and allows the use of existing techniques well known to those skilled in the art, such as thermoforming of resins, laser or mechanical cutting.

[0043] The device of the invention is therefore structurally simple to manufacture, to position in the mouth, without being inconvenient for users and makes it possible to effectively treat class 2 or 3 dental malocclusion in parallel with a dental alignment problem and OSA.

[0044] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the detailed description which follows of the non-limiting embodiments of the invention, with reference to the appended figures, in which:

[0045] schematically illustrates the alignment of the teeth of the two dental arches during a class 1 dental malocclusion called “dental normocclusion”,

[0046] schematically illustrates the misalignment between the teeth of the two dental arches, during a class 2 dental malocclusion,

[0047] schematically illustrates the misalignment between the teeth of the two dental arches, during a class 3 dental malocclusion,

[0048] represents the orthodontic device of the invention according to a first embodiment in which all of the user's teeth are covered by the oral aligners,

[0049] represents the orthodontic device of the invention, according to an alternative embodiment in which only part of the teeth of the user's lower jaw are covered with the second oral splint,

[0050] represents the orthodontic device of the invention in position on an impression of the user's dental arch,

[0051] represents the first upper oral splint, intended to be positioned on the maxilla of the user's upper arch before assembly with the pin, manufactured by a resin thermoforming process, according to a method of manufacturing the orthodontic device of the invention,

[0052] represents the first upper buccal gutter of the, after fixing and assembly with the spike,

[0053] represents the second mandibular oral splint, intended to be positioned on the user's lower jaw according to the first embodiment of the orthodontic device of the,

[0054] represents the second mandibular buccal gutter seen from the front, in position on a dental impression of the user's lower jaw, according to the embodiment variant of the,

[0055] represents a top view of the second mandibular buccal gutter before vertical folding of the fins, in which the fins have an angular offset of 16° relative to the right-angle anchor point,

[0056] schematically represents a profile view of the possible maxillary anchor points for positioning the connecting element of the orthodontic device of the invention and carrying out the treatment of class 2 or 3 dental malocclusion and / or OSA,

[0057] schematically represents a profile view of the connecting element of the orthodontic device of the invention with a maxillary anchor on the disto vestibular cusp of the first molar.

[0058] The present invention relates to an orthodontic device 1, of the removable orthosis type molded entirely or partly to the shape of the teeth, so as to be engaged on the dental arch of the teeth and with the jaw of the user.

[0059] Device 1 is used for the treatment of dental malocclusion, for the correction of dental alignment and / or the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (known as “OSAS”).

[0060] Device 1 advantageously allows the treatment of dental malocclusion which consists of abnormal contact between the maxillary teeth and the mandibular teeth.

[0061] As seen on the, we speak of class 1 malocclusion or "dental normocclusion", that is to say an occlusion without defect, when the front cusp called "mesiobuccal" of the upper molar MS is in occlusion with the groove of the lower molar MI.

[0062] The device 1 according to the invention makes it possible to treat class 2 or class 3 dental malocclusion, for which the upper molars incorrectly overlap the lower molars.

[0063] As seen in the figure, we speak of a class 2 dental malocclusion when the lower teeth of the maxilla of the lower arch 5, that is to say of the mandible, are placed too far back from the upper teeth of the maxilla of the upper arch (4). With a class 2 malocclusion, the upper molar MS is in a more advanced position in relation to the lower molar MI, as are the rest of the teeth of the upper jaw, as represented by the arrow.

[0064] As seen in the figure, a Class 3 malocclusion occurs when the lower teeth are positioned too far forward relative to the upper teeth, as shown by the arrow. With a Class 3 malocclusion, the lower molar MI is positioned further forward relative to the upper molar MS, as are the rest of the teeth in the mandible, as shown by the arrow.

[0065] Device 1 allows, when positioned in the mouth of the patient to be treated, to treat:

[0066] - either class 2 dental malocclusion by generating mandibular propulsion, i.e. an advancement of the mandible forwards towards the patient's lips, along an anteroposterior axis A, visible on the, extending from the lips towards the patient's trachea, or,

[0067] - or class 3 dental malocclusion by generating mandibular retropropulsion, that is to say a recoil of the mandible backwards towards the trachea, along an anteroposterior axis A extending from the lips towards the patient's trachea, in order to return to a "dental normocclusion".

[0068] Thus, positioned in the mouth of the patient to be treated, device 1 makes it possible to treat class 2 or 3 dental malocclusion by constraint and mechanical correction via a movement of propulsion or retropulsion of the mandible relative to the maxilla.

[0069] Advantageously, the device 1 allows, simultaneously with the treatment of class 2 or 3 dental malocclusion, to act mechanically on the mandibular advancement and therefore to mechanically treat the SOAS, while making possible if necessary a correction of the dental alignment in particular by the conformation of the splints 2 or 3.

[0070] Indeed, as visible in figures 3 to 5, the device 1 comprises a first upper oral gutter 2 and a second mandibular oral gutter 3.

[0071] According to the invention, the first gutter 2 and the second gutter 3 are configured to at least partially fit the dental arch of a user. The first gutter 2 and the second gutter 3 are curved and generally U-shaped in order to fit the dental arch of the user, in particular to fit the dentition of the user's arch.

[0072] According to a first embodiment visible on the, the first gutter 2 and the second gutter 3 fit and cover all of the teeth of the dental arch of a user. This allows rapid anchoring and better grip of the device 1 on the set of teeth, easy installation in the patient and a reduction in the risk of mechanical breakage of the device, for example when chewing or opening the mouth.

[0073] According to another embodiment, the first gutter 2 and the second gutter 3 are configured to fit and cover only a portion of the teeth of a patient's dental arch.

[0074] For example, as seen in Figures 4 and 5, the incisors and part of the user's canines are not entirely covered by the second splint 3. In this case, the incisors and canines are in contact with the splint 3 only by their lingual face, facing the patient's tongue, and can mechanically be advanced in the direction of the lips towards the vestibular face of the teeth. This configuration therefore allows correction of the dental alignment by moving the user's lower incisors and canines forward. Thus, with the device 1, the configuration and shape of the first splint 2 and the second splint 3, fully or partially covering the patient's teeth, allows, if necessary, correction of the dental alignment.

[0075] According to the invention, more specifically, the first upper gutter 2 is shaped to cover at least one of the premolars PS and / or the molars MS, right D and left G, of the maxilla of the upper arch 4, also called “maxilla 4”, of the user.

[0076] For the purposes of the invention, we speak of “right D and left G” for the sides of the dental arch which are positioned on either side of the anteroposterior axis A, as visible for example in figures 3, 8 or 9.

[0077] In the same way, the second mandibular gutter 3 is shaped to cover at least one of the premolars PI and / or the molars MI and / or the canines CI, right D and left G, of the maxilla of the lower arch 5, also called “mandible 5” of the user.

[0078] According to the invention, the first upper splint 2 and the second mandibular splint 3 are manufactured by thermoforming a mold of the dental impression or by stereolithography, so as to perfectly match and cover the shape of the patient's teeth. Consequently, the positioning and placement of the splints 2 and 3 in the mouth is an easy operation without risk of error, with a mechanically solid anchoring around or against each tooth.

[0079] As illustrated in Figures 3 to 5, the first upper gutter 2 cooperates with the second mandibular gutter 3 by means of at least one connecting element 6. The connecting element 6 is deployed at the vestibular face of the patient's teeth, or at the palatal and lingual faces of the patient's teeth.

[0080] According to the present invention, the "vestibular face" of the patient's teeth: corresponds to the face located on the outside, directed against the cheek.

[0081] Similarly, the "palatal face" corresponds, for the upper teeth belonging to the upper jaw, to the face on the inside, at the top and oriented towards the patient's palate.

[0082] According to the invention also, the "lingual face" corresponds, for the lower teeth belonging to the mandibular arch, to the face on the inside, at the bottom, which the tongue usually touches.

[0083] In other words, according to the invention, the connecting element 6 can be in contact with the mucous membrane of the patient's cheeks, or, on the contrary, in contact with the patient's tongue and palate.

[0084] According to the invention, the connecting element 6 comprises the association of a pin 7, integral with the first gutter 2 or the second gutter 3, with a fin 8 with a slot 81 which is respectively integral with the second gutter 3 or the first gutter 2. According to an embodiment visible in the figures, the fin 8 is of substantially triangular shape and the slot 81 is of substantially oblong shape.

[0085] Preferably according to the invention, the connecting element 6 consists of at least one pin 7 associated and integrated with the light 81 of a fin 8.

[0086] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention visible in Figures 3 to 5, the device 1 comprises two connecting elements 6 positioned on either side of the dental arch, in a plane parallel to that of the longitudinal axis L extending between the first gutter 2 and the second gutter 3, preferably at the level of the vestibular face of the patient's teeth. The longitudinal axis L is shown in Figures 3 to 5.

[0087] These two connecting elements 6, present on the right side D and left side G of the patient's mouth, stabilize the position of the first gutter 2 relative to the second gutter 3, so as to minimize any displacement of the gutters in translation on the teeth, during a shift or movement of the maxilla 4 relative to the mandible 5, along a horizontal axis H visible on the.

[0088] Advantageously, like the connecting element 6, all like the device 1 are made of a material having a certain flexibility, for example of the biocompatible polyethylene terephthalate resin type called “PET G”, with a low thickness, of the order of 0.75 mm, a lateral movement of the mandible 5 along the horizontal axis H and in the dental occlusal plane remains possible.

[0089] According to the invention, the dental occlusal plane comprises, or is parallel to the H axis and passes through the cusp tips of the teeth of the upper jaw. From the front, the occlusal plane must be parallel to the bi-pupillary line and from the side, it is parallel to a line through the lower edge of the orbit (below the eye) and the upper edge of the auditory canal (ear) of the patient to be treated.

[0090] Thus, the flexibility of the material used for device 1, in particular the material used for the connecting element, allows a certain comfort to be maintained for the patient, while maintaining the mechanical correction necessary to treat class 2 or 3 dental malocclusion, as well as, if necessary, dental alignment, while acting mechanically on the OSA.

[0091] According to another advantage of the invention visible on the 9, the connecting element 6 is deployed, in the direction of the vestibular face or the palatal and lingual faces of the user's teeth, over a thickness (E) of between 0.8 and 1.2 mm, preferably 1 mm.

[0092] As seen in 9, in the case where the connecting element 6 is deployed in the direction of the vestibular face of the user's teeth, that is to say is in contact with the mucous membranes of the cheeks, the thickness E corresponds to the distance separating the end of the spike 7, in contact with the mucous membranes of the cheeks, from the face of the gutters 2 and 3 directed towards the vestibular face of the teeth.

[0093] In the invention, the thickness E is defined as the distance separating the end of the spike 7, in contact with the mucous membranes of the cheeks, or, directed towards the patient's tongue or palate, from the face of the gutters 2 and 3 directed respectively towards the vestibular face or towards the palatal and lingual faces of the teeth.

[0094] As a result, for example, compared to a connecting rod device, the volume occupied by device 1 in the mouth is minimal, the risk of cuts or injuries to the cheeks, lips, or even the tongue or palate is reduced. Device 1 considerably improves comfort in the mouth for patients, all while guaranteeing action in the treatment of class 2 or 3 dental malocclusion and allowing its association with mechanical treatment of dental alignment by aligners, and consequently to treat OSA.

[0095] More precisely, according to a specific feature of the device 1, the action of treating class 2 or 3 dental malocclusion and comfort in the mouth are guaranteed by the connecting element 6 which comprises, or consists of a spike 7, integral with the first 2 or second gutter 3, associated with a fin 8 with light 81 which is respectively integral with the second 3 or first gutter 2, as visible in figures 3 to 5.

[0096] According to the invention, as visible on the, said spike 7 projects along a plane perpendicular to that of the vestibular face or the palatal and lingual faces of the patient's teeth.

[0097] According to a preferred embodiment, visible in the figures, the spike 7 projects along a plane perpendicular to that of the vestibular face of the teeth, in other words, in this configuration, the connecting element 6 is in contact with the mucous membrane of the patient's cheeks, towards the outside of the dental arch.

[0098] According to another embodiment, not visible in the figures, said spike 7 projects along a plane perpendicular to that of the palatal and lingual faces of the teeth, in other words, in this configuration, the connecting element 6 is in contact with the palate and the tongue of the patient, towards the inside of the dental arch.

[0099] More precisely, said pin 7 of the device 1 of the invention is shaped to pass through the light 81 of the fin 8 and be blocked there transversely.

[0100] In other words, the spike 7 is shaped so that, after passing and being integrated into the light 81, it can move in a longitudinal movement in the light 81 of the fin 8 while being blocked transversely.

[0101] The longitudinal movement of the pin 7 in the lumen 81 makes it possible to treat class 2 or 3 dental malocclusion, and to act mechanically on the SAOS, while a transverse blockage ensures a connection between the first 2 and the second splint 3 in the patient's mouth, even when he opens his mouth and spreads his jaws.

[0102] According to a preferred embodiment of the device 1, said spike 7 has a general mushroom shape. In the mushroom shape, the spike 7 comprises a base 71 and a head 72. The base 71 is associated with or integrated into one or other of the gutters 2 or 3, while the head 72 is intended to be integrated into the lumen 81 of the fin 8 so as to block the spike 7 in the lumen 81 according to a transverse movement.

[0103] For example, according to an embodiment visible on the, for a non-monobloc gutter design, the base 71 of the spike 7 is secured to one of the gutters 2 or 3 via a pre-designed receiving housing 73. The securing of the base 71 of the spike 7 to one of the gutters 2 or 3 is carried out by any techniques known to those skilled in the art, such as gluing.

[0104] Nevertheless, any other form of spike 7 is conceivable by those skilled in the art provided that it allows its integration into the light 81 and the blocking at least in part of its transverse movement.

[0105] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention visible on the or 3, said pin 7 forms with the first gutter 2 or second gutter 3 a single piece, manufactured for example by stereolithography. This makes it possible to increase the rigidity, resistance and mechanical stability of the pin 7 with the gutter 2 or 3 and to avoid any risk of detachment even in the event of movement of the jaw, while limiting the manufacturing steps of the device 1.

[0106] According to another embodiment visible for example in figures 4 to 6, said pin 7 is fixed and secured to the first 2 or the second gutter 3 after the latter has been manufactured. This makes it possible to precisely adjust or modify the positioning of the pin 7 on the gutter 2 or 3, without the need to make a new gutter for the user.

[0107] Any means known to those skilled in the art for fixing and securing the spike 7 to one or other of the gutters 2, 3 is conceivable for the device 1 of the invention, as long as this remains biocompatible and does not significantly increase the thickness of the device 1.

[0108] According to the invention, said spike 7 is shaped to pass through the lumen 81 of the fin 8 and move therein in a longitudinal displacement in order to treat dental malocclusion and / or OSA.

[0109] As visible in figures 8 and 9, the connecting element 6, in addition to the spike 7, comprises or is made up of a fin 8 with a light 81, of substantially triangular shape, which is deployed vertically between the first 2 and the second gutter 3, along a plane parallel to that of the vestibular face or the palatal and lingual faces of the patient's teeth.

[0110] Thus, in the device 1, the first gutter 2 is fixed to the second gutter 3 by the connecting element 6. More specifically, the first gutter 2 is secured to the second gutter 3 following the integration of the pin 7 in the lumen 81 of the fin 8. The lumen 81, of substantially oblong shape, extends longitudinally between the first 2 and the second gutter 3. Consequently, the insertion of the pin 7 in the lumen 81 allows its displacement in the lumen 81 according to the longitudinal translational movement which is in a direction parallel to the outer or inner face of the dental arch of the user, along the vestibular face or the lingual and palatine faces of the teeth.

[0111] Advantageously, the oblong-shaped lumen 81 extends longitudinally between the first 2 and the second gutter 3 in a direction perpendicular to the occlusal plane, parallel to the axis H, in order to allow the maintenance of the propulsion or retropropulsion movement both during a closing movement and during an opening movement of the mouth.

[0112] Thus, in the device 1 of the invention, the connecting element 6, that is to say the association of the pin 7 in the lumen 81 of the fin 8, mechanically treats the class 2 or class 3 dental malocclusion. The connecting element 6, more specifically the movement of the pin 7 in the lumen 81, allows a propulsion or “mandibular advancement”, or on the contrary, a retropropulsion or “mandibular recoil” of correction, even during or after a mouth opening movement.

[0113] According to a preferred embodiment of the device 1, visible in figures 9, 10 and 12, the fin 8, substantially triangular, is made up of a side 82 whose entire length serves as an anchoring base 82 on the first gutter 2 or the second gutter 3. The fixing of the entire length of the cathet 82 of the fin 8 on one or other of the gutters 2 or 3 ensures sufficient cohesion and mechanical connection to prevent the fin 8 from becoming detached from the gutters 2 or 3, even when the mouth of the patient wearing the device 1 is opened.

[0114] In one embodiment of the device 1, the manufacture of the fin 8 is dissociated from the manufacture of the gutter 2 or 3 on which it is fixed. In this case, the securing of the fin 8 on its gutter 2 or 3 by its anchoring base 82 is carried out after individual manufacture of the gutter 2 or 3.

[0115] According to a preferred embodiment of the device 1 visible in figures 9 and 10, the fin 8 with light 81 forms with the first gutter 2 or the second gutter 3 a single-piece part. A gutter with fin 8 in the form of a single-piece part will be more mechanically resistant to the opening and closing movement of the patient's mouth and will avoid any risk of detachment of the fin 8 from the gutter on which it is fixed.

[0116] Preferably, as seen in Figures 8, 9, 10 and 12, the fin 8 is substantially in the form of a right triangle, with two adjacent legs 82, 83 at a substantially right angle d, one of which serves as an anchoring base 82, which are connected to each other by a hypotenuse 84. In this configuration, the hypotenuse 84 of the fin 8 extends between the first gutter 2 and the second gutter 3, the right angle d consists of a first anchoring point P1 on one or other of the gutters 2 or 3, while the spike 7, inserted in the light 81 consists of a fixing point P2 respectively of one or other of the gutters 3 or 2 with the fin 8.

[0117] More specifically, as visible on the, the light 81 of the fin 8 extends in a plane and a direction substantially parallel to that of the side 83 thus allowing a longitudinal translational movement of the pin 7 in the light 81. This longitudinal translational movement of the pin 7 makes it possible to act mechanically on the offset of the upper jaw relative to the lower jaw and to treat dental malocclusion.

[0118] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention as visible for example on the, said anchoring point P1 or the fixing point P2 of the pin 7 is positioned on one or other of the gutters 2 or 3 at the level of the disto-vestibular cusp or the mesio-vestibular cup of the first molar (point A), or at the level of the vestibular face of the second premolar (point B).

[0119] Depending on the class of dental malocclusion to be treated, the practitioner will choose the positioning of the patient's P1 anchor point or P2 fixation point necessary to mechanically treat the mandibular advancement in relation to the upper jaw.

[0120] According to a preferred embodiment of the device 1 of the invention, the side 83 of the fin, adjacent to the right angle d not serving as an anchoring base 82 on the first gutter 2 or the second gutter 3, has an angular offset of between 0 and 20°, preferably 16° relative to the anchoring point P1 at right angle d on the second gutter 3 or respectively the first gutter 2.

[0121] The choice of the angular offset value, combined with the choice of the position of the anchor point P1 or the fixation point P2, as well as the extent of the light 81 of the wing, allows the correction of the mandibular advancement or its recoil to be precisely adjusted to treat the patient's class 2 or 3 dental malocclusion with precision.

[0122] For example, as seen in the figure, for an angular offset of 16° and maxillary anchoring of the pin 7 at the level of the fixation point P2 on the disto-vestibular cupside of the first molar, and a light 81 of oblong shape substantially parallel to the side 83, it is possible to obtain a normocclusion in class 1 molar corresponding to a mandibular correction with an advancement of the mandible relative to the maxilla.

[0123] As seen in the figure, this mandibular correction can be accentuated by shifting the P2 fixation point towards the mesiovestibular cup of the first molar (point A) or on the vestibular surface of the second premolar (point B).

[0124] Thus, on its own, the device 1 of the invention offers a multitude of possibilities to the person skilled in the art to play on the abnormal contact between the maxillary and mandibular teeth of the user to correct the class 2 or 3 malocclusion, while making it possible to treat a dental alignment defect and to act on the SAOS.

[0125] According to another characteristic of the device 1, the first gutter 2 and the second gutter 3 and the fin 8 have a thickness less than or equal to 0.75 mm. In other words, the thickness of the gutters 2 or 3, in contact with the teeth, is low to maintain a certain comfort in the mouth.

[0126] In order to minimize as much as possible the bulk and the volume occupied by the device 1 in the user's mouth, the person skilled in the art will choose for the gutters 2 or 3, the fin 8 and the spike 7, any material having sufficient mechanical resistance, of the smallest possible thickness, biocompatible, without risk of injury to the patient and if possible aesthetic, preferably transparent, which makes it possible to treat dental malocclusion in parallel with a dental alignment defect.

[0127] According to the invention, the device 1 can be produced by machining, depositing a wire of material, cutting by milling or any other means known to those skilled in the art.

[0128] Preferably, the device 1 is obtained by thermoforming or by stereo lithography for easy, minimalist production in a few steps and made to measure, before placement in the mouth of the patient to be treated.

[0129] The device 1 of the invention with its connecting element 6, directly integrated into the extension of the gutters 2 and 3, limits the discomfort on the labial area, and allows a mouth opening without interposition of an appliance between the upper and lower lips and avoids an external deformation under the labial.

[0130] In addition, the device 1 is very compact in the mouth because its connecting element 6 is of a thickness similar or even equal to the gutters 2 or 3, which guarantees a certain comfort for the patient.

[0131] Furthermore, the device 1 makes possible the mandibular advancement (propulsion) or recoil (retropropulsion) for correction and treatment of class 2 or 3 dental malocclusion even during mouth opening thanks to the light 82 made in the fins 8, all while allowing flexibility in the lateral movement of the jaw.

[0132] More precisely with the device 1, the mandibular propulsion or retropropulsion movement is achieved thanks to the connecting element 6 which consists directly of an appendage in the extension of the gutters 2 or 3. The configuration of the connecting element 6, its anchoring base 82 in the direct extension of the gutters, the pin 7 moving in the lumen 82 of the fin 8 makes it possible to provide a correction and to maintain the realization of the mandibular propulsion or retropropulsion movement even when opening the mouth.

[0133] The device 1 of the invention therefore makes it possible, through its connecting element 6 of particular structure and configuration, to constrain the mandible to a position for correcting a class 2 or 3 dental malocclusion, while making the treatment compatible with the correction of dental alignment by the splints 2 or 3 and a mechanical treatment of OSA.

[0134] Thus, the device 1, by virtue of its structural design, makes it possible to treat in parallel both class 2 or 3 dental malocclusion, in particular via the specific connecting element 6, but also a dental alignment problem via the splints 2 or 3, this in a position of mouth closure or opening, and without injuring the mucous membranes, the tongue or the palate of the user or cluttering his labial area. The aforementioned disadvantages of connecting rod or spring devices are solved by the device 1 of the invention which is compact, easy to design and low production cost.

Claims

Orthodontic device (1), for the treatment of dental malocclusion and the correction of dental alignment and the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), characterized in that it comprises:- a first upper oral splint (2), and a second mandibular oral splint (3), each configured to fit at least in part the dental arch of a user,- the first splint (2), being shaped to cover at least one of the premolars (PS) and / or the molars (MS), on each side of the maxilla of the upper arch (4) of the user,- the second splint (3), being shaped to cover at least one of the premolars (PI) and / or the molars (MI) and / or the canines (CI), on each side of the maxilla of the lower arch called "mandible" (5) of the user,- the first splint (2) cooperates with the second splint (3) by means of at least one connecting element (6),deployed at the vestibular face of the user's teeth or deployed at the palatal and lingual faces of the user's teeth,- the connecting element (6) comprises the association of a spike (7), integral with the first gutter (2) or the second gutter (3), with a fin (8) having a slot (81), respectively integral with the second gutter (3) or the first gutter (2),- the spike (7), projecting along a plane perpendicular to that of the vestibular face, or the palatal and lingual faces of the user's teeth, is shaped to pass through the slot (81) of the fin (8) and be blocked transversely therein,- the fin (8) is of substantially triangular shape, and preferably the slot (81) is of substantially oblong shape,- the fin (8) is deployed vertically between the first gutter (2) and the second gutter (3), along a plane parallel to that of the vestibular face, or,of the palatal and lingual faces of the user's teeth,- the light (81) extends between the first gutter (2) and the second gutter (3) along a longitudinal axis (L),- the first gutter (2) cooperating with the second gutter (3), by integration of the spike (7) in the light (81) of the fin (8), so as to allow the longitudinal translational movement of said spike (7) in the light (81) of the fin (8), in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis (L)., Orthodontic device (1), according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises two connecting elements (6) positioned on either side of the dental arch, in a plane parallel to that of the longitudinal axis (L), preferably the two connecting elements (6) being positioned at the level of the vestibular face of the user's teeth. Orthodontic device (1), according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting element (6) is deployed, in the direction of the vestibular face or the palatal and lingual faces of the user's teeth, over a thickness (E) of between 0.8 mm and 1.2 mm, preferably 1 mm. Orthodontic device (1), according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fin (8), substantially triangular, is constituted on the one hand by a side (82) whose entire length serves as an anchoring base (82) on the first gutter (2) or the second gutter (3), and, on the other hand, by another side (83) whose end is secured, through the insertion of the pin (7) in the light (81), respectively to the second gutter (3) or the first gutter (2). Orthodontic device (1), according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fin (8) is substantially in the form of a right triangle, with a hypotenuse (84) connected by two cathetes (82, 83) adjacent to a substantially right angle (d), one of which serves as an anchoring base (82), and in that, on the one hand, the hypotenuse (84) extends between the first gutter (2) and the second gutter (3) and, on the other hand, the right angle (d) consists of a first anchoring point (P1) on one of the two gutters (2 or 3) while the pin (7), inserted in the lumen (81), consists of a fixing point (P2) with the fin (8), respectively on the other of the two gutters (3 or 2). Orthodontic device (1), according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the anchoring point (P1) or the fixing point (P2) is positioned, on one of the two gutters (2, 3), at the level of the disto-vestibular cusp, or, of the mesio-vestibular cup of the first molar, or of the vestibular face of the second premolar. Orthodontic device (1), according to any one of claims 5 to 6, characterized in that the cathet (83) of the fin not serving as an anchoring base (82), has an angular offset of between 0 and 20°, preferably 16° relative to the anchoring point (P1) at right angle (d) of the first gutter (2) or second gutter (3). Orthodontic device (1), according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spike (7) forms with the first gutter (2) or the second gutter (3) a single piece, and / or, said fin (8) with light (81) forms, with the first gutter (2) or the second gutter (3) a single piece. Orthodontic device (1), according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first gutter (2), the second gutter (3) and the fin (8) have a thickness less than or equal to 0.75 mm. Orthodontic device (1), according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is obtained by thermoforming or by stereo lithography.

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