Orthodontic device

Abstract

An orthodontic device (1) capable of causing a displacement of a mandible relative to a maxilla, comprising a lower part fixed to said mandible and an upper part fixed to said maxilla, connected in an articulated manner by two telescopic rods (2), characterized in that the upper and lower parts each comprise a frame (3) manufactured digitally to surround at least partially a portion of the teeth of the maxilla and mandible, each frame (3) having a tab (5) projecting laterally and outwards from the maxilla or mandible, the tab (5) comprising an opening (9) including means for coupling a joint element (7) of the rod (2). Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 6

Description

Title of the invention: Orthodontic device technical field

[0001] The present invention is in the field of orthodontics. It relates more particularly to an orthodontic device capable of causing a displacement of a mandible relative to a maxilla and comprising, in particular, two connecting rods. Anterior art

[0002] Various solutions have been proposed to induce a displacement of the mandible relative to the maxilla. The aim is to move the mandible from its original position by a very small distance, on the order of a few millimeters, initially, in order, in particular, to stimulate growth. This mandibular advancement can be used in the context of Class II or Class III orthodontic treatment, or to increase airflow in order to address sleep apnea syndromes.

[0003] The invention relates more particularly to an orthodontic set of the type perfectly known to a man skilled in the art, under the name of "Herbst orthosis" or "Herbst rods".

[0004] Essentially, this type of orthosis features splints that cooperate with the upper and lower rows of teeth, respectively. These splints are generally made of a rigid material, for example, thermoformed acrylic resin, and are connected to each other by a system of sliding rods. More specifically, two metal rods are arranged on either side of the upper and lower splints. The two rods are articulated on the splints, usually by means of a wire frame embedded in the splint.

[0005] The resulting drawback, besides the need to use cobalt-chromium wire for the framework, which is classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic, and reprotoxic (CMR), is the manufacturing complexity. This is because it is necessary to fabricate a wire-like metal framework and shape it in three dimensions to specifically adapt to the patient's morphology. Once shaped, the trays must then be manufactured, and the metal framework embedded within them to ensure retention. One of the difficulties lies in maintaining the stability of this framework during the resin pouring process. Any movement of this framework, even minimal, would cause incompatibility or discomfort for the patient, or the device would not provide optimal treatment.

[0006] A second difficulty lies in the fact that it is then necessary to fix the system The articulation of the connecting rod to the wire frame involves precise welding / brazing. This type of assembly therefore requires a high level of skill and dexterity from the dental technician, who must very precisely adjust the position and orientation of the articulation system onto the wire frame before welding it. Misalignment of the articulation system during this welding process could also lead to incompatibility or discomfort for the patient, or a risk that the device will not provide optimal treatment. Description of the invention

[0007] The present invention aims to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by offering an orthodontic device perfectly adapted to the morphology of the patient and to his treatment program, the manufacture of which is simple and quick, in particular making it possible to avoid carrying out precision welding / brazing.

[0008] Another objective is to reduce, or even avoid, the use of chromium cobalt.

[0009] To this end, the invention relates to an orthodontic device capable of causing a displacement of a mandible relative to a maxilla, comprising a lower part attached to said mandible and an upper part attached to said maxilla, connected in an articulated manner by two telescopic rods.

[0010] According to the invention, the upper and lower parts each comprise a digitally produced frame, i.e. anatomically shaped and computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD / CAM), to surround at least partially a portion of the teeth of the maxilla and mandible, each frame having a tab projecting laterally and outwards from the maxilla or mandible, the tab comprising an orifice including means for coupling with a joint element of the connecting rod.

[0011] In this way, the device is manufactured more simply, without the use of a wire frame or precision welding. The digitally produced frame adapts perfectly to the patient's morphology and allows for precise and rapid attachment of the connecting rods. The orientation of the tabs, and therefore of the articulation elements they receive, is predetermined based on the patient's morphology and the extent of the mandibular movement to be achieved. The articulation element is received and fixed in an opening that determines its position and orientation. Attaching the articulation element is therefore simple, quick, and reproducible, requiring no particular skill or dexterity, and presenting no particular difficulty.

[0012] In this configuration, several embodiments can be envisaged.

[0013] The coupling means may be of any suitable type, for example by snap-fit, or preferably are in the form of a thread and the element The joint includes a thread.

[0014] According to a particular embodiment, the coupling means are in the form of a metal cylinder fixed in the opening of the tongue, which itself comprises coupling means with the articulation element. For assembly, it is then simply necessary to couple the articulation element with the cylinder and connect the connecting rod to the articulation element.

[0015] In order to reduce the use of metal and in particular Chrome Cobalt, the armatures are made of resin, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), or even a polyaryl-therketone (PAEK) or plastic, and the orifice of the tongue receives the cylinder which is held in the orifice by resin or glue, and the said armatures thus form gutters.

[0016] In this configuration, the cylinder preferably includes a flat on its lateral wall to reinforce the rotational bonding with the glue or resin.

[0017] According to another embodiment, the armatures are made of metal, and the opening in the tongue receives either the articulation element directly or the cylinder held in the opening by at least one weld point, and said armatures are coated with resin to form grooves. Securing the cylinder involves only a basic weld, without any requirement for precise positioning since the cylinder is held in an opening that determines its position and orientation.

[0018] Preferably, the cylinder has a shouldered head to bear against the tongue.

[0019] Advantageously, the connecting rods are articulated with respect to the articulation element over an amplitude of approximately 360° in a horizontal plane and of approximately 90° at least in a vertical plane.

[0020] According to a particular embodiment, the articulation element is for example a spherical head screw around which one end of the connecting rod is mounted and articulated. Brief description of the drawings

[0021] [Fig.1] is a view illustrating the armatures provided with tabs implemented in the device according to the invention, and mounted respectively on a maxilla and a mandible.

[0022] [Fig.2] is a view similar to that of [Fig.1], the reinforcements having been covered of resin and connecting rods having been fixed to the tabs by the articulation element.

[0023] [Fig.3] is a schematic cross-sectional view of a tab receiving a cylinder, itself- even receiving the connecting rod's articulation element.

[0024] [Fig.4] is a schematic cross-sectional view of another embodiment illustrating a tab with a threaded hole directly receiving the articulation element of the connecting rod.

[0025] [Fig.5] is a view of the orthodontic device of the invention, with jaws closed.

[0026] [Fig.6] is a view of the orthodontic device of the invention, jaws open. Detailed description of the invention

[0027] With reference to figures 1 to 6, the invention relates to an orthodontic device (1), perfectly adapted to the morphology of the patient, and capable of causing a displacement of a mandible in relation to a maxilla, the manufacture of which is simple by allowing in particular to avoid carrying out precision welding / brazing and to avoid having to use a wire armature, and preferably to avoid the use of cobalt chrome.

[0028] The orthodontic device (1) comprises a lower part attached to said mandible and an upper part attached to said maxilla, connected in an articulated manner by two telescopic rods (2).

[0029] A first connecting rod (2) is located on the patient's right side, for example, approximately at the level of the first right molars for the upper part of the connecting rod (2), and for example, approximately at the level of the right canine for the lower part of the connecting rod (2). The second connecting rod (2) is located on the patient's left side, for example, approximately at the level of the first left molars for the upper part of the connecting rod (2), and for example, approximately at the level of the left canine for the lower part of the connecting rod (2).

[0030] In the context of the present invention, the term "connecting rod" refers to a set of two elongated elements, one sliding within the other so that the total length of the connecting rod (2) is variable. Typically, in devices according to the invention, it is the lower element that slides within the upper element, but this is not a limiting factor.

[0031] In the orthodontic device (1) according to the invention, the upper and lower parts each comprise a digitally produced framework (3) to surround at least partially a portion of the teeth of the maxilla and mandible.

[0032] In order to avoid the use of cobalt chrome, the frameworks (3) can be made directly of resin, PEEK, PEAK or plastic, in which case they cover a larger part of the teeth and directly form aligners, or they can be made of metal and then covered with resin (4) to form the aligners as such.

[0033] According to the invention, each frame (3) has a tab (5) projecting laterally and outwards from the maxilla or mandible. The tab (5) includes an opening (9) comprising means for coupling a joint element (7) of the connecting rod (2), preferably with an amplitude of approximately 360° in a horizontal plane and at least approximately 90° in a vertical plane. The tab (5) may have a thickness of, for example, between 0.5 and 5 mm.

[0034] According to one particular embodiment, the opening (9) of the tab (5) receives a metal cylinder (8) held in the opening (9) by resin or adhesive when the reinforcement (3) is made of resin, PEEK, PEAK, or plastic, or by at least one weld point when the reinforcement (3) is made of metal. Alternatively, the opening (9) of the tab (5) may be tapped and the cylinder (8) threaded. The cylinder (8) may, for example, have a shouldered head to bear against the tab (5). In an embodiment not shown, the opening (9) of the tab (5) is stepped so as to receive the shouldered head of the cylinder (8) so that the plane of the tab is coplanar with that of the shouldered head. As an example, the length of the cylinder (8) is less than or equal to the thickness of the tongue (5) to avoid the risk of injury to the patient.

[0035] In the case where the cylinder (8) is held in the orifice (9) by glue or resin, it preferably includes a flat on its lateral wall, not shown in the figures, to prevent rotational movements.

[0036] The cylinder (8) itself receives the articulation element (7) and includes coupling means complementary to coupling means provided on the articulation element (7). These means are, for example, a tapped hole made in the cylinder (8) and a thread made on the articulation element (7).

[0037] According to another embodiment, and in particular when the supports (3) are made of metal, the orifice (9) of the tongue (5) can directly receive the articulation element (7). As with the previous version, the means for coupling the orifice (9) are, for example, a tapped hole made in the bore (9) of the tongue (5) and a thread made on the articulation element (7).

[0038] In these configurations, the articulation element (7) is for example in the form of a spherical head screw, forming a ball joint, around which one end of the connecting rod (2) is mounted and articulated.

[0039] In particular, each end of a connecting rod (2) includes a hemispherical cage (10) with a through orifice intended to receive the screw (7) for insertion, so that the cage (10) is positioned between the tab (5) and the spherical head of the screw (7) to form the ball joint in order to allow total freedom of articulation of the connecting rods (2) both in an anteroposterior plane and in a lateral plane, and this in a reduced space.

[0040] It follows from the above that the invention provides an orthodontic device (1) perfectly adapted to the morphology of the patient and to his treatment program, the manufacture of which is simple, quick and reproducible by making it possible in particular to avoid carrying out precision welding / brazing and to reduce, or even avoid, the use of cobalt chrome.

Claims

Demands

1. Orthodontic device (1) capable of causing a displacement of a mandible relative to a maxilla, comprising a lower part attached to said mandible and an upper part attached to said maxilla, connected in an articulated manner by two telescopic rods (2) characterized in that the upper and lower parts each comprise a frame (3) produced digitally to surround at least partially a portion of the teeth of the maxilla and mandible, each frame (3) having a tongue (5) projecting laterally and outwards from the maxilla or mandible, the tongue (5) comprising an orifice (9) comprising means for coupling an articulation element (7) of the rod (2).

2. Orthodontic device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the coupling means are a tapping and the articulation element (7) comprises a thread.

3. Orthodontic device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the coupling means are in the form of a metallic cylinder (8) fixed in the orifice (9) of the tongue (5), the cylinder (8) includes coupling means with the articulation element (7).

4. Orthodontic device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the brackets (3) are made of resin, PEEK, PEAK or plastic, and the orifice (9) of the tongue (5) receives the cylinder (8) held in the orifice (9) by resin or glue, said brackets (3) form splints.

5. Orthodontic device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the cylinder (8) comprises a flat on its lateral wall.

6. Orthodontic device (1) according to any one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the brackets (3) are made of metal, and the orifice (9) of the tongue (5) receives either directly the articulation element (7), or the cylinder (8) held in the orifice by at least one weld point, said brackets (3) are covered with resin (4) to form gutters.

7. Orthodontic device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the cylinder (8) has a shouldered head to bear against the tongue (5).

8. Orthodontic device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting rods (2) are articulated with respect to the articulation element (7) according to an amplitude of approximately 360° in a horizontal plane and approximately 90° at least in a vertical plane.

9. Orthodontic device (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the articulation element (7) is a spherical head screw around which one end of the connecting rod (2) is mounted and articulated.

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