FUNCTIONAL SLOT FOR ALIGNERS

Abstract

Functional aligner trayThe invention is a new type of device for performing orthodontic treatments by combining functional rehabilitation with the movement of teeth using aligners.The invention is made of a flexible material, it has an inner wall, an outer wall and a connection in the shape of a dental arch.The invention is designed with a thickness such that it can be worn at the same time as aligners on the maxillary arch and on the mandibular arch.The invention is primarily intended for children and adolescents with orofacial functional disorders and dental dysmorphoses. Figure for abstract: [Fig. 1]

Description

Title of the invention: FUNCTIONAL SLOT FOR ALIGNERS

[0001] The present invention describes a functional gutter of a new type. Functional gutters are known. They are: Prefabricated and made of materials that can be soft or hard. They are composed of a double maxillary and mandibular dental arch. The edges of the arches are raised so as to cover the external and internal surfaces of the teeth with an extension towards the gums. Custom-made, usually in a prosthetics laboratory, they are custom-made medical devices. US 5876199 Earl Bergersen and US 5645420 are also known, which describe aligners with indentations for the maxillary and mandibular teeth. They also consist of two U-shaped maxillary and mandibular arches. There are different sizes to correspond to the variability of tooth sizes. We know FR 2863863 Al patent of the inventor which describes a functional gutter for the rehabilitation of orofacial functions. We also know the aligners WO9858596 describing aligners for straightening teeth; produced digitally and by 3D printing, they allow alignment of the dental arches. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention aims to create a new concept of treatment using aligners by combining functional rehabilitation with mechanical dental movement. There is currently no device that allows both mechanical and functional treatments to be carried out simultaneously. It is thus possible to re-establish nasal ventilation, to change the lingual posture and swallowing while also realizing the alignment of the teeth and the coordination of the arches at the same time. This invention is ideally suited for primary or mixed teeth when growth occurs in children and adolescents; but it can also be used for adults to limit recurrences of aligner treatments.

[0003] The following description allows the invention to be understood: It is a description of the shape with its technical characteristics and not in millimeters.

[0004] [Fig.l]: top view [Fig.2]: side view [Fig.2bis]: side view [Fig.3]: posterior view [Fig.3bis]: posterior view [Fig.4]: anterior view [Fig.4bis]: anterior view

[0005] The invention is characterized by the presence: From a vertical external wall (1) placed between the lips and the vestibular (external) faces of the teeth: this wall takes into account in its shape the presence of the aligners.

[0006] A vertical internal wall between the tongue and the internal face of the teeth; this wall takes into account in its shape the presence of the aligners (2).

[0007] A connection between these two walls corresponding to the desired shape of the arches (3). This shape takes into account the age of the patient (there are therefore several sizes) and also the presence of the aligners so as not to hinder their expansion action and to make it possible to wear the aligner and the splint simultaneously, the overall thickness having to be compatible with the occlusal possibilities of the patient (thickness)

[0008] The shape of the external wall aims to develop nasal ventilation and is presented as a mouth stopper. The shape of the external wall takes into account in its thickness the presence on the teeth of the aligners whose thickness is on average between 0.75 and 0.78 mm. The external wall presents in a non-constant way extensions called lip-bumper (4); placed anteriorly, their objective is to cancel the pressure of the inferior orbicularis oris and the muscles of the chin which are very active in dysfunctional swallowing, In a variant of the external wall (6), this is reduced to a simple vertical strip simply covering the vestibular (external) face of the teeth without extension towards the gums, this in order to free the lips and cheeks when the therapeutic correction or the presence of the aligner requires it (the control of the axis of the incisors that the functional splint normally performs is here devolved to the aligner). In a variant the lower part (below the horizontal line) of the external wall (1) can be reduced to an overhang not exceeding 4 millimeters in height (6). The outer wall has one or two indentations for the central frenulum of the upper lip and the lower lip (5) in a non-systematic manner. The outer wall (1) has concavities in its center for the frenulum of the upper and lower lips (5) in a non-systematic manner.

[0009] The inner wall (2) is located between the lingual surface of the gums of the mandibular teeth and the tongue. The shape of the internal wall takes into account the thickness of the presence of aligners on the teeth. The upper part of the internal wall is in the continuity of the connection of which it is in fact the extension (7). Due to the presence of aligners on the teeth, the internal wall does not have a rim like classic functional aligners (10). The inner wall, simply presents in its middle, a vertical extension serving as a reference for the apex of the tongue by orienting it towards the maxillary papillae. This "tongue" also serves to block the functional gutter with the aligner (8). The inner wall (2) does not exceed vertically the horizontal plane of the connection (7) (10) except in its center where it presents a tongue (8) allowing the gutter to be blocked with the aligner placed on the teeth. The tongue (8) allows an orientation of the apex of the tongue towards the retro-incisive papillae. The lower part (11) of the inner wall (2) ensures the elevation of the tongue at rest or during swallowing, also allowing the dome of the tongue to come into contact more easily with the posterior part of the bony palate. The inner wall (2) has, in a non-systematic manner, two symmetrical elevators (11) in order to facilitate the establishment of secondary swallowing. The lower part of the inner wall also has a median clearance for the passage of the tongue frenulum (9). The inner wall (2) has, in a non-systematic manner, under the horizontal connection and in its center, a notch for the tongue frenulum (9).

[0010] The connection (3) between the external and internal walls takes the shape of the maxillary and mandibular dental arches. The shape of the connection (3) allows the aligners placed on the teeth to move them vestibularly or linguo-palatally without being subjected to pressure that could slow down dental movement: The shape of the bond (3) must allow the expansion of the arches (done by the aligners) until a smile is obtained exposing the teeth beyond the second maxillary premolars and thus hiding the black triangle observed at the corners of the lips when the arches are not wide enough.

[0011] The aligners can thus: - Either achieve expansion without being hindered in the movement of the teeth, - Or achieve contraction of the arches; this movement being made possible by the absence of a supero-internal edge of the internal wall unlike other functional orthodontic gutters, - The thickness of the bond is minimized to make it compatible with the wearing of aligners. The thickness of the gutter must be compatible with the wearing aligners placed on the maxillary and mandibular teeth together or separately. MODE OF ACTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] 1 - On ventilation The presence of the external wall is a buccal obturator. Even in the variant where the lower part of the external wall is reduced to a band, the action on ventilation remains real because the passage of air at the buccal level occurs between the maxillary teeth and the mandibular teeth, but this space is obstructed by the upper part of the external wall even in the variant.

[0013] 2 - On swallowing Primary swallowing (with lip involvement) is impossible due to the presence of the external wall which decouples the tongue-lip synergy (characteristic of dysfunctional swallowing)

[0014] 3 - On lingual posture The elevation of the dome and apex of the tongue, thanks to the internal wall, makes them closer to the bony palate; which corresponds to the physiological reference position for correct lingual posture.

[0015] 4 - On the aligners The gutter is designed to facilitate the work of the aligners: - There is no upper edge for the inner wall which would hinder the action of the aligners. - There is a stabilizing and locking tab to hold the aligner in place with the aligner. - This tab also serves as a reference for the apex of the tongue so that it is placed at the level of the retro-incisive papillae

Claims

Claims

1. Functional aligner tray formed from an outer wall (1), an inner wall (2) and a connection between the two walls (3).

2. Gutter according to claim 1 characterized in that the connection (3) has the shape of a dental arch.

3. Gutter according to claim 1 characterized in that it is made of flexible material.

4. Gutter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the external wall (1) is a mouthpiece in order to promote nasal ventilation.

5. Gutter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the external wall (1) has concavities in its center, in a non-systematic manner, for the brakes of the upper and lower lips (5).

6. Gutter according to claim 1 characterized in that the internal wall (2) does not vertically exceed the horizontal plane of the connection (7) (10) except in its center where it has a tab (8) allowing the gutter to be blocked with the aligner placed on the teeth.

7. Gutter according to claim 6 characterized in that the tongue (8) allows orientation of the apex of the tongue towards the retro-incisive papillae.

8. Gutter according to claims 1 and 4 characterized in a variant in that the lower part (below the horizontal connection) of the external wall (1) can be reduced to an overhang not exceeding 4 millimeters in height (6).

9. Gutter according to claim 1 characterized in that the internal wall (2) has, in a non-systematic manner, under the horizontal connection and in its center a notch for the tongue brake (9).

10. Gutter according to claim 1 characterized in that the internal wall (2) non-systematically has two symmetrical elevators (11) in order to facilitate the establishment of secondary swallowing.

11. Gutter according to claim 1 characterized in that the thickness of the gutter must be compatible with the wearing of aligners placed on the maxillary and mandibular teeth together or separately.

Images