Hybrid brackets for orthodontics

Abstract

1. An orthodontic bracket comprising: a buccal portion and a lingual portion opposite the buccal portion, the buccal portion and the lingual portion defining a length of the bracket; a mesial connector interconnecting the buccal portion and the lingual portion; and a distance extending perpendicular to the length, the distance extending distally from a proximal-most end of the mesial connector defining a width of the bracket, the width being dimensioned to terminate proximal to a distal surface of a molar tooth.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] FIELD OF THEINVENTION This invention relates to the dental arts, and more particularly to orthodontic hybrid brackets. [Background technology]

[0002] The placement of orthodontic appliances on the first and / or second molars is often inhibited or prevented by the presence of gingival tissue at or along portions of the distal surfaces of the molars, causing significant discomfort to the patient and / or requiring surgical procedures to eliminate the gingival tissue in this area.

[0003] Typical appliance placement methods include bands, crowns, and ROCs (removed occlusal crowns). Current orthodontic bands and crowns encircle the molars and impinge on the gingival tissue, especially on the distal surface of the teeth. Simply put, each of these fixed appliances intrudes into the gingival tissue behind the molars, causing discomfort to the patient.

[0004] Thus, while these methods are adequate for fully erupted molars, partially erupted molars in younger orthodontic patients are a challenge with current devices due to the pain they cause. For younger patients who are already familiar with the procedure, this pain can result in treatment interruptions or a constant complaint throughout the patient's treatment plan.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need for an orthodontic hybrid bracket that does not impinge on the gingiva behind the molars by simply not extending distally to the molars, thereby eliminating undesirable pain to the patient while still allowing for placement on fully erupted molars. Furthermore, the present invention provides a more comfortable procedure for the patient and eliminates the need for soft tissue surgery. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In one embodiment of the invention, an orthodontic bracket provides a buccal portion and a lingual portion opposite the buccal portion, the buccal portion and the lingual portion defining a length 80 of the bracket (as shown in FIG. 5), a mesial connector interconnecting the buccal portion and the lingual portion, and a distance extending perpendicular to the length and extending distally from a proximal-most end of the mesial connector that defines a width 90 of the bracket (as shown in FIG. 2), the width being dimensioned to terminate proximal to the distal surface of a molar tooth.

[0007] In another aspect of the invention, the orthodontic bracket has a buccal portion adapted to abut a buccal surface of a molar tooth, a lingual portion adapted to abut a lingual surface of a molar tooth, a mesial connector adapted to abut a mesial surface of a molar tooth, the buccal portion comprising a buccal adhesive pad, the lingual portion comprising a lingual adhesive pad, further providing an occlusal connector interconnecting the buccal portion and the lingual portion, an occlusal window defined between the occlusal connector and the mesial connector, further providing a buccal tube connected to the buccal portion, the buccal tube comprising one or more circumscribing archwire slots, the buccal tube comprising a resilient hook, the buccal tube comprising a headgear tube or a lip bumper tube, and / or the orthodontic bracket has a lingual sheath attachment connected to the lingual portion.

[0008] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description, and claims. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention illustrating the buccal surface of a molar tooth. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention illustrating the lingual surface of a molar tooth. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention illustrating the distal surface of a molar tooth. [Figure 4]FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention illustrating the mesial surface of a molar tooth. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention illustrating the occlusal surface of a molar tooth. [Figure 6A] 6A is a detailed view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention taken along line 6A-6A of FIG. 3. [Figure 6B] FIG. 6B is a detailed view similar to FIG. 6A. [Figure 6C] FIG. 6B is another detail view similar to FIG. 6A. [Figure 6D] FIG. 6B is yet another detail view similar to FIG. 6A. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention illustrating the occlusal surface of a molar tooth. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention illustrating the buccal surface of a molar with the bracket in a supragingival configuration. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention illustrating the buccal surface of a molar with the bracket in a subgingival configuration. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention illustrating the lingual surface of a molar with the bracket in a supragingival configuration. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention illustrating the lingual surface of a molar with the bracket in a subgingival configuration. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention illustrating the lingual surface of a molar with an appliance connected. [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention with connected devices. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention illustrating the buccal surface of a molar tooth. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention illustrating the lingual surface of a molar tooth. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, as the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

[0011] Broadly, embodiments of the present invention provide an orthodontic hybrid bracket having a body portion that is sized and adapted to engage multiple surfaces of a molar tooth, the body portion terminating proximal to the distal surface of the molar tooth.

[0012] 1-16, the present invention may include a plurality of orthodontic hybrid brackets 10, 32, 46, 54, 68. Each orthodontic hybrid bracket 10, 32, 46, 54, 68 is sized and adapted to engage a non-distal surface of a molar tooth 12. Each orthodontic hybrid bracket 10, 32, 46, 54, 68 has a buccal adhesive pad 16, 34, 64, 72 and a lingual adhesive pad 26, 44, 52, 60, 78 that are bridged by an occlusal connector 22, 40, 48, 56 and / or a mesial connector 24, 42, 50, 58, 70, respectively. In certain embodiments, occlusal windows 22a and 56a may be defined between the occlusal connector 22, 56 and the adjacent mesial connector 24, 58. It should be understood that the dental terms buccal, lingual, mesial, distal, and occlusal refer to the location of the associated component relative to the molar 12, specifically, that the associated component is adjacent that portion of the molar 12.

[0013] In certain embodiments, the buccal tubes 18, 36, 66, and 74 may be disposed along the buccal adhesive pads 16, 34, 64, 72, respectively. Each buccal tube 18, 36, 66, and 74 may provide one or more slots 28 (surrounded by the body of the buccal tube 18, 36, 66, and 74), as well as hooks 20, 38, 76, and / or auxiliary tubes, such as headgear tubes or lip bumper tubes 30. The slots 28 may be archwire slots or multiple auxiliary archwire slots, similarly the hooks 20, 38, 76 and / or auxiliary tubes 30 are sized and adapted to engage auxiliary orthodontic appliances and / or elastics (not shown).

[0014] The lingual adhesive pads 26, 44, 52, 60, and 78 may have lingual sheath attachments that allow attachment points for removable metal appliance components. The occlusal connectors 22, 40, 48, 56 may be omitted, but with reduced strength. The mesial connectors 24, 42, 50, 58, and 70 may be omitted, but with reduced strength, if the occlusal connectors 22, 40, 48, 56 are present. The mesial connectors 24, 42, 50, 58, 70 may extend to subgingival or supragingival levels. The lingual adhesive pads 26, 44, 52, 60, 78 and the buccal adhesive pads 16, 34, 64, 72 may also extend to subgingival or supragingival levels.

[0015] The buccal adhesive pads 16, 34, 64, 72, lingual adhesive pads 26, 44, 52, 60, 78, occlusal connectors 22, 40, 48, 56, and mesial connectors 24, 42, 50, 58, and 70 may be bonded to the relevant surfaces of the molar teeth 12 with an orthodontic cement / adhesive. Overall, the present invention functions to bond the entire orthodontic hybrid bracket 10, 32, 46, 54, and 68 to the molar teeth 12 without mating with the distal surface of the molar teeth 12 and therefore without impinging on the gingival tissue 14 thereon. Because tissue impingement is eliminated, the appliance is more comfortable for the patient and easier for the orthodontist to wear.

[0016] Additional orthodontic and / or orthopedic appliances, such as fixed expanders 62, TPAs, Herbst appliances, MARA appliances, non-compliant orthodontics, Habit appliances, molar distalization appliances, auxiliaries, and space maintainers, may be attached to either the lingual adhesive pads 26, 44, 52, 60, 78, or other elements of the hybrid brackets 10, 32, 46, 54, and 68. The additional orthodontic appliances may be soldered directly to the orthodontic hybrid brackets 10, 32, 46, 54, 68, or it may be configured as a removable connection. The orthodontic hybrid brackets 10, 32, 46, 54, 68 allow for placement of the orthodontic appliances prior to full eruption of the molars 12.

[0017] The present invention can be made by additive or subtractive manufacturing, including but not limited to computer numerically controlled (CNC) molding, casting, injection molding, laser sintering, and 3D printing of the bracket.

[0018] A method of using the present invention may include the following: An orthodontic hybrid bracket 10, 32, 46, 54, 68 as disclosed above may be provided. After the molar tooth 12 is cleaned, it is etched, rinsed, primed, and the orthodontic hybrid bracket 10, 32, 46, 54, 68 is bonded directly to the molar tooth 12 with an orthodontic adhesive / cement. The orthodontic hybrid bracket 10, 32, 46, 54, 68 is bonded lingually, buccally, occlusally, and mesial to the molar tooth 12 for retention and strength.

[0019] Many orthodontic and orthopedic appliances can be attached to the orthodontic hybrid brackets, such as palate expanders, mandibular expanders, habit appliances, space maintainers, mandibular advancement appliances, eruption appliances, braces, and other fixed orthodontic appliances.

[0020] As used herein, the term "about" or "approximately" should be interpreted to refer to a range of values ​​within plus or minus 10% of the specified number, or, in the absence of a specified number, to indicate a deviation as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to work well for the intended purpose. The term "substantially" refers to up to 90% or more of the total. The recitation of a range of values ​​within this specification is not intended to be limiting, but rather refers individually to any and all values ​​falling within that range, unless otherwise stated, and each separate value within such range is incorporated herein as if it were individually recited herein. However, it should also be understood that the range of values ​​and / or numbers is provided herein merely as an example, and is not to be considered a limitation on the scope of the described embodiments. The use of any and all examples, or illustrative language provided herein (such as, for example, or the like), is intended merely to better clarify the embodiments, and does not impose limitations on the scope of the embodiments or claims. No language within this specification should be interpreted as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the disclosed embodiments.

[0021] In the following description, it will be understood that terms such as "first," "second," "top," "bottom," "upward," "below," and the like are words of convenience and should not be construed as terms of limitation, unless specifically stated to the contrary. In particular, directional terms may be construed through reference to an elevational view, with the term "upward" oriented toward the top margin of the relevant view and the term "downward" oriented toward the bottom margin of the relevant view.

[0022] Of course, the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention, and it will be understood that modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. An orthodontic bracket, comprising: a buccal portion and a lingual portion opposite said buccal portion, said buccal portion and said lingual portion defining a length of said bracket; a mesial connector interconnecting the buccal portion and the lingual portion; a distance extending perpendicular to the length defining a width of the bracket, the distance extending distally from a proximal-most end of the mesial connector; An orthodontic bracket, the width of which is dimensioned to terminate proximal to the distal surface of a molar tooth.

2. 2. The orthodontic bracket of claim 1, wherein the buccal portion is adapted to abut buccal surfaces of the molar teeth, the lingual portion is adapted to abut lingual surfaces of the molar teeth, and the mesial connector is adapted to abut mesial surfaces of the molar teeth.

3. The orthodontic bracket of claim 1 , wherein the buccal portion comprises a buccal adhesive pad.

4. The orthodontic bracket of claim 1 , wherein the lingual portion comprises a lingual adhesive pad.

5. The orthodontic bracket of claim 1 further comprising an occlusal connector interconnecting said buccal portion and said lingual portion.

6. The orthodontic bracket of claim 5 , wherein an occlusal window is defined between the occlusal connector and the mesial connector.

7. The orthodontic bracket of claim 1 further comprising a buccal tube connected to the buccal portion.

8. The orthodontic bracket of claim 7 , wherein the buccal tube includes one or more circumscribing archwire slots.

9. The orthodontic bracket of claim 8 , wherein the buccal tube comprises a resilient hook.

10. The orthodontic bracket of claim 1 further comprising a lingual sheath attachment connected to the lingual portion.

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