Orthodontic appliance and method for manufacturing the same

Abstract

To provide an orthodontic appliance whose rigidity hardly deteriorates, elastic force of intermaxillary rubber or in-jaw rubber is hardly insufficient, and a treatment plan hardly goes awry, to provide an orthodontic appliance with an increased degree of freedom in a direction to pull teeth with intermaxillary rubber or in-jaw rubber, thereby widening an adaptation range of treatment, and to provide an orthodontic appliance which hardly causes pain or a feeling of discomfort.SOLUTION: An orthodontic appliance includes a body 20 formed of a thermoplastic resin and a locking body 30 for locking intermaxillary rubber or in-jaw rubber. The locking body 30 is formed by a part of the body 20 protruding forward. A locking body forming member 40 is provided inside the locking body 30 for forming the locking body 30 when forming the orthodontic appliance with a thermoplastic resin. The locking body 30 is formed in a shape corresponding to an outer shape of the locking body forming member 40.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[[Technical Field]]

[0001] The present invention relates to a mouthpiece-type orthodontic appliance for correcting dentition and a method for manufacturing the same. [[Background Art]]

[0002] Mouthpiece-type orthodontic appliances (also referred to as aligners) have become widespread due to the advantage that the appliance is less noticeable compared to wire orthodontics. FIG. 21(A) is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the use state of a conventional mouthpiece-type orthodontic appliance, and FIG. 21(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of (A). An orthodontic appliance 100 is attached to the upper dentition of a user wearing the orthodontic appliance, and an orthodontic appliance 200 is attached to the lower dentition of the user. Each of the orthodontic appliances 100 and 200 is formed of a transparent thermoplastic resin and has elasticity. As shown in FIG. (B), a protrusion 121 is formed on a portion 120 of the orthodontic appliance 100 that covers the right lateral incisor 300. This protrusion 121 is formed to have a concave cross-section, and is a portion that fits into a convex attachment 301 attached to the tooth surface of the right lateral incisor 300 when the orthodontic appliance 100 is worn. Since the shape of the attachment 301 and the shape of the protrusion 121 are slightly different, stress is generated between the attachment 301 and the protrusion 121, which moves the right lateral incisor 300 in the target direction.

[0003] Furthermore, as shown in Figure (A), a notch 111 is formed in the upper end 112 of the portion 110 of the orthodontic appliance 100 that covers the right canine tooth. Also, a notch 211 is formed in the portion 210 of the orthodontic appliance 200 that covers the right second premolar 400. The second premolar 400 is exposed through the notch 211, and a locking member 60 is fixed to the tooth surface of the second premolar 400. The locking member 60 comprises a base 61 fixed to the second premolar 400 and a hook 62 protruding from the base 61. A rubber band-shaped intermaxillary elastic R is stretched between the notch 111 and the hook 62 of the orthodontic appliance 100. The elastic force of the intermaxillary elastic R pulls the notch 111 and the hook 62 against each other, pulling the tooth to be corrected to the desired position and correcting the alignment of the teeth. Furthermore, when the locking member 60 and the notch 111 are located within the same jaw, that is, when the fixing source such as the locking member 60 and the tooth to be moved are located within the same jaw, the intermaxillary elastic is called an intramaxillary elastic. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2021-083926 [Patent Document 2] Special Publication No. 2020-521577 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] By the way, mouthpiece-type orthodontic appliances gradually move the teeth over several years (for example, 1-2 years) by replacing the appliance with a new one every two weeks. The distance the teeth move when the appliance is fitted once is extremely short (for example, about 0.25 mm). Therefore, a highly accurate treatment plan over a long period is necessary, and even a slight error in the distance and direction of tooth movement can significantly disrupt the treatment plan. However, the conventional orthodontic appliance 100 described above forms a notch 111 by cutting out a portion of the upper end of the orthodontic appliance 100, which reduces the rigidity of the orthodontic appliance 100. As a result, the stress generated between the attachment 301 and the protrusion 121 is insufficient, causing the tooth movement distance to be smaller than the target value, and errors occur in the direction in which the stress acts, making it impossible to move the teeth accurately, which may disrupt the treatment plan. Furthermore, the rigidity of the upper end 112 where the notch 111 is formed decreases and elastic deformation occurs, which may result in insufficient elastic force of the intermaxillary elastic band R or intramaxillary elastic band, causing the tooth movement distance to be smaller than the target value and potentially disrupting the treatment plan. Furthermore, because the position for securing the intermaxillary elastics R or intramaxillary elastics is limited to the upper end of the orthodontic appliance 100, the range of selectable directions for pulling with the intermaxillary elastics R or intramaxillary elastics is narrow. In other words, the degree of freedom in the direction of tooth traction is low, thus limiting the scope of treatment. Furthermore, because the tip of the upper end 112 is pointed, when wearing the orthodontic appliance 100, the upper end 112 may come into contact with the gums, causing pain or discomfort.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention was created as a result of diligent research to solve the above-mentioned problems. One of its objectives is to provide an orthodontic appliance that is less prone to a decrease in rigidity, less prone to insufficient elasticity of intermaxillary or intramaxillary elastics, can accurately move teeth, and is less likely to deviate from the treatment plan. Another objective of the present invention is to provide an orthodontic appliance that has a greater degree of freedom in the direction of traction of teeth by intermaxillary or intramaxillary elastics, thereby widening the range of applicable treatments. Furthermore, another objective of the present invention is to provide an orthodontic appliance that is less likely to cause pain or discomfort. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] (First invention) To achieve the aforementioned objectives, the orthodontic appliance according to the first invention of this application is: A mouthpiece-type orthodontic appliance for correcting tooth alignment (10: Figures 1, 2, 6), It is molded from thermoplastic resin and consists of a main body (20) that is attached to at least a portion of the dental arch, It includes a locking body (30) for locking a connecting member for correction (R: Figure 6), The locking body (30) is formed by a part of the main body (20) protruding forward. Occasionally, Inside the locking body (30), When molding the orthodontic appliance (10) with thermoplastic resin, a locking member molding member (40: Figures 3 to 5) for molding the locking member (30) is provided. The locking body (30) is It is formed in a shape corresponding to the outer shape of the locking body molding member (40), Of the locking body molding member (40), the bottom surface (42: Figures 3, 4(A)) located on the side of the main body (20) bulges in the direction opposite to the protruding direction of the locking body (20). The thermoplastic resin forming the main body (20) penetrates into the bottom surface (42) It is characterized by being present. "Forward" refers to the direction from the inner (back) side to the outer (front) side of the teeth that make up the dental arch when an orthodontic appliance is worn.

[0008] (Effects of the first invention) According to the first invention of the present application, since the locking body for locking the orthodontic connecting member is formed by a part of the main body protruding forward, the rigidity of the orthodontic appliance is less likely to decrease, and tooth movement can be performed accurately, thus providing an orthodontic appliance in which the treatment plan is less likely to be disrupted. Furthermore, since the locking position of the orthodontic connecting member can be set at locations other than the upper end of the orthodontic appliance, the degree of freedom in the direction in which the teeth are pulled by the connecting member is increased, making it possible to provide an orthodontic appliance with a wider range of treatment applicability. Furthermore, because no sharp edges are formed at the upper or lower ends of the orthodontic appliance, it is possible to provide an orthodontic appliance that is less likely to cause pain or discomfort.

[0010] moreover, This application 1 According to this invention, a locking body molding member is provided inside the locking body for molding the locking body when forming the orthodontic appliance with thermoplastic resin, and since the locking body is formed in a shape corresponding to the outer shape of the locking body molding member, the rigidity of the locking body can be increased compared to a structure in which a locking body molding member is not provided inside the locking body.

[0012] moreover, According to the 1 invention of the present application, since the thermoplastic resin forming the main body penetrates into the bottom surface of the locking member molding member, the locking member molding member can be made difficult to detach from the inside of the locking body.

[0013] (The 2 invention) According to the 2 invention of the present application, in the orthodontic appliance (10) according to the aforementioned 1 invention, the locking body (30) is characterized by comprising: a flange-shaped base portion (31: Fig. 3(B)) formed on the main body (20) side; a locking portion (34) protruding forward from the base portion (31) and configured to lock a connecting member (R); and a head portion (33) formed at a distal end of the locking portion (34) and having a diameter larger than that of the locking portion (34).

[0014] (Effect of the 2 invention) According to the 2 invention of the present application, since the locking portion is provided at a portion protruding forward from the base portion, the locking position of the connecting member can be adjusted by adjusting the length of the locking portion or the thickness of the base portion, so that the traction direction of a tooth to be tractioned by the connecting member locked to the locking portion can be adjusted. Furthermore, according to the 2 invention of the present application, since the flange-shaped base portion is formed on the main body side of the locking body, the rigidity of the locking body relative to the main body can be improved. Still further, according to the 2 invention of the present application, since the head having a diameter larger than that of the locking portion is formed at the distal end of the locking portion for locking an orthodontic connecting member, the connecting member locked to the locking portion can be made difficult to detach.

[0015] (The 3 invention) According to the 3The invention is as described above. 2 In the orthodontic appliance (10) according to the invention, The locking part (34) is It is characterized by a shape in which the diameter gradually increases from the boundary with the base (31) to the boundary with the head (33).

[0016] (No. 3 (Effects of the invention) This application 3 According to this invention, the locking portion has a shape in which the diameter gradually increases from the boundary with the base to the boundary with the head, so that the locking position of the connecting member locked at the boundary between the locking portion and the base does not shift towards the head, and thus the direction of traction of the tooth is less likely to shift.

[0021] (No. 4 (Invention of) This application 4 The invention is as described above. 1 In the orthodontic appliance (10) according to the invention, The connecting member (R) is characterized by being an intermaxillary elastic or an intramaxillary elastic.

[0022] (No. 4 (Effects of the invention) This application 4 According to this invention, it is possible to provide an orthodontic appliance in which the rigidity of the orthodontic appliance is less likely to decrease, the elastic force of the intermaxillary elastics or intramaxillary elastics is less likely to be insufficient, and the treatment plan is less likely to be disrupted. Furthermore, the use of intermaxillary or intramaxillary elastics increases the degree of freedom in the direction of tooth traction, making it possible to provide orthodontic appliances with a wider range of treatment applicability.

[0023] (No. 5 (Invention of) This application 5 The invention is A method for manufacturing a mouthpiece-type orthodontic appliance using a dental mold, A dental model (70: Figure 7) formed based on the dentition of the user to whom the orthodontic appliance (10) will be worn, A locking member (40) for forming a locking body (30) for locking an intermaxillary elastic (R) or intramaxillary elastic, A plate-like member formed from thermoplastic resin (84: Figure 8), Prepare a sealed container (81, 83: Figure 8) for housing the dental impressions, The process of attaching the locking body molding member (40) to the tooth mold (70) (step 3 in Figure 9), A step (step 5) in which the plate-shaped member (84) is heated and softened, Step 6 involves a step in which the toothed mold (70) to which the locking body molding member (40) is attached is covered by a softened plate-like member (84) inside a sealed container (81, 83), The process of reducing the pressure inside the sealed container (81, 82) (step 7) is performed, The thermoplastic resin forming the plate-shaped member (84) A main body (20) molded to a shape corresponding to the tooth shape (70), A dental orthodontic appliance (10) comprising a locking body (30) formed by a part of the main body (20) protruding forward and shaped to correspond to a locking body molding member (40), And, The locking body molding member (40) is provided inside the locking body, Of the locking body molding member (40), the bottom surface (42: Figures 3 and 4(A)) located on the side of the main body (20) bulges in the opposite direction to the protruding direction of the locking body (30). The thermoplastic resin forming the main body (20) has penetrated into the bottom surface (42). The present invention is characterized by the manufacture of an orthodontic appliance (10).

[0024] (No. 5 (Effects of the invention) This application 5 According to this invention, the locking body for securing the orthodontic connecting member is formed by a part of the main body protruding forward, so the rigidity of the orthodontic appliance is less likely to decrease, and tooth movement can be performed accurately, thus providing an orthodontic appliance in which the treatment plan is less likely to go awry. Furthermore, since the locking position of the orthodontic connecting member can be set at locations other than the upper end of the orthodontic appliance, the degree of freedom in the direction in which the teeth are pulled by the connecting member is increased, making it possible to provide an orthodontic appliance with a wider range of treatment applicability. Furthermore, because no sharp edges are formed at the upper or lower ends of the orthodontic appliance, it is possible to provide an orthodontic appliance that is less likely to cause pain or discomfort.

[0026] moreover, This application 5 According to this invention, a locking body molding member is provided inside the locking body for molding the locking body when forming the orthodontic appliance with thermoplastic resin, and since the locking body is formed in a shape corresponding to the outer shape of the locking body molding member, the rigidity of the locking body can be increased compared to a structure in which a locking body molding member is not provided inside the locking body.

[0028] moreover, This application 5 According to this invention, since the thermoplastic resin forming the main body is embedded in the bottom surface of the locking body molding member, it is possible to make it difficult for the locking body molding member to come off from inside the locking body. [Effects of the Invention]

[0029] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an orthodontic appliance that is less prone to a decrease in rigidity, less prone to insufficient elasticity of intermaxillary or intramaxillary elastics, allows for accurate tooth movement, and is less likely to deviate from the treatment plan. Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an orthodontic appliance that has a greater degree of freedom in the direction of tooth traction by the intermaxillary or intramaxillary elastics, thereby expanding the range of applicable treatments. Moreover, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an orthodontic appliance that is less likely to cause pain or discomfort. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0030] [Figure 1] This is a bottom view diagram illustrating an orthodontic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the orthodontic appliance shown, viewed from the direction indicated by arrow F. [Figure 3] (A) is a magnified longitudinal section of a locking member attached to the surface of a tooth model, and (B) is a magnified cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in Figure 2. [Figure 4](A) is a front view enlargement of the locking body molding member, and (B) is a bottom view enlargement. [Figure 5] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the locking body molding member shown. [Figure 6] (A) is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the usage of the orthodontic appliance shown in Figure 1, (B) is a plan view of the intermaxillary elastic band, and (C) is a plan view of the locking member. [Figure 7] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the process of attaching a locking body molding component to a tooth model. [Figure 8] This is a schematic diagram illustrating a molding device for orthodontic appliances. [Figure 9] This is a process diagram of a method for manufacturing an orthodontic appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] This is an explanatory diagram of an example of a modification of the locking body molding member, where (A) is a front enlargement view and (B) is a front enlargement view showing the locking body molding member attached to the tooth surface. [Figure 11] This is an explanatory diagram of an example of a modification of the locking body molding component, where (A) is a front enlargement view and (B) is a top enlargement view. [Figure 12] This is an explanatory diagram showing how an orthodontic appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention is combined with an orthodontic anchor screw. [Figure 13] (A) is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the usage state of the orthodontic appliance according to the first embodiment, and (B) is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the usage state of the orthodontic appliance according to the second embodiment. [Figure 14] (A) and (B) are explanatory diagrams showing examples of changes to the orthodontic appliance shown in Figure 13(B). [Figure 15] Figure 13(B) is an enlarged perspective view of the locking body molding member provided inside the locking body. [Figure 16] Figure 15 shows six views of the locking member, where (A) is the front view, (B) is the rear view, (C) is the right side view, (D) is the left side view, (E) is the top view, and (F) is the bottom view. [Figure 17] This is an enlarged perspective view of a locking member used when manufacturing an orthodontic appliance according to the second embodiment. [Figure 18] (A) is a longitudinal cross-sectional diagram illustrating a locking member molded on a tooth surface, and (B) is a longitudinal cross-sectional diagram illustrating the state in which the locking member molded shown in (A) is covered with thermoplastic resin. [Figure 19] Figure 17 is an enlarged perspective view showing an example of a modified locking body molding component. [Figure 20] (A) is a longitudinal cross-sectional diagram illustrating the locking member shown in Figure 18, and (B) is a longitudinal cross-sectional diagram illustrating the orthodontic appliance attached to the dental arch. [Figure 21] (A) is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the use of a conventional mouthpiece-type orthodontic appliance, and (B) is a cross-sectional view of (A) taken along the arrow AA. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0031] <First Embodiment> A first embodiment of the present invention, an orthodontic appliance, will be described. [Structure of orthodontic appliances] The structure of the orthodontic appliance of this embodiment will be described with reference to the figures. In this embodiment, an orthodontic appliance fitted to the upper jaw teeth of a user will be described as an example. Hereinafter, the person wearing the orthodontic appliance 10 will be referred to as the user. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the orthodontic appliance 10 of this embodiment comprises a main body 20 and a locking body 30. The main body 20 is molded transparently from thermoplastic resin and is fitted to at least a part of the upper jaw teeth. The locking body 30 is for locking intermaxillary elastics (indicated by the symbol R in Figures 6(A) and (B)) or intramaxillary elastics, and is formed by a part of the main body 20 protruding forward. The locking body 30 can be provided at any location according to the treatment plan, and in the example shown in Figures 1 and 2, it is formed by protruding from the surface 23a of the portion 23 of the main body 20 that covers the right second premolar. In this embodiment, the main body 20 and the locking body 30 are made of polycarbonate. This polycarbonate is a material belonging to Class I in the international classification of medical devices.

[0032] Furthermore, the main body 20 has protrusions 21a and 22a formed on it for fitting onto an attachment (for example, attachment 301 shown in Figure 21) attached to the surface of a tooth. In this embodiment, protrusion 21a is formed to protrude from the surface of the portion 21 of the main body 20 that covers the right canine tooth, and protrusion 22a is formed to protrude from the surface of the portion 22 that covers the first premolar. The shape of protrusion 21a is slightly different from the shape of the attachment attached to the surface of the canine tooth, and this difference in shape generates stress between protrusion 21a and the attachment, causing the canine tooth to move toward the desired position. Similarly, the shape of protrusion 22a is slightly different from the shape of the attachment attached to the surface of the first premolar, and this difference in shape generates stress between protrusion 22a and the attachment, causing the first premolar to move toward the desired position.

[0033] [Structure of locking body molding component] Next, the structure of the locking member 40 for forming the locking body 30 will be described with reference to the diagram. As shown in Figure 3(B), a locking member 40 for molding the locking member 30 when molding the orthodontic appliance 10 with thermoplastic resin is provided inside the locking member 30, and the locking member 30 is formed in a shape corresponding to the outer shape of the locking member 40. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the locking member 40 comprises a base portion 41, a constricted portion 44 projecting forward from the base portion 41, and a head portion 43 formed at the tip of the constricted portion 44. The base portion 41 and the head portion 43 are each formed in a flange shape. In this embodiment, the base portion 41 and the head portion 43 are each formed in a disc shape. Specifically, the shape obtained by cutting the base portion 41 in a direction perpendicular to its central axis is circular, and the shape obtained by cutting the head portion 43 in a direction perpendicular to its central axis is also circular. Note that the base portion 41 and the head portion 43 only need to be flange-shaped, and their shapes are not limited.

[0034] The constricted portion 44 is formed in a shape in which its diameter gradually increases from its base to its tip. In this embodiment, the constricted portion 44 is formed in a frustoconical shape with the larger diameter facing forward. The constricted portion 44 is formed to protrude forward from the center of the surface 41a of the base portion 41. In addition, the head portion 43 is formed to protrude forward from the center of the front surface of the constricted portion 44. In this embodiment, the diameter of the head portion 43 is larger than the maximum diameter of the constricted portion 44.

[0035] As shown in Figure 3(B), the bottom surface 42 of the base 41 bulges in an arc towards the rear (towards the back of the user's mouth), that is, downward in the direction of the main body 20 (Figure 3) (downward in the drawing of Figure 4(A)). A contact portion 42a that contacts the main body 20 is formed at the center of the bottom surface 42, and a non-contact portion 42b is formed around the contact portion 42a. As shown in Figure 3(A), when manufacturing the orthodontic appliance 10, the locking body molding member 40 is attached to the surface of the tooth model 70 (see Figure 7). In the illustrated example, the locking body molding member 40 is attached to the tooth model surface 73a of the canine tooth model 73. At this time, the contact portion 42a of the base portion 41 is attached to the tooth surface 73a, but the non-contact portion 42b surrounding the contact portion 42a is not attached and remains floating away from the tooth surface 73a, forming a gap G of length d between the tooth surface 73a and the non-contact portion 42b (Figure 4(A)). As a result, when the orthodontic appliance 10 is manufactured, the thermoplastic resin, which is the raw material for manufacturing, enters through the gap G, and as shown in Figure 3(b), the periphery of the base portion 41 of the locking body molding member 40 is sandwiched by the thermoplastic resin, the locking body molding member 40 becomes integrated with the locking body 30, and it becomes difficult to detach from the locking body 30. The locking body molding member 40 can be manufactured by a 3D printer or a resin molding device.

[0036] [Structure of the locking mechanism] Next, the structure of the locking body 30 will be explained with reference to the diagram. As shown in Figure 3(b), a thermoplastic resin is in close contact with the outer surface of the locking body molding member 40, thereby forming a locking body 30 with a shape corresponding to the outer shape of the locking body molding member 40. In other words, the locking body 30 is formed in a shape corresponding to the outer shape of the locking body molding member 40 provided inside it. The locking body 30 comprises a base portion 31, a locking portion 34 protruding forward from the base portion 31, and a head portion 33 formed at the tip of the locking portion 34. The base portion 31 and the head portion 33 are each formed in a flange shape. In this embodiment, the base portion 31 and the head portion 33 are each formed in a disc shape. Specifically, the shape obtained by cutting the base portion 31 in a direction perpendicular to its central axis is circular, and the shape obtained by cutting the head portion 33 in a direction perpendicular to its central axis is also circular. Note that the base portion 31 and the head portion 33 only need to have a shape corresponding to the base portion 41 and the head portion 43 of the locking body molding member 40, and the shape is not limited.

[0037] Furthermore, a clamping portion 20a is formed on the rear side of the base portion 31, that is, on the side of the main body 20, by clamping the periphery of the base portion 41 of the locking body molding member 40. Of this clamping portion 20a, the portion that is in close contact with the non-contact portion 42b of the bottom surface 42 of the locking body molding member 40 is, as mentioned above, the portion formed by thermoplastic resin that flowed into the non-contact portion 42b during manufacturing. The locking portion 34 is for locking the intermaxillary rubber R (Figure 6(A)) or intramaxillary rubber, and is formed in a shape in which the diameter gradually increases from its base to its tip. As a result, the intermaxillary rubber R or intramaxillary rubber locked to the locking portion 34 is held in a position close to the boundary between the locking portion 34 and the base portion 32, making it difficult for it to move toward the head portion 33, and thus the direction of traction by the intermaxillary rubber R or intramaxillary rubber can be accurately maintained. In this embodiment, the locking portion 34 is formed in a frustoconical shape with the larger diameter facing forward.

[0038] The diameter and shape of the head portion 33 can be designed arbitrarily, as long as the intermaxillary elastic band R or intramaxillary elastic band locked to the locking portion 34 is difficult to detach. Furthermore, the length L1 (Figure 3(B)) from the base portion 31 of the locking portion 34 to the head portion 33 can be changed according to the direction of traction by the intermaxillary elastic band R or intramaxillary elastic band. In this case, the length of the constricted portion 44 of the locking body molding member 40 should be changed. Also, the thickness t1 (Figure 3(B)) of the base portion 31 can be changed according to the direction of traction by the intermaxillary elastic band R or intramaxillary elastic band. In this case, the thickness of the base portion 41 of the locking body molding member 40 should be changed. The intermaxillary elastic band R and intramaxillary elastic band are examples of connecting members of the present invention.

[0039] [Manufacturing method for orthodontic appliances] Next, the manufacturing method of the orthodontic appliance 10 will be explained with reference to the diagram. The orthodontic appliance 10 is manufactured using a molding apparatus 80 shown in Figure 8. For example, the Biostar manufactured by Scheu-Dental GmbH in Germany can be used as the molding apparatus 80. The molding apparatus 80 comprises a chamber 81, a base 83, a heater (not shown), and a vacuum pump (not shown). The chamber 81 is configured to accommodate a thermoplastic resin plate 84 inside and is rotatable so as to cover the base 83 with one end as a pivot axis. The chamber 81 is also connected to an exhaust pipe 82 for exhausting the air inside it, and this exhaust pipe 82 is connected to the vacuum pump. When the chamber 81 is placed over the base 83, the inside of the chamber 81 is sealed. When the vacuum pump is operated, the air inside the chamber 81 is exhausted through the exhaust pipe 82, the pressure inside the chamber 81 is reduced, and a vacuum is created. The plate 84 is an example of a plate-shaped member of the present invention, and the chamber 81 and base 83 are examples of sealed containers of the present invention.

[0040] First, a known intraoral scanner is used to create 3D digital data of the user's oral cavity (Step 1: Figure 9). Next, a user's tooth model 70 (Figure 7) is created using a known method based on the three-dimensional digital data created in step 1 (step 2). The tooth model 70 shown in Figure 7 is a tooth model corresponding to the user's upper jaw dentition and has a base 71 and a tooth model body 72 formed on top of (below in the figure) the base 71. In the illustrated example, the tooth model body 72 has a protrusion 73b formed on the tooth surface 73a of the canine tooth model 73, which corresponds to the shape of an attachment (not shown) attached to the surface of the canine tooth, and a protrusion 74b formed on the tooth surface 74a of the first premolar tooth model 74, which corresponds to the shape of an attachment (not shown) attached to the surface of the first premolar.

[0041] Next, the locking member 40 is attached to the tooth model 70 (step 3). For example, it is attached using medical-grade light-curing resin. In the example shown in Figure 7, the locking member 40 is attached to the tooth surface 75a of the tooth model 75 of the second premolar. Next, the tooth mold 70 is set on the base 83 (Figure 8) of the molding apparatus 80 (Step 4). Specifically, the base 71 is placed on the upper surface of the base 83 and set so that the tooth mold body 72 faces upward. Also, the chamber 81 is opened horizontally and a thermoplastic resin plate 84 for molding the locking body molding member 40 is set inside the chamber 81 (Step 4). Next, a heater (not shown) is placed facing the opening of the chamber 81, and the heater is driven to heat and soften the plate 84 (step 5). The heating time for the plate 84 can be adjusted depending on the material and thickness of the plate 84.

[0042] Next, the chamber 81 is rotated and placed over the base 83, sealing the inside of the chamber 81 (step 6). As a result, the tooth profile 70 is covered with the softened plate 84. Next, the vacuum pump is activated to create a vacuum by sucking out the air inside the chamber 81, thereby reducing the pressure inside the chamber 81 (step 7). For example, the pressure is reduced to -6 atmospheres. As a result, the thermoplastic resin of the softened plate 84 adheres closely to the tooth profile 70 and is molded into a shape corresponding to the shape of the tooth profile body 72. Next, the thermoplastic resin that is in close contact with the tooth model is allowed to cool naturally for a predetermined time, the vacuum pump is stopped, and the pressure inside the chamber 81 is returned to the pressure before depressurization (step 8). Next, the chamber 81 is rotated to remove the tooth model 70 (step 9). Then, the thermoplastic resin is removed from the tooth model 70 (step 10), and adjustments such as removing excess material from the thermoplastic resin are made (step 11), completing the orthodontic appliance.

[0043] [How to use orthodontic appliances] Next, we will explain how to use the orthodontic appliance 10, referring to Figure 6. In the illustrated example, the orthodontic appliance 10 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is attached to the user's upper jaw teeth. A locking member 60 is fixed to the tooth surface of the right first molar 24 of the lower jaw. The locking member 60 comprises a base 61 fixed to the tooth surface of the first molar 24 and a hook 62 protruding from the base 61. The user attaches the orthodontic appliance 10 to their upper jaw teeth and places an intermaxillary elastic band R between the locking body 30 and the hook 62 of the orthodontic appliance 10. The user then wears the orthodontic appliance 10 except when eating or brushing their teeth. The intermaxillary elastic band R is replaced with a new one once a day to maintain its elasticity. As a result, the locking body 30 and the hook 62 are pulled by the elastic force of the intermaxillary elastic band R, and the teeth to be corrected move little by little toward the target position. Furthermore, the orthodontic appliance 10 is manufactured and replaced periodically (for example, every 1-2 weeks) to further move the teeth to be corrected towards the desired position. The attachments that are attached to the teeth are also replaced periodically with new ones, and the formation position of the locking members 30 is changed accordingly. In this way, the teeth are straightened by periodically replacing the orthodontic appliance 10 and gradually moving the teeth to be corrected.

[0044] [Effects of the First Embodiment] (1) According to the orthodontic appliance 10 of this embodiment, the locking body 30 for locking the intermaxillary elastic R or intramaxillary elastic is formed by a part of the main body 20 protruding forward, so the rigidity of the orthodontic appliance 10 is less likely to decrease, and tooth movement can be performed accurately, thus providing an orthodontic appliance in which the treatment plan is less likely to be disrupted. (2) Moreover, according to the orthodontic appliance 10 of this embodiment, the locking position of the intermaxillary elastic R or intramaxillary elastic can be set at a location other than the upper end of the orthodontic appliance 10, so that the degree of freedom in the direction in which the teeth are pulled by the intermaxillary elastic R or intramaxillary elastic is increased, and an orthodontic appliance with a wider range of applicability to treatment can be provided. (3) Furthermore, according to the orthodontic appliance 10 of this embodiment, since no sharp parts are formed at the upper or lower end of the orthodontic appliance 10, it is possible to provide an orthodontic appliance that is less likely to cause pain or discomfort.

[0045] (4) Furthermore, according to the orthodontic appliance 10 of this embodiment, a locking body molding member 40 for shaping the locking body 30 is provided inside the locking body 30, and the locking body 30 is formed in a shape corresponding to the outer shape of the locking body molding member 40, so the rigidity of the locking body 30 can be increased compared to a structure in which the locking body molding member 40 is not provided inside the locking body 30. (5) Furthermore, according to the orthodontic appliance 10 of this embodiment, since the thermoplastic resin forming the main body 20 is embedded in the bottom surface 42 of the locking body molding member 40, the locking body molding member 40 is less likely to come off from inside the locking body 30.

[0046] (6) Furthermore, according to the orthodontic appliance 10 of this embodiment, since the locking portion 34 is provided on the portion that protrudes forward from the base 31, the locking position of the intermaxillary elastic R or intramaxillary elastic can be adjusted by adjusting the length L1 of the locking portion or the thickness t1 of the base 31, so that the direction of traction of the teeth pulled by the intermaxillary elastic R or intramaxillary elastic that is locked to the locking portion 34 can be adjusted. (7) Furthermore, according to the orthodontic appliance 10 of this embodiment, a flange-shaped base 31 is formed on the side of the locking body 30 that is attached to the main body 20, which increases the rigidity of the locking body 30 relative to the main body 20. (8) Furthermore, according to the orthodontic appliance 10 of this embodiment, a head 33 is formed at the tip of the locking portion 34, which is larger in diameter than the locking portion 34, making it difficult for the intermaxillary elastic R or intramaxillary elastic that is locked to the locking portion 34 to come off.

[0047] (9) Furthermore, according to the orthodontic appliance 10 of this embodiment, the locking portion 34 has a shape in which the diameter gradually increases from the boundary with the base portion 31 to the boundary with the head portion 33. Therefore, the locking position of the intermaxillary elastic R or intramaxillary elastic that is locked at the boundary between the locking portion 34 and the base portion 31 can not be shifted toward the head portion 33, and thus the direction of traction of the teeth is less likely to shift. (10) As described above, the orthodontic appliance 10 according to this embodiment is less prone to a decrease in rigidity, less prone to insufficient elastic force of the intermaxillary elastics R or intramaxillary elastics, and can accurately move teeth, making it possible to provide an orthodontic appliance that is less likely to deviate from the treatment plan. Furthermore, the orthodontic appliance 10 according to this embodiment has a higher degree of freedom in the direction in which the teeth are pulled by the intermaxillary elastics R or intramaxillary elastics, making it possible to provide an orthodontic appliance that has a wider range of applicability to treatment. Moreover, the orthodontic appliance 10 according to this embodiment can provide an orthodontic appliance that is less likely to cause pain or discomfort.

[0048] [First example of modification of the locking element molding component] Next, a first example of modification of the locking body molding member 40 will be described with reference to Figure 10. The locking member 40 shown in Figure 10 has a constricted portion 44 and a head portion 43 with the same shape as the aforementioned locking member 40 (Figures 4 and 5), and the bottom surface 42 of the base portion 41 is formed in a shape corresponding to the tooth surface 77. In the illustrated example, the tooth surface 77 is formed in a shape that bulges forward, and the bottom surface 42 of the base portion 41 is also formed in a shape that bulges forward. In other words, the entire bottom surface 42 of the base portion 41 is formed as a contact portion 42a that contacts the tooth surface 77. An orthodontic appliance having this locking member 40 can also be manufactured by the manufacturing method described above, and an orthodontic appliance equipped with a locking body with a shape corresponding to the locking member 40 can be provided. By using an orthodontic appliance equipped with the locking member 40 of this first modification example, the contact area between the bottom surface 42 of the base 41 and the tooth surface can be increased when the orthodontic appliance is attached to the teeth, so that the position of the locking member 30 becomes even more stable when the intermaxillary elastic R or intramaxillary elastic is locked. In addition, when the locking member 40 is attached to the tooth surface 77, the attachment area can be increased, so that the position of the locking member 40 is less likely to change when the orthodontic appliance 10 is formed. Furthermore, the orthodontic appliance equipped with the locking member 40 of this first modification example can achieve the same effects as the orthodontic appliance of the embodiment described above.

[0049] [Second example of modification of the locking element molding component] Next, a second example of modification of the locking body molding member 40 will be explained with reference to Figure 11. The locking member 40 shown in Figure 11 comprises a base 41 having the same shape as the base 41 of the aforementioned locking member 40 (Figures 4 and 5), a projection 46 protruding forward from the center of the surface 41a of the base 41, and a head 45 protruding upward from the front end of the projection 46. When viewed from the side, the portion consisting of the projection 46 and the head 45 has an L-shape. An orthodontic appliance having this locking member 40 can also be manufactured by the manufacturing method described above, and an orthodontic appliance equipped with a locking body having a shape corresponding to the locking member 40 can be provided. Furthermore, the orthodontic appliance equipped with the locking member 40 of this second modified example can achieve the same effects as the orthodontic appliance of the embodiment described above.

[0050] <Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention, an orthodontic appliance, will be described. The same reference numerals are used for structures identical to those in the first embodiment described above, and their descriptions are simplified or omitted. Figure 20 shows a conventional example in which a locking member 60 is fixed to the tooth surface and an intermaxillary elastic is attached to the hook 62 of the locking member 60. However, there are cases where a titanium alloy orthodontic anchor screw (also called a TAD (Temporary Anchorage Device)) is implanted in the alveolar bone or jawbone, and an intramaxillary elastic is attached to the orthodontic anchor screw. This method makes it possible to control three-dimensional tooth movement, which was difficult with conventional methods, and also shortens the treatment period for aligner orthodontics. However, with this method, due to various biological conditions, it is often not possible to implant orthodontic anchor screws in the intended location. As a result, the direction of tooth traction may be inappropriate, potentially leading to significant deviations from the treatment plan.

[0051] Figure 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a method using orthodontic anchor screws. An orthodontic anchor screw 90A is implanted on the right side of the upper jaw, and an orthodontic anchor screw 90B is implanted on the left side. Similarly, an orthodontic anchor screw 90C is implanted on the right side of the lower jaw, and an orthodontic anchor screw 90D is implanted on the left side. An orthodontic appliance 11 is attached to the upper jaw's dentition, with a locking body 30A protruding forward from the right side of the appliance 11, and a locking body 30B protruding forward from the left side. An orthodontic appliance 12 is attached to the lower jaw's dentition, with a locking body 30C protruding forward from the right side of the appliance 12, and a locking body 30D protruding forward from the left side. Locking bodies 30A to 30D are the same as the locking bodies 30 in the first embodiment described above. Intraoral elastics are stretched between locking body 30A and orthodontic anchor screw 90A, and between locking body 30B and orthodontic anchor screw 90B, respectively, and the upper jaw teeth are straightened using the tensile force of each intraoral elastic. In addition, intraoral elastics are stretched between locking body 30C and orthodontic anchor screw 90C, and between locking body 30D and orthodontic anchor screw 90D, respectively, and the lower jaw teeth are straightened using the tensile force of each intraoral elastic. However, the intraoral elastic band stretched between the left orthodontic anchor screw 90D and the left locking body 30D attempts to pull the mandibular dentition diagonally upward to the left, while the intraoral elastic band stretched between the right orthodontic anchor screw 90C and the right locking body 30C attempts to pull the mandibular dentition diagonally downward to the right. As a result, the mandibular occlusal plane becomes downward sloping to the right. In other words, when pulling the dentition from both sides, it is not possible to align the direction (angle) of traction on both sides. In other words, when using orthodontic anchor screws, their placement is limited, which may prevent accurate orthodontic treatment.

[0052] Therefore, in order to solve these problems, the inventor of the present invention has developed an orthodontic device with a different structure from the orthodontic device of the above-described embodiment. As shown in Figure 13(B), the orthodontic appliance 10 of this embodiment includes a locking body 1. The locking body 1 includes a locking portion 3 having a notch 4 for locking an intermaxillary elastic band R or an intramaxillary elastic band, and a base portion 2 (Figure 18(B)) for causing the locking portion 3 to protrude forward from the main body 20. As shown in Figure 18(B), the base portion 2 is integrally formed on the rear surface (the surface on the main body 20 side) of one end (the upper end in the illustrated example) of the locking portion 3. In other words, a base portion 2 is formed on one end of the rear surface of the locking portion 3 to increase the thickness of the locking portion 3, and the locking portion 3 protrudes forward from the main body 20 due to this base portion 2.

[0053] Furthermore, the locking portion 3 extends in a direction intersecting its own protruding direction. In the example shown in Figure 18(B), the locking portion 3 protrudes forward from the main body 20 and extends downward. As shown in Figure 13(B), the locking portion 3 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape when viewed from the front, and a notch 4 is formed from its left side to its right side. As shown in Figure 18(B), a locking body molding member 50 for forming the locking portion 3 is provided inside the locking body 1. As shown in Figures 15 and 16, the locking body molding member 50 has a flat front portion 52a, and a base portion 51 is formed to protrude from the back portion 52b opposite to the front portion 52a. The locking portion 52 has a flat right side portion 52c and a left side portion 52d in which the opening of the notch portion 53 is formed. The locking portion 52 also has a flat top portion 52e and a flat bottom portion 52f. In other words, the locking portion 52 is formed in a shape in which the notch portion 53 is formed from the left side portion 52d to the right side portion 52c of a rectangular plate-like member. The base portion 51 is formed in a rectangular shape (trapezoidal in the illustrated example) when viewed from the back, and has a flat back portion 51a, a flat right side portion 51c, a flat left side portion 51d, a flat top portion 51e, and a flat bottom portion 51f. Also, as shown in Figures 15 and 16(C), a step S is formed between the bottom portion 52f of the locking portion 52 and the bottom portion 51f of the base portion 51.

[0054] Next, the manufacturing method of the orthodontic appliance 10 of this embodiment will be described. As shown in Figure 17, two spacers 54 are positioned horizontally below (above in the drawing) the notch 53 on the back surface 52b of the locking portion 52 that constitutes the locking body molding member 50. Each spacer 54 is integrally formed with the locking portion 52 when the locking body molding member 50 is manufactured. In the illustrated example, the spacers 54 are spherical. As shown in Figure 18(A), each spacer 54 is used to maintain the distance between the back surface of the locking portion 52 of the locking body molding member 50 and the tooth surface 76a when the locking body molding member 50 is attached to the tooth surface 76a of the tooth mold 76, and is removed after the orthodontic appliance 10 is manufactured. Note that if the distance between the back surface of the locking portion 52 of the locking body molding member 50 and the tooth surface 76a can be maintained without providing each spacer 54, then it is not necessary to provide each spacer 54.

[0055] As shown in Figure 18(A), the locking member 50 is attached to the tooth surface 76a by adhering the back surface 51a of the base 51 to the tooth surface 76a. Then, using the molding apparatus 80 (Figure 8) described above, the tooth 70 and the locking member 50 are molded with thermoplastic resin as shown in Figure 18(B). As the inside of the chamber 81 (Figure 8) is depressurized and becomes a vacuum, the thermoplastic resin covers the inner wall of the notch 53 and enters the step S. This prevents the locking member 50 from detaching from the main body 20.

[0056] Next, an example of how to use the orthodontic appliance 10 of this embodiment will be described. Figure 13(A) is a schematic explanatory diagram showing an example of the usage state of the orthodontic appliance according to the first embodiment, and (B) is a schematic explanatory diagram showing an example of the usage state of the orthodontic appliance according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure (A), the locking body 30C is located at the bottom of the main body 20 of the orthodontic appliance 10, which is fitted to the lower teeth. An intraoral rubber R1 is locked between the locking body 30C and the orthodontic anchor screw 90C (Figure 12) at an angle θ1, with the traction direction being diagonally downward to the right. As shown in Figure (B), the locking member 50 is positioned upside down at the lower part of the main body 20 of the orthodontic appliance 10, to which the lower teeth are attached, with the notch 53 facing left. An intraoral rubber R1 is locked between the locking member 50 and the orthodontic anchor screw 90C (Figure 12) at an angle of 0 degrees.

[0057] Comparing the locking positions of the intraoral elastic band R1, the locking position at locking body 1 is located lower than the locking position at locking body 30C, allowing the intraoral elastic band R1 to be horizontally stretched between locking body 1 and the orthodontic anchor screw 90C. Therefore, since the right side of the mandibular dentition can be pulled horizontally, there is no risk of the mandibular occlusal plane becoming downward sloping to the right. By changing the position of the notch 4, the traction angle of the intraoral elastic band R1 can be changed. In the example shown in Figure 13(B), the traction angle of the intraoral elastic band R1 can be changed by changing the length L2 from the upper end of the locking body 1 to the notch 4. In other words, the position of the notch 4 is determined according to the direction in which the tooth to be orthodontized is pulled.

[0058] For example, as shown in Figure 14(A), if the length from the upper end of the locking body 1 to the notch 4 is changed to L3, which is longer than the length L2 shown in Figure 13(B), the intraoral rubber R1 can be stretched at an angle θ2, and the traction direction can be changed to diagonally upward to the right. If the angle of the intraoral rubber R1 in a horizontal position is taken as 0 degrees, and the angle θ1 when the intraoral rubber R1 is in a diagonally downward position as shown in Figure 13(A) is taken as a negative angle, then the angle θ2 shown in Figure 14(A) can be said to be a positive angle. In other words, by adjusting the position of the locking body 4, the traction angle of the teeth by the intraoral rubber R1 can be adjusted to either a positive or negative angle.

[0059] Furthermore, Figure 14(B) is an explanatory diagram showing the orthodontic appliance 10 when attached to the upper dentition. The locking body 1 is the same as the locking body 1 shown in Figure 14(A), but inverted horizontally. The locking portion 4 is positioned to the left and is located on the upper part of the main body 20. In the illustrated example as well, the direction of tooth traction can be changed by changing the position of the locking portion 4. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 14(C) and (D), the orientation of the locking body 1 relative to the main body 20 can be changed according to the direction of tooth traction and the position of the orthodontic anchor screw. The orthodontic anchor screws 90A to 90D are examples of fixing members of the present invention.

[0060] Figure 19 shows an example of a modified locking member 50. The width between the front and rear of the lower surface portion 51f of the base portion 51 formed on the locking member 50 is narrower than the width between the front and rear of the upper surface portion 51e, and the back surface portion 51a exhibits a tapered surface from the boundary with the upper surface portion 51e toward the boundary with the lower surface portion 51f. In other words, the base portion 51 is formed in a conical shape. The taper angle of the back surface portion 51a is α. Because the orthodontic appliance 10 in this example has a locking member 50 with the above structure, when attached to the mandibular dentition, as shown in Figure 20(B), the position of the locking portion 4 can be moved forward by a distance t2. Using the orthodontic appliance 10 configured in this way, the direction of tooth traction can be changed. Also, if there is an obstacle directly below the locking body 1, the locking body 1 can be tilted forward to avoid the obstacle. Furthermore, even if an attachment is provided on the tooth surface 401 and it is necessary to provide a locking body 1 on the same tooth surface 401, the locking body 1 can be positioned such that the attachment is located on the back side of the locking body 1.

[0061] [Effects of the second embodiment] According to the orthodontic appliance 10 of this embodiment, the direction of the connecting member that engages with the notch can be adjusted by changing the position of the notch, thereby enabling accurate traction of the teeth. For example, when traction is performed on the left and right sides of the dental arch, the traction direction (angle) can be aligned on both sides, so there is no risk of the occlusal plane tilting to one side, as in the conventional example shown in Figure 12. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the orthodontic appliance 10 of this embodiment can achieve the same effects as the orthodontic appliance 10 of the first embodiment described above.

[0062] <Other Embodiments> (1) The orthodontic appliance of the present invention can also be applied to orthodontic appliances that use intraoral elastics. (2) The locking portion 34 can also be formed in a shape that allows for the fitting of an intermaxillary elastic band R or an intramaxillary elastic band. In this shape, the protruding length of the locking portion 34 only needs to be long enough to allow for the fitting of an intermaxillary elastic band R or an intramaxillary elastic band, and does not need to be unnecessarily long. (3) The locking portion 34 may have a shape in which the diameter gradually decreases from the boundary with the base portion 31 to the boundary with the head portion 33. With an orthodontic appliance having this locking portion 34, the locking position of the intermaxillary elastic R or intramaxillary elastic can be maintained closer to the head portion 33.

[0063] (4) Multiple notches 4 can be formed in the locking body 1, and the notches 4 can be used in different ways depending on the direction of tooth traction. For example, multiple notches 4 can be formed along the direction in which the locking body 1 extends. (5) The base portion 51 can be formed on the front portion 52a and the back portion 52b of the locking portion 52, and the device can be configured so that when the base portion 51 is attached to the tooth surface 76a of the tooth mold 76 (Figure 18(A)) during manufacturing, the user can choose which of the front portion 52a and the back portion 52b to attach, depending on the application. With this configuration of the orthodontic appliance, it is not necessary to manufacture two types of locking body molding members 50, one with the base portion 51 formed on the front portion 52a and the other with the base portion 51 formed on the back portion 52b, thus increasing the manufacturing efficiency of the locking body molding members 50.

[0064] (6) The orthodontic appliance 10 of the present invention can further increase the rigidity of the locking body (30,1) by providing locking body molding members (40,50) inside the locking body (30,1) compared to a structure without locking body molding members (40,50). However, even in a structure where the locking body molding members (40,50) are removed from the main body 20, sufficient rigidity of the locking body (30,1) can be ensured to the extent that it does not affect the treatment plan, so a structure where the locking body molding members (40,50) are removed from the main body 20 is also acceptable. (7) The orthodontic appliance 10 can also be molded from thermoplastic resins other than polycarbonate, such as polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, polyurethane-based thermoplastic elastomer, and ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0065] 10. Orthodontic appliances 20··Main unit 30. Locking body 31··base 33...Head 34. Locking part 40. Components for forming locking bodies 42. Bottom 43...Head 44. Constricted section 60...Locking member 61. Base 62 hooks 70.. Tooth impression 80·Forming equipment 81 Chamber 82. Base 83. Exhaust pipe 84 Plate G... Gap R... Intermaxillary elastic

Claims

1. A mouthpiece-type orthodontic device for correcting tooth alignment, It is molded from thermoplastic resin and consists of a main body that is attached to at least a portion of the dental arch, It includes a locking body for securing the connecting member for orthodontic purposes, The locking body is formed by a part of the main body protruding forward. Inside the aforementioned locking body, When molding the orthodontic appliance using thermoplastic resin, a locking member for molding the locking body is provided. The aforementioned locking body is It is formed in a shape corresponding to the outer shape of the locking member, Of the locking body molding member, the bottom surface located on the side of the main body bulges in the direction opposite to the protruding direction of the locking body. An orthodontic appliance characterized in that the thermoplastic resin forming the main body is embedded in the bottom surface.

2. The aforementioned locking body is A flange-shaped base formed on the side of the main body, It protrudes forward from the base and has a locking portion for locking the connecting member, The orthodontic appliance according to claim 1, further comprising a head formed at the tip of the locking portion and having a larger diameter than the diameter of the locking portion.

3. The aforementioned locking portion is, The orthodontic appliance according to claim 2, characterized in that the diameter gradually increases from the boundary with the base to the boundary with the head.

4. The orthodontic appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting member is an intermaxillary elastic or an intramaxillary elastic.

5. A method for manufacturing a mouthpiece-type orthodontic appliance using a dental mold, A dental model formed based on the dental arch of the user wearing the aforementioned orthodontic appliance, A locking member for forming a locking body for securing intermaxillary elastics or intramaxillary elastics, A plate-shaped member formed from a thermoplastic resin, Prepare a sealed container for housing the aforementioned tooth model, The steps include attaching the locking member to the tooth shape, The process of heating and softening the plate-shaped member, A step of bringing the tooth mold to which the locking body molding member is attached to be covered by the softened plate-like member inside the sealed container, The process of reducing the pressure inside the sealed container is performed, The thermoplastic resin forming the plate-like member, A main body molded into a shape corresponding to the aforementioned tooth profile, An orthodontic device comprising: a locking body formed by a part of the main body protruding forward and having a shape corresponding to the locking body molding member, The locking body molding member is provided inside the locking body. Of the locking body molding member, the bottom surface located on the side of the main body bulges in the direction opposite to the protruding direction of the locking body. A method for manufacturing an orthodontic appliance, characterized in that the thermoplastic resin forming the main body is embedded in the bottom surface of the orthodontic appliance.

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