Dental retainer mounting device, manufacturing method, and retainer mounting method

Abstract

A device for mounting a dental retainer is disclosed. The device for mounting a dental retainer is a device for mounting a dental retainer in the oral cavity and includes a retainer holder that has a shape for firmly fixing the dental retainer and can be closely attached by reflecting the shape of the oral cavity containing the teeth. The retainer holder may include: a fitting groove formed on one side inside the retainer holder to be positioned on the inner side of the patient's teeth and having a groove formed to fit the shape of the dental retainer so as to be fitted and fixed; and a seating groove formed on the other side inside the retainer holder to be seated on the patient's teeth.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for mounting a dental retainer, a method for manufacturing, and a method for mounting a retainer. More specifically, the invention relates to a device for mounting a dental retainer, a method for manufacturing, and a method for mounting a retainer for safely and effectively mounting a dental retainer in the oral cavity. Background Technology

[0002] Generally, dental retainers are a type of dental retention device used to maintain the position of teeth after orthodontic treatment. These retainers are typically custom-made to fit an individual's teeth and designed for long-term wear. While accurately fabricating the retainer to fit the teeth is important, it is equally crucial that the retainer is properly positioned within the patient's oral cavity to achieve its intended purpose.

[0003] Meanwhile, if a dental retainer is improperly placed, the patient may experience discomfort and unpleasant irritation, and in severe cases, may suffer injuries to the mouth. Additionally, the process of attaching the dental retainer takes a long time, which may unintentionally prolong the treatment time, and the patient undergoing the procedure may feel very fatigued as they must keep their mouth open for a long time.

[0004] Therefore, a device and a method for mounting a retainer are required to safely and effectively mount a dental retainer in the oral cavity of a patient undergoing dental treatment. Prior art literature

[0005] Republic of Korea Published Patent 10-2001-0040314 The problem to be solved

[0006] The objective of the present invention is to solve these problems by providing a dental retainer mounting device, a manufacturing method, and a retainer mounting method for safely and effectively mounting a dental retainer in the oral cavity. means of solving the problem

[0007] A device for mounting a dental retainer according to one embodiment of the technical concept of the present invention for achieving the above objective is a device for mounting a dental retainer in the oral cavity, and includes a retainer holder that has a shape for firmly fixing the dental retainer and can be closely attached by reflecting the shape of the oral cavity containing teeth, wherein the retainer holder may include: a fitting groove formed on one side inside the retainer holder so as to be positioned on the inner side of the patient's teeth and having a groove formed to fit the shape of the dental retainer so as to be fitted and fixed; and a seating groove formed on the other side inside the retainer holder so as to be seated on the patient's teeth.

[0008] In addition, the retainer holder may be further provided with a handle that provides a grip to easily grasp the retainer holder in order to easily transport or mount a dental retainer.

[0009] Additionally, the fitting groove and the seating groove are formed on the lower surface of the retainer holder, wherein the fitting groove may be formed at a lower position than the seating groove.

[0010] In addition, the thickness and curvature of the groove may be formed so as to correspond to the shape of a dental retainer manufactured by reflecting the shape of the oral cavity containing teeth.

[0011] In addition, the above-mentioned retainer holder can be manufactured using a 3D printer based on a dental retainer made to fit the patient's individual teeth and data reflecting the shape of the oral cavity including the teeth obtained by scanning the patient's individual oral cavity.

[0012] A method for manufacturing a dental retainer mounting device according to an embodiment of the technical concept of the present invention for achieving the above objective comprises: a step S100 of receiving oral digital data scanned from the inside of a patient's oral cavity and designed retainer data; a step S200 of overlaying a retainer holder digital model at a set position in the received oral digital data and using a 3D graphics algorithm to excavate the oral digital data and retainer data from the retainer holder digital model to complete the shape of a digital retainer holder; a step S300 of transmitting the retainer holder data completed as a digital model to a 3D printer and outputting it; a step S400 of fitting a pre-fabricated actual dental retainer into the retainer holder output by the 3D printer; and a step S500 of inserting the retainer holder with the dental retainer attached into the patient's oral cavity. It may include step S600, in which, while maintaining the retainer holder in the correct position, the exposed ends or a portion of the dental retainer are attached using an adhesive such as resin, and then the retainer holder is removed to complete the fixation of the remaining portion of the dental retainer inside the oral cavity.

[0013] A method for mounting a dental retainer according to an embodiment of the technical concept of the present invention for achieving the above objective may include, in a method for mounting a dental retainer using a dental retainer mounting device, a step S10 of placing a dental retainer in a retainer holder of the retainer mounting device; a step S20 of inserting the retainer holder into the mouth of a patient to position it over the patient's teeth to be mounted; a step S30 of placing the retainer holder on the patient's teeth and attaching the dental retainer; and a step S40 of removing the retainer holder from the patient's mouth while leaving the dental retainer in place. Effects of the invention

[0014] The dental retainer mounting device according to the present invention has the effect of safely and effectively mounting a dental retainer in the oral cavity of a patient undergoing dental treatment.

[0015] In other words, the dental retainer mounting device of the present invention allows for the proper placement of the dental retainer and reduces the risk of injury and discomfort to the patient. It is easy to use and custom-made to fit the patient's oral structure and dental alignment, and has the effect of being adjustable to fit dental retainers of various sizes. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device for mounting a dental retainer according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspective views showing a dental retainer installed in a retainer holder of a dental retainer mounting device according to the present invention. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing a retainer holder and a dental retainer installed in the patient's oral cavity. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method for manufacturing a dental retainer mounting device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method for mounting a dental retainer according to one embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0017] In order to fully understand the present invention, the operational advantages of the present invention, and the objectives achieved by the implementation of the present invention, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention and the contents described therein.

[0018] The present invention will be described in detail below by explaining preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the attached drawings. Identical reference numerals in each drawing indicate identical components.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dental retainer mounting device according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 to 3 are perspective views showing a dental retainer installed in a retainer holder of the dental retainer mounting device of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a retainer holder and a dental retainer installed in the oral cavity of a patient.

[0020] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a dental retainer mounting device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a device for mounting a dental retainer (1) in the oral cavity, and may include a retainer holder (10) that has a shape for firmly fixing the dental retainer (1) and can be closely attached by reflecting the shape of the oral cavity containing teeth.

[0021] That is, the retainer holder (10) is manufactured in advance to reflect the shape of the patient's oral cavity and is fitted into the dental retainer (1).

[0022] Meanwhile, the dental retainer (1) is made in the form of a metal wire and is used to maintain the position of the teeth after orthodontic treatment. It is manufactured in a bent shape to fit the individual patient's tooth alignment and oral structure.

[0023] At this time, it is important to place the dental retainer (1) in the correct position within the patient's oral cavity. However, conventionally, there was no means to place the dental retainer (1) in the correct position within the patient's oral cavity, which caused discomfort to the patient or, in some cases, resulted in injury to the patient's oral cavity.

[0024] The above retainer holder (10) is a part that allows for safe transport into the patient's oral cavity, minimizes discomfort to the patient, and enables safe, effective, and rapid attachment of the dental retainer (1) to the patient's teeth.

[0025] The above retainer holder (10) may include a fitting groove (11) formed on one side inside the retainer holder (10) to be positioned on the inner side of the patient's tooth and formed to fit the shape of the dental retainer (1) so as to be fitted and fixed, and a seating groove (12) formed on the other side inside the retainer holder (10) so as to be seated on the patient's tooth.

[0026] The above retainer holder (10) can basically be formed to have a predetermined volume so that a dental retainer (1) is fitted inside and can be seated on the patient's tooth.

[0027] That is, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the retainer holder (10) is formed in a grooved shape so that the fitting groove (11) and the seating groove (12) are formed on the lower side of the lower portion, and the upper portion may be formed so that the outer surface including the side and upper surface has a flat plane.

[0028] However, the shape of the upper part is an example made to facilitate manufacturing, and is not limited thereto. If a fitting groove (11) and a seating groove (12) are formed on the lower side of the lower part, the shape of the upper part is not limited and can be made in various shapes.

[0029] The above-mentioned fitting groove (11) is a groove portion for fitting a part of the dental retainer (1) and is a portion for fixing the dental retainer (1) to the tooth so that the dental retainer (1) can be maintained in a close state to the inner side of the patient's tooth.

[0030] FIG. 3 shows a dental retainer (1) fitted into the fitting groove (11) of a retainer holder (10), and shows the upper part of the retainer holder (10) cut off.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 3, the groove (11) may have a groove thickness and a groove curvature formed to correspond to the shape of a dental retainer (1) made to reflect the shape of the oral cavity containing teeth.

[0032] Additionally, although not specifically illustrated in the drawing, the fitting groove (11) may be provided with a protruding locking pin (not shown) to prevent the dental retainer (1) from easily separating and detaching from the fitting groove (11) before a predetermined external force is applied while the dental retainer (1) is fitted.

[0033] That is, the dental retainer (1) is fitted into the above-mentioned fitting groove (11) and is held in place by a locking pin until a predetermined force is applied to separate it from the dental retainer (1), allowing the fixed fitting state to be maintained.

[0034] In addition, as another form, the fitting groove (11) is formed in such a way that the open portion into which the dental retainer (1) is inserted is shaped to cover more than half of the outer diameter of the dental retainer (1), so that the dental retainer (1) cannot be easily separated from the fitting groove (11) before a predetermined external force is applied while the dental retainer (1) is fitted into the fitting groove (11).

[0035] Meanwhile, the above-mentioned seating groove (12) is a groove portion for allowing the patient's tooth to be inserted, and is a portion that is seated on the patient's tooth to fix the retainer holder (10) so that the dental retainer (1) can be maintained in a state of being closely fixed to the inner side of the patient's tooth by the above-mentioned seating groove (11).

[0036] At this time, the fitting groove (11) and the seating groove (12) are formed on the lower surface of the retainer holder (10), and the fitting groove (11) may be formed at a lower position than the seating groove (12).

[0037] Additionally, the retainer holder (10) may be fixed to the central part of the dental retainer (1) so that both ends of the dental retainer (1) are exposed, but in some cases, the retainer holder (10) may be fixed to one end of the dental retainer (1) and the other end of the dental retainer (1) may be exposed.

[0038] That is, the retainer holder (10) is a means for fixing and maintaining a dental retainer (1) on a patient's teeth, and the overall shape and fixing position can be determined by taking into account the patient's oral structure and tooth arrangement.

[0039] The above-mentioned retainer holder (10) is manufactured using a 3D printer based on a dental retainer (1) made to fit the patient's individual teeth and data reflecting the shape of the oral cavity including the teeth obtained by scanning the patient's individual oral cavity, so that the pre-manufactured dental retainer (1) can be combined and customized to fit the patient's teeth and oral cavity structure.

[0040] Meanwhile, the retainer holder (10) may further be provided with a handle (not shown) that provides a grip so that the retainer holder (10) can be easily grasped in order to easily transport or mount the dental retainer (1).

[0041] That is, the handle is a part that allows a medical practitioner (doctor) to safely move to the position of the patient's tooth or easily perform the fixing operation while the dental retainer (1) and the retainer holder (10) are combined during the procedure of fixing the dental retainer (1) to the tooth, and can be formed in a shape that allows the medical practitioner to easily grip it with their hand, with a part of it protruding from one side of the retainer holder (1).

[0042] The shape or form of such a handle is not limited and can be formed on one side of the retainer holder (10) in a shape that protrudes as a flat plate or as a rod.

[0043] Hereinafter, a method for manufacturing a dental retainer mounting device according to one embodiment of the technical concept of the present invention will be described.

[0044] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method for manufacturing a dental retainer mounting device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] The retainer holder (10), which is a dental retainer mounting device of the present invention, may use a 3D modeling program to generate final completed model data based on scanned digital data, and such 3D modeling program is not limited to any one.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 5, first, digital oral data (STL) obtained by scanning the inside of the patient's oral cavity and designed retainer data are received. (S100)

[0047] That is, the inside of the patient's oral cavity is scanned using an oral scanner or the like to obtain oral digital data (STL), and retainer data for a dental retainer that has been fabricated to fit the patient's oral structure is input into a 3D modeling program.

[0048] Next, a digital model of a retainer holder is superimposed at a set position on the input digital oral data, and the digital oral data and retainer data are extracted from the digital model of the retainer holder using a 3D graphics algorithm to complete the shape of the digital retainer holder. (S200)

[0049] In other words, the shape of the omitted final retainer holder model is completed by excluding oral digital data and retainer data from a predetermined, unconfirmed digital model of the retainer holder.

[0050] Next, the retainer holder data completed as a digital model is transferred to a 3D printer and printed. (S300)

[0051] Next, a pre-fabricated actual dental retainer is fitted into a retainer holder printed with a 3D printer. (S400)

[0052] Next, the retainer holder with the dental retainer attached is inserted into the patient's oral cavity. (S500)

[0053] Finally, with the retainer holder held in place, the exposed ends or a portion of the dental retainer are attached using an adhesive such as resin, and then the retainer holder is removed to complete the fixation of the remaining portion of the dental retainer inside the oral cavity. (S600)

[0054] Thus, the manufacturing process for a dental retainer mounting device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes the entire process of manufacturing a retainer holder to fit the oral structure of a patient, inserting the manufactured retainer holder into the actual user, and completing the fixation of the dental retainer inside the oral cavity, up to the process of verifying whether it has been manufactured to fit the actual user's teeth.

[0055] Meanwhile, if the retainer holder fails to align with the dental retainer and the patient's tooth during the process of inserting and securing the completed retainer holder into the user's tooth, an additional process of refining the shape of the retainer holder may be performed.

[0056] Hereinafter, a method for mounting a dental retainer according to one embodiment of the technical concept of the present invention will be described.

[0057] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method for mounting a dental retainer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0058] Referring to Fig. 6, the flow of a method for attaching a dental retainer to a patient using a dental retainer device manufactured through the method for manufacturing a dental retainer attachment device described above is shown.

[0059] First, a dental retainer (1) is placed in the retainer holder (10) of the retainer mounting device. (S10)

[0060] That is, one side of the dental retainer (1) is inserted into the fitting groove (11) of the retainer holder (10) to secure it.

[0061] Next, the retainer holder (10) is inserted into the patient's mouth to position it over the patient's teeth (S20).

[0062] That is, with the dental retainer (1) fixed to the retainer holder (10), the seating groove (12) of the retainer holder (10) is seated on the patient's tooth.

[0063] Next, the retainer holder (10) is placed on the patient's tooth and the dental retainer (1) is attached. (S30)

[0064] That is, with the retainer holder (10) seated on the patient's tooth, the ends or parts of the dental retainer (1), which are the parts to be fixed, are attached to the tooth using an adhesive such as resin.

[0065] Finally, the retainer holder (10) is removed from the patient's mouth while the dental retainer (1) remains in place. (S40)

[0066] That is, when the dental retainer (1) is completely fixed to the patient's teeth, the retainer holder (10) is separated from the dental retainer (1) and removed from the patient's mouth to complete the process of attaching the dental retainer (1).

[0067] The dental retainer mounting device based on the technical concept of the present invention described above has the effect of safely and effectively mounting a dental retainer within the oral cavity of a patient undergoing dental treatment. That is, through the dental retainer mounting device of the present invention, the dental retainer can be properly positioned to reduce the risk of injury and discomfort to the patient, and it has the effect of being easy to use, custom-made to fit the patient's oral structure and tooth shape, and adjustable to accommodate dental retainers of various sizes.

[0068] As explained above, the best embodiments are disclosed in the drawings and specification. Specific terms have been used herein, but they are used only for the purpose of describing the invention and are not intended to limit the meaning or the scope of the invention as described in the claims. Therefore, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent alternative embodiments are possible therefrom. Accordingly, the true technical scope of protection of the invention should be determined by the technical spirit of the appended claims. Explanation of the symbols

[0069] 1: Dental retainer 10: Retainer holder 11: Insertion groove 12: Seating groove

Claims

Claim 1 A device for mounting a dental retainer in the oral cavity, comprising a retainer holder having a shape that firmly fixes the dental retainer and is closely attachable by reflecting the shape of the oral cavity containing the teeth, wherein the retainer holder comprises: a fitting groove formed on one side inside the retainer holder to be positioned on the inner side of the patient's teeth and having a groove formed to fit the shape of the dental retainer for the dental retainer to be fitted and fixed; and a seating groove formed on the other side inside the retainer holder to be seated on the patient's teeth; wherein a locking pin is formed protruding from the fitting groove to prevent the dental retainer from being separated and detached from the fitting groove before a predetermined external force is generated while the dental retainer is fitted. Claim 2 A dental retainer mounting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the retainer holder further comprises a handle that provides a grip so as to easily grasp the retainer holder in order to easily transport or mount the dental retainer. Claim 3 A dental retainer mounting device according to claim 1, wherein the fitting groove and the seating groove are formed on the lower surface of the retainer holder, and the fitting groove is formed at a lower position than the seating groove. Claim 4 A dental retainer mounting device according to claim 1, wherein the groove is formed such that the thickness and curvature of the groove correspond to the shape of a dental retainer manufactured by reflecting the shape of the oral cavity containing teeth. Claim 5 A dental retainer mounting device according to claim 4, wherein the retainer holder is manufactured using a 3D printer based on a dental retainer made to fit the patient's individual teeth and data reflecting the shape of the oral cavity including the teeth obtained by scanning the patient's individual oral cavity. Claim 6 A method for manufacturing a device for fitting a dental retainer comprises: a step S100 of receiving oral digital data obtained by scanning the inside of a patient's oral cavity and designed retainer data; a step S200 of overlaying a digital retainer holder model at a set position in the received oral digital data and using a 3D graphics algorithm to excavate the oral digital data and retainer data from the digital retainer holder model to complete the shape of a digital retainer holder; a step S300 of transmitting the retainer holder data completed as a digital model to a 3D printer for output; and a step S400 of fitting a pre-fabricated actual dental retainer into the retainer holder printed by the 3D printer. A method for manufacturing a dental retainer mounting device, comprising: a retainer holder data having fitting groove data formed by a groove corresponding to the shape of the retainer data; and the fitting groove data having a locking pin data formed to protrude to prevent the dental retainer from being separated from the fitting groove before a predetermined external force occurs while the dental retainer is fitted. Claim 7 delete

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