Pad-type mouthpiece correction device

Abstract

A pad-type mouthpiece correction device 10 according to the present invention comprises a horseshoe-shaped base part 11 corresponding to the shape of a tooth row, pad pair parts for individually surrounding each tooth constituting the tooth row or collectively surrounding a plurality of teeth constituting the tooth row, and connection parts 13 for fixing the pad pair parts to the base part. The base part 11 is divided into a plurality of parts in desired region units, and each of the divided base parts constitutes a correction block including the base part, a connection part, and a pad pair part. The base part of each of the correction blocks is adjusted to an elastic or non-elastic characteristic specific to the respective block.

Description

Pad-type mouthpiece orthodontic device

[0001] The present invention relates to a pad-type mouthpiece orthodontic device for orthodontic treatment in the field of orthodontics.

[0002] The primary orthodontic treatment method is multi-bracket orthodontic treatment, in which brackets are bonded to the surfaces of the teeth and wires are attached to the brackets, adjusted to apply orthodontic force in the direction required for tooth movement. The elastic force of the wires is then transmitted to the teeth, resulting in tooth movement. However, multi-bracket orthodontic treatment is a complex procedure that requires considerable skill and experience from the practitioner. Furthermore, for patients, the orthodontic appliances must be constantly attached to the surfaces of the teeth throughout the two- to three-year treatment period, which can cause inconveniences in daily life, such as oral hygiene, speaking, eating, and appearance, and many patients are reluctant to wear them. For this reason, sheet-type mouthpiece orthodontic appliances have recently gained attention. These appliances are created by creating a post-treatment model from a patient's dental arch model and then pressing a single resin sheet onto the model to fit the shape of the model.

[0003] However, sheet-type mouthpiece orthodontic devices are created based on the predicted tooth alignment after movement and are attached to the actual tooth alignment before movement, so differences in the three-dimensional shape can cause distortion in the device, making it tight in some areas or causing it to float, resulting in a poor fit and making it difficult to apply sufficient orthodontic force in the appropriate direction to the teeth.

[0004] Furthermore, because sheet-type mouthpiece orthodontic devices are made from a single, thin, homogenous resin sheet, it is not possible to precisely adjust the applied orthodontic force by changing the elasticity or thickness of the wire, as is the case with multi-bracket orthodontic treatment. As a result, depending on the amount and direction of tooth movement, the orthodontic force applied to the teeth may be too strong or too weak, and the device itself may become loose or deformed. In other words, it is difficult to achieve the appropriate orthodontic force and stable fit.

[0005] Patent No. 6029220 Utility Model Registration No. 3200778

[0006] Therefore, the inventor has devised a new removable mouthpiece-type orthodontic device that is connected to a horseshoe-shaped, inelastic base that covers the occlusal side of the dentition via a metal wire or an elastic body such as a resin with sufficient elasticity, and that sandwiches each tooth between a pair of outer and inner or front and back pads that fit the labial (cheek) and lingual surfaces of each tooth, using the elastic force of this clamping to move the teeth to the desired position (WO2021 / 246495A1).

[0007] The feature of this device is that the pad part, which holds the minimum area required to move each tooth in the lip (cheek) and tongue direction, i.e., from the front to back (or from the outside to the inside), is connected to the base part with an elastic material, preventing the generation of unnecessary internal stress due to interference from adjacent orthodontic forces and allowing the desired orthodontic force to be applied more accurately to each tooth.

[0008] The present invention aims to provide a pad-type mouthpiece orthodontic device that is an improvement over previously proposed orthodontic devices, and has a new structure that is easy to manufacture and has excellent orthodontic treatment effects.

[0009] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a pad-type mouthpiece orthodontic device comprising a horseshoe-shaped base portion corresponding to the shape of the dentition, a pad pair portion for surrounding each tooth that constitutes the dentition individually or multiple teeth in a series, and a connecting portion for fixing the pad pair portion to the base portion, wherein the base portion is divided into a plurality of portions in desired area units, and each divided base portion constitutes an orthodontic block including a base portion, a connecting portion, and a pad pair portion, and the base portions of the orthodontic blocks are each adjusted to have elasticity or inelasticity specific to that block.

[0010] In the pad-type mouthpiece orthodontic device of the present invention, the pad pair portion may be adapted to fit the tooth surface of the crown and include a pad pair consisting of an outer tooth surface pad that wraps around the outside (labial or cheek side) of the crown and an inner tooth surface pad that wraps around the inside (lingual side) of the crown.

[0011] In the pad-type mouthpiece orthodontic device of the present invention, the connecting portion includes an outer connecting portion that fixes the outer tooth surface pad to the base portion, and an inner connecting portion that fixes the inner tooth surface pad to the base portion, and the connecting portion has a predetermined elasticity, and based on the base portion, the outer connecting portion elastically biases the outer tooth surface pad in a direction that presses the tooth surface inward, and the inner connecting portion elastically biases the inner tooth surface pad in a direction that presses the tooth surface outward.

[0012] In the pad-type mouthpiece orthodontic device of the present invention, at least one of the outer tooth surface pad and the inner tooth surface pad may be provided with elasticity that elastically biases the tooth surface pad in the direction of the tooth surface.

[0013] In the pad-type mouthpiece orthodontic device of the present invention, the base portion, the pad pairing portion, and the connecting portion may be integrally molded.

[0014] In the pad-type mouthpiece orthodontic device of the present invention, the base portion, the pad pairing portion, and the connecting portion may be integrally molded from a resin material.

[0015] In the pad-type mouthpiece orthodontic device of the present invention, the base portion and the pad mating portion may be made of a resin material, and the connecting portion may be made of a metal material.

[0016] In the pad-type mouthpiece orthodontic device of the present invention, the base portion may have a boundary in a direction intersecting the direction extending along the tooth row to divide the base portion into the desired area units.

[0017] In the pad-type mouthpiece orthodontic device of the present invention, the boundary may include a dividing end surface that physically divides the base portion.

[0018] In the pad-type mouthpiece orthodontic device of the present invention, the divided end surface of the base portion and the divided end surface of the adjacent base portion may be connected by an elastic body.

[0019] In the pad-type mouthpiece orthodontic device of the present invention, the boundary may include a junction between a base portion having a relatively large cross-sectional area and a base portion having a relatively small cross-sectional area.

[0020] In the pad-type mouthpiece orthodontic device of the present invention, a predetermined base portion of the divided base portions may be made of a non-elastic material that does not have elasticity.

[0021] In the pad-type mouthpiece orthodontic device of the present invention, the non-elastic base portion may be made of a resin material, and the non-elasticity may be achieved by increasing the volume thereof.

[0022] In the pad-type mouthpiece orthodontic device of the present invention, the mating surfaces of the left and right base parts located at the back of the tooth row shape among the base parts are each formed with a mating protrusion that ensures appropriate meshing with the mating surface of the opposing tooth row on the opposite side or the mating surface of the base part of the orthodontic device attached to that tooth row, and the mating surface of the base part located at the front of the tooth row shape among the base parts may also be formed with a mating protrusion that ensures appropriate meshing with the mating surface of the opposing tooth row on the opposite side or the mating surface of the base part of the orthodontic device attached to that tooth row.

[0023] Another form of the pad-type mouthpiece orthodontic device of the present invention comprises a horseshoe-shaped base portion corresponding to the shape of the dentition, a pad pair portion for surrounding each tooth that makes up the dentition individually or multiple teeth in a series, and a connecting portion for fixing the pad pair portion to the base portion, wherein the base portion, the connecting portion and the pad pair portion are integrally molded from a resin material that includes a shape-memory resin, and by changing the size, thickness and shape, the portion of the base portion that connects to the connecting portion is inelastic, and the connecting portion and the pad pair portion are adjusted to have specific elasticity.

[0024] In addition, a pad-type mouthpiece orthodontic device according to another embodiment of the present invention comprises a horseshoe-shaped base portion corresponding to the shape of the dentition, a pad pair portion for surrounding each tooth that constitutes the dentition individually or multiple teeth in a series, and a connecting portion for fixing the pad pair portion to the base portion, wherein the base portion is divided into a plurality of portions in desired area units, and each divided base portion constitutes an orthodontic block including a base portion, a connecting portion, and a pad pair portion, and the base portions of the orthodontic blocks are each adjusted to an inelasticity specific to that block.

[0025] In this invention, "elastic" refers to the property of being deformed when a force is applied and returning to its original shape when a force is removed, and "inelastic" refers to the property of very rarely exhibiting elastic properties, and does not mean "plastic." Furthermore, an "elastic body" refers to an object that has a restoring force that tries to return to its original shape when it is deformed by the application of a force, and a "inelastic body" refers to a hard object that absorbs the force without being deformed when a force is applied.

[0026] According to the present invention, a pad-type mouthpiece orthodontic device can be provided that is easy to manufacture and has excellent orthodontic treatment effects.

[0027] In the orthodontic block of the present invention, the pad pairing portion and the connecting portion constitute an elastic layer having elasticity, and the base portion constitutes an inelastic layer having no elasticity. Therefore, the elastic layer allows the optimal orthodontic force to be exerted on each tooth. The reaction from each tooth subjected to the orthodontic force is blocked by the base portion, which is an inelastic layer. In other words, by making each orthodontic block a two-layer structure consisting of an elastic layer and an inelastic layer, it is possible to exert an individual orthodontic force on each tooth and block the reaction from the orthodontic force of each tooth on adjacent teeth.

[0028] Furthermore, the present invention allows the amount and direction of the required corrective force to be applied properly and accurately, thereby increasing the accuracy and efficiency of tooth movement.

[0029] The comparison with conventional orthodontic treatment methods is as follows.

[0030] In conventional multi-bracket orthodontic treatment, a horseshoe-shaped archwire is attached to brackets that are adhesively fixed to the teeth, and the elastic force of the attached archwire causes each tooth to move based on the shape of the archwire, thereby correcting the teeth and dental arch shape. Typically, the teeth are aligned in stages by starting with a thin, highly elastic wire and then gradually changing to a thicker, less elastic wire.

[0031] In comparison with multi-bracket orthodontic treatment, the features of the present invention are as follows: in the orthodontic block of the present invention, the pads that cover the teeth correspond to the brackets, and the base and connecting parts that support the pads correspond to the archwire. In multi-bracket orthodontic treatment, only one archwire attached to the brackets of each tooth, i.e., only one type of elastic force, can exert orthodontic force, whereas in the present invention, two types of elastic force, that of the connecting part and the base, can exert two types of orthodontic force and can respond to movement of the teeth and dental arch.

[0032] Furthermore, in multi-bracket orthodontic treatment, only one archwire can be attached at a time, so only one type of orthodontic force can be applied to all front and back teeth. In contrast, with the present invention, the elasticity of the base and connecting parts can be changed and adjusted in desired area units, making it possible to produce and apply a more precise orthodontic force, i.e., a wider variety of orthodontic forces.

[0033] In multi-bracket orthodontic treatment, only one archwire can be attached, but the orthodontic force applied to the teeth can be adjusted by switching between archwires with different elasticity, but with sheet-type mouthpiece orthodontic devices, all the devices are made from sheets of the same thickness and material, so only one type of elastic force can be exerted as orthodontic force throughout the entire treatment.In this way, the effect of the present invention is that it eliminates the limitations on the orthodontic force that can be exerted and applied with existing sheet-type mouthpiece orthodontic methods and makes it possible to adjust the amount of orthodontic force for each tooth more precisely than before, thereby exerting the orthodontic force that is optimal for each tooth.

[0034] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a pad-type mouthpiece orthodontic device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and is a schematic perspective view of a mandibular orthodontic device 10 attached to the mandibular dentition, as an example, viewed from diagonally above. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the mandibular orthodontic device 10, viewed from the mating surface side. FIG. 3 is a schematic left side view of the mandibular orthodontic device 10, viewed from the left side. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the attachment (fit) of the orthodontic device 10 to the molar teeth MT when the mandibular orthodontic device 10 is attached to the mandibular dentition. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating another example of the attachment (fit) of the orthodontic device 10 to the molar teeth MT when the mandibular orthodontic device 10 is attached to the mandibular dentition. FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing an example of the configuration of a connecting portion 13 that secures a pad 12 to a base portion 11. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing another embodiment of the connecting portion 13 connecting the base portion 11 and the pad 12. FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view showing yet another embodiment of the connecting portion 13 connecting the base portion 11 and the pad 12. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the connecting portion 13. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of the base portion 21 of the mandibular orthodontic device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention, which is different from the configuration of the above embodiment. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the joint member. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing another example of the configuration of the joint member. FIG. 13 is a plan view of a portion of the base portion 21, as viewed from the mating surface side. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a configuration in which adjacent divided base portions of the multiple divided base portions 211 to 216 are connected by a joint member 23 in the configuration of the base portion 21 shown in FIG. 10. FIG. 15 is a schematic plan view of a mandibular orthodontic device 30 according to another embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the mating surface side. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating the tooth extraction space being closed by the joint member 32.

[0035] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0036] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a pad-type mouthpiece orthodontic device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and is a schematic perspective view of a mandibular orthodontic device 10 to be attached to the mandibular dentition, as viewed obliquely from above.

[0037] The mandibular orthodontic device 10 comprises a horseshoe-shaped base 11 corresponding to the shape of the mandibular dentition, a plurality of pads 12 for surrounding the lower dentition, and a plurality of connecting parts 13 connecting the base 11 and the pads 12 and fixing the pads 12 to the base 11.

[0038] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the mandibular orthodontic device 10 as seen from the mating surface side, and to avoid complexity, only the base portion 11 is shown, with the pad 12 and connecting portion 13 omitted.

[0039] FIG. 3 is a schematic left side view of the mandibular orthodontic device 10 as seen from the left side.

[0040] 1 to 3, in the mandibular orthodontic device 10, a horseshoe-shaped base 11 corresponding to the shape of the lower dentition is divided into a plurality of regions, resulting in a plurality of divided bases 111 to 116. Each divided base 111 to 116 is provided with a pad 12 via a connecting portion 13. As a result, each divided base 111 to 116, the pad 12, and the connecting portion 13 constitute an orthodontic block for each region defined by the divided base.

[0041] Each of the divided base portions 111-116 is adjusted to a predetermined width (horizontal dimension perpendicular to the longitudinal direction extending along the tooth arch shape) and thickness. Specifically, referring to an example shown in FIG. 2, divided base portion 111 has a width W1 and a thickness T1. Divided base portion 112 has a width W1 and a thickness T2 (<T1). Divided base portion 113 has a width W2 (<W1) and a thickness T3 (<T2). Divided base portion 114 has a width W3 (W2<W3<W1) and a thickness T4 (>T2). Divided base portion 115 has a width W2 and a thickness T3. Divided base portion 116 has a width W1 and a thickness T1.

[0042] Therefore, a step S1 is formed in the thickness direction at the boundary between the divided base portions 111 and 112. In the figure, the step S1 is formed on the mating surface side of the base portion 11 (the upper surface side in the figure), but the step S1 may also be formed on the side of the base portion 11 opposite the mating surface side, facing the row of teeth. The same applies to the steps S2 to S5 described below. In other words, the mating surface side of the base portion 11 may be a flat surface without a step at the boundary. In another embodiment, steps may be formed on both the mating surface side and the tooth-row-facing surface side of the base portion 11.

[0043] A step S2 is formed in the thickness direction and width direction at the boundary between divided base portion 112 and divided base portion 113. A step S3 is formed in the thickness direction and width direction at the boundary between divided base portion 113 and divided base portion 114. A step S4 is formed in the thickness direction and width direction at the boundary between divided base portion 114 and divided base portion 115. A step S5 is formed in the thickness direction and width direction at the boundary between divided base portion 115 and divided base portion 116.

[0044] In this embodiment, the base portion 11 is integrally molded from a relatively hard resin material with a predetermined elastic modulus. Each of the divided base portions 111-116 constituting the base portion 11 is adjusted to a predetermined width and thickness, and steps S1-S5 are provided at the boundaries between adjacent divided base portions. Therefore, among the divided base portions 111-116, some have relatively large cross-sectional areas in the direction perpendicular to the dentition direction, while others have relatively small cross-sectional areas, and these are connected together. Therefore, the divided base portions 111-116 differ in hardness across the steps S1-S5 in the dentition direction. More specifically, the divided base portions 111 and 116 have the greatest hardness within the base portion 11, and the divided base portion 114 also constitutes a region of the base portion 11 that has the greatest hardness. On the other hand, the divided base portions 113 and 115 are regions of low hardness within the base portion 11, and the divided base portion 112 is also a region of relatively low hardness within the base portion 11. In this way, each of the divided base portions 111 to 116 is adjusted to a specific hardness (in other words, a specific inelasticity). Therefore, in an orthodontic block divided into region units each having the divided base portions 111 to 116, the pads 12, and the connecting portion 13, by adjusting the divided base portions 111 to 116 to a hardness specific to that block, changes suitable for orthodontic correction of the teeth can occur in each orthodontic block unit via the steps S1 to S5.

[0045] Furthermore, by including the steps S1 to S5 in the base 11, there is an advantage that the entire dental row can be straightened and orthodontally moved as a whole at the same time as moving each individual tooth. In particular, in the early stages of orthodontic treatment, both the teeth and the dental row are in an irregular state, and changing the base 11 via the steps S1 to S5 is expected to have the effect of correcting the teeth and the dental row simultaneously.

[0046] 1 to 3, the mandibular orthodontic device 10 has mating protrusions 14, 15, and 16 formed on the mating surface side (upper surface side in the drawings) of the base 11. The mating protrusions 14, 15, and 16 are shaped and have a height that allows for proper engagement with the mating surface on the opposing side (the maxillary dentition in this embodiment) or the mating surface of the base of a maxillary orthodontic device attached to the maxillary dentition.

[0047] The mating protrusions 14, 15, and 16 may be molded together when the base portion 11 is molded, or after the base portion 11 is molded, the occlusion condition of the upper and lower teeth of a patient wearing the mandibular orthodontic device 10 is confirmed, and the optimal mating protrusions 14, 15, and 16 may be additionally formed to match the occlusion condition.

[0048] Here, the background of the mating projections 14, 15, and 16 will be explained.

[0049] While the upper jaw is directly connected to the skull and does not move, the lower jaw is connected to the skull via the temporomandibular joint, which can be affected by the bite and cause it to shift to bite in a place that is comfortable for it. However, biting in a place that is comfortable for it does not necessarily mean that the lower jaw is performing chewing movements in an anatomically and physiologically correct position. Continuing to bite with the lower jaw in an incorrect position can lead to temporomandibular joint disorder. Therefore, the goal of bite alignment in orthodontic treatment is to achieve a bite that allows the teeth to align properly with the lower jaw in the correct position.

[0050] The mating protrusions 14, 15, and 16 help the lower jaw, which opens and closes around the temporomandibular joint, to close in the correct position. In other words, the mating protrusions 14, 15, and 16 prevent the lower jaw from closing with a forward or lateral deviation, and maintain the correct position of the lower jaw.

[0051] The mating protrusion 14 is provided on the mating surface of the divided base portion 111 of the base portion 11, corresponding to, for example, the left molar. The divided base portion 111 has a relatively large cross-sectional area in the longitudinal direction (tooth row direction), and is substantially inelastic and hard. Therefore, the mating protrusion 14 provided on the mating surface of the divided base portion 111 guides the left back portion of the mandible to occlude in the anatomically and physiologically correct position so that it does not deviate to the left or right when the mouth is closed with the mandibular orthodontic device 10 worn.

[0052] The mating protrusion 16 is provided on the mating surface of the split base portion 116 of the base portion 11, corresponding to, for example, the right molar. The split base portion 116 also has a relatively large cross-sectional area in the longitudinal direction (tooth row direction), and is substantially inelastic and hard. Therefore, the mating protrusion 16 provided on the mating surface of the split base portion 116 guides the right back portion of the mandible to occlude in the anatomically and physiologically correct position so that it does not deviate to the left or right when the mouth is closed with the mandibular orthodontic device 10 attached.

[0053] The mating protrusions 15 are provided on the mating surfaces of the divided base portions 114 of the base portion 11, for example, on the mating surfaces corresponding to the central incisors or the mating surfaces corresponding to the median plane. The divided base portions 114 have a relatively large cross-sectional area in the longitudinal direction (tooth row direction), and are substantially inelastic and highly rigid. Therefore, the mating protrusions 15 provided on the mating surfaces of the divided base portions 114 guide the anterior portion of the lower jaw to occlude in the anatomically and physiologically correct position so that it does not deviate forward / backward or left / right when the mouth is closed with the mandibular orthodontic device 10 attached.

[0054] Furthermore, by contacting and interlocking the upper and lower appliances at the correct intermaxillary position, bite forces can be applied to the upper and lower appliances in the correct intermaxillary position direction. This maintains the upper and lower appliances in a physiological bite direction, enabling tooth movement that correlates the bite of the upper and lower teeth with bite force and bite direction. Conversely, an unphysiologically incorrect bite direction, i.e., bite and bite force at a deviated mandibular position, can make the appliance unstable, and the direction of tooth movement by the upper and lower appliances may be distorted by the incorrect bite direction and bite force. Therefore, proper adjustment or setting of the mandibular position at the opposing projection can also be expected to enhance the proper effect of the upper and lower appliances.

[0055] In this embodiment, the mating protrusions 14, 16 are provided at the left and right rear portions of the mating surface of the base 11, and the mating protrusion 15 is provided at the front portion, but the arrangement position and number of the mating protrusions may be any as long as the mandible can be positioned appropriately for occlusion, and the number of mating protrusions may be four or more. Note that, in order to achieve appropriate occlusion, it is preferable that the base 11 at the position where the mating protrusions are to be positioned is a portion with high hardness that exhibits inelasticity.

[0056] 4A to 4D are cross-sectional views illustrating the attachment (fit) of the orthodontic device 10 to the molar teeth MT when the orthodontic device 10 is attached to the mandibular dentition. In (A) to (D) of Fig. 4, the gray colored portion represents the base portion 11, the grid-hatched portion represents the pads 12, and the thin dotted portion represents the connecting portion 13.

[0057] 4(A), the lower surface of the base 11 may be formed to abut against the entire mating surface of the molar MT. The inner pad 12 and the outer pad 12 may enclose the inner and outer surfaces of the molar MT via connecting portions 13 extending from both the inner and outer ends of the base 11.

[0058] 4(B), the lower surface of the base 11 may be formed so as to abut only one cusp of the molar MT and be floating from the other cusp. In this case, too, the inner pad 12 and the outer pad 12 may enclose the inner and outer surfaces of the molar MT via connecting portions 13 extending from both the inner and outer ends of the base 11.

[0059] 4(C), a protrusion 11C may be formed in the center of the lower surface of the base 11, and this protrusion 11C may be formed to abut against the center of the molar MT. In this case, too, the inner pad 12 and the outer pad 12 may surround the inner and outer surfaces of the molar MT via connecting portions 13 extending from both inner and outer ends of the base 11.

[0060] 4(D), the base 11 may be formed so that its entire lower surface is raised above the mating surface of the molar MT. In this case, the inner pad 12 and the outer pad 12 may enclose the inner and outer surfaces of the molar MT via connecting portions 13 extending from both inner and outer ends of the base 11.

[0061] In addition, in FIGS. 4(A) to 4(D), G indicates the gums.

[0062] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating another example of the attachment state (fit state) of the orthodontic device 10 to the molar teeth MT when the orthodontic device 10 is attached to the mandibular dentition.

[0063] As shown in Figure 5, a protrusion 11C may be formed in the center of the underside of the base 11, and this protrusion 11C may be configured to abut against the center of the occlusal surface of the molar MT, so that the base 11 is raised above the occlusal surface of the molar MT. The connecting portions 13 extending from both the inner and outer ends of the base 11 may be formed thin and curved outward to impart an inward elastic force to the connecting portions 13. With this configuration, the pad 12 can be configured to press against the surface of the molar MT by the elastic force of the connecting portions 13.

[0064] In addition, in each of the configurations shown in Figures 4 and 5, the connecting portion 13 may be formed from a shape memory resin, and when the mandibular orthodontic device 10 is attached to the mandibular dentition and heated by body temperature in the oral cavity, the connecting portion 13 may be configured to restore its shape in the direction in which the pad 12 presses against the surface of the molar MT.

[0065] In addition, in each of the configurations shown in Figures 4 and 5, the base 11 may be formed from a shape memory resin, and the mandibular orthodontic device 10 may be deformed to make it easier to attach to the mandibular dentition.After the device is attached, the base 11 may be warmed by body temperature in the oral cavity and restored to its original shape so that it is pressed against the surface of the molar region MT.

[0066] Furthermore, in each of the configurations shown in Figures 4 and 5, the pad 12 may be formed from a shape memory resin, and when the mandibular orthodontic device 10 is attached to the mandibular dentition and heated by body temperature in the oral cavity, the pad 12 may restore its shape so that it abuts (presses against) the surface of the molar MT.

[0067] Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the connecting part 13 that fixes the pad 12 to the base part 11. In Fig. 6, only the connecting part with the connecting part 13 is shown, not the entire shape of the base part 11.

[0068] As shown in Figure 6(A), the connecting portion 13 connecting the base portion 11 and the pad 12 may be a pair of thin rod-shaped bodies that are gently convexly curved outward. By making the connecting portion 13 a pair of rod-shaped bodies that are convexly curved outward, the connecting portion 13 can be given inward elasticity. Therefore, the elasticity of the connecting portion 13 allows the pad 12 to be elastically pressed against the surface of the tooth.

[0069] 6(B), the connecting portion 13 may be, for example, a thin plate-like shape curved in an S-shape when viewed from the side. Such an S-shaped thin plate-like shape can provide the connecting portion 13 with inward elasticity. Therefore, the elasticity of the connecting portion 13 can elastically press the pad 12 against the tooth surface.

[0070] As shown in Fig. 6(C), the connecting portion 13 may be in an X-shape, or as shown in Fig. 6(D), the connecting portion 13 may be in a ladder-like shape.

[0071] The point is that the connecting portion 13 may have an elasticity that elastically biases the pad 12 toward the surface of the teeth.

[0072] In this embodiment, it is desirable from a manufacturing standpoint that the base 11, pads 12, and connecting part 13 that make up the mandibular orthodontic device are integrally made of a resin material. Therefore, the connecting part 13 is made of a resin material that is relatively small in thickness and width and has elasticity in a desired direction.

[0073] When the base portion 11, the pad 12, and the connecting portion 13 are integrally formed from a resin material including a shape-memory resin, they can be formed relatively easily by using, for example, a 3D printer.

[0074] Furthermore, as mentioned above, when forming the connecting portion 13 and the pad 12 from a shape memory resin, if a 3D printer equipped with multiple heads is used, the connecting portion 13 and the pad 12 can be formed from a shape memory resin, and the base portion 11 can be formed from a resin that does not have shape memory properties.

[0075] 7 is a schematic diagram showing another embodiment of the connecting part 13 that connects the base part 11 and the pad 12. The connecting part 13 has a shape including a rod-shaped, long main body 131 and support bars 132 that extend to both the left and right sides from the main body 131. The entire connecting part 13 may have a thickness and width that provides elasticity in a desired direction.

[0076] If the connecting portion 13 is configured in this manner, the connecting portion 13 can elastically support the pad 12, and the pad 12 can be elastically pressed against the tooth surface.

[0077] The configuration shown in FIG. 7 can also be integrally molded from a resin material using a 3D printer.

[0078] 8 is a side cross-sectional view diagrammatically showing yet another embodiment of the connecting portion 13 connecting the base portion 11 and the pad 12. The base portion 11 and the pad 12 may be formed of a resin material and connected by, for example, a metal sheet connecting portion 13. For example, by forming the metal sheet connecting portion 13 in the shape shown in FIG. 9(A) or 9(B), the connecting portion 13 can generate an elastic force in the direction in which the pad 12 presses against the tooth surface, with the base portion 11 as the reference.

[0079] In the above description, the pad 12 is described as being pressed against or abutting on each tooth that constitutes the dentition individually. However, for example, in any orthodontic block, the pad may be a pad that is pressed against or abutting on a series of adjacent teeth.

[0080] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing a base 21 of a mandibular orthodontic device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention, which has a different configuration from that of the above-described embodiment. Fig. 10 is shown in comparison with the configuration of the base 11 shown in Fig. 2, and in a plan view of the mandibular orthodontic device 10 seen from the mating surface side, only the base 21 is shown to avoid complexity, with the pads 12 and connecting parts 13 omitted.

[0081] Referring to Fig. 10, the horseshoe-shaped base 21 corresponding to the shape of the lower dentition is divided into a plurality of divided bases 211 to 216. Although not shown in Fig. 10, each divided base 211 to 216 is provided with a pad via a connecting portion. As a result, each divided base 211 to 216, the pad, and the connecting portion constitute an orthodontic block in area units.

[0082] Each of the divided base portions 211-216 is adjusted to a predetermined width (horizontal dimension perpendicular to the longitudinal direction extending along the tooth row shape) and thickness. As an example, the width and thickness of each of the divided base portions 211-216 may be set equal to the width and thickness of the divided base portions 111-116 described with reference to FIG. 2. In other words, each of the divided base portions 211-216 may have its own unique width and thickness. Alternatively, each of the divided base portions 211-216 may have the same width and thickness.

[0083] Furthermore, as another configuration, each of the divided base portions 211 to 216 may be molded using a different resin material with a different modulus of elasticity.

[0084] 10 is characterized in that adjacent divided base portions are separated by narrow gaps provided between the divided base portions 211 to 216. The adjacent divided base portions are connected by joint members 22.

[0085] As an example, the joint member 22 may be a short columnar body having a circular (or elliptical) cross section as shown in (A), (B), and (C) of Figure 11, or may be a short columnar body having a rectangular cross section as shown in (D), (E), and (F) of Figure 11.

[0086] In this embodiment, the base 21 is integrally molded from a relatively hard resin material having a predetermined elastic modulus. More specifically, each of the divided base portions 211-216 and a plurality of (five in this embodiment) joint members 22 connecting the divided base portions 211-216 are integrally molded from the resin material. Furthermore, similar to the embodiment described with reference to Figures 1-3, pads are fixed to the base 21 via connecting portions. The base 21, pads, and connecting portions may be integrally molded from the resin material using, for example, a 3D printer.

[0087] By adjusting the cross-sectional area or volume of the joint member 22, the flexibility between the divided base portions can be changed, and the elasticity of each divided base portion 211 to 216 in a direction crossing the direction of the tooth row can be adjusted.

[0088] Furthermore, the joint member 22 may be made of a material, such as silicon resin or rubber, different from the resin material that forms the divided base portions 211 to 216. In this way, the elasticity of each of the divided base portions 211 to 216 can be adjusted.

[0089] 12A and 12B are perspective views showing another example of the joint member. As shown in FIG. 12A, the joint member 22a may be annular or short cylindrical. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 12B, the joint member 22b may be flattened annular or short cylindrical. The joint members 22a and 22b are elastic and have an elastic force to return to their initial shapes. By forming the joint members 22a and 22b as hollow annular bodies having the restoring elasticity to return to their initial shapes, it becomes possible to elastically bias the gap between the divided base portions to a relatively wide gap or to narrow the gap.

[0090] Figure 13 is a plan view of a portion of the base portion 21 as viewed from the mating surface side. The base portion 21 is divided and separated into multiple divided base portions 21a, 21b, and 21c. In Figure 13(A), the divided base portion 21a and the divided base portion 21b are connected by joint members 22a, and the divided base portion 21b and the divided base portion 21c are connected by joint members 22a. In Figure 13(B), the divided base portion 21a and the divided base portion 21b are connected by joint members 22a, and the divided base portion 21b and the divided base portion 21c are connected by joint members 22a. Because the joint member 22a has an annular shape in a plan view, when the joint member 22a is contracted to the state shown in Figure 13(B) and attached to the dentition, the base portion 21 attempts to return to the state shown in Figure 13(A). Conversely, when the base portion 21, in which the divided base portions 21a, 21b, and 21c are connected by the joint member 22b, is attached to the teeth in the state shown in Figure 13(A), the base portion 21 will tend to return to the state shown in Figure 13(B).

[0091] In this way, by using joint member 22a or joint member 22b, which has an elastic force that deforms in the tooth row direction, as the joint member connecting between divided base portions 21a, 21b, and 21c, in addition to providing elasticity in a direction intersecting the tooth row direction, it is also possible to provide divided base portions 21a, 21b, and 21c with elastic force in the tooth row direction.

[0092] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a configuration in which adjacent divided base portions of the plurality of divided base portions 211 to 216 are connected by joint members 23 in the configuration of the base portion 21 shown in FIG.

[0093] As an example, a metal coil spring is used as the joint member 23 in FIG. 14 . The joint member 23 may be provided with a spring force that elastically biases the base portions in a direction that widens the gaps between the base portions. Alternatively, the joint member 23 may be provided with a spring force that elastically biases the base portions in a direction that narrows the gaps between the base portions. Alternatively, the joint member 23 may be provided with a spring force that maintains the gaps between the base portions and increases the elastic force between adjacent base portions. The joint members 23 that connect the base portions 211-216 may be provided with coil springs having the same function (spring force), or may be provided with coil springs having different functions (spring forces) that take into account the elastic force to be applied to each of the base portions 211-216.

[0094] By dividing the base 21 into a plurality of divided bases 211 to 216 and connecting the divided bases with the joint members 23, it is possible to apply a force that moves the mandibular orthodontic device 10 in the direction of the teeth in orthodontic block units. Therefore, the orthodontic device contributes to correcting the teeth in orthodontic block units.

[0095] FIG. 15 is a schematic plan view of a mandibular orthodontic appliance 30 according to another embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the mating surface side.

[0096] Referring to Figure 15, the mandibular orthodontic device 30 comprises a horseshoe-shaped base 31 corresponding to the shape of the dentition, a plurality of pads 12 for surrounding the lower dentition, and a plurality of connecting parts 13 that connect the base 31 and the pads 12 and fix the pads 12 to the base 31.

[0097] The base portion 31 is divided into, for example, three split base portions 311, 312, and 313 in the dentition direction. The split base portion 311 and the split base portion 312 are connected by a joint member 32 curved in a U-shape in a direction intersecting the dentition direction. The split base portion 312 and the split base portion 313 are also connected by a joint member 32 curved in a U-shape in a direction intersecting the dentition direction. From a manufacturing perspective, it is preferable to integrally mold the split base portions 311, 312, and 313 and the joint member 32 using, for example, a resin material. The space between the split base portion 311 and the split base portion 312, and the space between the split base portion 312 and the split base portion 313, are each located in correspondence with the space (tooth extraction space) created by tooth extraction. The joint member 32 is provided to close the tooth extraction space.

[0098] FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating the tooth extraction space being closed by the joint member 32.

[0099] As shown in Figure 16(A), the joint member 32 has an elastic force (indicated by arrow A1) that narrows the U-shaped gap. Therefore, the split base portions 311 and 312 connected by the joint member 32 are constantly elastically biased in a direction that brings their ends closer together. As a result, as shown in Figure 16(B), the front split base portion 312 that supports the anterior teeth normally moves toward the rear split base portions 311, 313 that support the molars, as indicated by arrow A2. This causes the multiple pads 12 fixed to the split base portions 311 and 312 to move each tooth in the dentition direction, correcting the alignment of the teeth in the dentition direction and narrowing the extraction space.

[0100] Referring again to FIG. 15, in the mandibular orthodontic device 30, the split base portion 311 and the split base portion 313 are connected by a reinforcing connecting member 33 extending in the left-right direction.

[0101] The split base part 311 supports the lower left molar part, and the split base part 312 supports the lower right molar part. Therefore, by connecting the left split base part 311 and the right split base part with the strengthening connecting member 33, the rear left orthodontic block and the rear right orthodontic block are integrated, and a strong fixing force can be applied to prevent movement in the direction of the tooth row.

[0102] Therefore, the elastic force generated by the joint member 32 can more reliably move the divided base portion 312 included in the orthodontic block for the anterior teeth portion rearward.

[0103] Furthermore, the reinforcing connecting member 33 may be a member that has an elastic biasing force in its lengthwise direction, or conversely, a member that has an elastic biasing force that contracts in its lengthwise direction. In the former case, if it is desired to widen the pre-movement dental arch width (between the divided base portions 311 and 312), the orthodontic force that widens the actual dental arch width can be strengthened. In the latter case, if it is desired to narrow the pre-movement dental arch width (between the divided base portions 311 and 312), the orthodontic force that narrows the actual dental arch width can be strengthened.

[0104] 15, the joint member 32 connecting the divided base portion 311 and the divided base portion 312 and the joint member 32 connecting the divided base portion 312 and the divided base portion 313 are configured to be molded from a resin material integrally molded with the base portion 31. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and the joint member 32 can also be made from a metal coil spring or the like having a spring force in the contracting direction.

[0105] In the above description of the embodiment, a mandibular orthodontic device has been taken as an example, but the present invention can also be applied to a maxillary orthodontic device in the same manner.

[0106] The present invention is not limited to the contents of the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims.

[0107] The features and modified embodiments of the present invention can be summarized as follows.

[0108] The unique components of this invention, including the base, connecting portion, pads, joint portion, strengthening connecting portion, and mating protrusion, are all preferably molded integrally using CADCAM from resin materials, including shape-memory resin, in terms of manufacturing, cost, and precision. However, even with shape-memory resin, the elasticity decreases once a certain temperature is reached. However, resin can be made more elastic by adjusting its thickness and shape. Shape-memory resin's shape-restoring force can be used as an orthodontic force. Therefore, the ability to express and adjust elasticity by adjusting the shape and thickness of the resin is also a feature of this invention.

[0109] However, because adjusting the shape of the base and connecting portions is subject to spatial constraints such as tooth size, there is a limit to the range in which the elastic force of the resin can be exerted. Therefore, in the present invention, springs or coils made of metal materials, including shape memory alloys other than resin, or materials other than resin, such as silicone or rubber, may be incorporated as elastic bodies in the base and connecting portions. This ensures the effectiveness of the orthodontic device. When incorporating elastic bodies other than resin, standardizing their dimensions allows for compatibility during CADCAM production and subsequent assembly work, minimizing problems such as production costs and manufacturing errors (accuracy).

[0110] In the present invention, the pads are the minimum size necessary to grasp the teeth, allowing the teeth to be separated individually, and the reaction of the orthodontic force applied to each tooth from the pad is supported at the base, minimizing the spread of undesirable reaction forces to other teeth. In a multi-bracket orthodontic device, all teeth are connected by a single archwire, so the reaction of the orthodontic force applied to each tooth is directly applied to adjacent teeth. Furthermore, in a sheet-type mouthpiece orthodontic device that covers all teeth, the reaction of the orthodontic force spreads not only to the adjacent teeth but also to the entire device, causing deformation of the device and affecting the entire dentition. In particular, the reaction forces tend to concentrate in the anterior teeth, which are the center of the horseshoe shape, and in the molar teeth, which are at both ends.

[0111] In order to absorb the reaction force from the pads, it is desirable for the elasticity of the base to be low or as inelastic as possible. Furthermore, the clamping force of the pad pair, i.e., the gripping and orthodontic force exerted by the pad pair, depends on the elasticity of the connecting part. Therefore, this elasticity can be finely adjusted by changing the thickness and shape of the connecting part. This fine adjustment allows for the optimal orthodontic force to be exerted, i.e., the orthodontic force with the least pain and the highest movement efficiency. In order for the pad pair to exert this optimal gripping and orthodontic force, it is necessary to maintain the three-dimensional positional relationship between the connecting part and the pad pair as designed. For this reason, it is desirable for the elasticity of the base to be low or as inelastic as possible. However, a high elasticity of the base is desirable for improving the device's fit on the dentition and for improving the orthodontic efficiency of the teeth and dental arch shape. Therefore, in the present invention, in order to properly exert the orthodontic force on each tooth in the pad pair, the base of the area that supports the pad is made inelastic, and the base of the other areas is made elastic, thereby optimizing the attachment accuracy of the device, the expression of orthodontic force on the entire dentition, and the proper gripping force and expression of orthodontic force on each tooth in the pad pair.

[0112] However, in cases where the teeth are small or there is significant crowding, it may be difficult to ensure a base region with increased elasticity. In such cases, it may be possible to address the issue by providing an appropriate amount of elasticity to the entire base region. However, even in this case, by dividing the desired region and providing a gradation of elasticity by varying the thickness and width (volume) of the resin, it is possible to optimally adjust the balance between the accuracy of device attachment, the expression of orthodontic force for the entire dentition, and the appropriate expression of orthodontic force for each tooth in the pad section.

[0113] By utilizing CADCAM, the diverse and delicate device specifications of the present invention can be molded integrally from resin materials, including shape-memory resins. In addition, by changing the size, thickness, and shape of the resin material, it is possible to adjust the specific elasticity or inelasticity. This allows for the realization of a removable pad-type mouthpiece orthodontic device that is expected to be more efficient and effective than any other existing orthodontic treatment method, such as the multi-bracket orthodontic treatment method, which has been the most effective to date, or the sheet-type mouthpiece orthodontic treatment method, which is less effective but still highly sought after by patients. Furthermore, it can be manufactured at low manufacturing cost and with high precision.

[0114] This application corresponds to Patent Application No. 2023-202928 filed with the Japan Patent Office on November 30, 2023, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0115] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Mandibular orthodontic device 11, 21, 31 Base 11C Projection 12 Pad 13 Connecting portion 14, 15, 16 Mating projection 22, 22a, 22b, 23, 32 Joint member 21a, 21b, 21c Split base 30 Mandibular orthodontic device 33 Strengthening connecting member 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 311, 312, 313 Split base 131 Main body 132 Support bar

Claims

1. A pad-type mouthpiece orthodontic device comprising: a horseshoe-shaped base portion corresponding to the shape of the dentition; a pad pair portion for surrounding each tooth that constitutes the dentition individually or multiple teeth as a series; and a connecting portion for fixing the pad pair portion to the base portion, wherein the base portion is divided into a plurality of portions in desired area units, and each divided base portion constitutes an orthodontic block including a base portion, a connecting portion and a pad pair portion, and wherein the base portions of the orthodontic blocks are each adjusted to an elasticity or inelasticity specific to that block.

2. A pad-type mouthpiece orthodontic device as described in claim 1, wherein the pad pair portion is adapted to fit the tooth crown surface and includes a pad pair of an outer tooth surface pad that wraps around the outer side (labial or cheek side) of the tooth crown and an inner tooth surface pad that wraps around the inner side (lingual side) of the crown.

3. A pad-type mouthpiece orthodontic device as described in claim 2, wherein the connecting portions include an outer connecting portion that fixes the outer tooth surface pad to the base portion and an inner connecting portion that fixes the inner tooth surface pad to the base portion, the connecting portions having a predetermined elasticity, and the outer connecting portion elastically urges the outer tooth surface pad in a direction that presses the tooth surface inward relative to the base portion, and the inner connecting portion elastically urges the inner tooth surface pad in a direction that presses the tooth surface outward.

4. A pad-type mouthpiece orthodontic device as described in claim 2 or 3, wherein at least one of the outer tooth surface pad and the inner tooth surface pad is provided with elasticity that elastically biases the tooth surface pad in the direction of the tooth surface.

5. The pad-type mouthpiece orthodontic device according to claim 1, wherein the base portion, the pad pairing portion and the connecting portion are integrally molded.

6. The pad-type mouthpiece orthodontic device according to claim 5, wherein the base portion, the pad pairing portion and the connecting portion are integrally molded from a resin material.

7. The pad-type mouthpiece orthodontic device according to claim 5, wherein the base portion and the pad mating portion are made of a resin material, and the connecting portion is made of a metal material.

8. A pad-type mouthpiece orthodontic device as described in claim 1, wherein the base portion has a boundary for dividing the base portion into the desired area units in a direction intersecting a direction extending along the dentition.

9. The pad-type mouthpiece corrective device according to claim 8, wherein the boundary includes a divided end surface that physically divides the base portion.

10. A pad-type mouthpiece orthodontic device according to claim 9, wherein the divided end faces of the base portion and the divided end faces of the adjacent base portions are connected by an elastic body.

11. The pad-type mouthpiece orthodontic device according to claim 8, wherein the boundary includes a junction between a base portion having a relatively large cross-sectional area and a base portion having a relatively small cross-sectional area.

12. A pad-type mouthpiece orthodontic device as described in claim 1, wherein a predetermined base portion of the divided base portions is made of a non-elastic material having no elasticity.

13. A pad-type mouthpiece orthodontic device according to claim 12, wherein the non-elastic base portion is made of a resin material, and the non-elasticity is achieved by increasing the volume of the base portion.

14. A pad-type mouthpiece orthodontic device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the mating surfaces of the left and right base parts located at the rear of the tooth row shape are each formed with a mating protrusion that ensures proper meshing with the mating surface of the opposing tooth row on the opposite side or the mating surface of the base part of an orthodontic device attached to that tooth row, and the mating surface of the base part located at the front of the tooth row shape is each formed with a mating protrusion that ensures proper meshing with the mating surface of the opposing tooth row on the opposite side or the mating surface of the base part of an orthodontic device attached to that tooth row.

15. A pad-type mouthpiece orthodontic device comprising: a horseshoe-shaped base portion corresponding to the shape of the dentition; a pad pair portion for surrounding each tooth that constitutes the dentition individually or multiple teeth as a series; and a connecting portion for fixing the pad pair portion to the base portion, wherein the base portion, the connecting portion and the pad pair portion are integrally molded from a resin material including a shape-memory resin, and the size, thickness and shape of the connecting portion are changed so that the portion of the base portion connected to the connecting portion is inelastic, and the connecting portion and the pad pair portion have a specific elasticity.

16. A pad-type mouthpiece orthodontic device comprising: a horseshoe-shaped base portion corresponding to the shape of the dentition; a pad pair portion for surrounding each tooth that constitutes the dentition individually or multiple teeth as a series; and a connecting portion for fixing the pad pair portion to the base portion, wherein the base portion is divided into a plurality of portions in desired area units, and each divided base portion constitutes an orthodontic block including a base portion, a connecting portion and a pad pair portion, and wherein the base portions of the orthodontic blocks are each adjusted to a non-elasticity specific to that block.

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