Wearable alignment device for correcting malocclusion

Abstract

Disclosed is a wearable alignment device for correcting malocclusion. The wearable alignment device for correcting malocclusion, according to an embodiment of the present invention, may comprise: an upper teeth correction part which is worn on the upper teeth of a user; a first coupling part coupled to the lower surface of the upper teeth correction part and including a first plate member and a first coupling member; a lower teeth correction part which is worn on the lower teeth of the user; and a second coupling part coupled to the upper surface of the lower teeth correction part and including a second plate member and a second coupling member.

Description

Wearable aligner for correcting malocclusion

[0001] This invention relates to wearable aligner devices for correcting malocclusion. For example, this invention relates to a functional direct printing aligner that induces customized muscle function control and tooth movement for the correction of Class II malocclusion.

[0002] In social life, where interpersonal relationships are paramount, teeth are one of the key factors in making a positive impression on others. A healthy dentition facilitates effective masticatory function, facilitates proper digestion, and plays a crucial role in maintaining good health. However, dentition problems can include crowding, spacing, supernumerary teeth, missing teeth, shape or positional abnormalities, or malocclusion, where the maxilla protrudes forward relative to the mandible.

[0003] In cases of malocclusion as described above, correction of teeth is necessary, and growth-controlled correction of this type of malocclusion is only possible for patients in the growth period, and can also be used as a fixed source in adults if cooperation is good, so active research has been conducted on devices for correcting malocclusion.

[0004] Meanwhile, the devices applied for conventional malocclusion correction were performed in a classical manner, mainly by wearing the malocclusion device for about 6 months to 3 years to activate the wearer's muscle function, and then performing orthodontic treatment afterwards. The active treatment phase of at least 1 year and the maintenance process through consistent wearing during the remaining growth period, while wearing the device for 12 to 18 hours a day, were very important.

[0005] However, in the case of these existing treatment methods, first, there was a problem that the treatment period was prolonged due to the two-stage process because individual tooth movement was impossible while wearing the functional device, second, when obtaining the constructive occlusion, a large amount of forward movement of the lower jaw (specifically, at least 3-4 mm or more) was performed at once, making it difficult for the patient to adapt, and in addition, in the case of patients in the growth period, there was a problem that the resin had to be ground down and adjusted each time because there were many teeth erupting.

[0006] The technology underlying this application is disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2008333.

[0007] The present invention aims to solve the problems of the prior art described above, and to provide a wearable alignment device for correcting malocclusion that can be easily adapted to by the wearer by simultaneously correcting skeletal function and malocclusion of teeth and gradually inducing forward movement of the mandible.

[0008] However, the technical tasks that the embodiments of the present invention seek to accomplish are not limited to the technical tasks described above, and other technical tasks may exist.

[0009] As a technical means for achieving the above-described technical task, a wearable alignment device for correcting malocclusion according to one embodiment of the present invention may include an upper teeth correction part worn on a user's upper teeth, a first coupling part coupled to a lower surface of the upper teeth correction part and having a first plate member and a first coupling member, a lower teeth correction part worn on the user's lower teeth, and a second coupling part coupled to an upper surface of the lower teeth correction part and having a second plate member and a second coupling member.

[0010] Additionally, when the first connecting member is formed to protrude outwardly with respect to the first plate, the second connecting member may be formed to be recessed inwardly with respect to the second plate.

[0011] Additionally, when the first connecting member is formed to be recessed inwardly relative to the first plate, the second connecting member may be formed to be protruded outwardly relative to the second plate.

[0012] In addition, the first connecting member and the second connecting member can be manufactured to be mutually connected at a pre-planned orthodontic position in consideration of the forward movement of the user's mandible and the orthodontic correction of the user's teeth to be corrected.

[0013] Additionally, the upper teeth correction part and the lower teeth correction part can be made of a transparent material.

[0014] Additionally, the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion may be made of a transparent material.

[0015] In addition, the first strength corresponding to the upper teeth correction part and the lower teeth correction part and the second strength corresponding to the first connecting part and the second connecting part can be manufactured to be different from each other.

[0016] Additionally, the second strength may be higher than the first strength.

[0017] Additionally, the upper teeth correction part and the lower teeth correction part can be manufactured through a 3D printing method using the user's teeth scan data.

[0018] Additionally, the first connecting portion may be attached to the upper teeth orthodontic portion.

[0019] Additionally, the second connecting portion may be attached to the lower teeth orthodontic portion.

[0020] In addition, the upper teeth orthodontic part and the first connecting part can be manufactured as an integral part through a 3D printing method using the user's teeth scan data.

[0021] In addition, the lower teeth orthodontic part and the second connecting part can be manufactured as an integral part through a three-dimensional printing method using the tooth scan data.

[0022] In addition, the upper teeth correction unit and the lower teeth correction unit can be manufactured so that the user's teeth to be corrected move when the alignment device is worn by applying block-out processing to the tooth scan data.

[0023] The above-described problem-solving methods are merely exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. In addition to the exemplary embodiments described above, additional embodiments may be included in the drawings and detailed description of the invention.

[0024] According to the aforementioned means for solving the problem of the present invention, a wearable alignment device for correcting malocclusion can be provided that simultaneously corrects skeletal function and malocclusion of teeth, and gradually induces forward movement of the mandible, so that the wearer can easily adapt to it.

[0025] According to the aforementioned means for solving the problem of the present invention, the forward movement of the user's mandible is maintained while individual teeth are moved through a structure of a protruding portion formed to correct malocclusion while being worn in the user's mouth.

[0026] According to the aforementioned solution to the problem of this hospital, as the patient wears the Functional DPA, the mandible is gradually positioned forward, and the teeth that were in the malocclusion position can be aligned simultaneously.

[0027] According to the aforementioned means for solving the problem of the present invention, by applying a block-out treatment that forms a space on the inner surface of a transparent orthodontic device, the eruption of permanent teeth can be facilitated and the discomfort of the orthodontist and the patient can be reduced.

[0028] However, the effects that can be obtained from this center are not limited to the effects described above, and other effects may exist.

[0029] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a wearable alignment device for correcting malocclusion according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 2 is a drawing showing an example of a simulation result for manufacturing a wearable alignment device using a user's dental scan data.

[0031] Figure 3 is a drawing showing an upper teeth orthodontic part and a lower teeth orthodontic part manufactured using a 3D printing method using a user's teeth scan data.

[0032] Figures 4 and 5 are drawings illustrating an example of a state in which the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion are mutually coupled.

[0033] Figures 6a to 6c are drawings showing actual photographs taken while performing malocclusion correction using a wearable alignment device.

[0034] Figures 7a and 7b are drawings showing the actual results of malocclusion correction performed using a wearable alignment device.

[0035] Below, with reference to the attached drawings, embodiments of the present invention are described in detail to facilitate easy implementation by those skilled in the art. However, the present invention can be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. In the drawings, irrelevant parts have been omitted for clarity, and similar reference numerals have been used throughout the specification to indicate similar elements.

[0036] Throughout this specification, when a part is said to be "connected" to another part, this includes not only the case where it is "directly connected," but also the case where it is "electrically connected" or "indirectly connected" with another element in between.

[0037] Throughout this specification, when it is said that a member is located “on,” “above,” “upper,” “lower,” “lower” or “lower” another member, this includes not only cases where the member is in contact with the other member, but also cases where another member exists between the two members.

[0038] Throughout this specification, whenever a part is said to "include" a component, this does not mean that it excludes other components, but rather that it may include other components, unless otherwise specifically stated.

[0039] For reference, terms related to direction or position (front, rear, rear end, upper, upper, lower, top, bottom, etc.) in the description of the embodiments of the present invention are explained based on the arrangement of each component shown in the drawings. For example, when viewed in Figure 1, the front-back direction may be from 3 o'clock to 9 o'clock, and the up-down direction may be from 12 o'clock to 6 o'clock.

[0040] However, this orientation may vary depending on the arrangement of the main device. For example, the main device may be arranged so that the upward direction as shown in FIG. 2 faces horizontally (left-right), as needed. Alternatively, the main device may be arranged so that the upward direction as shown in FIG. 2 faces an obliquely inclined direction.

[0041] This invention relates to wearable aligner devices for correcting malocclusion. For example, this invention relates to a functional direct printing aligner that induces customized muscle function control and tooth movement for the correction of Class II malocclusion.

[0042] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a wearable alignment device for correcting malocclusion according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 1, a wearable alignment device (100) for correcting malocclusion according to one embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as 'alignment device (100)') may include an upper teeth correction unit (110), a first connecting unit (120), a lower teeth correction unit (130), and a second connecting unit (140).

[0044] The upper teeth orthodontic device (110) can be worn on the user's upper teeth.

[0045] The lower teeth orthodontic device (130) can be worn on the user's lower teeth.

[0046] The first connecting member (120) is connected to the lower surface of the upper teeth orthodontic member (110) and may include a first plate member (121) and a first connecting member (122).

[0047] The second connecting member (140) is connected to the upper surface of the lower teeth correction member (130) and may include a second plate member (141) and a second connecting member (142).

[0048] Meanwhile, as illustrated in FIG. 1, according to one embodiment of the present invention, when the first coupling member (122) of the first coupling portion (120) is formed to protrude outward with respect to the first plate member (121), the second coupling member (142) of the second coupling portion (140) can be formed to be recessed inward with respect to the second plate member (141).

[0049] However, it is not limited to this, and according to another embodiment of the present invention, when the first coupling member (122) of the first coupling portion (120) is formed to be recessed inward with respect to the first plate member (121), the second coupling member (142) of the second coupling portion (140) may be formed to be protruded outward with respect to the second plate member (141).

[0050] In other words, the alignment device (100) disclosed herein is provided with a pair of coupling members (122, 142) arranged on each of a first coupling member (120) coupled to the lower surface of an upper orthodontic unit (110) and a second coupling member (140) coupled to the upper surface of a lower orthodontic unit (130), one of which is provided with an outwardly protruding shape (e.g., a protrusion shape, etc.) and the other is provided with an inwardly recessed shape (e.g., a groove shape, a hole shape, etc.), so that the pair of coupling members (122, 142) can be designed to have complementary shapes so that the pair of coupling members (122, 142) are mutually coupled (e.g., a fitting coupling, etc.).

[0051] For reference, in the description of the embodiments of the present invention, based on the complementary shapes of the inwardly recessed and outwardly protruding connecting members, a pair of connecting members (122, 142) may be referred to as a ball-and-socket connecting structure. As another example, the complementary shapes of the inwardly recessed and outwardly protruding connecting members may be understood as having a protruding structure.

[0052] Meanwhile, a pair of connecting members (122, 142) according to one embodiment of the present invention is manufactured such that a connecting member of a 'ball' type that protrudes outward is connected to a connecting member of a 'socket' type that is formed to be recessed inward, and the ball-type connecting member is manufactured to have a free space in the left-right direction so as to allow at least some movement to the left and right based on the direction of the user's teeth within the accommodation space formed in the socket-type connecting member (in other words, the specifications of the socket type are determined relative to the specifications of the ball type so that the free space in the left-right direction is formed relatively wider than the free space in the front-back direction), thereby inducing movement of the user's maxilla or mandible according to the purpose of correction, while reducing discomfort when the user wears the alignment device (100).

[0053] In addition, referring to FIG. 1, the first connecting part (120) coupled to the lower surface of the upper teeth orthodontic unit (110) may include a left first connecting part (not shown) positioned relative to the left side of the user's upper jaw and a right first connecting part (not shown) positioned relative to the right side of the user's upper jaw, and correspondingly, the second connecting part (140) coupled to the upper surface of the lower teeth orthodontic unit (130) may include a left second connecting part (not shown) positioned relative to the left side of the user's lower jaw and a right second connecting part (not shown) positioned relative to the right side of the user's lower jaw.

[0054] Meanwhile, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the first coupling member (122) and the second coupling member (142) can be manufactured to be mutually coupled at a pre-planned orthodontic position in consideration of the forward movement of the user's mandible and the orthodontic correction of the user's teeth to be orthodontized.

[0055] For example, the area indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 1 represents a correction position that is preset during the manufacturing of the alignment device (100) so that the first coupling member (122) and the second coupling member (142) move downward and are coupled to each other when the user closes the mouth so that the upper and lower teeth interlock, respectively. Specifically, among the dotted lines illustrated in FIG. 1, the dotted line illustrated relatively to the left represents a correction position set for the right first coupling portion (not shown) and the right second coupling portion (not shown), and among the dotted lines illustrated in FIG. 1, the dotted line illustrated relatively to the right represents a correction position set for the left first coupling portion (not shown) and the left second coupling portion (not shown).

[0056] In this regard, a user wearing the alignment device (100) disclosed herein may be a patient with malocclusion, which means a state in which the upper and lower teeth are abnormally aligned due to poor dentition, and in particular, the alignment device (100) disclosed herein may be applied to a patient with Class 2 malocclusion caused by overgrowth of the maxilla and undergrowth of the mandible. This Class 2 malocclusion may refer to a case in which the upper jaw has grown relatively more than the lower jaw, such as an underbite, or a case in which the lower jaw has grown undergrowth compared to the upper jaw.

[0057] More specifically, the alignment device (100) worn by a user with a Class 2 malocclusion may be manufactured to perform correction to move the user's lower jaw forward, and for this purpose, the correction position where the first coupling member (122) and the second coupling member (142) are mutually coupled may be determined such that the first coupling member (122) and the second coupling member (142) are mutually coupled when the user, while wearing the alignment device (100), relatively protrudes the lower jaw forward to allow the teeth to align rather than closing the mouth to allow the teeth to align in a normal manner.

[0058] In other words, when a user with a Class 2 malocclusion wears the alignment device (100) and closes his / her mouth as usual to align his / her teeth, the first engaging member (122) and the second engaging member (142) do not behave in a manner that corresponds to the preset orthodontic position, so that the first engaging member (122) and the second engaging member (142) do not engage with each other. On the other hand, when the user wears the alignment device (100) and closes his / her mouth to align his / her teeth while protruding his / her lower jaw relatively forward, the first engaging member (122) and the second engaging member (142) can engage with each other at the preset orthodontic position, so that the user can maintain a state in which the first engaging member (122) and the second engaging member (142) are engaged (e.g., by inserting and engaging), so that correction can be made in a direction in which the user's lower jaw gradually moves forward.

[0059] Meanwhile, it is not limited to this, and depending on the correction purpose of the alignment device (100), the correction position where the first coupling member (122) and the second coupling member (142) are mutually coupled is set in various ways, so that the user wears the alignment device (100), moves the upper jaw and / or the lower jaw in the direction where the first coupling member (122) and the second coupling member (142) are mutually coupled, and is guided to maintain the state where the first coupling member (122) and the second coupling member (142) are mutually coupled, thereby achieving the desired correction effect.

[0060] In addition, the alignment device (100) disclosed in this application can induce not only gradual movement of the mandible or maxilla, but also movement of individual teeth to simultaneously correct malocclusion of the user's (wearer's) teeth. By applying a block-out process in consideration of the shape of the user's teeth before correction, the alignment device (100) can be manufactured so that the user's teeth to be corrected move in the desired direction when the user wears the alignment device.

[0061] In this regard, the alignment device (100) can be manufactured through a three-dimensional printing method.

[0062] Fig. 2 is a drawing showing an example of a simulation result for manufacturing a wearable alignment device using a user's teeth scan data, and Fig. 3 is a drawing showing an upper teeth correction part and a lower teeth correction part manufactured using a 3D printing method using a user's teeth scan data.

[0063] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, specifically, the alignment device (100) can be manufactured in such a way that an upper tooth correction part (110) and a lower tooth correction part (130) are manufactured through a 3D printing method using a user's teeth scan data, a first connecting part (120) is attached to the upper tooth correction part (110) manufactured through a 3D printing method, and a second connecting part (140) is attached to the lower tooth correction part (130) manufactured through a 3D printing method.

[0064] However, it is not limited to this, and depending on the implementation example of the present invention, an integrated 3D printing method may also be applied in which the upper teeth correction part (110) and the first connecting part (120) are manufactured as an integral part through a 3D printing method using the user's teeth scan data, and the lower teeth correction part (130) and the second connecting part (140) are manufactured as an integral part through a 3D printing method using the teeth scan data.

[0065] Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 3, the upper teeth correction unit (110) may be equipped with an upper attachment (111) for moving the user's upper teeth according to the correction purpose. Similarly, referring to FIG. 3, the lower teeth correction unit (130) may be equipped with a lower attachment (131) for moving the user's lower teeth according to the correction purpose.

[0066] Figures 4 and 5 are drawings illustrating an example of a state in which the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion are mutually coupled.

[0067] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, when manufacturing the alignment device (100), a correction position corresponding to the area (see 'A' of FIG. 4) where the first coupling member (122) of the first coupling portion (120) and the second coupling member (142) of the second coupling portion (140) are mutually coupled can be set by taking into consideration the correction purpose to be achieved through the alignment device (100) through a simulation using tooth scan data. When the user moves the jaw and teeth so that the first coupling member (122) and the second coupling member (142) are coupled while changing the setting value for the correction position using the simulation tool, a simulation may be performed for the correction force applied to the user's maxilla or mandible, and an correction plan using the alignment device (100) can be established by taking into consideration the results of this simulation, and detailed design parameters for manufacturing the alignment device (100) can be determined.

[0068] Figures 6a to 6c are drawings showing actual photographs taken while performing malocclusion correction using a wearable alignment device.

[0069] Referring to FIGS. 6A to 6C, the alignment device (100) disclosed herein may have an upper teeth correction unit (110) and a lower teeth correction unit (130) manufactured from transparent materials, thereby making the alignment device (100) worn by the user less noticeable, thereby improving aesthetics. In addition, referring to FIGS. 6A to 6C, the first coupling unit (120) and the second coupling unit (140) coupled (attached) to the upper teeth correction unit (110) and the lower teeth correction unit (130), respectively, may also be manufactured from transparent materials, but are not limited thereto.

[0070] Meanwhile, the alignment device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention may be manufactured so that the first strength (in other words, the strength of the material / material forming the upper tooth correction unit (110) and the lower tooth correction unit (130)) corresponding to the upper tooth correction unit (110) and the lower tooth correction unit (130) and the second strength (in other words, the strength of the material / material forming the first tooth correction unit (120) and the second coupling unit (140)) corresponding to the first coupling unit (120) and the second coupling unit (140) are different from each other.

[0071] Specifically, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the second strength may be set higher than the first strength, but is not limited thereto. Meanwhile, the difference in strength between the upper teeth correction part (110) and the lower teeth correction part (130) and the first connecting part (120) and the second connecting part (140) may be applied in a manner of adjusting the laminated thickness of the material / materials used to manufacture each part. For example, the laminated thickness of the material (e.g., resin, etc.) applied in the process of 3D printing the upper teeth correction part (110) and the lower teeth correction part (130) may be set to be greater than the laminated thickness of the material applied in the process of 3D printing the first connecting part (120) and the second connecting part (140).

[0072] Figures 7a and 7b are drawings showing the actual results of malocclusion correction performed using a wearable alignment device.

[0073] Referring to FIGS. 7a and 7b, it can be confirmed that when a subject with class 2 malocclusion continuously wore the alignment device (100) disclosed herein, skeletal function and teeth were corrected simultaneously, and the malocclusion was greatly improved by gradually inducing forward movement of the mandible.

[0074] The above description of the present invention is for illustrative purposes only, and those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention can be readily modified into other specific forms without altering the technical spirit or essential characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. For example, each component described as a single entity may be implemented in a distributed manner, and similarly, components described as distributed may be implemented in a combined manner.

[0075] The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims described below rather than the detailed description above, and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalent concepts should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. In a wearable alignment device for correcting malocclusion, An upper orthodontic appliance worn on the user's upper teeth; A first connecting member that is connected to the lower surface of the upper teeth orthodontic part and has a first plate member and a first connecting member; A lower teeth orthodontic appliance worn on the user's lower teeth; and A second connecting member that is connected to the upper surface of the lower teeth orthodontic part and has a second plate member and a second connecting member, An alignment device comprising:

2. In paragraph 1, When the first connecting member is formed to protrude outwardly with respect to the first plate, the second connecting member is formed to be recessed inwardly with respect to the second plate, An alignment device in which the first coupling member is formed to be recessed inwardly relative to the first plate, and the second coupling member is formed to be protruded outwardly relative to the second plate.

3. In paragraph 2, The first coupling member and the second coupling member are, An alignment device manufactured to be mutually coupled at a pre-planned orthodontic position, taking into account the forward movement of the user's mandible and the orthodontic correction of the user's teeth to be corrected.

4. In paragraph 1, An alignment device in which the upper teeth correction part and the lower teeth correction part are made of a transparent material.

5. In paragraph 4, An alignment device wherein the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are made of a transparent material.

6. In paragraph 1, An alignment device characterized in that the first strength corresponding to the upper teeth correction part and the lower teeth correction part and the second strength corresponding to the first connecting part and the second connecting part are manufactured to be different from each other.

7. In paragraph 6, An alignment device characterized in that the second strength is higher than the first strength.

8. In paragraph 1, An alignment device in which the upper teeth correction part and the lower teeth correction part are manufactured through a 3D printing method using the user's teeth scan data.

9. In paragraph 8, The first connecting part is attached to the upper teeth orthodontic part, An alignment device in which the second bonding part is attached to the lower teeth orthodontic part.

10. In paragraph 1, The upper teeth orthodontic part and the first connecting part are manufactured as an integral part through a 3D printing method using the user's teeth scan data, An alignment device in which the lower teeth correction part and the second connecting part are manufactured as an integral part through a three-dimensional printing method using the tooth scan data.

11. In paragraph 8, The above upper teeth correction part and the above lower teeth correction part, An alignment device that is manufactured to move the user's teeth to be corrected when the alignment device is worn by applying block-out processing to the above tooth scan data.

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