Orthodontic bracket

Abstract

One embodiment of the present invention provides an orthodontic bracket comprising: a base part having, on one side thereof, an attachment surface to be attached to a tooth; and a body part which is positioned on the other side of the base part and which has a slot into which a teeth-straightening wire is inserted, wherein respective parameters of the attachment surface for a specific tooth are determined on the basis of a statistical distribution associated with each parameter from among the statistical distributions of the curvature radii of the corresponding tooth, and the parameters include a horizontal curvature radius in the horizontal direction parallel to the slot and a vertical curvature radius in the vertical direction vertical to the slot.

Description

Orthodontic brackets

[0001] The present invention relates to an orthodontic bracket.

[0002] The teeth in the human oral cavity can have an uneven alignment due to congenital or acquired deformities. This condition of uneven tooth alignment is called malocclusion, which causes aesthetic problems that negatively affect appearance, as well as functional issues such as difficulty eating or inaccurate pronunciation.

[0003] Orthodontic brackets and wires are used as a dental treatment method to correct such malocclusion, applying continuous force to the teeth to induce tooth movement along with the remodeling of the alveolar bone surrounding the teeth.

[0004] Specifically, orthodontic brackets are attached to the teeth, and wires connect with the brackets to apply continuous force. Since multiple brackets are placed on the teeth of both the upper and lower jaws, they are interconnected by wires. As the teeth are arranged in a curved shape from the left molars to the right molars, the wires are also formed in an arch shape corresponding to the tooth alignment. By applying force to the brackets attached to the teeth, these wires reshape the alveolar bone, causing the teeth to move and correct the alignment of the teeth.

[0005] On the other hand, conventional prefabricated orthodontic brackets have the advantage of being inexpensive because they are standardized into a uniform shape, enabling mass production. However, there is a problem in that attaching standardized brackets without considering the fact that each patient has different tooth curvature results in poor seating comfort and reduced orthodontic efficiency.

[0006] Custom orthodontic brackets are manufactured to fit the patient's teeth, so they offer good orthodontic efficiency, but they have the disadvantages of being impossible to mass-produce and expensive.

[0007] The present invention aims to solve the problems of the aforementioned prior art, and the objective of the present invention is to provide an orthodontic bracket that covers a large number of patients and offers excellent tooth seating comfort.

[0008] One aspect of the present invention provides an orthodontic bracket comprising a base portion having an attachment surface formed on one side for attachment to a target tooth, and a body portion located on the other side of the base portion having a slot formed for inserting an orthodontic wire, wherein each of the parameters of the attachment surface for a specific target tooth is determined based on a statistical distribution associated with each parameter among the statistical distributions of the radius of curvature of the target tooth, and wherein the parameters include a horizontal radius of curvature in a horizontal direction parallel to the slot and a vertical radius of curvature in a vertical direction perpendicular to the slot.

[0009] In one embodiment, the horizontal radius of curvature may include a first horizontal radius of curvature in a first horizontal direction parallel to the slot, a second horizontal radius of curvature in a second horizontal direction parallel to the slot, and a third horizontal radius of curvature in a third horizontal direction parallel to the slot, and the vertical radius of curvature may include a first vertical radius of curvature in a first vertical direction perpendicular to the slot, a second vertical radius of curvature in a second vertical direction perpendicular to the slot, and a third vertical radius of curvature in a third vertical direction perpendicular to the slot.

[0010] In one embodiment, the second horizontal direction is located at the center of the first horizontal direction and the third horizontal direction, the second vertical direction is located at the center of the first vertical direction and the third vertical direction, and the point where the second horizontal direction and the second vertical direction intersect may correspond to the FA (Facial Axis) point of the target value.

[0011] In one embodiment, the first horizontal direction may be located at the top of the attachment surface, the third horizontal direction may be located at the bottom of the attachment surface, the first vertical direction may be located at the distal end of the attachment surface, and the third vertical direction may be located at the near end of the attachment surface.

[0012] In one embodiment, the FA point of the target tooth may be the midpoint of the FACC (Facial Axis of Clinical Crown).

[0013] In one embodiment, the parameters may be determined to be values ​​less than or equal to the mean of the statistical distribution associated with each parameter.

[0014] In one embodiment, the parameters may be determined to be values ​​within the bottom 20% of the statistical distribution associated with each parameter.

[0015] In one embodiment, the type of tooth of the target tooth may include at least one of a maxillary canine, a maxillary first premolar, a maxillary second premolar, a mandibular canine, a mandibular first premolar, and a mandibular second premolar.

[0016] In one embodiment, the statistical distribution may be for the radius of curvature of the target teeth of normal occlusals.

[0017] An orthodontic bracket according to one aspect of the present invention determines the radius of curvature of the attachment surface to be less than or equal to the average of the statistical distribution of the radius of curvature of the target tooth, thereby improving the seating sensation of the orthodontic bracket on the target tooth while enabling a wide range of patients to be covered with a single orthodontic bracket.

[0018] Accordingly, in the present invention, the orthodontic bracket can cover a large number of patients and be mass-produced in a consistent form, and the effect of a customized orthodontic bracket can be expected.

[0019] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects described above, and should be understood to include all effects that can be inferred from the configuration of the invention described in the detailed description or claims of the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a correction bracket according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the attachment surface of the correction bracket of Figure 1.

[0022] Figure 3 is a drawing showing a reference plane that serves as a standard for measuring the radius of curvature of the objects.

[0023] Figure 4 is a plan view of the maxilla and mandible.

[0024] Figures 5a and 5b are schematic diagrams showing the positional relationship of the tooth, bracket, and adhesive.

[0025] Figures 6a to 6f show the statistical distribution of the radius of curvature of the maxillary first premolar by direction.

[0026] The present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. However, the present invention may be implemented in various different forms and is therefore not limited to the embodiments described herein. Furthermore, in order to clearly explain the present invention in the drawings, parts unrelated to the explanation have been omitted, and similar parts throughout the specification have been given similar reference numerals.

[0027] Throughout the specification, when it is stated that a part is "connected" to another part, this includes not only cases where they are "directly connected," but also cases where they are "indirectly connected" with other members interposed between them. Furthermore, when it is stated that a part "includes" a certain component, this means that, unless specifically stated otherwise, it does not exclude other components but rather allows for the inclusion of additional components.

[0028] Terms including ordinal numbers such as ‘first’ or ‘second’ used herein may be used to describe various components or steps, but such components or steps should not be limited by ordinal numbers. Terms including ordinal numbers should be interpreted solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component or step from other components or steps.

[0029] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0030] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a correction bracket (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the correction bracket (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention is configured to include a base portion (110) and a body portion (120).

[0031] The base portion (110) is formed in a plate shape, and an attachment surface (111) on one side is attached to the front surface of the tooth by an adhesive. Here, the front surface of the tooth refers to the surface of the tooth facing the lip.

[0032] Additionally, the attachment surface (111) of the base portion (110) is formed as a curved surface so that it can be better attached to the tooth. However, it is not limited thereto, and the attachment surface (111) may include a flat surface.

[0033] Meanwhile, the body portion (120) is formed to protrude from the other side of the base portion (110) and is provided with a slot (121) into which a wire is received. Here, the slot (121) is formed by being recessed in a direction toward the attachment surface (111) of the base portion (110) from the outer surface of the body portion (120) so that the upper side is open. Specifically, the bottom surface of the slot (121) is formed to be horizontal along the mesiocardial axis (X) extending to both sides of the body portion (120), and the wall surface of the slot (121) is formed to protrude in the direction of protrusion of the body portion (120) from both ends in the width direction of the bottom surface.

[0034] In addition, when a wire is inserted into the slot (121), the body part (120) and the wire are joined together. At this time, the slot (121) can be formed to correspond to the outer surface of the wire, and as a result, the wall of the slot (121) is in close contact with the outer surface of the wire.

[0035] A custom-made orthodontic bracket (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a clip portion (130) that is elastically coupled to the body portion (120) and can accommodate and support a wire inside a slot (121).

[0036] When the clip portion (130) is assembled to the body portion (120), the upper end of the wire is supported on the inner surface of the clip portion (130) by covering the open upper side of the slot (121). That is, when the wire is inserted into the slot (121), the wire can be supported by the elastic force provided by the clip portion (130).

[0037] Meanwhile, since the curvature of the teeth varies from patient to patient, the curvature of the teeth must be taken into account to stably attach orthodontic brackets to the teeth. Accordingly, the present invention is characterized by determining the parameters of the attachment surface, particularly the radius of curvature, based on the statistical distributions of the radii of curvature of the corresponding teeth, so that the orthodontic bracket can cover a large number of patients and be mass-produced in a consistent form.

[0038] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the attachment surface of the correction bracket of Figure 1.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 2, the attachment surface (111) of the correction bracket according to one embodiment of the present invention is formed as a curved surface with varying curvature depending on the direction, and in the present invention, the direction of the attachment surface is divided into a direction parallel to the slot and a direction perpendicular to the slot.

[0040] In detail, the attachment surface (111) has a first horizontal radius of curvature in a first horizontal direction (H1) parallel to the mesiocardial axis of the slot, a second horizontal radius of curvature in a second horizontal direction (H2) parallel to the slot, and a third horizontal radius of curvature in a third horizontal direction (H3) parallel to the slot. Additionally, the attachment surface (111) has a first vertical radius of curvature in a first vertical direction (V1) perpendicular to the mesiocardial axis of the slot, a second vertical radius of curvature in a second vertical direction (V2) perpendicular to the slot, and a third vertical radius of curvature in a third vertical direction (V3) perpendicular to the slot. Here, it goes without saying that the number of horizontal or vertical directions can be increased or decreased as needed.

[0041] More specifically, the second horizontal direction (H2) is located at the center of the first horizontal direction (H1) and the third horizontal direction (H3), and the second vertical direction (V2) is located at the center of the first vertical direction (V1) and the third vertical direction (V3), and the point (C) where the second horizontal direction (H2) and the second vertical direction (V2) intersect may be the center of the attachment surface (111) or the correction bracket. In addition, the point where the second horizontal direction (H2) and the second vertical direction (V2) intersect may correspond to the FA (Facial Axis) point of the target tooth.

[0042] In addition, the first horizontal direction (H1) may be located at the top of the attachment surface (111), the third horizontal direction (H3) may be located at the bottom of the attachment surface (111), the first vertical direction (V1) may be located at the distal end of the attachment surface (111), and the third vertical direction (V3) may be located at the mesial end of the attachment surface (111).

[0043] Figure 3 is a drawing showing a reference plane that serves as a standard for measuring the radius of curvature of the objects.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 3, in one embodiment of the present invention, a plane with the center point of the FA (Facial Axis) point of each target value is set as a reference plane (P) that serves as a reference for measuring the radius of curvature.

[0045] Specifically, a plane extended by a predetermined length in the vertical and mesiodistal directions based on the FA (Facial Axis) point, which is the center point of the FACC (Facial Axis of Clinical Crown) of each target tooth, is set as a reference plane (P). At this time, the reference plane (P) may correspond to the attachment surface of an orthodontic bracket. In other words, the reference plane (P) is formed with a size corresponding to the attachment surface of an orthodontic bracket.

[0046] In detail, referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 together, point FA of the reference plane (P) corresponds to the center point (C) of the attachment surface (111), FACC corresponds to the second vertical direction (V2) of the attachment surface (111), and an axis passing through point FA and perpendicular to FACC may correspond to the second horizontal direction (H2) of the attachment surface (111). Additionally, the upper end of the reference plane (P) corresponds to the first horizontal direction (H1) of the attachment surface (111), the lower end of the reference plane (P) corresponds to the third horizontal direction (H3) of the attachment surface (111), the distant end of the reference plane (P) corresponds to the first vertical direction (V1) of the attachment surface (111), and the near end of the reference plane (P) corresponds to the third vertical direction (V3) of the attachment surface (111).

[0047] In the present invention, the radius of curvature for each of the previously defined directions was measured at the reference plane (P) of each target value, and through this, the statistical distribution of the radius of curvature for each target value and each direction was obtained.

[0048] Figure 4 is a plan view of the maxilla and mandible.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 4, the maxilla is arranged in the order of central incisors (U1), lateral incisors (U2), canines (U3), first premolars (U4), second premolars (U5), first molars (U6), second molars (U7), and third molars (U8) from the center along the molar direction. Additionally, as shown, the mandible is arranged in the order of central incisors (L1), lateral incisors (L2), canines (L3), first premolars (L4), second premolars (L5), first molars (L6), second molars (L7), and third molars (L8) from the center along the molar direction.

[0050] In an orthodontic bracket (100) of one embodiment of the present invention, at least one of a maxillary canine (U3), a maxillary first premolar (U4), a maxillary second premolar (U5), a mandibular canine (L3), a mandibular first premolar (L4), and a mandibular second premolar (L5) may be included as a target tooth. It is not limited thereto, and other teeth may also be included as target teeth.

[0051] Figures 5a and 5b are schematic diagrams showing the positional relationship of the tooth, bracket, and adhesive.

[0052] Specifically, FIG. 5a shows the positional relationship between the tooth, the orthodontic bracket, and the adhesive when the curvature of the tooth is greater than the curvature of the orthodontic bracket attachment surface, that is, when the radius of curvature of the attachment surface is greater than the radius of curvature of the target tooth. In addition, FIG. 5b shows the positional relationship between the tooth, the orthodontic bracket, and the adhesive when the curvature of the tooth is smaller than the curvature of the attachment surface, that is, when the radius of curvature of the attachment surface is smaller than the radius of curvature of the tooth.

[0053] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5a, if the radius of curvature of the attachment surface is greater than the radius of curvature of the tooth, the middle part of the attachment surface comes into contact with the tooth surface, but the two sides of the attachment surface are separated from the tooth, and the adhesive fills the perimeter of the attachment surface of the orthodontic bracket. As a result, the adhesive leaks easily from the product or the tooth, and the tooth-seat sensation of the orthodontic bracket is reduced.

[0054] In contrast, as shown in FIG. 5b, if the radius of curvature of the attachment surface is smaller than the radius of curvature of the tooth, both ends of the orthodontic bracket come into contact with the tooth surface, and the adhesive fills the central space of the attachment surface. As a result, the adhesive does not leak out of that space, and the tooth-seating sensation of the orthodontic bracket is improved.

[0055] In other words, when the curvature of the attachment surface is greater than the curvature of the tooth—that is, when the radius of curvature of the attachment surface is smaller than the radius of curvature of the target tooth—the seating sensation of the orthodontic bracket on the tooth can be improved.

[0056] Accordingly, the present invention is characterized by determining each radius of curvature of the attachment surface to a value less than or equal to the mean of the statistical distribution associated with each radius of curvature. In this way, if the radius of curvature of the orthodontic bracket is determined to a value less than or equal to the mean of the statistical distribution, there is an advantage in that a single orthodontic bracket can cover a wide range of patients, as the tooth seating sensation of the bracket is good for patients whose radius of curvature of the target tooth is greater than the radius of curvature of the orthodontic bracket.

[0057] Preferably, the above parameters can be determined to be within the bottom 20% of the statistical distribution associated with each parameter. In this case, there is an advantage that more than 80% of patients can be covered with a single orthodontic bracket.

[0058] More preferably, the above parameters can be determined as values ​​within the bottom 10% of the statistical distribution associated with each parameter. In this case, there is an advantage that more than 90% of patients can be covered with a single orthodontic bracket.

[0059] Hereinafter, a method for determining the radius of curvature of the attachment surface of an orthodontic bracket according to one embodiment of the present invention from the statistical distribution of the radius of curvature of each target tooth is described in detail, using the maxillary first premolar as an example. In the present invention, the maxillary first premolars of normal occlusion subjects were scanned to measure the radius of curvature for each of the aforementioned directions, and a statistical distribution of the radius of curvature for each direction was obtained therefrom.

[0060] Figures 6a to 6f show the statistical distribution of the radius of curvature of the maxillary first premolar by direction.

[0061] Specifically, FIG. 6a is a statistical distribution of the radius of curvature in the first vertical direction, which is the distal end of the reference plane; FIG. 6b is a statistical distribution of the radius of curvature in the second vertical direction, which is the FACC located at the center of the reference plane; FIG. 6c is a statistical distribution of the radius of curvature in the third vertical direction, which is the mesial end of the reference plane. In addition, FIG. 6d is a statistical distribution of the radius of curvature in the first horizontal direction, which is the upper end of the reference plane; FIG. 6e is a statistical distribution of the radius of curvature in the second horizontal direction, which is the axis perpendicular to the FACC passing through point FA; and FIG. 6f is a statistical distribution of the radius of curvature in the third horizontal direction, which is the lower end of the reference plane.

[0062] Referring to FIGS. 6a to 6f, in the maxillary first premolar, the average radius of curvature in the first vertical direction is 8.5 mm, the average radius of curvature in the second vertical direction is 12 mm, the average radius of curvature in the third vertical direction is 9 mm, the average radius of curvature in the first horizontal direction is 3 mm, the average radius of curvature in the second horizontal direction is 3.5 mm, and the average radius of curvature in the third horizontal direction is 4 mm.

[0063] In one embodiment, each radius of curvature of the attachment surface of the orthodontic bracket is determined to be a value less than or equal to the mean of the statistical distribution associated with each radius of curvature. For example, the radius of curvature of the attachment surface of the orthodontic bracket in the first vertical direction is 4.5 mm, the radius of curvature in the second vertical direction is 8.5 mm, the radius of curvature in the third vertical direction is 4.5 mm, the radius of curvature in the first horizontal direction is 2.4 mm, and the radius in the second horizontal direction

[0064] The radius of curvature is 3.1 mm, and the radius of curvature in the third horizontal direction can be determined to be 3.5 mm.

[0065] Similar to the aforementioned maxillary first premolar, the statistical distribution of the radius of curvature in each direction was obtained for each of the maxillary canine, maxillary second premolar, mandibular canine, mandibular first premolar, and mandibular second premolar, and the average value was measured, and the results are shown in Table 1 below.

[0066]

[0067] Maxilla Canine Maxilla 1st Premolar Maxilla 2nd Premolar Mandibular Canine Mandibular 1st Premolar Mandibular 2nd Premolar 1st Vertical Direction 12.6 28.5 6.5 12.28 75 2nd Vertical Direction 17.60 1210 18.71 107 3rd Vertical Direction 11.78 96 13.8 795 1st Horizontal Direction 4.3 26 32.5 3.90 33.26 2.7 2nd Horizontal Direction 5.20 23.5 3.5 4.29 23.9 3.5 3rd Horizontal Direction 4.95 14 44.5 17 4.3 4.2

[0068] Unit (mm)

[0069]

[0070] In addition, to cover a wider range of patients, each radius of curvature of the attachment surface was determined to be a value less than the mean of the statistical distribution associated with each radius of curvature, and the results are shown in Table 2 below.

[0071]

[0072] Maxilla Canine Maxilla 1st Premolar Maxilla 2nd Premolar Mandibular Canine Mandibular 1st Premolar Mandibular 2nd Premolar 1st Vertical Direction 7.5 4.5 3 8.5 4.5 3.8 2nd Vertical Direction 13.5 8.5 7 15 7 5.5 3rd Vertical Direction 8.5 4.5 2.5 1 15.3 3.5 1st Horizontal Direction 3.3 7 5 2.4 1.8 3.5 2.7 2.3 2nd Horizontal Direction 4.5 3.1 2.9 4.0 3.3 3.1 3rd Horizontal Direction 4.3 3.5 3.1 4.1 3.7 3.7

[0073] Unit (mm)

[0074]

[0075] As described above, an orthodontic bracket according to one aspect of the present invention determines the radius of curvature of the attachment surface to be less than or equal to the average of the statistical distribution of the radius of curvature of the target tooth, thereby improving the seating sensation of the orthodontic bracket on the target tooth while enabling a wide range of patients to be covered with a single orthodontic bracket.

[0076] The foregoing description of the present invention is for illustrative purposes only, and those skilled in the art will understand that other specific forms can be easily modified without altering the technical spirit or essential features 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 unit may be implemented in a distributed manner, and components described as distributed may likewise be implemented in a combined form.

[0077] The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims set forth below, and all modifications or variations derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and equivalent concepts thereof should be interpreted as being included within the scope of the present invention.

[0078]

[0079] (Explanation of symbols)

[0080] 100 Orthodontic Brackets

[0081] 110 base section

[0082] 120 body

[0083] 130 clip section

Claims

1. A base portion having an attachment surface formed on one side for attachment to a target object; and A body part located on the other side of the base part and having a slot formed therein for inserting a correction wire; comprising Each parameter of the attachment surface for a specific object is determined based on the statistical distribution associated with each parameter among the statistical distributions of the radius of curvature of the object, and The above parameters are, A correction bracket comprising a horizontal radius of curvature in a horizontal direction parallel to the slot and a vertical radius of curvature in a vertical direction perpendicular to the slot.

2. In Paragraph 1, The above horizontal radius of curvature is, It includes a first horizontal radius of curvature in a first horizontal direction parallel to the slot, a second horizontal radius of curvature in a second horizontal direction parallel to the slot, and a third horizontal radius of curvature in a third horizontal direction parallel to the slot, The above radius of vertical curvature is, A correction bracket comprising a first vertical radius of curvature in a first vertical direction perpendicular to the slot, a second vertical radius of curvature in a second vertical direction perpendicular to the slot, and a third vertical radius of curvature in a third vertical direction perpendicular to the slot.

3. In Paragraph 2, The second horizontal direction is located at the center of the first horizontal direction and the third horizontal direction, and The second vertical direction is located at the center of the first vertical direction and the third vertical direction, and An orthodontic bracket in which the point where the second horizontal direction and the second vertical direction intersect corresponds to the FA (Facial Axis) point of the target tooth.

4. In Paragraph 3, The first horizontal direction is located at the top of the attachment surface, and the third horizontal direction is located at the bottom of the attachment surface, and A correction bracket, wherein the first vertical direction is located at the distal end of the attachment surface and the third vertical direction is located at the mesial end of the attachment surface.

5. In Paragraph 3, The FA point of the target tooth is the midpoint of the FACC (Facial Axis of Clinical Crown), which is an orthodontic bracket.

6. In Paragraph 1, Correction brackets in which the above parameters are determined to be values ​​less than or equal to the mean of the statistical distribution associated with each parameter.

7. In Paragraph 6, Correction brackets, wherein the above parameters are determined as values ​​within the bottom 20% of the statistical distribution associated with each parameter.

8. In Paragraph 1, An orthodontic bracket comprising at least one of the following tooth types: maxillary canine, maxillary first premolar, maxillary second premolar, mandibular canine, mandibular first premolar, and mandibular second premolar.

9. In Paragraph 1, The above statistical distribution is for the radius of curvature of the target teeth of normal occlusals, orthodontic bracket.

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