A new modified twin block appliance for mandibular advancement

Abstract

The invention is a Twin Block appliance (10) modified in order to provide mandibular advancement, is removable, and can operate in an integrated manner with any clear aligner (20). The modified Twin Block appliance (10) comprises, in the maxillary component (11), right and left upper inclined planes (111, 112), a maxillary connecting wire (113) comprising an omega loop and connecting said inclined planes (111, 112) to one another, and at least one upper retentive ball-ended clasp (114) ensuring that the maxillary component (11) remains fixed. Similarly, the mandibular component (12) comprises right and left lower inclined planes (121, 122), a mandibular connecting wire (123), and at least one lower retentive ball-ended clasp (124). This structure is placed on the clear aligner (20) fitted on the teeth and provides alignment of the teeth and advancement of the mandible, thereby offering an effective treatment process.

Description

[0001] A New Modified Twin Block Appliance for Mandibular Advancement

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The invention relates to the field of orthodontic treatment, and in particular to a mandibular advancement appliance used in mandibular advancement (forward movement of the lower jaw) applications.

[0004] In particular, the invention concerns a mandibular advancement appliance which operates in an integrated manner with all brand-independent clear aligners, is in a removable form, and enables alignment and levelling of the teeth while advancing the mandible.

[0005] PRIOR ART

[0006] In mandibular advancement treatment, particularly in cases where the mandible is positioned posteriorly, Twin Block appliances are frequently used. This appliance assists in achieving correct alignment of the jaw structure by enabling forward movement of the mandible. The Twin Block appliance operates by means of mutually compatible inclined planes arranged on both jaws in order to correct the relationship between the maxilla and the mandible. Owing to these inclined planes, the mandible moves forwards and encourages jaw development. These appliances offer an effective method for addressing mandibular problems in children of developmental age. If, in addition to mandibular advancement, treatment is also to be performed to align and level the teeth using clear aligners, inclined-plane protrusions integrated with the clear aligner are used. Since these have a non-removable structure, they make the patient’s daily life more difficult.

[0007] In the patent search carried out in the literature, the following patent documents relating to the technical field were identified:CN210095947U describes a mandibular advancement device used with clear aligners. Inclined-plane (ramp) systems placed on the clear aligners for mandibular advancement enable the upper and lower parts to fit together by using a locking mechanism. However, since, in this design, the ramps lock with one another and the upper and lower parts are fixed, it may restrict the patient’s mouth movements and adversely affect comfort.

[0008] In the design mentioned in document CN110123464A, the clear aligners and the ramps are manufactured in an integrated manner. The ramps are designed as a part of the aligners and these ramps are non-removable. However, the position of the ramps needs to be changed in each aligner.

[0009] US2024024155A1 enables mandibular advancement by means of ramps designed on clear aligners. However, the ramps are integrated with the clear aligner and are non-removable. This may impair the treatment if the patient is unable to adapt to the ramps and if the jaw position is incorrect.

[0010] Document WO2015054726A also describes a system in which the ramps are designed as integrated with clear aligners. The ramps are manufactured from the same material as the aligner and are non-removable.

[0011] Patent document US6368106B1 relates to a mandibular advancement device designed in a digital environment and comprising a series of parts. However, this system requires digital manufacturing and, due to its complex structure, may increase manufacturing costs.

[0012] Consequently, the aforementioned and unresolved problems in light of the existing technology have made it necessary to introduce an innovation in the relevant technical field.

[0013] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a new modified Twin Block appliance for mandibular advancement, in order to eliminate the disadvantages mentioned above and to bring new advantages to the relevant technical field.

[0014] The main aim of the invention is to enable patients to carry out their treatment processes more flexibly and across a wider range of products by operating compatibly with all brands of clear aligners.

[0015] Another aim of the invention is to enable mandibular advancement to be performed simultaneously while ensuring alignment and levelling of the teeth.

[0016] Another aim of the invention is to enable treatment-specific modifications to be made by allowing patients to adjust the usability of the ramps during the treatment process, by means of removable ramp systems.

[0017] Another aim of the invention is to increase patient satisfaction by providing design and structural features which ensure a high level of compatibility and comfort between appliances in the oral cavity.

[0018] Another aim of the invention is to facilitate the manufacturing stage and to reduce costs during the treatment process by means of a modified and innovative Twin Block design which can be integrated with clear aligners.

[0019] Another aim of the invention is to ensure the applicability of the ramps at every stage of mandibular advancement treatment and to allow the ramp placement to be changed according to the treatment duration; furthermore, owing to the removable feature, modifications can also be made to the usage hours by removing only the ramps without the need to remove the clear aligners from the mouth (the clear aligners must be worn continuously for tooth correction, whereas it is sufficient for the ramps to be used for 16 hours per day).

[0020] The features which distinguish the invention from, and render it superior to, the applications of the existing technology are summarised as follows:

[0021] - compatibility with different clear aligner brands,- the ramps being removable,

[0022] - enabling patients to carry out tooth alignment and mandibular advancement treatment simultaneously,

[0023] - increasing patient comfort by providing flexibility in the treatment duration,

[0024] - being considered to reduce the side effect of posterior tooth intrusion by enabling use for a shorter period, and

[0025] - enabling treatment-specific modifications by virtue of the independent design of the ramps.

[0026] In order to achieve all of the aims mentioned above and those which will become apparent from the detailed description below, the present invention is a new modified Twin Block appliance which operates in an integrated manner with all clear aligners, is in a removable form, and enables alignment and levelling of the teeth while advancing the mandible, and comprises:

[0027] - a maxillary component comprising right and left upper inclined planes which are seated on the maxilla and provide the guidance required for advancement of the mandible,

[0028] - a maxillary connecting wire obtained by bending a steel wire, the maxillary connecting wire connecting the right and left upper inclined planes of the maxillary component and comprising an omega loop which enables the shape of the wire to be changed when expansion is required,

[0029] - at least one upper retentive ball-ended clasp integrated into the maxillary component in order to ensure that the maxillary component remains fixed on the clear aligner,

[0030] - a mandibular component comprising right and left inclined planes which are seated on the mandible and push the mandible forwards,

[0031] - a mandibular connecting wire formed by bending a steel wire, the mandibular connecting wire connecting the right and left lower inclined planes of the mandibular component and being modifiable when expansion is required, and

[0032] - at least one lower retentive ball-ended clasp integrated into the mandibular component in order to ensure that the mandibular component remains fixed on the clear aligner.In order for the configuration of the present invention, together with additional elements, and its advantages to be best understood, it should be evaluated in conjunction with the figures described below.

[0033] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] Figure 1 is a view of the modified Twin Block appliance of the invention as placed on the clear aligner fitted to the teeth.

[0035] In Figure 2, buccal / lateral views of the upper and lower parts of the modified Twin Block appliance are provided.

[0036] Figure 3 provides an occlusal view of the maxillary component.

[0037] Figure 4 provides an occlusal view of the mandibular component.

[0038] Figure 5 shows, step by step, the use of the modified Twin Block appliance of the invention together with the clear aligner.

[0039] REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0040] 10 Modified Twin Block appliance

[0041] 11 Maxillary component

[0042] 111 Right upper inclined plane

[0043] 112 Left upper inclined plane

[0044] 113 Maxillary connecting wire

[0045] 114 Upper retentive ball-ended clasp

[0046] 12 Mandibular component

[0047] 121 Right lower inclined plane

[0048] 122 Left lower inclined plane

[0049] 123 Mandibular connecting wire

[0050] 124 Lower retentive ball-ended clasp

[0051] 20 Clear alignerDETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0052] In this detailed description, the novelty that is the subject of the invention is explained by examples intended to provide a better understanding of the subject-matter, without having any limiting effect.

[0053] Figure 1 is a view of the modified Twin Block appliance (10) of the invention as placed on the teeth fitted with the clear aligner (20). Accordingly, the modified Twin Block appliance (10) enables alignment of the teeth while guiding skeletal development by allowing the mandible to advance forwards. While correcting the teeth, it simultaneously provides mandibular advancement. The modified Twin Block appliance (10) operates in an integrated manner with clear aligners (20) of different brands and is in a removable form. The modified Twin Block appliance (10) comprises a maxillary component (11), which is seated on the maxilla and provides the guidance required for advancement of the mandible, and a mandibular component (12), which is seated on the mandible and pushes the mandible forwards. In Figure 2, a buccal view of the upper and lower parts of the modified Twin Block appliance (10) is provided.

[0054] Figure 3 provides an occlusal view of the maxillary component (11). The maxillary component (11) can be fitted over the clear aligner (20), which seats on the teeth and, on the one hand, corrects dental crowding, and initiates advancement by interacting with the mandible. The design of the maxillary component (11) provides a comfortable fit and allows the mandible to move forwards. The maxillary component (11) comprises a right upper inclined plane (111) which provides support to enable the teeth on the right side of the mandible to advance, and a left upper inclined plane (112) which provides support to enable the teeth on the left side of the mandible to advance. The right upper inclined plane (111) and the left upper inclined plane (112) are made of a hard acrylic material. Both inclined planes (111, 112) can be seated on the clear aligner (20). A maxillary connecting wire (113) is provided which connects the right and left upper inclined planes (111 , 112) of the maxillary component (11 ) to one another and keeps the right and left upper inclined planes (111, 112) stably on the maxilla. The maxillary connecting wire (113) is an archwire formed by bending a steel wire and comprising an omega loop which enables the shape of the wire to bechanged when expansion is required. Said steel wire is preferably a fully round stainless steel wire having a diameter of 0.8 mm. At least one upper retentive ball-ended clasp (114) integrated into the maxillary component (11) is provided in order to ensure that the maxillary component (11) remains fixed on the clear aligner (20). The upper retentive ball-ended clasps (114), which provide retention of the right and left upper inclined planes (111, 112) on the clear aligner (20), firmly engage the teeth and prevent the clear aligner (20) from falling out of the mouth. They are adjustable when necessary, thereby increasing patient comfort.

[0055] Figure 4 provides an occlusal view of the mandibular component (12). The mandibular component (12), together with the maxillary component (11 ), is one of the main structural elements which performs mandibular advancement. This component, which is seated on the clear aligner (20), operates compatibly with the clear aligner (20). The mandibular component (12) comprises a right lower inclined plane (121) which enables the right side of the mandible to be pushed forwards, and a left lower inclined plane (122) which enables the left side of the mandible to be pushed forwards, while the clear aligner (20), on the one hand, enables alignment of the teeth. The right lower inclined plane (121) and the left lower inclined plane (122) are made of an acrylic material. Both inclined planes can be seated on the clear aligner (20). A mandibular connecting wire (123) is provided which connects the right and left lower inclined planes (121, 122) of the mandibular component (12) to one another and enables the mandible to advance stably. The mandibular connecting wire (123) is an archwire formed by bending a steel wire and is modifiable when expansion is required. The steel wire is preferably 1 mm flat stainless steel. At least one lower retentive ball-ended clasp (124) integrated into the mandibular component (12) is provided in order to ensure that the mandibular component (12) remains fixed on the clear aligner (20). The lower retentive ball-ended clasps (124) firmly engage the teeth and prevent the clear aligner (20) from falling out of the mouth. They are adjustable when necessary, thereby increasing patient comfort.

[0056] Figure 5 shows, step by step, the use of the modified Twin Block appliance (10) of the invention together with the clear aligner (20). After the clear aligner (20) has been positioned on the teeth, the modified Twin Block appliance (10) is placed on the clear aligner (20). As a result, the invention provides a hybrid solution which supportsmandibular advancement and aligns the teeth by means of the modified Twin Block appliance (10) in a removable form which is compatible with clear aligners (20). This hybrid structure ensures that the mandible advances correctly and provides flexibility by operating compatibly with different brands.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A new modified Twin Block appliance (10) which operates in an integrated manner with all clear aligners (20), is in a removable form, and enables, while advancing the mandible forwards, the teeth to be aligned and levelled by the clear aligners, characterised in that it comprises:• a maxillary component (11) comprising right and left upper inclined planes (111, 112) seated on the maxilla and providing the guidance required for advancement of the mandible,• a maxillary connecting wire (113) formed by bending a steel wire, which connects the right and left upper inclined planes (111, 112) of the aforementioned maxillary component (11) to one another and includes an omega loop allowing the shape of the wire to be changed when expansion is required,• at least one upper retentive ball-ended clasp (114) integrated into the maxillary component (11) in order to ensure that the maxillary component (11) remains fixed on the clear aligner (20),• a mandibular component (12) comprising right and left lower inclined planes (121, 122) seated on the mandible and pushing the mandible forwards,• a mandibular connecting wire (123) formed by bending a steel wire, which connects the right and left lower inclined planes (121, 122) of the aforementioned mandibular component (12) to one another and is modifiable when expansion is required, and• at least one lower retentive ball-ended clasp (124) integrated into the mandibular component (12) in order to ensure that the mandibular component (12) remains fixed on the clear aligner (20).

2. A modified Twin Block appliance (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that the right and left upper inclined planes (111, 112) of the maxillary component (11 ) are made of an acrylic material.

3. A modified Twin Block appliance (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that the right and left lower inclined planes (121, 122) of the mandibular component (12) are made of an acrylic material.

4. A modified Twin Block appliance (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that the maxillary connecting wire (113) is formed by bending a fully round stainless steel wire and preferably has a diameter of 0.8 mm.

5. A modified Twin Block appliance (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that the mandibular connecting wire (123) is formed by bending a flat steel wire and is preferably stainless steel having a diameter of 1 mm.

6. A hybrid configuration comprising a modified Twin Block appliance (10) providing mandibular advancement according to any one of the preceding claims, and in which said appliance (10) can be removably integrated onto any clear aligner (20) that provides levelling of the teeth.

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