ORTHODONTIC DEVICE

Abstract

An orthodontic device (10) comprising, a first opening (11) for receiving a first anchoring structure, a second opening (12) for receiving a second anchoring structure and a third opening (13, 14, 15) for receiving a third anchoring structure, the first, second, and third anchoring structures being attached in a mouth of a subject, and an intermediate structure (18) connecting the first, second and third openings, wherein one or more of the openings are stretchable, and wherein the intermediate structure and the openings are made from a creep resistant material.

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. A method comprising: attaching a first bracket to a first tooth, attaching a second bracket to a second tooth, attaching a third bracket to a third tooth, and fitting an orthodontic device around the first, the second and the third bracket, wherein the orthodontic device is made from a superelastic material, and comprises a first opening for receiving a portion of the first bracket, a second opening for receiving a portion of the second bracket, and a third opening for receiving a portion of the third bracket, and wherein the fitting the orthodontic device around the first, the second and the third bracket comprises applying tension to the orthodontic device to stretch the orthodontic device, such that the first, the second and the third teeth are pulled closer together after the tension is released.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein prior to applying tension to the orthodontic device, the first, second and third openings are aligned along a longitudinal axis of the orthodontic device, the longitudinal axis of the orthodontic device extending between one end and the opposite end of the orthodontic device.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein the superelastic material is a superelastic metallic material.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the superelastic metallic material is nitinol.

20. The method according to claim 16, wherein the orthodontic device is made from a single integrally formed body.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the orthodontic device further comprises an intermediate structure connecting the first, second and third openings.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the intermediate structure and the openings are formed by one or more woven or braided wires or wire bundles.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein one or more cross-over junctions of the wires are welded.

24. The method according to claim 21, comprising a mesh, and wherein the mesh forms the intermediate structure.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the mesh also forms the first, second and third openings.

26. The method according to claim 21, wherein the intermediate structure comprises a spring.

27. The method according to claim 16, wherein the intermediate structure comprises a first connector between the first and the second opening, and a second connector between the second and third opening, and wherein in a non-stretched state, a length of the first connector is different from a length of the second connector.

28. The method according to claim 16, wherein the orthodontic device comprises further openings for receiving further brackets.

29. The method according to claim 16, wherein the orthodontic device is configured to be fit around hooks provided on the first, second and third brackets.

30. A method for treating a malocclusion in a mouth of a patient comprising: attaching a first anchoring structure in the mouth of the patient, attaching a second anchoring structure in the mouth of the patient, attaching a third anchoring structure in the mouth of the patient, and fitting an orthodontic device made from nitinol around the first, the second and the third anchoring structures such that a portion of the first anchoring structure is received in a first opening of the orthodontic device, a portion of the second anchoring structure is received in a second opening of the orthodontic device, and a portion of the third anchoring structure is received in a third opening of the orthodontic device, wherein the fitting of the orthodontic device comprises stretching the orthodontic device to increase a length of the orthodontic device.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the orthodontic device is made from a single integrally formed body.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein the orthodontic device is made of one or more woven or braided wires or wire bundles, the woven or braided wires or wire bundles forming the first opening, the second opening, and the third opening.

33. A method comprising: providing an orthodontic device made of a superelastic material and made of one or more woven or braided wires or wire bundles, the woven or braided wires or wire bundles forming a first opening, a second opening, and a third opening; fitting the first opening of the orthodontic device around a first bracket; fitting the second opening of the orthodontic device around a second bracket; fitting the third opening of the orthodontic device around a third bracket.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the superelastic material is nitinol.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein the orthodontic device is made from a single integrally formed body.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Non-limiting examples of the present disclosure will be described in the following, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0032] FIGS. 1A and 1B schematically illustrate two examples of an orthodontic device according to the present disclosure;

[0033] FIG. 1C schematically illustrates a further example of an orthodontic device; FIGS. 2A-2C schematically illustrate further examples of orthodontic devices;

[0034] FIGS. 3A and 3B schematically illustrate yet a further example;

[0035] FIG. 4 schematically shows an example of an orthodontic device arranged around brackets in the mouth of a patient; and

[0036] FIG. 5 schematically illustrates some terminology of the orthodontics field.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES

[0037] FIG. 5 schematically illustrates the arrangement of teeth in the lower jaw (mandible). A front portion of the mouth 110 may be referred to as a mesial region. A rear portion of the mouth 120 may be referred to as a distal region. In orthodontics, mesial and distal are terms used to refer to something being respectively closer to and further away from a central midline of the arch of teeth.

[0038] In the distal region of the mouth, the molar zone may be found. The molar zone may include a first molar, a second molar and possibly a third molar (“wisdom tooth”). An inner portion of the mouth behind the teeth 130 may be referred to as a lingual region (a region in which the tongue is located). An outer portion of the mouth 140 may be referred to as a labial region (a region in which the lips are located). A mesial-distal direction 115 with respect to a specific tooth (first molar) has been schematically indicated in FIG. 1. Also indicated in FIG. 5 is a lingual-labial direction 135 with respect to the same tooth. This terminology will be adhered to in the present disclosure.

[0039] Even though a mandible is illustrated in this particular figure, it should be clear that the same terminology applies to the maxilla.

[0040] FIG. 1A schematically illustrates a first example of an orthodontic device 10. The orthodontic device 10 defines a longitudinal axis 200. The orthodontic device 10 comprises, a first opening 11 for receiving a first anchoring structure, a second opening 12 for receiving a second anchoring structure and a third opening 13 for receiving a third anchoring structure. In this example, there are additional openings 14, 15, 16 for receiving further anchoring structures. All openings may be substantially aligned along the central longitudinal axis 200. The orthodontic device may be substantially symmetrical along the central longitudinal axis 200.

[0041] The first, second, and third anchoring structures (and further structures) are attached in a mouth of a subject. The anchoring structures may be e.g. hooks, TADs (temporary anchorage devices), and/or (parts of) brackets arranged on teeth of a patient. In yet further examples, the anchoring structures may be attachments of aligners (shells fitting around an arch of teeth). Brackets may have e.g. hooks that can be used as anchoring structures, but other possible anchoring structures include e.g. wings arranged around an archwire (channel) or other orthodontic appliances, such as a Carriere® Motion appliance.

[0042] The orthodontic device 10 further comprises an intermediate structure connecting the first, second and third openings, wherein the first, second and third openings are stretchable, and the device 10 is deformable. When a user pulls on either end of the device, the device 10 deforms elastically i.e. when the force is removed, it returns to its original shape. When tension is applied, the openings 11, 12, 13 will deform and become flatter i.e. less wide, and longer. A significant change in overall length of the device may be obtained without necessarily a significant elongation of the material.

[0043] The intermediate structure and the openings may be made from an elastic material, and specifically from a a superelastic metallic material.

[0044] The orthodontic device 10 in this example is made from a woven wire. The orthodontic device is made from a single integrally formed body avoiding hooks, appendices, and attachments which might damage or hurt an inside of a patient's mouth. The wire forms both the openings that can receive the anchoring structures and the intermediate structure in between the openings. In an alternative example, instead of a single woven wire, a wire bundle may be used.

[0045] Weaving as used herein may be interpreted as passing lengths or strands of material over and under one another and any form of interlacing a thread or wire to form a pattern. Weaving as used throughout the present disclosure is meant to encompass e.g. braiding and knitting.

[0046] In the example, the cross-over junctions 18 of the wires between openings 11-15 are welded. Welding or soldering these cross-over junctions of the wire or wire bundle provides fixation points and limits the stretching of the openings and thereby help the openings to maintain their original shape. In an alternative example, one or more of these junctions where wires cross-over may be fixed by silicone or metal rings. The rings around the junctions may allow for some displacement of wires within the rings. A further alternative is for a portion of the wire to be twisted around another portion of the wire at the junctions. The junctions may include a single or a double twist to ensure the junctions stay in place.

[0047] In the example of FIG. 1A, six openings are provided. So, the orthodontic device 10 may be fitted around as many as six different anchoring points. In some examples, not all the openings need to be fitted around an anchoring structure. E.g. only the openings at the ends of the device may be used. Or the openings at the ends of the device and one or more openings in between.

[0048] FIG. 1B shows an example of an orthodontic device in a first retracted or “collapsed” state, and the same device in a second, “expanded” state. The orthodontic device 20 might be manufactured, sterilized, packaged and delivered to an orthodontist or dentist in the retracted state. The retracted state may be the natural state of the device, i.e. the state to which the device will recur in the absence of any external forces on the device. The expanded state (this state may also be referred to as “extended” state or “stretched” state) represents the device once it is positioned around anchoring points in the mouth of a patient.

[0049] In the example of FIG. 1B, four openings 21, 22, 23, 24 are provided and the device 20 is made from a single wire or single bundle of wires. The intermediate structure in between the openings is, in the same manner as for the example of FIG. 1A, formed by cross-over junctions of the wire or wire bundle. And the openings and intermediate structure are once again made from a single integral structure. Also in this example, the openings are arranged along a central longitudinal axis 200. The orthodontic device has a central longitudinal axis of symmetry.

[0050] As opposed to the example of FIG. 1A, the cross-over junctions of the wires are not soldered or bound in this example. In the expanded state shown in FIG. 1B, anchoring points are schematically illustrated at either end of the device. Because the device 20 has been expanded to fit around the anchoring structure, it will have a tendency to shorten or retract to its natural state. This will provide a force on the anchoring points to move closer to each other. If the anchoring points are e.g. provided on teeth within the same arch (i.e. maxilla or mandible), then this will provide a force to move the teeth closer to each other.

[0051] In the examples of FIGS. 1A and 1B, all openings 11-16, 21-24 are formed by crossing over of wire(s). The wire or bundle of wires forms an endless loop.

[0052] In the examples, all openings have substantially the same size. When these devices are elongated, the openings 11, 16, 21, 24 at opposite ends may deform less than the openings in the centre. That is, the openings 11, 16, 21 and 24 at opposite ends will remain wider and shorter than the openings in the centre. In further examples, the openings may not all have the same size. In particular, the openings at opposite ends may be less wide than other openings of the same device.

[0053] FIG. 10 schematically illustrates another example of an orthodontic device. The orthodontic device of FIG. 10 is generally similar to the example of FIG. 1B, including four openings 21-24 formed by crossing over of wires. In the example of FIG. 10, the orthodontic device is formed by welding at ends 26, 28 at either end of two wires. In between the ends, the two wires are woven in the sense described before. The openings at the opposite ends of the device have a sharpened, straight ends extending in a longitudinal direction, as compared to the more rounded openings in the middle. The extension in the longitudinal direction may help elongating or stretching the orthodontic device, and particularly, the openings at both ends in a longitudinal direction.

[0054] FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate further example of orthodontic devices. In the example of FIG. 2A, two openings 31, 32 are provided at one end, and a third opening 33 is provided at the opposite end. In between the opening 32 and opening 33, a helical coil spring is provided forming the intermediate structure in between the second and third opening. The coil spring and openings may be made as before from Nitinol. The coil spring 35 may be welded, soldered or brazed at either end to the openings. The helical coil spring may have a larger capacity to expand before plastic deformation than the purely braided structure of FIG. 1.

[0055] FIG. 2B shows an alternative example, which is similar to FIG. 2A, but instead of a single helical coil spring, two helical coil springs 34, 36 are provided between the first opening 31 and second opening 32, and between the second opening 32 and third opening 33. The connector in the non-stretched state (in this case a helical coil spring) in between the first and second opening may have a different length than the connector (also a helical coil spring in this specific example) between the second opening 32 and third opening 33.

[0056] The example of FIG. 2C is again slightly different. In this example four openings 41, 42, 43 and 44 are provided, each for receiving and fitting around an anchoring structure or anchoring point. The intermediate structure 46 between the third opening 43 and fourth opening 44 is again formed by a spring. Rather than a coil spring, a serpentine spring is used. A serpentine spring may reduce the risk of hurting an inside of a mouth of a patient.

[0057] Yet a further alternative is shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. FIG. 3A shows a device 50 made of a Nitinol mesh structure in its “natural” or retracted state. The mesh forms both the openings and the intermediate structure connecting them. The mesh may be woven, knitted or braided. The ends of the mesh 52, 54 may be welded.

[0058] Instead of welding the ends of a mesh, the ends may be glued.

[0059] FIG. 3B shows the same device 50 in an expanded state. It should be clear that a single device can have different expanded states. I.e. depending on the specific application, the device may be stretched to different extents in order to fit around the anchoring points. In the example of FIG. 3B, three anchoring points are shown: anchor 62 at one end, anchor 64 at the opposite end and an intermediate anchor 66.

[0060] An aspect of a mesh structure such as the one shown in FIG. 3 is that many openings that can potentially fit different anchoring structures are included. This makes the mesh structure very versatile and suitable for widely different treatments.

[0061] FIG. 4 shows an example of implementation of an orthodontic device resembling the examples of FIG. 1, i.e. devices wherein openings and intermediate structure are formed by braiding or weaving a wire or bundle of wires. The implementation shown resembles the traditional use as an orthodontic power chain.

[0062] FIG. 4 shows how the openings 21-24 of device 20 may be fit around different anchoring structures. FIG. 4 shows a segment of maxillary teeth, 81, 83, 85, 87, 89. Brackets 91, 93, 95, 97, 99 may be cemented on the consecutive teeth. Brackets 95, 97 and 99 are used as anchoring structures, and in particular, the wings surrounding the archwire slot function as anchoring structure. Teeth 85, 87 and 99 are thus pulled closer together.

[0063] Bracket 93 and tooth 83 is not used as anchoring structure. Depending on the need of a specific treatment, it should be clear that not all consecutive brackets need to be used. By increasing the space between openings (and thus more stretching of the intermediate structure between two openings), the pulling forces may be increased.

[0064] In any of the examples disclosed herein, the anchoring points or anchoring structure may be parts of brackets or molar tubes, such as e.g. hooks, and also wings arranged around the archwire slot. In all examples illustrated herein, the openings of the device for receiving an anchoring structure are at least partially rounded. I.e. part of the opening is substantially round, spherical, ovaloid or elliptical.

[0065] In any of the examples disclosed herein, the wires or bundles of wires forming the openings or/mesh may have a variety of cross-sections. Also, the cross-section may not be constant along the entire device. Both in dimensions, and in shape, the cross-section may vary. By varying the cross-section, local weaknesses of local rigidities may be provided such that the orthodontic device deforms in use a tailored manner.

[0066] In any of the disclosed examples, the openings that are configured to receive anchoring structures may be aligned substantially along a longitudinal axis of the orthodontic device. I.e. a centre point of each of the openings may substantially lie on the longitudinal axis, and particularly on a central longitudinal axis.

[0067] Although only a number of examples have been disclosed herein, other alternatives, modifications, uses and/or equivalents thereof are possible. Furthermore, all possible combinations of the described examples are also covered. Thus, the scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by particular examples, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims that follow.