Self-ligating orthodontic bracket and opening method thereof

Abstract

A self-ligating orthodontic bracket. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket comprises a bracket body and a movable closure member, and the bracket body includes a first body portion, a second body portion and an archwire slot therebetween, running through the bracket body. The movable closure member is engaged with the second body portion and movable relative thereto between an opened position and a closed position; the first body portion and/or the movable closure member include, at the inward end thereof, a tool receptacle having a receptacle top and a receptacle bottom, and the tool receptacle is adjacent to the archwire slot, the archwire slot and the first body portion co-form a first side surface, while the archwire slot and the second body portion co-form a second side surface, the tool receptacle includes a smooth surface that slopes downwardly to the first side surface.

Claims

1. A self-ligating orthodontic bracket, comprising: a bracket body and a movable closure member, wherein the bracket body includes a first body portion, a second body portion and an archwire slot therebetween; and the movable closure member is engaged with the second body portion and movable relative thereto between an opened position in which the archwire is insertable into the archwire slot, and a closed position in which the movable closure member retains the archwire in the archwire slot, the first body portion comprising an inward end and the movable closure member comprising an inward end, wherein the inward end of the first body portion and the inward end of the movable closure member face each other; wherein the first body portion and/or the movable closure member includes a tool receptacle having a receptacle top and a receptacle bottom, and the tool receptacle is provided at the inward end of the first body portion and/or the movable closure member and adjacent to the archwire slot, and the tool receptacle includes a smooth surface that slopes downward to the inward end; and the archwire slot comprises a first side wall and a second side wall; the first sidewall of the archwire slot and the first body portion co-form a first side surface; and the second sidewall of the archwire slot and the second body portion co-form a second side surface; wherein in operation, a tip of an opening tool is inserted into the tool receptacle, then the tip of said opening tool slides along the smooth surface downwardly to the receptacle bottom, whereby said opening tool pushes the moveable closure member so as to open the archwire slot, wherein the smooth surface includes a first section and a second section in a sequence from a top of the smooth surface to a bottom of the smooth surface, wherein the first section is connected to the second section, and an angle between a tangent of the second section and the first side surface or the second side surface gradually decreases along the direction from the top to the bottom of the smooth surface, the second section being a curved surface that is outwardly convex.

2. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 1, wherein an angle between the tangent of the first section and the first side surface or the second side surface remains constant or gradually increases along the direction from the top to the bottom of the smooth surface.

3. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 2, wherein the first section smoothly connects to the second section.

4. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 1, wherein the bottom of the smooth surface is the receptacle bottom.

5. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 1, wherein, when viewed in a top view, the smooth surface is a curved bevel, the top of the smooth surface includes an arc shape, the smooth surface is gradually narrowed from the top to the bottom thereof, and the bottom of the smooth surface is an arc or a point.

6. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 1, wherein the tool receptacle further includes a sinking settlement step disposed on the inward end of the first body portion and/or the movable closure member, adjacent to the archwire slot, wherein the top of the smooth surface is connected to a bottom of the sinking settlement step, wherein the receptacle top is a top of the sinking settlement step.

7. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 6, wherein the sinking settlement step includes a concave surface extending along a direction perpendicular to the bottom of the archwire slot and a planar surface perpendicular to the first side surface, wherein the planar surface is connected to the top of the smooth surface.

8. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 1, wherein the first body portion includes a receiving step on the first side surface, wherein the receiving step is disposed parallel to the archwire slot.

9. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 8, wherein the smooth surface of the receptacle bottom is disposed between a base surface of the receiving step and the bottom of the archwire slot.

10. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 1, wherein the second body portion includes a sliding groove along which the movable closure member slides, having a reversed-T cross section, wherein two lateral sides of the movable closure member protrude outward to form two side lateral protrusions, while two lateral sides of the sliding groove respectively each comprise a rail along which the lateral protrusions slide.

11. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 10, wherein the movable closure member includes a guiding slider extending along the sliding direction of the movable closure member, while the sliding groove includes a guiding slot along which the guiding slider slides.

12. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 11, wherein the guiding slot is disposed on one of the two rails.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with a general description of the invention given above, and the detailed descriptions given below, serve to explain the invention.

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded view of a self-ligating orthodontic bracket in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a bracket body in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention;

(4) FIG. 3 is a front view of the bracket body in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention;

(5) FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the bracket body in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention;

(6) FIG. 5 is a front view of a movable closure member in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention;

(7) FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a bracket body in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention;

(8) FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the bracket body in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention;

(9) FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a bracket body in accordance with the third embodiment of the invention;

(10) FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of a self-ligating bracket according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

(11) FIG. 10 is a schematic exploded view of the self-ligating orthodontic bracket in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the invention;

(12) FIG. 11 a schematic perspective view of a self-ligating bracket according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention;

(13) FIG. 12 is a schematic exploded view showing the structure of the self-ligating bracket of the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(14) Although the invention will be described in connection with certain embodiments, the invention is not limited to practice in any one specific type of self-ligating orthodontic bracket. The description of the embodiments of the invention is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalent arrangements as many be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. In particular, those skilled in the art will be recognize that the components of the embodiments of the invention described herein could be arranged in multiple different ways.

First Embodiment

(15) Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, a self-ligating orthodontic bracket includes a pad 40, a bracket body 10 and a movable closure member 30. The pad 40 is used to bond to the tooth. The pad 40 is fixedly connected to the bracket body 10. The bracket body 10 includes a first body portion 11, a second body portion 12 and an archwire slot 13 configured between the first body portion 11 and the second body portion 12, running through the bracket body 10. The archwire slot 13 is adapted to receive an archwire. The moveable closure member 30 is engaged with the bracket body 10 and movable relative thereto between an opened position in which the archwire is insertable into the archwire slot 13, and a closed position in which the movable closure member 30 retains the archwire in the archwire slot 13. In this embodiment, the movable closure member 30 is a ligating slide.

(16) The bracket body 10 includes a tool receptacle having a receptacle top and a receptacle bottom, disposed at the inward end of the first body portion 11 and adjacent to the archwire slot 13. The archwire slot 13 and the first body portion 11 co-form a first side surface 14, while the archwire slot 13 and the second body portion 12 co-form a second side surface 15. The tool receptacle includes a smooth surface 20 that slopes downward to the inward end of the first body portion 11. The tool receptacle is adapted to allow an insertion of an opening tool, in which a sloped smooth surface 20 is arranged. In operation, a tip of the opening tool is inserted into the tool receptacle, then the tip of the opening tool slides along the smooth surface 20 downwardly to the receptacle bottom, whereby the opening tool pushes the moveable closure member 30 so as to open the archwire slot 13.

(17) The conventional tool receptacle of the brackets on the market are all in a rectangular parallelepiped shape adapting for the tip of miniature flathead tool. Since the bracket is used to bond on patient's teeth, the size of the bracket is comparatively smaller than human teeth. The length and width of a bracket are in the range of 2-4 mm. The size of the tool receptacle is even smaller. In operation, the tip of the tool is inserted into the conventional tool receptacle and rotated in either the clockwise or counter clockwise direction by 90 degrees. During the rotation of the opening tool, it bears against the ligating slide, so that the ligating slide moves in the gingival direction relative to the bracket body toward the open position. However, the self-ligating orthodontic brackets on the market require special tools, and thus replacement of these special tools consumes orthodontist's working time; as the size of the tool receptacle is relatively small, it is difficult for the opening process and application of external forces; moreover, during the rotation of the tool, a static friction force is induced between the self-ligating orthodontic bracket and the patient's tooth, thereby weakening the bond between the bracket and the tooth, resulting in prolonging the orthodontic treatment. What's even worse is that, the self-ligating orthodontic bracket may be easily dropped off, causing medical malpractice.

(18) The smooth surface 20 includes a first section 203 and a second section 204 in a sequence from the top 201 of the smooth surface 20 to the bottom 202 of the smooth surface 20, wherein the first section 203 is connected to the second section 204, and an angle between a tangent of the second section 204 and the first side surface 14 gradually decreases along the direction from the top 201 to the bottom 202 of the smooth surface 20. The second section 204 is a curved surface that is an outwardly convex. A downward pressure is applied to the opening tool getting close to the second section 204, then the tip of the opening tool would slide along the second section 204 from its top to its bottom easily with the aid of the outwardly convex shape of the second section 204. During the sliding process, the side wall of the opening tool bears against the moveable closure member 30, and thus opens the archwire slot 13. The entire opening operation is much easier than that in the conventional operation. In contrast, if the second section 204 is a curved surface that is inwardly concave, the downward force might not drive the opening tool declining but standing still.

(19) In this embodiment, the bottom 202 of the smooth surface 20 is the receptacle bottom. The tip of the opening tool could slide down the smooth surface 20 all the way to the bottom 202. Since the bottom 202 of the smooth surface 20 is the receptacle bottom, the opening tool can push the movable closure member 30 to a distal end. In other embodiments, the bottom 202 of the smooth surface 20 may not be the receptacle bottom. The smooth surface 20 may also be connected to a plane, which configuration may be still included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

(20) Referring now to FIG. 4, an angle between a tangent of the first section 203 and the first side surface 14 gradually increases along the direction from the top 201 to the bottom 202 of the smooth surface 20. The first section 203 is a curved surface that is inwardly concave, assisting in guiding the opening tool into the tool receptacle. In other embodiments, an angle between a tangent of the first section 203 and the first side surface 14 is constant, which configuration may be still included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

(21) Further in the present embodiment, the first section 203 smoothly connects to the second section 204. The smooth transition therebetween is beneficial to the sliding process of the tip of the opening tool from the first section 203 to the second section 204.

(22) The smooth surface 20 is a curved bevel, the first section 203 and the second section 204 are approximately circular mesas. The top 201 of the smooth surface 20 includes an arc shape, and the bottom of the smooth surface 20 is a point or an arc. In this embodiment, the bottom of the smooth surface 20 is a point. The smooth surface 20 is approximate to a half of an eye. Because of attractive appearance of the tool receptacle, the bracket can be easy to identify. The opening process is similar to that mentioned above, which is not repeated here.

(23) The tool receptacle further includes a sinking settlement step 111, disposed on the inward end of the first body portion 11, adjacent to the archwire slot 13. The top 201 of the smooth surface 20 is connected to the bottom of the sinking settlement step 111. The receptacle top is the top of the sinking settlement step 111. In consideration of a miniature size of the tool receptacle, the provided sinking settlement step 111 may enlarge the size of the tool receptacle for the opening tool to insert thereto. Further in the present embodiment, the sinking settlement step 111 includes a concave surface 1111 extending along a direction perpendicular to the bottom of the archwire slot 13 and a planar surface 1112 perpendicular to the first side surface 14. The planar surface 1112 is connected to the top 201 of the smooth surface 20.

(24) The first body portion 11 includes a receiving step 16 on the first side surface 14, wherein the receiving step 16 is disposed parallel to the archwire slot 13, and is used to receive the inward end of the movable closure member 30. When the movable closure member 30 is in the closed position, the inward end of the movable closure member 30 is on receiving step 16, abutting against the side wall of the receiving step 16. The bottom of the movable closure member 30 abuts against the base surface of the receiving step 16. The bottom 202 of the smooth surface 20 is disposed between the bottom of the receiving step 16 and the bottom of the archwire slot 13. Since the bottom 202 of the smooth surface 20 is below the base surface of the receiving step 16, the opening tool can push the movable closure member 30 to the distal end.

(25) The second body portion 12 includes a sliding groove 121 along which the movable closure member 30 slides, having a reversed-T cross section, wherein two lateral sides of the movable closure member 30 protrude outward to form two lateral protrusions 31 and 32, while two lateral sides of the sliding groove 121 respectively include rails 1211 and 1212 along which the lateral protrusions 31 and 32 slide. In such way, the movable closure member 30 is movable along the sliding groove 121 between an opened position in which the archwire is insertable into the archwire slot 13, and a closed position in which the movable closure member 30 retains the archwire in the archwire slot 13.

(26) The movable closure member 30 includes a guiding slider 33 extending along the sliding direction of the movable closure member 30, while the sliding groove 121 includes a guiding slot 1213 along which the guiding slider 33 slides. The guiding slider 33 and the guiding slot 1213 are used to define the sliding direction of the movable closure member 30.

(27) Furthermore, the guiding slot 1213 is disposed on the rail 1212; in other embodiments, the guiding slots 1213 may also be respectively disposed on the rails 1211 and 1212.

Second Embodiment

(28) Referring to the FIG. 6-7, a self-ligating orthodontic bracket is provided in the present embodiment. The bracket in the present embodiment is analogous to an extent to the bracket in the first embodiment, but the differences are as follows:

(29) The tool receptacle is composed of the smooth surface 20 only. The top 201 of the smooth surface 20 is the receptacle top, while the bottom 202 of the smooth surface 20 is the receptacle bottom. The tool receptacle doesn't include any sinking settlement step.

(30) The smooth surface 20 includes a first section 203 and a second section 204 in a sequence from the top 201 of the smooth surface 20 to the bottom 202 of the smooth surface 20, wherein the first section 203 is connected to the second section 204, and an angle between a tangent of the second section 204 and the first side surface 14 is constant along the direction from the top 201 to the bottom 202 of the smooth surface 20. The second section 204 is a circular mesa. A downward pressure is applied to the opening tool getting close to the second section 204, then the tip of the opening tool would slide along the second section 204 from its top to its bottom easily with the aid of the circular mesa of the second section 204. During the sliding process, the side wall of the opening tool bears against the moveable closure member 30, and thus opens the archwire slot 13. The entire opening operation is much easier than that in the conventional operation. In a preferred configuration, an angle between a tangent of the first section 203 and the first side surface 14 gradually increases along the direction from the top 201 to the bottom 202 of the smooth surface 20. The first section 203 is a curved surface that is inwardly concave, assisting in guiding the opening tool into the tool receptacle.

(31) The smooth surface 20 is a curved bevel, the top 201 of the smooth surface 20 includes an arc shape, and the bottom 202 of the smooth surface 20 is a point, that is, the smooth surface 20 gradually diminishes from the top 201 to the bottom 202 thereof. In this embodiment, the tool receptacle is approximate to a half of an eye. Because of attractive appearance of the tool receptacle, the bracket can be easy to identify.

(32) The rest structure of second embodiment can be referred to the first embodiment, so details are not described herein.

Third Embodiment

(33) Referring to the FIG. 8, a self-ligating orthodontic bracket is provided. The bracket in the present embodiment is analogous to an extent to the bracket in the first embodiment, but the differences are as follows:

(34) The sinking settlement step 111 is composed of a concave surface 1111 extending in a direction perpendicular to the bottom of the archwire slot 13 only. The concave surface 1111 is connected to the top 201 of the smooth surface 20. The smooth surface 20 is an inclined surface. The bottom 202 of the smooth surface 20 is flush with the base surface of the receiving step 16.

(35) The rest structure of third embodiment can be referred to the first embodiment, so details are not described herein.

Fourth Embodiment

(36) Referring to the FIGS. 9-10, a self-ligating orthodontic bracket is provided. The bracket in the present embodiment is analogous to an extent to the bracket in the second embodiment, but the differences are as follows:

(37) The movable closure member 30 includes a tool receptacle 34 disposed on the inward end of the movable closure member 30. The tool receptacle 34 is adjacent to the archwire slot 13. And the tool receptacle 34 includes a smooth surface 20 that slopes downward to the inward end of the movable closure member 30.

(38) The smooth surface 20 includes a first section 203 and a second section 204, and in the present embodiment, the bottom 202 of the smooth surface 20 is the receptacle 34 bottom. In other embodiments, the bottom 202 of the smooth surface 20 may not be the receptacle 34 bottom, instead, the bottom 202 of the smooth surface 20 may be connected to a plane, which is still within the scope of the present invention. The first and second sections 203, 204 are in a sequence from a top of the smooth surface to a bottom of the smooth surface, wherein the first section 203 is connected to the second section 204. And an angle between a tangent of the second section 204 and the second side surface 15 gradually decreases along the direction from the top 201 to the bottom 202 of the smooth surface 20. The second section 204 is a curved surface that is outwardly convex. A downward pressure is applied to the opening tool getting close to the second section 204, then the tip of the opening tool would slide along second section 204 from its top to its bottom easily with the aid of the outwardly convex shape of the second section 204. During the sliding process, the side wall of the opening tool bears against the moveable closure member 30, and thus opens the archwire slot 13. The entire opening operation is much easier than that in the conventional operation.

(39) Referring to FIG. 4, an angle between a tangent of the first section 203 and the second side surface 15 gradually increases along the direction from the top 201 to the bottom 202 of the smooth surface 20. The first section 203 is a curved surface that is inwardly concave, assisting in guiding the opening tool into the tool receptacle 34. In other embodiments, the angle between the tangent of the first section 203 and the second side surface 15 gradually decreases or remains constant along the direction from the top 201 to the bottom 202 of the smooth surface 20, which analogously facilitates opening the archwire slot 13. The description of the embodiments of the invention is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalent arrangements as many be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

(40) Further in the present embodiment, the first section 203 smoothly connects to the second section 204.

(41) The smooth surface 20 is a curved bevel, the top 201 of the smooth surface 20 includes an arc shape, and the bottom of the smooth surface 20 is a point. The bottom of the smooth surface 20 is the receptacle 34 bottom. In operation, a downward force is applied to said opening tool, the tip of the opening tool could slide down the smooth surface 20 all the way to the bottom 202. Since the bottom 202 of the smooth surface 20 is the bottom of the tool receptacle 34, the side wall of the opening tool can push the movable closure member 30 to the distal end.

(42) The rest structure of third embodiment can be referred to the second embodiment, so details are not described herein.

Fifth Embodiment

(43) Referring to FIGS. 11-12, a self-ligating orthodontic bracket is provided. The bracket in the present embodiment is analogous to an extent to the bracket in the second embodiment, but the differences are as follows:

(44) Both the first body portion 11 and the movable closure member 30 include tool receptacles 34. The tool receptacle 34 on the first body portion 11 and the tool receptacle 34 on the movable closure member 30 are symmetrical.

(45) In this embodiment, the two tool receptacles are approximate to an eye. The shape of the tool receptacles is special and highly recognizable.

(46) The rest structure of the third embodiment can be referred to the second embodiment, so details are not described herein.

(47) While the invention has been illustrated by a description of various embodiments and while these embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such details. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art.