ORTHODONTIC METHOD

Abstract

An orthodontic method is disclosed wherein images of the oral cavity are taken in advance by means of computed tomography and the images are analyzed. The orthodontic method includes means for causing bone resorption to the alveolar bone and means for applying an orthodontic force to the tooth without using an orthodontic appliance. The means for applying an orthodontic force to the tooth may be sonic wave vibration applied to the tooth. The means for causing bone resorption to the alveolar bone may be sonic wave vibration applied to the alveolar bone, a laser beam applied to the alveolar bone, or a substance involved in bone resorption being injected into a surface of the alveolar bone. The substance involved in bone resorption may be Th17.

Claims

1. An orthodontic method by taking images of the oral cavity in advance by means of computed tomography and analyzing said images, said orthodontic method comprising means for causing bone resorption to the alveolar bone and means for applying an orthodontic force to the tooth without using an orthodontic appliance.

2. An orthodontic method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for applying an orthodontic force to the tooth is sonic wave vibration applied to said tooth.

3. An orthodontic method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for causing bone resorption to the alveolar bone is sonic wave vibration applied to said alveolar bone.

4. An orthodontic method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for causing bone resorption to the alveolar bone is a laser beam applied to said alveolar bone.

5. An orthodontic method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for causing bone resorption to the alveolar bone is a substance involved in bone resorption, said substance being injected into a surface of said alveolar bone.

6. An orthodontic method as claimed in claim 5 wherein said substance involved in bone resorption is Th17.

7. An orthodontic method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said images are taken and analyzed by the following steps: (1) the skull of the patient being fixed at three points and images of the oral cavity being taken by means of computed tomography to analyze, on a basis of the images, the arrangement of the teeth, the form of the teeth, the size of the teeth, the form and size of the jawbone, the condition of the periodontal membrane including the existence of bony adhesions, and the condition of the alveolar bone, (2) the arrangement of the teeth having improved occlusion being three-dimensionally simulated by means of a computer on a basis of the images taken by means of computed tomography, (3) when the patient is in a growth period, the growth of the jawbone being predicted by means of a computer, (4) the data obtained first by means of computed tomography being superimposed on the data obtained by simulating the arrangement of the teeth having improved occlusion by means of computed tomography, (5) the direction and distance of movement of each tooth being three-dimensionally predicted by means of a computer, and (6) the changes of the arrangement and position of the tooth root being analyzed; on a basis of the form of the tooth and the positional change of the center of the tooth root, the locus of movement being analyzed by means of a computer, thereby, the optimum portion for resorption of the alveolar bone being obtained by means of a computer.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a tooth and surrounding tissue thereof showing an example of an orthodontic method according to the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 2 is a sectional view for reference showing a tooth and surrounding tissue thereof

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0037] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0038] The orthodontic method according to the present invention comprises the following steps for example:

[0039] (1) The skull of the patient is fixed at three points and images of the oral cavity are taken by means of computed tomography to analyze, on a basis of the images, the arrangement of the teeth, the form of the teeth, the size of the teeth, the form and size of the jawbone, the condition of the periodontal membrane including the existence of bony adhesions, and the condition of the alveolar bone.

[0040] (2) The arrangement of the teeth having improved occlusion is three-dimensionally simulated by means of a computer on a basis of the images taken by means of computed tomography.

[0041] (3) When the patient is in a growth period, the growth of the jawbone is predicted by means of a computer.

[0042] (4) The data obtained first by means of computed tomography is superimposed on the data obtained by simulating the arrangement of the teeth having improved occlusion by means of computed tomography.

[0043] (5) The direction and distance of movement of each tooth is three-dimensionally predicted by means of a computer.

[0044] (6) Particularly, the changes of the arrangement and position of the tooth root are analyzed. On a basis of the form of the tooth and the positional change of the center of the tooth root, the locus of movement is analyzed by means of a computer. Thereby, the optimum portion for resorption of the alveolar bone is obtained by means of a computer.

[0045] (7) Since the skull of the patient is fixed at three points, the optimum portion shown three-dimensionally by a computer can be reproduced.

[0046] The orthodontic method according to the present invention further comprises means for causing bone resorption to the alveolar bone and means for applying an orthodontic force to the tooth.

[0047] Said means for applying an orthodontic force to the tooth is preferably sonic wave vibration applied to the tooth. Said sonic wave vibration includes ultrasonic wave vibration. Said sonic wave vibration is applied one time or a plurality of times in a pinpoint manner to the tooth and serves as an orthodontic force to the tooth. The frequency of the sonic wave vibration, the length of time of the sonic wave vibration and the power of the sonic wave vibration are such that the sonic wave vibration gives an orthodontic force necessary to move the tooth, and are not limited as far as the sonic wave vibration is not strong to such an extent that it damages the tooth, gingival, periodontal membrane or alveolar bone. The orthodontic force is preferably 200 g to 400 g, for example, according to the tooth. The portion of the tooth to which the orthodontic force is applied is the center of the tooth root in many cases, but varies according as how the tooth is moved. The magnitude of the orthodontic force applied to the tooth, the portion of the tooth to which the orthodontic force is applied, and the direction in which the orthodontic force is applied are calculated by means of computed tomography. The appliance for generating the sonic wave vibration may be an ultrasonic therapy device generally used in dental therapy.

[0048] Said means for causing bone resorption to the alveolar bone is preferably sonic wave vibration applied to said alveolar bone. The sonic wave vibration gives a thermal effect. The sonic wave vibration is applied one time or a plurality of times to the alveolar bone to give a thermal stimulation to the alveolar bone, thereby inflammatory stimuli being given the alveolar bone, osteoclasts on a surface of the alveolar bone being activated so as to cause bone resorption to the alveolar bone.

[0049] Said means for causing bone resorption to the alveolar bone is preferably a laser beam applied to the alveolar bone. The laser beam gives a thermal effect. The laser beam is applied one time or a plurality of times to the alveolar bone to give a thermal stimulation to said alveolar bone, thereby inflammatory stimuli being given said alveolar bone, osteoclasts on a surface of said alveolar bone being activated so as to cause bone resorption to said alveolar bone.

[0050] The laser beam has been generally used in dental therapy because the laser beam suppresses bleeding, and gives less discomfort and pain. However, the use of the laser beam in dental therapy has been limited to the treatment of dental caries, the removal of tartar, the removal of pigmentation, the incision and removal of gums, the treatment of stomatitis, the removal of zonule, etc. The laser beam has not been used in orthodontic treatment. In the present invention, the laser beam is used in the orthodontic treatment.

[0051] The intensity of the laser light, the required dose of the laser light, the target of emission, the distance of emission and the time of emission are not limited as far as the thermal stimulation at the portion to which the laser beam is emitted gives inflammatory stimuli and activates osteoclasts. However, the laser beam must not be strong enough to damage the tooth, gingival, periodontal membrane, alveolar bone, etc. In the present invention, any of the following lasers generally used in dental therapy may be used: an argon laser having a wavelength of about 488 nm, a helium neon laser having a wavelength of about 632.8 nm, a semiconductor laser having a wavelength of about 655 nm to 2,000 nm, a Nd-YAG laser having a wavelength of about 1,064 nm, an Er.Cr.YSGG laser having a wavelength of about 2,780 nm, an erbium laser having a wavelength of about 2,940 nm, a carbon dioxide laser having a wavelength of about 10,600 nm, etc. The laser beam is emitted to the target in a pinpoint manner of about 2 to 5 mm, for example.

[0052] Said means for causing bone resorption to the alveolar bone may be a substance involved in bone resorption, said substance being injected into a surface of said alveolar bone.

[0053] Said substance may be in a liquid or gel state. Said substance may be dissolved in any injectable solution pharmaceutically allowed. Said substance may be injected by any injection means having a container containing said substance and a needle through which said substance is injected.

[0054] The place and quantity of injection of said substance are calculated by means of computed tomography.

[0055] Said substance may be anything as far as the substance is involved in bone resorption and injectable into the human body. Said substance may preferably be Th17 (T helper 17 cell).

[0056] It is already known that said Yh17 introduces quick and strong bone destruction. By injecting TH17 into a surface of the alveolar bone one time or a plurality of times, it is possible to activate the osteoclasts of the alveolar bone so as to cause bone resorption to the alveolar bone.

[0057] An example of tooth movements in the orthodontic method according to the present invention will be described below in detail.

[0058] (1) First, a portion of the alveolar bone to which bone resorption is to be caused is accurately decided.

[0059] (2) Inflammatory stimuli are given to said portion of the alveolar bone to activate the osteoclasts of the alveolar bone and cause bone resorption to said alveolar bone.

[0060] (3) The activation of the osteoclasts is maintained by applying a mechanical orthodontic force to the tooth.

[0061] (4) Means for causing bone resorption to the alveolar bone by giving inflammatory stimuli to said alveolar bone may be any of the following: a substance involved in bone resorption being directly injected into a surface of the alveolar bone; a thermal stimulation being given to the alveolar bone by a thermal effect of a sonic wave vibration, thereby inflammatory stimuli being given the alveolar bone; or the thermal effect of the laser beam being utilized.

[0062] (5) Usually, it is best to apply the orthodontic force in the direction of movement of the tooth. However, it is not always necessary to apply the orthodontic force in the direction of movement of the tooth if the bone resorption portion of the alveolar bone is in proper position.

[0063] (6) Even when bone resorption is caused by inflammatory stimuli, the tooth will be reproduced without moving if the tooth does not receive the orthodontic force.

[0064] (7) To move the tooth, continuous activation of osteoclasts is necessary. The sonic wave vibration and laser beam must apply some force to push the tooth continuously.

[0065] (8) To apply a force to the tooth crown, a supersonic wave toothbrush may be used.

[0066] (9) Regarding the sonic wave vibration and the laser beam, it is necessary to clearly discriminate between thermal stimulation and mechanical force (force of pushing the tooth).

[0067] (10) The sonic wave vibration may be applied in any of the following directions on a case-by-case basis: upward direction, downward direction, direction toward the cheek, direction toward the tongue, mesial direction, and centrifugal direction.

[0068] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0069] FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a tooth and surrounding tissue thereof showing an example of an orthodontic method according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sectional view for reference showing a tooth and surrounding tissue thereof. Numeral 1 represents a tooth. Numeral 2 represents a tooth crown. Numeral 3 represents a tooth root. Numeral 4 represents a gingival. Numeral 5 represents a periodontal membrane. Numeral 6 represents an alveolar bone.

[0070] In FIG. 1, bone resorption 8 occurs on a resorption side 7 of the alveolar bone 6, said resorption side 7 being on one side of the tooth 1. An orthodontic force works on an orthodontic side 9 which is on another side of the tooth 1. In the example shown in FIG. 1, means for applying an orthodontic force to the tooth 1 is sonic wave vibration 10. As a result, the tooth 1 moves to a position of a dotted line as shown by an arrow 11.

[0071] The sonic wave vibration 10 is not always applied to a central portion of the tooth root 3. The sonic wave vibration 10 may be applied to a portion, other than said central portion, of the tooth root 3 or to the tooth crown 2. The orthodontic force may be applied in different directions.

[0072] The sonic wave vibration 10 is applied to the tooth root 3 by, for example, bringing a tip of a sonic wave vibration generator into contact with a surface of the gingival 4.

[0073] A thermal effect of the sonic wave vibration 10 or a laser beam gives inflammatory stimuli to the alveolar bone 6, thereby osteoclasts of the alveolar bone 6 being activated, and bone resorption 8 occurs on the alveolar bone 6. It is also possible to cause bone resorption to the alveolar bone 6 by injecting a substance involved in bone resorption into a surface of said alveolar bone 6. Said sonic wave vibration, laser beam and substance involved in bone resorption maybe applied from the tongue side, from the cheek side or from the palate side.

[0074] Since the alveolar bone 6 exists inside the gingival 4, said sonic wave vibration, laser beam and substance involved in bone resorption are applied through the gingival 4.

[0075] As many apparently widely different embodiments of the present invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments thereof except as defined in the appended claims.