REMOVABLE RAPID MAXILLARY EXPANDER

Abstract

A maxillary arch expander, in particular an expander for use with a human patient, is described. Also described are a method of treatment that includes the use of the maxillary arch expander and a method of inserting and removing the maxillary arch expander from the mouth of the patient. All or part of the maxillary arch expander is generally easily removable and reinsertable during use.

Claims

1. A maxillary arch expander comprising: a first outer portion adapted to be affixed to the teeth on one side of the jaw, a second outer portion adapted to be affixed to the teeth on the other side of the jaw, an expanding portion provided between the first outer portion and the second outer portion, movable between a retracted position and an extended position wherein the expanding portion is biased against the first outer portion and the second outer portion in the extended position, wherein the expanding portion is releasably affixable to the first outer portion and the second outer portion, and following detachment of the expanding portion from the first outer portion and the second outer portion the expanding portion is releasably reaffixable to the first outer portion and the second outer portion.

2. The expander of claim 1 wherein the expanding portion includes two arms releasably affixable to the first outer portion and two arms releasably affixable to the second outer portion.

3. The expander of claim 2 wherein the first outer portion and the second outer portion both include two tooth coverings to which the arms of the expanding portion are releasably affixable.

4. The expander of claim 3 wherein the tooth coverings each include an aperture to accommodate an arm of the expanding portion.

5. The expander of claim 4 wherein each aperture extends no more than 75% through the thickness of the tooth covering.

6. The expander of claim 5 wherein the arms of the expanding portion have a square, pentagonal or hexagonal cross section.

7. The expander of claim 4 including a biased mechanism suitable for securing the arm of the expanding portion in the aperture.

8. The expander of claim 1 wherein the first outer portion and the second outer portion extend 60% or less around the diameter of each tooth to which they are affixed.

9. The expander of claim 1 wherein the first outer portion and the second outer portion cover 25 to 50% of the lateral surface (above the gum line) of each tooth to which they are affixed.

10. The expander of claim 1 wherein the first outer portion and the second outer portion have an associated thickness of 1 cm or less.

11. A maxillary arch expander comprising: a first outer portion adapted to be affixed to the teeth on one side of the jaw, a second outer portion adapted to be affixed to the teeth on the other side of the jaw, an expanding portion provided between the first outer portion and the second outer portion, movable between a retracted position and an extended position wherein the expanding portion is affixable to the first outer portion and the second outer portion, wherein the first and second outer portions cover less than half of the lateral surface of any tooth to which the first and second outer portions are affixed.

12. The expander of claim 11 wherein the first and second outer portions abut the palatal surfaces of any tooth to which they are affixed, and the first and second outer portions do not contact the palatal or buccal surfaces of any tooth to which they are affixed.

13. A method of inserting the maxillary arch expander as claimed in claim 1 into the mouth of a patient comprising: a) providing an impression of the teeth of the patient, b) providing the first and second outer portion manufactured to accommodate the teeth of the patient, c) affixing the first and second outer portions to the teeth of the patient, d) providing the expanding portion in the retracted position, and extending the expanding portion until it abuts the first and second outer portions, e) releasably securing the expanding portion to the first and second outer portions.

14. A method of removing the maxillary arch expander of the claim 1 from the mouth of a patient comprising: detaching the expanding portion from the first and second outer portions, retracting the expanding portion until it no longer abuts the first and second outer portions, removing the expanding portion from the mouth of the patient.

15. A method of expanding the maxillary arch of a patient including the steps of: inserting the maxillary arch expander of claim 1 into the mouth of the patient according to the method detailed herein, moving the expanding portion towards the extended position to expand the maxillary arch.

16. The method as claimed in claim 14 including: removing the expanding portion of the expander of the present invention from the mouth of the patient, taking an impression of the mouth of the patient, reaffixing the expanding portion to the first and second outer portions, producing a retainer from the impression.

17. A kit of parts comprising the first and second outer portions and the expanding portion as claimed in claim 1 and instructions for use.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0097] To enable the present invention to be easily understood and readily practiced, the present invention will now be described for purposes of illustration and not limitation, in connection with the following figures wherein:

[0098] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an extender according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0099] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an extender according to one embodiment of the present invention following removal of the expanding portion from the first and second outer portions.

[0100] FIG. 3 shows an alginate mound of the teeth of the patient to allow customized first and second outer portions to be molded.

[0101] FIGS. 4A and 4B show a top view and a cross-section respectively of one embodiment of an arm of the expanding portion and the corresponding receiving portion of the tooth covering.

[0102] FIGS. 5A and 5B show a top view and a cross-section respectively of one embodiment of an arm of the expanding portion and the corresponding receiving portion of the tooth covering.

[0103] FIGS. 6A and 6B show a top view and a cross-section respectively of one embodiment of an arm of the expanding portion and the corresponding receiving portion of the tooth covering.

[0104] FIGS. 7A and 7B show a top view and a cross-section respectively of one embodiment of an arm of the expanding portion and the corresponding receiving portion of the tooth covering.

[0105] It should be understood that the drawings described below are for illustration purposes only. Like numerals generally refer to like parts. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, with emphasis generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the present teachings. The drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the present teachings in any way.

[0106] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an extender, 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The first outer portion, 2 includes two tooth coverings, 3, 4 connected by a metal bar, 5. According to some embodiments of the present invention, the tooth coverings are not connected by a metal bar. The tooth coverings, 3, 4 abut the inward facing surface of a canine and a molar of the patient. Each tooth, 3, 4 covering extends approximately 20 to 30% around the diameter of the tooth it abuts and covers 25 to 30% of the lateral surface of the tooth it abuts. Each tooth covering includes an aperture which extends around 75% through the thickness of the tooth covering.

[0107] The expander portion, 6 includes four arms, 7, 8, 9, 10 and each arm, 7, 8, 9, 10 is accommodated within the four apertures provided in the tooth coverings, 3, 4, 11, 12. Each arm, 7, 8, 9, 10 of the expander portion, 6 is releasably affixed to a tooth covering, 3, 4, 11, 12.

[0108] The expander portion, 6 is laterally movable within the mouth of a patient towards the two sides of the patient's jaw. The expander portion, 6 is movable between a retracted and an expanded position through expansion of a screw. Generally a 180 degree rotation of the screw is associated with a movement of 2 mm between the retracted and extended positions.

[0109] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an extender according to one embodiment of the present invention following removal of the expander portion, 6 from the first and second outer portions, 2, 20. The expander portion, 6 may be temporarily removed to allow cleaning or repair. The first and second outer portions, 2, 20 remain affixed to the teeth of the patient. The outer portions, 2, 20 do not significantly extend from the teeth of the patient providing comfort. The embodiment of FIG. 2 includes a metal bar connecting the tooth coverings on each side of the jaw. However, this metal bar is optional, and in some embodiments of the present invention the tooth coverings are not connected.

[0110] FIG. 3 shows a wax mound, 30 of the teeth of the patient to allow customized first and second outer portions to be molded. As noted above, the metal bar connecting the tooth coverings is not present in all embodiments of the present invention.

[0111] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrates an embodiment where the receiving portion 30 is soldered to the tooth covering, 3 by a solder inset, 42. The side walls of the receiving portion, 31, 32 slope inwards to reduce the risk of inadvertent detachment of the arm, 7 of the expanding portion, 6 from the receiving portion, 30. The receiving portion, 30 is of generally circular cross-section but with two substantially straight sections, 33, 34, generally opposite each other to prevent the risk of rotational slippage. The arm, 7 has a similarly shaped cross section. Four grooves, 35, 36, 37 and 38 are incorporated on the side walls, 31, 32 of the receiving portion, 30 to facilitate insertion of the arm, 7. The arm, 7 narrows towards its end before radially extending to form a lip.

[0112] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a further embodiment, similar to that illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B. The receiving portion, 30 is of generally circular cross section except with one straight section, 33. The arm, 7 has a similarly shaped cross section. There is provided a screw, 40 to secure the arm, 7 into the receiving portion, 30. The screw, 40 extends through the side wall, 31, 32 of the receiving portion, 30 into the arm, 7 at the straight section, 33.

[0113] FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate an embodiment where the receiving portion, 30, and arm, 7 are both of generally hexagonal cross-section. There is provided a locking bolt mechanism, 40 on the receiving portion, 30 which engages the end of the arm, 7 in the receiving portion, 30 once the locking bolt mechanism, 40 is fully screwed. A key or other tool may be required to disengage the locking bolt mechanism, 40.

[0114] The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B includes a safety clip, 50 provided in the receiving portion, 30 to secure the arm, 7 into the receiving portion, 30.

[0115] All numerical values provided incorporate 10% less than and 10% more than the numerical value provided.

[0116] Where appropriate, teaching relating to any aspect or embodiment may relate to any other embodiment.

[0117] Various modifications and variations of the described aspects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes of carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the relevant fields are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.