WO2009088165A1

WO2009088165A1 - Device for orthodontics

Info

Publication number: WO2009088165A1
Application number: PCT/KR2008/007748
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jae-Il Park; Soon Jung Hwang; Mi Kyung Suk
Original assignee: Jeil Medical Corporation
Priority date: 2008-01-10
Filing date: 2008-12-29
Publication date: 2009-07-16
Also published as: KR100931256B1; KR20090077254A

Abstract

An orthodontic device is provided for correcting the irregularities of teeth. The device can be installed in the gingiva or the alveolar bone without having to perform any oral and maxillofacial surgery. The device includes a plate designed to make contact with the gingiva and provided with a plurality of holes, the plate including a retainer portion extending from one side of the plate, the retainer portion having a hook for holding a correction member. A fourth screw is inserted into at least one of the holes of the plate and implanted in the alveolar bone. A fifth screw is tightened to the fourth screw to couple the plate and the fourth screw together. A guide member is fitted to the other of the holes of the plate and is implanted in the gingiva. A sixth screw is inserted through the guide member and implanted in the alveolar bone.

Description

DEVICE FOR ORTHODONTICS

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to an orthodontic device and, more particularly, to an orthodontic device for correcting the irregularities of teeth, which can be installed in the gingiva or the alveolar bone without having to perform any oral and maxillofacial surgery. Background Art

[2] In general, a conventional orthodontic device is installed within the oral cavity as shown in Fig. 1 in order to correct the irregularities of teeth. The orthodontic device includes a plate 2 and a screw 6. The plate 2 has a plurality of holes 4 and is formed into a double-staged cross shape. The screw 6 is inserted into one of the holes 4 of the plate 2 and fastened to a jaw bone, thereby fixing the plate 2 within the oral cavity.

[3] Fig. 2 illustrates a state in which the conventional orthodontic device shown in Fig. 1 is installed in place. The plate 2 is inserted under the oral cavity skin by incising the latter. In order to fix the plate 2 in place, the screw 6 is inserted into one of the holes 4 of the plate 2 and fastened to a jaw bone. A brace 8 is connected to the plate 2 after fastening the screw 6. With the conventional orthodontic device installed in this manner, the irregularities of teeth are corrected by the traction force applied the teeth through the brace.

[4] With the conventional orthodontic device, however, it is necessary to perform a surgical operation by which to incise the oral cavity skin. This poses a problem in that the process of installing the orthodontic device is complex, thus making the operation time-consuming. When the orthodontic device is installed within the oral cavity, the lower surface of the plate makes direct contact with a soft bodily tissue. This leads to a problem in that the soft tissue is stimulated and inflamed by the friction with the brace on which the traction force acts.

[5] Since the oral cavity has a generally spherical shape, it is difficult to implant the orthodontic device with increased accuracy. As a patient continues to take food and move his or her tongue, the screw for holding the plate in place may be detached, in which case there is a need to perform a reoperation. Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[6] In view of the afore-mentioned and other problems inherent in the prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide an orthodontic device that can be implanted in the alveolar bone without having to perform any oral and maxillofacial surgery which involves incising the skin within the oral cavity.

[7] Another object of the present invention is to provide an orthodontic device free from side effects, such as inflammation and the like, which would otherwise be caused by a steel wire or a brace.

[8] A further object of the present invention is to provide an orthodontic device which is structurally simple, easy-to-install, capable of shortening the operation time, less susceptible to detachment from the alveolar bone and free from a reoperation. Technical Solution

[9] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an orthodontic device comprising: a plate designed to make contact with a gingiva and provided with a plurality of holes, the plate including a retainer portion extending from one side of the plate, the retainer portion having a hook for holding a correction member; fist screws inserted into the holes of the plate and implanted in an alveolar bone; and second screws tightened to the first screws to couple the plate and the first screws together.

[10] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an orthodontic device comprising: a plate designed to make contact with a gingiva and provided with a plurality of holes, the plate including a retainer portion extending from one side of the plate, the retainer portion having a hook for holding a correction member; guide members fitted to the holes of the plate and implanted in the gingiva; and third screws inserted through the guide members and implanted in an alveolar bone.

[11] According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided an orthodontic device comprising: a plate designed to make contact with a gingiva and provided with a plurality of holes, the plate including a retainer portion extending from one side of the plate, the retainer portion having a hook for holding a correction member; a fourth screw inserted into at least one of the holes of the plate and implanted in an alveolar bone; a fifth screw tightened to the fourth screw to couple the plate and the fourth screw together; a guide member fitted to the other of the holes of the plate and implanted in the gingiva; and a sixth screw inserted through the guide member and implanted in the alveolar bone. Brief Description of Drawings

[12] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a conventional orthodontic device.

[13] Fig. 2 is a plan view illustrating a state in which the orthodontic device shown in Fig.

1 is installed in place.

[14] Fig. 3 is a plan view showing an orthodontic device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

[15] Fig. 4 is a section view of the orthodontic device taken along line A-A in Fig. 3. [16] Fig. 5 is a plan view showing an orthodontic device in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

[17] Fig. 6 is a section view of the orthodontic device taken along line B-B in Fig. 5.

[18] Fig. 7 is a plan view showing an orthodontic device in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.

[19] Fig. 8 is a section view of the orthodontic device taken along line C-C in Fig. 7.

[20] Fig. 9 is a side view illustrating the orthodontic device of the first embodiment installed in place.

[21] Fig. 10 is a side view illustrating the orthodontic device of the second embodiment installed in place.

[22] Fig. 11 is a side view illustrating the orthodontic device of the third embodiment installed in place.

[23] Fig. 12 is a side view showing another method through which to install the present orthodontic device in place. Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention

[24] The above and other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings are presented for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[25] Hereinafter, certain preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[26] Referring first to Figs. 3 and 4, there is shown an orthodontic device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The orthodontic device 10 of the first embodiment includes a plate 12, first screws 20 (see Fig. 4) and second screws 30.

[27] The plate 12 is a flat member and has a first hole 14 and a second hole 16, the first hole 14 being a slot. The plate 12 is provided with a retainer portion 18 extending from one end thereof. The retainer portion 18 is integrally formed with the plate 12 as a single piece. A hook 18a is formed at the free end of the retainer portion 18. A correction member 8 is attached to the hook 18a of the retainer portion 18 as illustrated in Fig. 9. The hook 18a generates a tensile force in the correction member 8. Under the tensile force thus generated, the correction member 8 is pressed against the teeth 1.

[28] The first screws 20 are inserted into the first and second holes 14 and 16 formed in the plate 12. A female thread hole 22 is formed at one end of each of the first screws 20.

[29] The second screws 30 are threadedly coupled to the female thread holes 22 of the first screws 20. The first screws 20 and the plate 12 are combined together by the second screws 30. The first and second screws 20 and 30 inserted into the first hole 14 are movable along the same so as to adjust the implanting position thereof.

[30] Each of the first screws 20 has a male thread formed along one end portion thereof and implanted into the alveolar bone. If necessary, each of the first screws 20 may have an additional male thread formed on the outer circumferential surface of the other end portion thereof. In this case, each of the second screws 30 may have a female thread to be coupled with the additional male thread.

[31] Fig. 4 shows an assembled state of the orthodontic device 10 of the first embodiment configured as above. As shown in Fig. 4, the first screws 20 are inserted into the first and second holes 14 and 16 of the plate 12. Then the second screws 30 are fastened to the first screws 20.

[32] Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, there is shown an orthodontic device 40 in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. The orthodontic device 40 of the second embodiment includes a plate 42, third screws 50 and guide members 60.

[33] The plate 42 has a pair of holes 44 formed at the opposite end portions thereof. The plate 42 includes a retainer portion 18 extending from the intermediate portion thereof at a generally right angle. The retainer portion 18 is integrally formed with the plate 42 as a single piece. A hook 18a is formed at the free end of the retainer portion 18. The retainer portion 18 has essentially the same configuration as that of the retainer portion described above in connection with the first embodiment. Therefore, the retainer portion 18 will be designated by the same reference numeral, with no description offered in that regard.

[34] Each of the guide members 60 has a cylindrical shape. The free end portion of each of the guide members 60 is sharpened so that each of the guide members 60 can be implanted into the gingiva. Each of the guide members 60 has a through-hole 62 into which each of the third screws 50 is inserted.

[35] The third screws 50 are inserted into the through-holes 61 of the guide members 60 and fixed to the alveolar bone through the gingiva. Thus the third screws 50 press the plate 42 against the gingiva to fix it to the gingiva, while causing the guide members 60 to be implanted into the gingiva.

[36] Fig. 6 shows an assembled state of the orthodontic device 40 of the second embodiment configured as above. As shown in Fig. 6, the guide members 60 are first fitted to the holes 44 of the plate 42. The guide members 60 thus fitted are integrally bonded to the plate 42 as by laser welding. Then the third screws 50 are inserted into the through-holes 62 of the guide members 60. The third screws 50 are driven into the alveolar bone, thereby pressing the plate 42 toward the gingiva. As a result, the guide members 60 are implanted into the gingiva. This configuration is advantageous in that the orthodontic device of the second embodiment is hardly detached from the gingiva and the alveolar bone. Furthermore, the orthodontic device of the second embodiment is structurally simple, thereby reducing the time required in attaching the orthodontic device.

[37] Referring to Figs. 7 and 8, there is shown an orthodontic device 70 in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. The orthodontic device 70 of the third embodiment includes a plate 12, a fourth screw 20, a fifth screw 30, a sixth screw 50 and a guide member 60. The orthodontic device 70 of the third embodiment is the combination of the orthodontic devices 10 and 40 described above.

[38] The plate 12 has the same configuration as that of the plate 12 of the first embodiment. In other words, the plate 12 has a first hole 14 and a second hole 16, the first hole 14 being a slot. The plate 12 includes a retainer portion 18 extending from one end thereof at a generally right angle. The plate 12 has essentially the same configuration as that of the retainer portion described above in connection with the first and second embodiments. Therefore, the retainer portion 18 will be designated by the same reference numeral, with no description offered in that regard.

[39] The fourth screw 20 and the fifth screw 30 are the same as the first screws 20 and the second screws 30 of the orthodontic device 10 of the first embodiment. Therefore, the fourth screw 20 and the fifth screw 30 will be designated by the same reference numerals, with no description offered in that regard. The sixth screw 50 and the guide member 60 are the same as the third screws and the guide members of the orthodontic device 40 of the second embodiment. Therefore, the sixth screw 50 and the guide member 60 will be designated by the same reference numerals, with no description offered in that regard.

[40] Next, description will be made on the installation method and operation of the orthodontic devices of the respective embodiments configured as above.

[41] Referring to Fig. 9, there is illustrated the orthodontic device 10 of the first embodiment installed in place. The first screws 20 are inserted into the first hole 14 and the second hole 16 of the plate 12. Then the second screws 30 are tightened to the first screws 20. The plate 12 carrying the first and second screws 20 and 30 is placed on the gingiva to correct the irregularities of teeth. The first screw 20 inserted into the second hole 16 is first implanted in the alveolar bone. The first screw 20 inserted into the first hole 14 is moved along the first hole 14 into a desired implanting position and then implanted in the alveolar bone. Thereafter, one end of the correction member 8 is fixed to the hook 18a of the retainer portion 18. The other end of the correction member 8 is fixed to the hook of the retainer portion of another orthodontic device installed in a spaced-apart relationship with the previously installed orthodontic device 10.

[42] Referring to Fig. 10, there is illustrated the orthodontic device 40 of the second embodiment installed in place. The guide members 60 are first fitted to the holes 44 of the plate 42 and united with the plate 42 as by laser welding. Then the third screws 50 are inserted into the through-holes 62 of the guide members 60. In this state, the third screws 50 are driven into the alveolar bone through the gingiva. The plate 42 is pressed toward the gingiva so that the guide members 60 can be implanted in the gingiva. Once the plate 42 comes into contact with the gingiva, one end of the correction member 8 is fixed to the hook 18a of the retainer portion 18. The other end of the correction member 8 is fixed to the hook of the retainer portion of another orthodontic device installed in a spaced-apart relationship with the previously installed orthodontic device 40.

[43] The orthodontic device 70 of the third embodiment is the combination of the orthodontic devices 10 and 40 of the first and second embodiments. The process of installing the orthodontic device 70 of the third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 11. First, the guide member 60 is fitted to the second hole 16 of the plate 12 and united with the plate 12 as by laser welding. Then the sixth screw 50 is inserted into the through-hole 62 of the guide member 60. Simultaneously, the fourth screw 20 is inserted into the first hole 14 of the plate 12, after which the fifth screw 30 is tightened to the fourth screw 20. In this state, the sixth screw 50 is implanted in the alveolar bone, in which process the sixth screw 50 presses the plate 12 to fix the position of the orthodontic device 70. The guide member 60 is cut into the gingiva when implanting the sixth screw 50. Thereafter, the fourth and fifth screws 20 and 30 are moved along the first hole 14 into a position where the orthodontic device 70 can be strongly fixed in place. In this position, the fourth and fifth screws 20 and 30 are implanted in the alveolar bone. Then, one end of the correction member 8 is fixed to the hook 18a of the retainer portion 18. The other end of the correction member 8 is fixed to the hook of the retainer portion of another orthodontic device installed in a spaced-apart relationship with the previously installed orthodontic device 70.

[44] Referring to Fig. 12, there is illustrated another method through which to install the present orthodontic device in place. Although the orthodontic devices are installed in pair according to the installation methods illustrated in Figs. 9 through 11, only one orthodontic device is installed in case of the installation method shown in Fig. 12. One end of the correction member is fixed to the hook 18a of the retainer portion 18 of the orthodontic device, while the other end is fixed to the alveolar bone by a screw 80. With this installation method, it is possible to generate a tensile force in the correction member and to correct the irregularities of teeth 1.

[45] Although certain preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described for illustrative purposes, the present invention is not limited thereto. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the claims. Industrial Applicability

[46] The present orthodontic device includes a hook and therefore prevents a correction member from making frictional contact with the skin, such as the gingiva, within the oral cavity. This keeps the orthodontic device free from side effects, which may otherwise be caused after the operation. Furthermore, the present orthodontic device is structurally simple, easy-to-install and capable of shortening the operation time. In addition, since the screws are directly fixed to the alveolar bone and are less susceptible to detachment from the alveolar bone. This eliminates the need to perform a reoperation and eventually shortens the time required in correcting the irregularities of teeth.

Claims

[1] An orthodontic device comprising: a plate designed to make contact with a gingiva and provided with a plurality of holes, the plate including a retainer portion extending from one side of the plate, the retainer portion having a hook for holding a correction member; first screws inserted into the holes of the plate and implanted in an alveolar bone; and second screws tightened to the first screws to couple the plate and the first screws together.

[2] The orthodontic device as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of the holes of the plate is a slot.

[3] The orthodontic device as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the first screws has a female thread hole for thread coupling with each of the second screws.

[4] The orthodontic device as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the first screws has a first male thread portion formed at one end portion thereof for implantation in the alveolar bone and a second male thread portion formed at the other end portion thereof for thread coupling with each of the second screws.

[5] The orthodontic device as recited in claim 1, wherein the retainer portion extends from one end portion of the plate and is integrally formed with the plate.

[6] An orthodontic device comprising: a plate designed to make contact with a gingiva and provided with a plurality of holes, the plate including a retainer portion extending from one side of the plate, the retainer portion having a hook for holding a correction member; guide members fitted to the holes of the plate and implanted in the gingiva; and third screws inserted through the guide members and implanted in an alveolar bone.

[7] The orthodontic device as recited in claim 6, wherein each of the guide members has a through-hole into which each of the third screws is inserted.

[8] The orthodontic device as recited in claim 6, wherein the retainer portion extends from an intermediate portion of the plate and is integrally formed with the plate.

[9] An orthodontic device comprising: a plate designed to make contact with a gingiva and provided with a plurality of holes, the plate including a retainer portion extending from one side of the plate, the retainer portion having a hook for holding a correction member; a fourth screw inserted into at least one of the holes of the plate and implanted in an alveolar bone; a fifth screw tightened to the fourth screw to couple the plate and the fourth screw together; a guide member fitted to the other of the holes of the plate and implanted in the gingiva; and a sixth screw inserted through the guide member and implanted in the alveolar bone. [10] The orthodontic device as recited in claim 9, wherein the hole into which the fourth screw is inserted is a slot. [11] The orthodontic device as recited in claim 9, wherein the fourth screw has a female thread hole for thread coupling with the fifth screw. [12] The orthodontic device as recited in claim 9, wherein the fourth screw has a first male thread portion formed at one end portion thereof for implantation in the alveolar bone and a second male thread portion formed at the other end portion thereof for thread coupling with the fifth screw. [13] The orthodontic device as recited in claim 9, wherein the guide member has a through-hole into which the sixth screw is inserted. [14] The orthodontic device as recited in claim 9, wherein the retainer portion extends from one end portion of the plate and is integrally formed with the plate.