U.S. patent application number 13/404352 was filed with the patent office on 2012-06-14 for orthodontic appliance.
This patent application is currently assigned to PANASONIC CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Taiji ADACHI, Shogo FUKUSHIMA, Hiroshi KAMIOKA, Takumi SAKIMURA, Teruko YAMAMOTO.
Application Number | 20120148971 13/404352 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38580953 |
Filed Date | 2012-06-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120148971 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
YAMAMOTO; Teruko ; et
al. |
June 14, 2012 |
ORTHODONTIC APPLIANCE
Abstract
The present invention concerns an orthodontic appliance for
accelerating the tooth aligning effect and shortening the treatment
period, and has an object to provide an appliance which can bring
about higher aligning effect than usual ways by giving vibration to
tooth to be aligned to activate bone remodeling of the targeted
tooth and the alveolar bone and enhance the shift of the tooth.
This appliance includes a vibrating element and a dental mouthpiece
having the vibrating element built therein. The provision of the
vibrating element in the dental mouthpiece facilitates the
application of vibration and handling, and continues the treatment
safely even at home. The inner shape of the dental mouthpiece
serves aligning treatment as well as acceleration of the
effect.
Inventors: |
YAMAMOTO; Teruko; (Okayama,
JP) ; KAMIOKA; Hiroshi; (Kurashiki, JP) ;
ADACHI; Taiji; (Kyoto, JP) ; FUKUSHIMA; Shogo;
(Moriguchi, JP) ; SAKIMURA; Takumi; (Osaka,
JP) |
Assignee: |
PANASONIC CORPORATION
Osaka
JP
|
Family ID: |
38580953 |
Appl. No.: |
13/404352 |
Filed: |
February 24, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11721085 |
Jun 7, 2007 |
8152521 |
|
|
PCT/JP2007/056040 |
Mar 23, 2007 |
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13404352 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
433/6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61C 7/006 20130101;
A61C 13/20 20130101; A61C 7/08 20130101; A61C 7/008 20130101; A61C
7/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
433/6 |
International
Class: |
A61C 7/08 20060101
A61C007/08; A61C 7/20 20060101 A61C007/20; A61C 7/14 20060101
A61C007/14 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 28, 2006 |
JP |
2006-089431 |
Mar 28, 2006 |
JP |
2006-089439 |
Nov 27, 2006 |
JP |
2006-317929 |
Nov 27, 2006 |
JP |
2006-317930 |
Nov 27, 2006 |
JP |
2006-317931 |
Nov 27, 2006 |
JP |
2006-318006 |
Nov 27, 2006 |
JP |
2006-318376 |
Nov 27, 2006 |
JP |
2006-318377 |
Claims
1. An orthodontic appliance for aligning teeth including a tooth to
be aligned, comprising a dental mouthpiece mountable on the teeth
on which braces are mounted in such a manner as to align the tooth
to be aligned, the dental mouthpiece having an inner surface form
corresponding to a shape of the teeth and the braces without edges
of the braces.
2. An orthodontic appliance according to claim 1, further
comprising a vibrating element for generating mechanical vibration
and applying the vibration to the tooth to be aligned, the dental
mouthpiece having the vibrating element encapsulated therein and
mountable on the teeth with the vibrating element encapsulated
therein.
3. An orthodontic appliance according to claim 1, wherein the inner
surface form of the dental mouthpiece is in conformity with a
user's dental cast wearing the braces mounted on the teeth in such
a manner as to align the tooth to be aligned without the edges of
the braces.
4. An orthodontic appliance according to claim 3, wherein the inner
surface form of the dental mouthpiece is a shape in conformity with
the user's dental cast wearing the braces which includes a
plurality of brackets to be fixed to the surfaces of the teeth and
an orthodontic wire arranged to connect these brackets.
5. An orthodontic appliance according to claim 1, wherein the inner
surface form of the dental mouthpiece is a shape corresponding to
an envelope of the outer shape of the braces and capable of
avoiding the interference of the unevenness of the braces with the
inner surface of the dental mouthpiece.
6. An orthodontic appliance according to claim 2, wherein the
vibrating element is a motor.
7. An orthodontic appliance according to claim 6, wherein the motor
includes an eccentric rotary portion rotatable about a specified
axis and having a center of gravity at a position deviated from
this axis.
8. An orthodontic appliance according to claim 7, wherein the
eccentric rotary portion includes a rotary shaft and an eccentric
weight mounted on the rotary shaft such that the center of gravity
thereof is deviated from the center of the rotary shaft and adapted
to generate mechanical vibration by rotating together with the
rotary shaft.
9. An orthodontic appliance according to claim 8, wherein the
vibrating element is a linear motor having a moving element that
reciprocally vibrates.
10. An orthodontic appliance according to claim 6, further
comprising a battery as a direct-current power source, wherein the
motor is a DC motor driven by the direct-current power source and
electrically connected with the battery.
11. An orthodontic applicant according to claim 10, wherein the
battery is stored in the vibrating element storing portion together
with the motor.
12. An orthodontic appliance according to claim 6, wherein the
motor is encapsulated in the dental mouthpiece in such an
orientation that the direction of vibration generated by the motor
is substantially normal to the teeth.
13. An orthodontic appliance according to claim 2, wherein the
vibrating element is a permanent magnet for generating mechanical
vibration in response to a magnetic field generated by magnetic
field generating means arranged outside the dental mouthpiece.
14. An orthodontic appliance according to claim 1, wherein the
dental mouthpiece is so shaped as to be mountable on the entire
teeth.
15. An orthodontic appliance according to claim 1, wherein the
dental mouthpiece is so shaped as to be mountable on a part of the
teeth.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S.
application Ser. No. 11/721,085, filed Jun. 7, 2007, which is a
National Stage Application of PCT/JP2007/56040, filed Mar. 23,
2007, the disclosures of which incorporated herein by reference in
their entireties.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to an orthodontic
appliance.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] An orthodontic appliance equipped with an orthodontic wire
to be mounted on teeth has been conventionally known. An elastic
restoring force of the orthodontic wire acts as a constant static
load on the teeth to correct teeth malalignment or crossbite. In
other words, the orthodontic appliance is based on the principle of
aligning the teeth by gradually deforming an alveolar bone
supporting the teeth through the application of a constant force to
the teeth, or bone remodeling.
[0004] However, the teeth alignment using the orthodontic wire
takes a very long time (fastest six months, normally several years)
until an orthodontic treatment is finished. This is likely to
become a cause to give up the treatment easily.
[0005] In order to shorten a period of such an orthodontic
treatment, technology of giving a vibration force to the teeth has
been studied. For example, a study result to the effect that if a
sample A in which a constant force was applied to the teeth and a
sample B in which a vibration force was applied to the teeth are
compared, the sample B to which the vibration force was applied is
more effective in shortening the period as shown in FIG. 17A is
disclosed in non-Patent Literature 1.
[0006] Similarly, a study result to the effect that if a sample C
in which a constant force was applied to the teeth and a sample D
in which a constant force and a vibration force were applied to the
teeth are compared, the sample D to which the constant force and
vibration force were applied is more effective in shortening the
period as shown in FIG. 17B is disclosed in non-Patent Literature
2.
[0007] According to these studies, the application of the vibration
force to the teeth remarkably shortens the period of orthodontic
treatment to about 1/2 to 1/3 as compared to conventional
technologies. Further, it is sufficient to apply a vibration force
only for 1.5 hours a day according to the former Literature and
only for 2 minutes at a time and once every two weeks according to
the latter Literature.
[0008] It can be understood from these studies that the teeth
alignment by applying a vibration force as well as a constant force
to the teeth is more effective in remarkably shortening the period
of orthodontic treatment than the teeth alignment only by applying
a constant force to the teeth using an orthodontic wire or the
like.
[0009] Appliances for putting the above studies to practical use
have been conventionally proposed. Specifically, Patent Literature
1 discloses an appliance provided with a dental mouthpiece to be
mounted on the teeth to urge movements of teeth to be aligned and
means for applying ultrasonic vibration to tissues surrounding the
mounted position of the dental mouthpiece. Further, Patent
Literature 2 discloses an appliance for applying ultrasonic
vibration to teeth to be aligned.
[0010] However, the appliances disclosed in the above Patent
Literatures 1, 2 have a problem that ultrasonic vibration cannot be
efficiently applied to the teeth to be aligned since both of them
receive the application of ultrasonic vibration from the outside,
for example, by pressing an ultrasonic head against the cheek skin.
Further, since the respective appliances require an ultrasonic
generator, there is also a problem that treatment cannot be
continued unless a patient goes to a dental clinic equipped with
these appliances. [0011] [Non-Patent Literature 1] Shimizu:
"Journal of Japan Orthodontic Society" 45, pp. 56-72, 1986 [0012]
[Non-Patent Literature 2] Ohmae et al.: "Journal of Japan
Orthodontic Society" 60(4), p. 201, 2001 [0013] [Patent Literature
1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-102255 [0014]
[Patent Literature 2] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
2004-201895
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The present invention has been worked out to solve the above
problems, and has an object to provide an orthodontic appliance
which can precisely apply vibration to tooth to be aligned and
enables a treatment to be easily and safely continued even at
home.
[0016] In order to accomplish the object, the present invention is
directed to an orthodontic appliance for aligning teeth including a
tooth to be aligned, comprising a vibrating element for generating
mechanical vibration and applying the vibration to the tooth to be
aligned; and a dental mouthpiece having the vibrating element built
therein and mountable on the teeth with the vibrating element built
therein.
[0017] Since the vibrating element for generating the mechanical
vibration (mechanical stimuli) is built in the dental mouthpiece to
be mounted on the teeth in this appliance, the vibrating element
can efficiently apply the vibration to the tooth to be aligned.
Further, the storage of the vibrating element in the dental
mouthpiece enables a treatment to be easily and safely continued at
any desired time, for example, at home without going to a dental
clinic to apply mechanical vibration.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dental cast of a lower
dental arch.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state where a dental
mouthpiece according to a first embodiment of the invention is
mounted on teeth.
[0020] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the dental
mouthpiece of FIG. 2 when viewed from topside.
[0021] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the dental
mouthpiece of FIG. 2 from underside.
[0022] FIG. 5A is a section along the line VA-VA in FIG. 2, FIG. 5B
is a section along the line VB-VB in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5C is a
connection diagram of an electric motor.
[0023] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state where a dental
mouthpiece according to a second embodiment of the invention is
mounted on teeth.
[0024] FIGS. 7A and 7B show a dental mouthpiece according to a
third embodiment of the invention, wherein FIG. 7A is an exploded
perspective view and FIG. 7B is a section along the line VIIB-VIIB
in FIG. 7A.
[0025] FIGS. 8A and 8B are sections corresponding to the one along
the line VIIB-VIIB in FIG. 7A and showing other constructions.
[0026] FIGS. 9A and 9B show a dental mouthpiece according to a
fourth embodiment of the invention, wherein FIG. 9A is a
perspective view and FIG. 9B is a section along the line IXB-IXB in
FIG. 9A.
[0027] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a dental mouthpiece
according to a fifth embodiment of the invention.
[0028] FIG. 11A is a perspective view of a dental mouthpiece
according to a sixth embodiment of the invention, FIG. 11B is a
plan view showing a user and a magnetic field generating coil, and
FIG. 11C is a front view showing the user and the magnetic field
generating coil.
[0029] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the process of producing a
dental mouthpiece according to the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 13A is a perspective view of a dental mouthpiece
according to a seventh embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 13B is
an enlarged section showing an essential portion.
[0031] FIG. 14A is a perspective view of an electric motor portion
of a dental mouthpiece according an eighth embodiment of the
invention, and FIG. 14B is an enlarged section showing an essential
portion.
[0032] FIG. 15A is a section showing a state at the time of
inserting a tube in a tube connecting structure utilizing the
dental mouthpiece according to the seventh embodiment of the
invention, FIG. 15B is a section showing a state at the time of
welding the tube, and FIG. 15C is a section after the tube is
welded.
[0033] FIG. 16A is a section before connecting a connector in a
tube connecting structure utilizing the dental mouthpiece of the
eighth embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 16B is a section after
the connector is coupled.
[0034] FIGS. 17A and 17B are graphs respectively showing an effect
of shortening a period of orthodontic treatment.
[0035] FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing one example of a
dental mouthpiece producing apparatus according to the
invention.
[0036] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a first example of a dental
mouthpiece producing method of the invention using the producing
apparatus shown in FIG. 18.
[0037] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a second example of the dental
mouthpiece producing method of the invention using the producing
apparatus shown in FIG. 18.
[0038] FIGS. 21A and 21B are diagrams showing the process of
casting a dental mouthpiece using an EVA sheet.
[0039] FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing a state where a dental
mouthpiece according to a ninth embodiment of the invention is
mounted on teeth.
[0040] FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing a state where a dental
mouthpiece according to a tenth embodiment of the invention is
mounted on teeth.
[0041] FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing a dental mouthpiece
according to an eleventh embodiment of the invention.
[0042] FIG. 25 is a perspective view showing a dental mouthpiece
according to a twelfth embodiment of the invention.
[0043] FIG. 26 is a perspective view showing a dental mouthpiece
according to a thirteenth embodiment of the invention.
[0044] FIG. 27 is a perspective view showing a state where a dental
mouthpiece according to a fourteenth embodiment of the invention is
mounted on teeth.
[0045] FIG. 28 is a perspective view showing a dental mouthpiece
according to a fifteenth embodiment of the invention.
[0046] FIG. 29 is a perspective view showing a state where a dental
mouthpiece according to a sixteenth embodiment of the invention is
mounted on teeth of the lower dental arch of a user.
[0047] FIG. 30 is a section along the line 30-30 in FIG. 29.
[0048] FIG. 31 is an exploded perspective view showing the dental
mouthpiece according to the sixteenth embodiment of the invention
when viewed from topside.
[0049] FIG. 32 is a graph showing an experiment result of the
inventors of the present application.
[0050] FIG. 33 is a perspective view of an example of a dental
mouthpiece similar to the dental mouthpiece according to the
sixteenth embodiment of the invention, but adopting a different
orthodontic method.
[0051] FIG. 34 is a perspective view showing a state where a dental
mouthpiece according to a seventeenth embodiment of the invention
is mounted on a dental cast of a user.
[0052] FIG. 35 is a perspective view showing a state where a dental
mouthpiece according to an eighteenth embodiment of the invention
is mounted on teeth.
[0053] FIG. 36 is a perspective view showing a state where a dental
mouthpiece according to a nineteenth embodiment of the invention is
mounted on teeth.
[0054] FIG. 37 is a diagram showing a method for producing a dental
mouthpiece having an inner surface form in conformity with a user's
dental cast having braces mounted thereon.
[0055] FIG. 38 is a perspective view showing a state where a
mouthpiece according to a twentieth embodiment of the invention is
mounted on a user's lower dental arch.
[0056] FIG. 39 is a perspective view of a dental cast of the user's
lower dental arch.
[0057] FIG. 40 is a section along the line 40-40 in FIG. 38.
[0058] FIG. 41 is an exploded perspective view showing the
constructions of a vibration actuator and a flexible board.
[0059] FIG. 42 is a section of the dental mouthpiece according to
the twentieth embodiment of the invention, an electric motor built
in the dental mouthpiece and a flexible board.
[0060] FIG. 43 is a diagram showing a method for producing the
dental mouthpiece according to the twentieth embodiment of the
invention.
[0061] FIG. 44 is a plan view of a flexible board in a dental
mouthpiece according to a twenty first embodiment of the
invention.
BEST MODES FOR EMBODYING THE INVENTION
[0062] Hereinafter, best modes for embodying the present invention
are described in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0063] A first embodiment of the present invention is described
with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a
dental cast 1 of a lower dental arch according to this embodiment,
and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state where a dental
mouthpiece 7 according to this embodiment is mounted on teeth 3 of
the dental cast 1.
[0064] The teeth 3 shown in FIG. 1 are comprised of teeth 3a to 3n,
wherein the teeth 3a, 3n are posterior teeth. Braces are mounted on
the teeth 3b to 3m excluding these posterior teeth. These braces
include a plurality of brackets 4 to be fixed to the buccal
surfaces of the teeth 3b to 3m and an orthodontic wire (arch wire)
5 arranged to connect these brackets 4. This orthodontic wire 5 is
latched to the teeth 3b to 3m by the respective brackets 4. The
orthodontic wire 5 is elastically deformably latched, so that an
elastic restoring force thereof acts as a constant static load on
the teeth 3. The application of this static load corrects
malocclusion. It should be noted that braces for aligning the
dentition are not limited to the one shown in FIG. 1.
[0065] An orthodontic appliance according to this embodiment is
provided with an electric motor 8 and a dental mouthpiece 7 as
shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0066] The dental mouthpiece 7 is mounted on teeth to be aligned,
e.g. the teeth 3 having the orthodontic wire 5 mounted thereon.
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the dental mouthpiece 7
when viewed from topside, and FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective
view of the dental mouthpiece 7 when viewed from underside.
[0067] The dental mouthpiece 7 has an inner and outer overlaid
structure. Specifically, the dental mouthpiece 7 is comprised of an
inner layer 7A to be directly mounted on the teeth 3 and an outer
layer 7B mounted on the outer side of the inner layer 7A as shown
in FIG. 5A.
[0068] The inner and outer layers 7A, 7B are preferably cast into
suitable shapes using a material normally used for ordinary
mouthpieces and having guaranteed hygienic safety, e.g. an EVA
(ethylene vinyl acetate) sheet which is a polymer material (method
for producing the dental mouthpiece 7 is described later). Such a
material is preferable since having little influence such as side
effects on teeth and gingival tissues.
[0069] The material of the dental mouthpiece according to the
present invention is not limited to the EVA sheet. However, the EVA
sheet is preferable because it has a high electrically insulating
property and functions as a heat insulating material. Particularly,
the application of the EVA sheet to the inner layer 7A can make the
inner layer 7A softer. The soft inner layer 7A can alleviate the
transmission of mechanical vibration (particularly high-speed
components) from the electric motor 8 to be described later to the
teeth 3g, 3h to be aligned. The alleviation of transmission of such
vibration effectively suppresses damages of the teeth 3g, 3h to be
aligned.
[0070] The electric motor 8 constitutes a vibrating element for
generating mechanical vibration and is built in the dental
mouthpiece 7. Since the electric motor 8 is built in, a bulge
portion 7a as shown in FIG. 5B is formed at a part of the outer
layer 7B corresponding to the teeth 3g, 3h to be aligned. A
clearance for storing the electric motor 8 is defined between the
inner surface of the bulge portion 7a and the outer surface of the
inner layer 7A.
[0071] The electric motor 8 is small-sized and lightweight and
generates vibration to accelerate the orthodontic alignment effect.
The electric motor 8 is horizontally stored in the above clearance
(i.e. in such a posture that the direction of the vibration is
substantially normal to the teeth 3). This electric motor 8 has an
eccentric rotary portion which is rotatable about a specified axis
and whose center of gravity is deviated from this axis, wherein the
rotation of the eccentric rotary portion induces mechanical
vibration. The above rotary portion may, for example, be comprised
of a rotary shaft and an eccentric weight mounted at a position
deviated from the central axis of this rotary shaft. An electric
motor generally used as a vibrator for a mobile phone or the like
can be used as the electric motor 8.
[0072] The inner layer 7A is mounted inside the outer layer 7B with
the electric motor 8 stored in the bulge portion 7a. Further, the
outer surface of the inner layer 7A and the inner surface of the
outer layer 7B are joined airtight, for example, by thermal welding
or ultrasonic welding so that saliva, cleaning liquid or the like
does not enter the bulge portion 7a through the interfaces, and
these pieces 7A, 7B are united by this joining. The airtightness is
sufficient if the inside of the bulge portion 7a is held watertight
to such an extent that moisture does not actually enter.
[0073] In this embodiment, the electric motor 8 is a direct-current
(DC) motor. This orthodontic appliance includes a battery 11 as
shown in FIGS. 2 and 5C as a direct-current source for the electric
motor 8, and the electric motor 8 is connected with this battery 11
via a feeder cable 9. The feeder cable 9 is drawn out of the dental
mouthpiece 7 from the electric motor 8 through a though hole 7f
formed in the bulge portion 7a while holding the inside of the
bulge portion 7a of the outer layer 7B airtight, and further drawn
out of the mouth between the lips to be connected with the battery
11 via a variable resistor 10 and a switch 12.
[0074] The variable resistor 10 and the battery 11 are, for
example, placed on a desk or the like near a user (patient) wearing
the dental mouthpiece 7. The variable resistor 10 changes a DC
current level to be supplied to the electric motor 8. The
adjustment of the DC current level by this variable resistor 10
enables the adjustment of the rotating speed of the electric motor
8, i.e. the adjustment of frequency. A vibration frequency
(frequency) to be adjusted is not specifically limited, but is
preferably about several Hz to several hundreds Hz, for example. An
alternating-current (AC) motor may be used as the electric motor
8.
[0075] Next, one example of the method for producing the dental
mouthpiece 7 is described with reference to FIG. 12.
[0076] In Step S1 shown in FIG. 12, a dental impression is obtained
by attaching an impression material to teeth 3 of a user. After
obtaining the dental impression, the tray with impression material
is taken out from the teeth 3 while keeping the teeth shape, and
plaster is poured into this impression material. This plaster is
taken out from the impression material after being hardened. In
this way, a plaster model of dentition E for the user is completed
(Step S2).
[0077] If the braces including the brackets 4 and the orthodontic
wire 5 are mounted on the teeth 3 of the user, the inner layer 7A
might be broken or the brackets 4 might be disengaged from the
teeth by the inner layer 7A getting caught by edges of the braces
upon mounting the inner layer 7A of the dental mouthpiece 7 on the
teeth 3. In order to prevent such problems, wax or the like can be
filled into clearances in parts of the dental cast E corresponding
to the brackets 4 and the orthodontic wire 5 to eliminate the
edges. This method reduces burdens on the user as compared to a
method according to which dental impression is carried out after
nontoxic wax or the like that can be washed away with water is
filled into clearances of the brackets 4 and the orthodontic wire 5
before the impression material is attached to the teeth 3.
[0078] An EVA sheet softened by heating is placed on the teeth
plaster model E of Step S2, and suction casting is applied. After
this EVA sheet is cooled, the inner layer 7A is completed by taking
the teeth plaster model E from the EVA sheet (Step S3).
[0079] Inner layers having different thicknesses can be fabricated
by changing the thickness of the EVA sheet. The use of the thin
inner layer 7A improves wearing comfort and improves the
transmission characteristic of mechanical vibration from the
electric motor 8. It is also possible to change the transmission
characteristic of mechanical vibration to the individual teeth 3a
to 3n by changing the thickness of the inner layer 7A for each
tooth 3a to 3n.
[0080] The inner layer 7A is fitted to the teeth plaster model E
(Step S3), and a dental impression is performed anew using silicon
resin or the like in this state (Step S4). Plaster is poured into
the completed silicon cast, and is taken out after being hardened.
In this way, an inner layer plaster model F is completed (Step
S5).
[0081] A plaster model F' that becomes the bulge portion 7a of the
outer layer 7B is adhered to the inner layer plaster model F (Step
S6). Further, an EVA sheet softened by heating is placed on the
inner layer plaster model F, and suction casting is applied. After
this EVA sheet is cooled, the outer layer 7B is completed by taking
the inner layer plaster model F from the EVA sheet (Step S7).
[0082] Thereafter, the inner layer 7A is fitted inside the outer
layer 7B with the electric motor 8 stored in the bulge portion 7a
of the outer layer 7B. In this state, the outer surface of the
inner layer 7A and the inner surface of the outer layer 7B are
joined airtight by means of ultrasonic welding or adhesive to be
united, whereby the dental mouthpiece 7 is completed (Step S8). The
total thickness of the dental mouthpiece 7 is preferably about 1 to
6 mm.
[0083] The outer surface of the inner layer 7A and the inner
surface of the outer layer 7B may be joined only at the peripheral
edge portion of the bulge portion 7a of the outer layer 7B storing
the electric motor 8. However, in light of cleaning and storage of
the inner layer 7A and the outer layer 7B, and also cleaning and
storage of the dental mouthpiece 7 after the use of it, it is
preferable to join the entire outer peripheral edges of the inner
layer 7A and the outer layer 7B airtight.
[0084] Since the electric motor 8 for generating mechanical
vibration (mechanical stimuli) is built in the dental mouthpiece 7
to be mounted on the teeth 3 in the orthodontic appliance according
to this embodiment, vibration can be efficiently applied to the
teeth 3g, 3h to be aligned. Particularly, since the electric motor
8 according to this embodiment is stored in the part of the dental
mouthpiece 7 corresponding to the teeth 3g, 3h to be aligned,
vibration can be precisely applied to the teeth 3g, 3h to be
aligned.
[0085] Further, the storage of the electric motor 8 in the dental
mouthpiece 7 enables the treatment to be easily and safely
continued at any desired time, for example, at home even without
going to a dental clinic.
[0086] Furthermore, since the mechanical vibration of the electric
motor 8 is transmitted to the teeth 3g, 3h to be aligned via the
inner layer 7A, pains to the teeth resulting from the direct
transmission of mechanical vibration to the teeth 3g, 3h to be
aligned can be mitigated.
[0087] Further, the sealed storage of the electric motor 8 in the
dental mouthpiece 7 is hygienic and enables water-washing.
[0088] The electric motor 8 as the vibrating element is
inexpensive. Particularly, the electric motor for generating
mechanical vibration by the rotation of the eccentric rotary
portion is more inexpensive since a small-sized and lightweight
electric motor generally used as the one provided with a vibrator
function can be used as it is.
[0089] In the case where the electric motor 8 generates mechanical
vibration by the rotation of the eccentric rotary portion, the
direction of the rotary shaft of the electric motor 8 and the
direction of the teeth coincide with each other if the electric
motor 8 is stored in the dental mouthpiece 7 such that the
vibrating direction is substantially normal to the teeth 3. The
coincidence of these directions reduces uncomfortable feeling by
reducing the projecting height from the dental mouthpiece 7 even if
the electric motor 8 is long along the rotary shaft thereof.
Further, since the vibrating direction of the electric motor 8 is
normal to the teeth, the vibration of the electric motor 8 can be
imparted to the teeth efficiently.
[0090] If the electric motor 8 is driven by a direct-current (DC)
power source, the frequency (rotating speed) of the electric motor
8 can be easily adjusted through the adjustment of a direct-current
voltage level by the variable resistor 10. Further, the use of the
battery 11 as the direct-current power source enables a treatment
in such a place where there is no AC outlet (e.g. outdoors).
[0091] Since the dental mouthpiece 7 is so shaped as to be
mountable on the entire teeth 3, the electric motor 8 as the
vibrating element for generating mechanical vibration can be
precisely positioned at the teeth 3g, 3h by mounting the dental
mouthpiece 7 on the teeth 3.
[0092] If the electric motor 8 is held in direct contact with the
inner surface of the bulge portion 7a or the like, a vibration
force outputted by the electric motor 8 is likely to be restrained.
Therefore, the electric motor 8 is preferably accommodated in a
cover made of metal or resin (e.g. ABS resin) so that the vibration
force is not restrained, and stored into the clearance in the bulge
portion 7a together with the cover in this state.
[0093] For example, as shown as a seventh embodiment in FIGS. 13A
and 13B, a cover 20 made of metal or resin and having a cylindrical
shape with a closed top may be fitted on the casing of the electric
motor 8 to enclose the eccentric weight 8a of the electric motor 8,
and the electric motor 8 may be stored into the clearance in the
bulge portion 7a together with the cover 20 in this state.
[0094] Alternatively, the electric motor 8 may be mounted on a
rectangular flexible printed board 21 as shown as an eighth
embodiment in FIGS. 14A, 14B. A pair of power supply conductors
21a, 21b extending in lengthwise direction are formed on the
flexible printed board 21. Power feed terminals (not shown) that
can respectively come into contact with the conductors 21a, 21b are
formed on the underside of the electric motor 8, and the mount
position of the electric motor 8 on the flexible printed board 21
is adjustable in a direction along the conductors 21a, 21b. The
electric motor 8 is fixed to the flexible printed board 21 by
soldering the power feed terminals of the electric motor 8 and the
conductors 21a, 21b to each other after the mount position is
adjusted. Further, power feed terminals (not shown) of one
connector (e.g. male connector) 22 can be soldered to the
conductors 21a, 21b of the flexible printed board 21.
[0095] A cover 24 made of metal or resin and having a
semicylindrical shape with a closed top is mounted around the
casing of the electric motor 8. This cover 24 includes a plurality
of claws 24a, and the flexible printed board 21 is formed with a
plurality of locking holes 21c along the conductors 21a, 21b. The
claws 24a are engaged with suitable ones of the locking holes 21c
at positions where the cover 20 encloses the eccentric weight 8a of
the electric motor 8, and the electric motor 8 is stored together
with the cover 24 into the clearance inside the bulge portion 7a in
this engaged state.
[0096] The dental mouthpiece 7 is formed with a covering portion 7e
continuous with the bulge portion 7a and adapted to cover the one
connector 22 airtight, and another connector (e.g. female
connector) 23 is detachably connected with the connector 22 in the
covering portion 7e in an orthogonal direction. When being
connected with the one connector 22, the other connector 23 is also
covered airtight by the covering portion 7e. To the other connector
23 is coupled a power feed cable 9, which is drawn out of the
connector 23 to the outside while keeping the airtight state and is
pulled out of the mouth between the lips.
[0097] The power feed cable 9 of the electric motor 8 shown in
FIGS. 13A and 13B is also drawn out to the outside through the
through hole 7f formed in the bulge portion 7a of the outer layer
7B while keeping the airtight state. This part of the dental
mouthpiece 7 where the cable 9 is drawn out is preferably
completely waterproofed since the dental mouthpiece 7 is fully
water-washable. An exemplary structure for this purpose is shown in
FIG. 15.
[0098] A tube 25 as shown in FIG. 15A is used in this structure.
This tube 25 has an insertion hole 25a formed in its central part
through which the power feed cable 9 is inserted, and a flange 25b
is formed at the leading end of the tube 25. This tube 25 is
optimally made of the same material as the dental mouthpiece 7,
i.e. EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate). The use of EVA enables excellent
unification. The tube 25 preferably has such a length as to be
sufficiently drawn out of the mouth between the lips.
[0099] The power feed cable 9 is inserted into the insertion hole
25a from the side of the flange 25b, and the flange 25b is pressed
into close contact with the side surface of the bulge portion 7a as
shown in FIG. 15B. The outer surface of the bulge portion 7a and
that of the tube 25 are covered by heat insulating materials 26A,
26B in this close contact state. With only a part near the flange
25b exposed, the flange 25b is welded to adhere airtight to the
side surface of the bulge portion 7a as shown in FIG. 15C. The
welding can be accomplished by the above-mentioned thermal welding,
ultrasonic welding or the like.
[0100] The structure obtained in this way can better improve the
watertightness of the part of the dental mouthpiece 7 where the
power feed cable 9 is drawn out to enable the accomplishment of
complete watertightness as compared to the case where the power
feed cable 9 is merely drawn out to the outside through the through
hole 7f of the bulge portion 7a of the outer layer 7B. Further,
since the covering of the power feed cable 9 by the tube 25 made of
EVA hinders the contact of the power feed cable 9 with the buccal
cavity, hygienic safety can be guaranteed even if the power feed
cable 9 is, for example, made of vinyl chloride. The appearance can
also be improved.
[0101] The power feed cable 9 of the other connector 23 shown in
FIGS. 14A and 14B is also drawn out to the outside from the
connector 23 in an airtight manner. This drawn-out part is also
preferably completely waterproofed since the dental mouthpiece 7 is
fully water-washable. An exemplary structure for this purpose is
shown in FIG. 16.
[0102] A tube 25 as shown in FIG. 16A is used in this structure.
This tube 25 also has an insertion hole 25a formed in its central
part through which the power feed cable 9 is inserted, and a
tubular portion 25c is formed at the leading end of the tube 25.
This tubular portion 25c covers the other connector 23 and projects
further forward. This tube 25 is optimally made of the same
material as the dental mouthpiece 7, i.e. EVA (ethylene vinyl
acetate). The tube 25 preferably has such a length as to be
sufficiently drawn out of the mouth between the lips.
[0103] The covering portion 7e continuous with the bulge portion 7a
has such a tubular shape fittable inside the tubular portion 25c of
the tube 25 in an airtight manner. The other connector 23 is
detachably connectable with the connector 22 in the covering
portion 7e from the outside in an orthogonal direction with the
covering portion 7e fitted inside the tubular portion 25c.
[0104] This structure can better improve the watertightness of the
part of the dental mouthpiece 7 where the power feed cable 9 is
drawn out to enable the accomplishment of complete watertightness
as compared to the case where the power feed cable 9 is merely
drawn out to the outside from the other connector 23. Further,
since the covering of the power feed cable 9 by the tube 25 made of
EVA hinders the contact of the power feed cable 9 with the buccal
cavity, hygienic safety can be guaranteed even if the power feed
cable 9 is, for example, made of vinyl chloride. The appearance can
also be improved.
[0105] It should be noted that an embodiment using a flexible board
is described in detail as a twentieth embodiment later.
[0106] As shown as a second embodiment in FIG. 6, the dental
mouthpiece 7 may be so shaped as to be mountable on a part (teeth
3f to 3h to be aligned in the example of FIG. 6) of the teeth 3.
The dental mouthpiece 7 having such a shape is small in size and
reduces burdens on the user at the time of wearing the dental
mouthpiece 7.
[0107] The dental mouthpiece 7 is normally also mounted on an
alveolar portion of the dental cast 1. However, part of the dental
mouthpiece 7 corresponding to the alveolar portion may be cut off
in order to apply mechanical vibration only to the teeth 3. Such
cutting reduces the mass of the dental mouthpiece 7, facilitates
the vibration transmission and makes the dental mouthpiece 7
smaller.
[0108] Since the dental mouthpiece 7 of this embodiment is mounted
on the entire teeth 3, it is comprised of the inner layer 7A to be
directly mounted on the teeth 3 and the outer layer 7B to be
mounted on the inner layer 7A. However, the inner layer 7A may be
in the form of a rectangular piece as shown as a third embodiment
in FIGS. 7A and 7B. This inner layer 7A in the form of a
rectangular piece is united with the outer layer 7B by being joined
airtight with the inner side of the outer layer 7B having the
electric motor 8 stored in the bulge portion 7a in such a manner as
to cover an opening of the bulge portion 7a. In this appliance, the
outer layer 7B is directly mounted on the teeth 3 and the inner
layer 7A functions as a mere sealing member to be joined with the
outer layer 7B airtight.
[0109] Conversely, a recess for storing the vibrating element may
be formed at a part of the inner layer 7A to be mounted on the
teeth 3 and the outer layer 7B may be locally joined with the inner
layer 7A in such a manner as to cover the vibrating element fitted
into the recess from the outer side.
[0110] It is also possible to store a drive power source, a
controller and the like for the electric motor 8 together with the
electric motor 8 as the vibrating element in the dental mouthpiece
7 having the inner and outer overlaid structure. Such storage
eliminates the need to draw the power feed cable from the dental
mouthpiece 7 out of the mouth between the lips and connect it with
an external device (battery, controller or the like).
[0111] For example, in an appliance shown as a fourth embodiment in
FIGS. 9A and 9B, a small-sized button battery 11' is used as a
power source for the electric motor 8. An outer layer 7B is
additionally formed with a bulge portion 7d for storing the button
battery 11' in the vicinity of the bulge portion 7a for storing the
electric motor 8. The electric motor 8 and the button battery 11'
can be directly connected with each other by a power feed cable or
the like in both bulge portions 7a, 7d. A switch 13 that is
alternately turned on and off every time being pushed from the
outer surface of the outer layer 7B can be incorporated into the
power feed cable or the like.
[0112] The electric motor (vibrating element) 8, the button battery
11', the switch 13 and the like stored in the dental mouthpiece 7
are preferably insulated from each other. An ordinary insulation
process may be applied for this insulation or the insulating
property of the material of the dental mouthpiece 7 itself may be
utilized, i.e. the dental mouthpiece 7 may be partially used as
insulation walls.
[0113] It is also possible to store a flexible board forming a
control unit in the dental mouthpiece 7. By mounting circuit
elements such as a vibrating element, a drive power source and a
controller therefor on this flexible board, the circuit elements
can be more easily built in the dental mouthpiece 7. This mounting
enables wiring and coupling with the outside to be omitted, enables
the appearance of the appliance to be defined only by the dental
mouthpiece, and enables high electrical safety to be ensured by
hindering the contact of the power feed cable 9 with the inside of
the buccal cavity. An improvement in wearing comfort can also be
expected. Further, the practical value of the appliance can be
increased by making the appliance portable.
[0114] In the foregoing embodiments, the bulge portion 7a is formed
only at one position (position corresponding to the teeth 3g, 3h to
be aligned) of the outer layer 7B of the dental mouthpiece 7.
However, the bulge portions 7a may be formed at a plurality of
positions (e.g. positions corresponding to the teeth 3g, 3h to be
aligned and the teeth 3c, 3d to be aligned as shown as a fifth
embodiment in FIG. 10) of the outer layer 7B of the dental
mouthpiece 7 and the electric motor 8 may be stored in each of
these bulge portions 7a.
[0115] In the foregoing embodiments, the outward projecting bulge
portion 7a is formed at the part of the front side of the outer
layer 7B corresponding to the teeth 3g, 3h to be aligned and the
electric motor 8 is horizontally stored in this bulge portion 7a.
However, an inward projecting bulge portion 7a' may be formed at a
part of the rear side of the outer layer 7B corresponding to a
tooth 3l to be aligned and the electric motor 8 may be vertically
stored in this bulge portion 7a' as shown in FIG. 10.
[0116] Although the dental mouthpiece 7 according to the foregoing
embodiments has the overlaid structure comprised of the inner layer
7A and the outer layer 7B, the dental mouthpiece according to the
present invention may have a multilayer structure comprised of
three, four or more layers.
[0117] The vibrating element according to the present invention is
not limited to the electric motor 8 and may be a linear motor
having a moving element that reciprocally vibrates. Besides, a
solenoid, a voice coil motor or the like can also be used as
such.
[0118] Alternatively, the vibrating element may be a permanent
magnet 15 as shown as a sixth embodiment in FIG. 11A. In an
appliance shown in FIG. 11A, the bulge portions 7a are respectively
formed at positions of the outer layer 7B corresponding to the
teeth 3f, 3i to be aligned and the permanent magnet 15 is stored in
each of these bulge portions 7a.
[0119] This permanent magnet 15 can generate mechanical vibration
by a magnetic field generated by magnetic field generating means
arranged outside the dental mouthpiece 7. This magnetic field
generating means is constituted, for example, by a ring-shaped
magnetic field generating coil (magnetic field generating means) 16
separate from the dental mouthpiece 7 as shown in FIGS. 11B and
11C. This magnetic field generating coil 16 is arranged around the
head of a user wearing the dental mouthpiece 7 while being
separated from the user and generates a magnetic field for causing
the permanent magnet 15 to generate mechanical vibration.
[0120] In this appliance, it is sufficient to build only the
permanent magnet 15 in the dental mouthpiece 7. This can reduce the
size of the dental mouthpiece 7 and reduce burdens on the user at
the time of wearing the dental mouthpiece 7. This also increases
the practical value of the dental mouthpiece 7 by making the dental
mouthpiece 7 portable.
[0121] In the appliances according to the respective embodiments,
there is a possibility of transmitting mechanical vibration not
only to the teeth to be aligned at the stored position of the
vibrating element, but also to the other teeth 3a to 3n of the
teeth 3, depending on the built-in position of the vibrating
element (electric motor 8 or permanent magnet 15). This enables the
treatment of the entire teeth 3a to 3n of the teeth 3.
[0122] The dental mouthpiece 7 of the foregoing embodiments is for
imparting the vibration force to the constant aligning force by
being mounted on the teeth 3 having the orthodontic wire 5 mounted
thereon. However, this dental mouthpiece 7 may be mounted on the
teeth 3 having no orthodontic wire 5 mounted thereon and transmit
only the vibration force by the electric motor 8 to the teeth
3.
[0123] It is also possible to shape the dental mouthpiece 7 in such
a manner as to apply a constant force (aligning force) to the teeth
3g, 3h to be aligned. Specifically, an instant teeth is
elastic-deformedly mounted with a dental mouthpiece having a
targeted teeth shape (dental mouthpiece having a shape different
from the instant teeth shape) to thereby impart the elastic
restoring force of the dental mouthpiece to the instant teeth as an
aligning force. In the case where a dental mouthpiece is made from
a high resilient and soft material, such dental mouthpiece can be
applied with a great elastic deformation. However, in the case
where a dental mouthpiece is made from a low resilient and hard
material, such dental mouthpiece cannot be applied with a great
elastic deformation, in other words, such dental mouthpiece cannot
be used for teeth greatly different from the shape of the dental
mouthpiece. However, such hard mouthpiece can form a precise shape,
and impart a delicate aligning force to the teeth. Accordingly,
there are provided a mouthpiece which has a shape in agreement with
a targeted teeth shape, and a mouthpiece which has an intermediate
shape between an instant teeth shape and a targeted teeth
shape.
[0124] Further, it may be possible to add a desired aligning shape
to a main body of a dental mouthpiece. For example, a hard bulging
portion 7b is formed on the inner surface of an inner layer 7A in a
dental mouthpiece 7 shown in FIG. 8A, and a constant force
(aligning force) is applied to the teeth 3g, 3h to be aligned by a
pressing force of the bulging portion 7b. It is also possible to
join a hard bulging sheet 7c with the inner surface of the inner
layer 7A as shown in FIG. 8B and to apply a constant force
(aligning force) to the teeth 3g, 3h to be aligned by the pressing
force of the bulging sheet 7c. The position of the bulging portion
7b or the bulging sheet 7c differs as a matter of fact if the teeth
3g, 3h to be aligned differ.
[0125] In the appliance whose outer layer 7B is directly mounted on
the teeth 3 as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, it is possible to
integrally form a hard bulging portion on the inner surface of the
outer layer 7B or to join a hard bulging sheet with this inner
surface. If the inner layer 7A in the form of a rectangular piece
shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B is hard itself, the constant force
(aligning force) can be applied to the teeth 3g, 3h to be aligned
by the pressing force of this inner layer 7A. This structure
increases the practical value of the appliance since the constant
aligning force and the vibration force can be applied to the teeth
3g, 3h to be aligned without mounting the orthodontic wire 5 on the
teeth 3.
[0126] FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a producing apparatus
111 as one example of an apparatus for producing the dental
mouthpiece 7. This producing apparatus 111 is provided with a main
body 114, a plurality of supporting columns 118 standing on the
main body 114, a pair of sheet fixing devices 116, 117 supported on
these supporting columns 118 in such a manner as to be movable
upward and downward along the supporting columns 118 and adapted to
sandwich an EVA sheet 115 from above and below, and an electric
heater 119 mounted on the supporting columns 118. The main body 114
has a stage 112 on which the dental cast 1 can be placed, and has
an unillustrated built-in pump for sucking air through a multitude
of suction holes 113 formed in the stage 112.
[0127] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a first example of a method for
producing the dental mouthpiece 7 using the aforementioned
producing apparatus 111. What should be first noted here is that
the production of the dental mouthpiece 7 proceeds with the inner
layer 7A and the outer layer 7B mounted on the dental cast 1. The
dental cast 1 is placed on the stage 112 of the producing apparatus
111 in Step S3. On the other hand, the EVA sheet 115 is sandwiched
between the sheet fixing devices 116, 117. Specifically, this sheet
is heated and softened at a position near the electric heater 119
by the sheet fixing devices 116, 117 being lifted up to this
position along the supporting columns 118. After the softening, the
EVA sheet 115 is gradually placed on the dental cast 1 as the sheet
fixing devices 116, 117 are lowered.
[0128] At this time, air is sucked through the air suction holes
113, thereby generating an air flow to closely attach the EVA sheet
115 to the dental cast 1. In order to enable this suction, a cut 1a
is made in the dental cast 1. This suction enables precise dental
impression. The principle of such suction casting is only
schematically shown in FIG. 21A. The electric heater 119 may also
be lowered as the sheet fixing devices 116, 117 are lowered. This
downward movement of the electric heater 119 enables continuous
heating. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 21B, the dental mouthpiece
can be cast by pressurizing air around the EVA sheet 115. This
pressurization and the suction may be applied in combination.
[0129] The inner layer 7A is completed by the above casting. Up to
Step S3, this method is the same as the conventional dental
mouthpiece producing method. FIG. 19 is shown in FIGS. 2 to 11 on
page 15 of "Not Only Mouth Guard! Casting Machine Application
Manual" (cowritten by Maeda and Matsuda, published by Quintessence
Publisher).
[0130] What should be noted next is that a vibrating element such
as the electric motor 8 can be mounted in the inner layer 7A in
Step S4 while the inner layer 7A is still hot. The material of the
dental mouthpiece 7, particularly the above EVA exhibits high
viscosity in its molten state to such an extent as to be used also
as a main ingredient of so-called hot bond. Accordingly, the inner
layer 7A having a high temperature immediately after being cast in
a half molten state in Step S3 as described above exhibits high
viscosity until it is cooled. An adhesive force given by the
material of the inner layer 7A due to the remaining heat of the
inner layer 7A can be utilized to mount the vibrating element.
Specifically, it is sufficient to press the vibrating element such
as the electric motor 8 against the inner layer 7A while the inner
layer 7A still has a high temperature. In this way, the vibrating
element can be temporarily fixed without using special fixing means
such as adhesive.
[0131] If the adhesive force by the viscosity of the inner layer 7A
is insufficient, such a shortage may be compensated for. For
example, the vibrating element such as the electric motor 8 may be
provided with a projection and the inner layer 7A may be formed
with a part engageable with this projection, or the heated EVA may
be poured into parts to be fixed as auxiliary adhesive.
[0132] What should be further noted is that the vibrating element
such as the electric motor 8 can be sealed airtight in the inner
layer 7A and the outer layer 7B in Step S5 shown in FIG. 19.
Specifically, similar to Step S3, the heated EVA sheet 115 is
placed on the inner layer 7A fitted with the vibrating element as
described above, and an actuator is caused to suck. In this way,
the outer layer 7B is formed and the vibrating element is sealed
between the outer layer 7B and the inner layer 7A.
[0133] The softening temperature of the EVA sheet 115 as the
material for the inner layer 7A and the outer layer 7B is set lower
than the heat resistant temperature of the vibrating element. For
example, if the electric motor 8 having a heat resistant
temperature of 100.degree. C. is used as the vibrating element, an
EVA sheet having a softening point of 60 to 70.degree. C. is
selected as the EVA sheet 115. The use of such an EVA sheet enables
the EVA sheet to be directly mounted on the vibrating element and
the outer layer 7B to be cast by melting while enabling problems
caused by an excessive temperature rise of the vibrating element to
be securely prevented. "Bioplast" (product name) can be cited as an
example of the EVA having such a low softening point.
[0134] If the heat resistant temperature of the vibrating element
is even higher, materials having higher softening points can be
used instead of EVA materials. Specifically, polyolefin materials
having softening points of about 100.degree. C. such as "MG-21"
(product name) or PET-E materials having softening points between
100 and 200.degree. C. such as "Duran" (product name) can be
used.
[0135] After the dental mouthpiece 7 is fabricated in this way, EVA
is peeled off from a part of the outer layer 7B corresponding to
lead wires 8w of the electric motor 8, and the power feed cable 9
is connected with the lead wires 8w in Step S6 of FIG. 19.
Thereafter, in Step S7, an end of an EVA tube 110 mounted on the
power feed cable 9 is locally heated by means of a drier or the
like to seal a connected part with the outer layer 7B airtight,
thereby completing the dental mouthpiece 7.
[0136] The method for producing the dental mouthpiece 7 according
to the first example has an advantage of reducing operation steps
since the dental mouthpiece 7 can be fabricated with one dental
impression. For example, a method shown in FIG. 12 requires two
dental impressions. Specifically, after the inner layer 7A is
competed, a second dental impression is performed using the
impression material with the electric motor 8 or its dummy mounted
in the inner layer 7A, and a plaster cast is formed again. After
the EVA sheet 115 is placed on this plaster cast to form the outer
layer 7B, the inner layer 7A having the actual electric motor 8
mounted therein and the outer layer 7B are welded.
[0137] Further, the method for producing the dental mouthpiece 7
according to the first example enables the production of a
high-quality dental mouthpiece having high airtightness.
Specifically, the inner layer 7A and the EVA sheet for the outer
layer 7B softened by being uniformly and entirely heated by the
heat of the mounted EVA sheet for the outer layer 7B become half
molten to be naturally united. Thus, airtightness is higher, for
example, as compared to the case where the inner layer 7A and the
outer layer 7B already hardened are bonded to each other. Further,
there are no inconveniences in the case of dental impression using
a dummy such as problems of forming a clearance between the inner
layer 7A and the outer layer 7B and making it impossible to fit the
inner layer 7A into the outer layer 7B. This enables the production
of a high-quality dental mouthpiece.
[0138] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a method for producing the
dental mouthpiece according to a second example. Since this
producing method is similar to the one according to the first
example shown in FIG. 19, elements common to both examples are
identified by common step numbers and are not described.
[0139] What should be noted in the producing method according to
this second example is that the step of forming the outer layer 7B
in Step S5 shown in FIG. 19 is changed to Step S5' shown in FIG.
20. In Step S5', the dental cast 1 having the inner layer 7A fitted
with the vibrating element such as the electric motor 8 mounted
thereon is set in an inclined state on the stage 112 shown in FIG.
18. This inclination is for preventing the dental cast 3 from being
hidden from an air flow by the electric motor 8. This inclination
can be made by placing a rest 121 as shown in FIG. 20 below a part
of the dental cast 1 where the electric motor 8 is mounted.
[0140] It is sufficient for the material for the inner layer 7A and
the outer layer 7B to have a softening point lower than the heat
resistant temperature of the vibrating element such as the electric
motor 8 and to be harmless to human bodies. The material is
arbitrarily selected based on hardness required for the respective
pieces 7A, 7B after casting within such a range as to meet these
conditions. However, it is preferable to use a soft resin as the
material. The use of the soft resin has advantages of alleviating
stimuli given to the teeth and gums from the vibrating element,
reducing loads given to the teeth and gums, mitigating discomfort
such as pains, and improving wearing comfort as compared to hard
dental mouthpieces.
[0141] On the other hand, the use of a hard resin as the material
has advantages of enabling the dental mouthpiece to be precisely
cast, less deformation of the dental mouthpiece by the storage
environment, and easier quality maintenance. Accordingly, a hard
resin may be used in the case of attaching more importance to these
advantages.
[0142] Further, the material for the inner layer 7A and the one for
the outer layer 7B may differ. For example, a dental mouthpiece
having an overlaid structure comprised of an inner layer 7A made of
a soft resin and an output layer 7B made of a hard resin has
advantages that the inner layer 7A effectively alleviates impacts
of a vibrating element to reduce loads on teeth to be aligned and
gums, and the outer layer 7B made of the hard resin is easy to
store because it is difficult to deform by the environment.
Conversely, a dental mouthpiece having an overlaid structure
comprised of an inner layer 7A made of a hard resin and an output
piece 7B made of a soft resin has advantages that the outer layer
7B made of the soft resin absorbs impacts during sport and everyday
life to effectively suppress damages of the dental mouthpiece and
the teeth on which the dental mouthpiece is mounted resulting from
the impacts, and the inner layer 7A made of the hard resin enables
production of a dental mouthpiece having a precise inner shape.
Further, this dental mouthpiece can be more easily kept in shape
than those entirely made of the soft resin.
[0143] Further, even in a dental mouthpiece made up of a single
layer without having an overlaid structure as above, it is possible
to mixedly provide soft parts, i.e. those for weakly transmitting
stimuli to the teeth 3 and hard parts, i.e. those for strongly
transmitting stimuli to the teeth 3.
[0144] Resins used for the material of the dental mouthpiece are:
EVAs.fwdarw.polyolefins.fwdarw. polyesters and the like in a
decreasing order of softness. Even the same material has different
compound ratios and hardnesses depending on products. Most EVAs are
soft materials having a shore hardness of about 80 to 90 and widely
used as the material for soft dental mouthpieces. Conversely, most
polyesters are hard materials and widely used as the material for
hard dental mouthpieces. There are soft polyolefins and hard
polyolefins depending on their compound ratios, but polyolefins are
generally used as materials having hardnesses between the EVAs and
the polyesters.
[0145] Next, dental mouthpieces according to ninth to fifteenth
embodiments are described with reference to FIGS. 22 to 28. Each of
the dental mouthpieces according to these embodiments has dividing
portions by dividing specified parts other than a part
corresponding to teeth 3g, 3h to be aligned. These dividing
portions suppress the transmission of mechanical vibration
generated by a vibrating element so that the mechanical vibration
acts restrictedly on the teeth 3g, 3h to be aligned. Although an
electric motor 8 is shown as the vibrating element in FIGS. 22 to
28, the vibrating element may be other actuators, for example, a
permanent magnet.
[0146] FIG. 22 shows a dental mouthpiece 7-1 according to the ninth
embodiment. The dividing portions of this dental mouthpiece 7-1 are
cutout portions 7.p. These cutout portions 7p are formed by cutting
out tooth crown portions of the dental mouthpiece 7-1 except at the
part corresponding to the teeth 3g, 3h to be aligned. For example,
elliptical cutouts are made in the tooth crown portions for teeth
3c to 3e, 3j to 3l in FIG. 22. Dental root portions 7q left in the
dental mouthpiece 7-1 at the parts where the cutout portions 7p are
formed integrally connect parts before and after the cutout
portions 7p.
[0147] FIG. 23 shows a dental mouthpiece 7-2 according to the tenth
embodiment. The dividing portions of this dental mouthpiece 7-2 are
also cutout portions 7p. These cutout portions 7p are formed by
cutting out tooth root portions of the dental mouthpiece 7-2 except
at the part corresponding to the teeth 3g, 3h to be aligned. For
example, elliptical cutouts are made in the tooth root portions for
the teeth 3c to 3e, 3j to 3l in FIG. 23. Tooth crown portions 7r
left in the dental mouthpiece 7-2 at the parts where the cutout
portions 7p are formed integrally connect parts before and after
the cutout portions 7p.
[0148] In the dental mouthpieces 7-1, 7-2, the electric motor 8 for
generating mechanical vibration is stored at the part corresponding
to the teeth 3g, 3h to be aligned, and the cutout portions
(dividing portions) 7p for suppressing the transmission of the
mechanical vibration are formed in the parts other than the one
corresponding to the teeth 3g, 3h to be aligned. This enables the
partial and precise application of vibration to the teeth 3g, 3h to
be aligned.
[0149] The cutout portions 7p are formed by a post-processing of,
e.g. cutting off the tooth crown portions or the tooth root
portions of the dental mouthpiece 7 shown in FIG. 1 using a cutter
knife or the like. Accordingly, the dental mouthpieces 7-1, 7-2
having these cutout portions 7p can be easily produced. For
example, a dental mouthpiece having the above cutout portions 7p
can be easily produced through this post-processing from a dental
mouthpiece actually worn by a user.
[0150] By connecting the parts before and after the cutout portions
7p by the tooth root portions 7q or the tooth crown portions 7r
left in the dental mouthpieces 7-1, 7-2, the shapes of the dental
mouthpieces 7-1, 7-2 can be so kept as to be entirely mountable on
the teeth 3. Such shapes facilitate an operation of mounting the
dental mouthpieces 7-1, 702 on the teeth 3, thereby enabling the
electric motor 8 to be precisely positioned at the part
corresponding to the teeth 3g, 3h to be aligned in the worn
state.
[0151] FIG. 24 shows a dental mouthpiece 7-3 according to the
eleventh embodiment. The dividing portions of this dental
mouthpiece 7-2 are slit portions 7s formed in parts of the dental
mouthpiece 7-3 except a part corresponding to the teeth 3g, 3h to
be aligned. These slit portions 7s are formed in parts between the
teeth 3f, 3g and between the teeth 3h, 3i in FIG. 24, and parts
before and after the respective slit portions 7s are integrally
connected. The right slit portions 7s in FIG. 24 extend from a
tooth root side toward a tooth crown side, whereas the left slit
portion 7s extends from the tooth crown side toward the tooth root
side. In the present invention, the directions of these slit
portions are not limited.
[0152] The dental mouthpiece 7-3 according to this eleventh
embodiment can achieve functions and effects similar to those of
the dental mouthpieces 7-1, 7-2.
[0153] FIG. 25 shows a dental mouthpiece 7-4 according to the
twelfth embodiment. The dividing portions of this dental mouthpiece
7-4 are cut portions 7t formed by cutting parts except at the one
corresponding to the teeth 3g, 3h to be aligned. In FIG. 25, the
cut portions 7t are formed by making cuts between the teeth 3f, 3g
and between 3h, 3i, and parts before and after the respective cut
portions 7t are integrally connected, for example, by means of
wires 21 or the like insert-cast in the dental mouthpiece 7-4.
[0154] The dental mouthpiece 7-4 according to this twelfth
embodiment can also achieve functions and effects similar to those
of the dental mouthpieces 7-1, 7-2 and 7-3.
[0155] FIG. 26 shows a dental mouthpiece 7-5 according to the
thirteenth embodiment. The dividing portions of this dental
mouthpiece 7-5 are soft portions 7u made of a soft material. In
this dental mouthpiece 7-5, the part corresponding to the teeth 3g,
3h to be aligned is made of an ordinary mouthpiece material,
whereas the other parts (parts hatched with oblique lines in FIG.
26) are made of the soft material less likely to transmit the
mechanical vibration to form the soft portions 7u.
[0156] The dental mouthpiece 7-5 according to this thirteenth
embodiment can also achieve functions and effects similar to those
of the dental mouthpieces 7-1, 7-2, 7-3 and 7-4. Further, the
dental mouthpiece 7-5 has an advantage of having no clearances such
as the cutout portions 7p and the slit portions 7s.
[0157] FIG. 27 shows a dental mouthpiece 7-6 according to the
fourteenth embodiment. The dividing portions of this dental
mouthpiece 7-6 are cutoff portions 7v shown by chain double-dashed
line. These cutoff portions 7v are formed by cutting off parts of
the dental mouthpiece 7-4 at parts at least except the one
corresponding to the teeth 3g, 3h to be aligned (teeth 3f, 3i near
the teeth 3g, 3h to be aligned are also included in FIG. 27).
Accordingly, this dental mouthpiece 7-6 is mounted only on the
teeth 3g, 3h to be aligned (or on the teeth 3g, 3h to be aligned
and their neighboring teeth 3f, 3i).
[0158] The dental mouthpiece 7-6 according to this fourteenth
embodiment can also achieve functions and effects similar to those
of the dental mouthpieces 7-1, 7-2, 7-3, 7-4 and 7-5.
[0159] The dental mouthpiece 7-6 may be mounted on only a single
tooth. For example, the dental mouthpiece 7-6 may be so shaped and
constructed as to be mounted only on one tooth 3g or 3h to be
aligned.
[0160] In the case where all the teeth 3a to 3n are to be aligned,
the dental mouthpiece 7-6 may be individually mounted on each of
the teeth 3a to 3n to be aligned. In such a case, the dental
mouthpieces 7-6 can be successively detached from the teeth for
which orthodontic treatment has been finished. Alternatively, the
dental mouthpiece 7-6 can be successively mounted and detached. For
example, a treatment is first conducted by mounting the dental
mouthpiece 7-6 on the teeth at the back side, and the dental
mouthpiece 7-6 is detached after the orthodontic treatment is
finished. A subsequent treatment is conducted by mounting the
dental mouthpiece 7-6 on the teeth before the already treated
teeth. In this way, the dental mouthpiece 7-6 can be successively
mounted on and detached from the teeth from the posterior tooth
side toward the front tooth side.
[0161] FIG. 28 shows a dental mouthpiece 7-7 according to the
fifteenth embodiment. The dividing portions of this dental
mouthpiece 7-7 are cutoff portions 7v (see chain double-dashed
line) formed by cutting off the dental mouthpiece 7-7 except at
parts corresponding to the teeth 3c, 3d to be aligned, the teeth
3g, 3h to be aligned and the teeth 3k, 3l to be aligned.
Accordingly, the dental mouthpiece 7-7 is mounted only on the teeth
3c, 3d to be aligned, the teeth 3g, 3h to be aligned and the teeth
3k, 3l to be aligned.
[0162] The dental mouthpiece 7-7 according to this fifteenth
embodiment can also achieve functions and effects similar to those
of the dental mouthpieces 7-1, 7-2, 7-3, 7-4, 7-5 and 7-6.
[0163] The dental mouthpiece 7-7 is divided into a plurality of
(three in this example) mutually independent segments by the cutoff
portions (dividing portions) 7v. In this construction, the
direction and intensity of the vibration to be applied can be
changed for each segment, which enables adaptations to various
teethes and bites. One or more vibrating elements (electric
motor(s) 8 and/or permanent magnet(s) 15) can be stored for each
segment. In the case of storing a plurality of vibrating elements,
the kind (e.g. electric motor or permanent magnet) of the vibrating
elements, the directions and intensities of the vibration can be
different from each other.
[0164] Since the parts before and after the divided sections are
integrally connected to each other in the dental mouthpieces 7-1 to
7-4 according to the ninth to twelfth embodiments, each dental
mouthpiece is entirely formed by a single segment, but the parts
before and after the dividing portions can be seen as the mutually
independent segments since the respective dividing portions
suppress the transmission of the mechanical vibration. Accordingly,
in a construction in which vibrating elements such as the electric
motors 8 are stored in the segments before and after the dividing
portions similar to the dental mouthpiece 7-7 according to the
fifteenth embodiment, the direction and intensity of the vibration
to be applied can be changed for each segment, thereby enabling
adaptations to various teethes and bites. Further, it is also
possible to store one or more vibrating elements in each
segment.
[0165] Since the dividing portions are the cutout portions 7p, the
slit portions 7s or the cut portions 7t in the dental mouthpiece
7-1 to 7-4 according to the ninth to twelfth embodiments, the
segments unnecessary for the treatment by a treatment plan or the
segments having used for the already finished orthodontic treatment
can be locally removed by being cut at the dividing portions if the
vibrating elements are stored in the respective segments before and
after the dividing portions. It is more preferable to have such a
construction that the parts cut at the dividing portions can be
reconnected. This construction can be realized, for example, by
mounting fittings attachable to and detachable from each other,
magnetic elements attracting each other, adhesive materials or the
like at the cut positions.
[0166] The dental mouthpieces 7-1 to 7-7 according to the above
embodiments are not limited to those having an inner and outer
overlaid structure comprised of the inner layer 7A and the outer
layer 7B. In short, it is sufficient to store the vibrating element
at the part corresponding to the tooth to be aligned. For example,
a casing storing the electric motor 8, a button battery 11' and the
permanent magnet 15 may be joined with a main body of a dental
mouthpiece having a normal single-layer structure at a position
near the tooth to be aligned.
[0167] FIG. 29 is a perspective view showing a state where a dental
mouthpiece according to a sixteenth embodiment of the invention is
mounted on the lower dental arch of a user, and FIG. 30 is a
section along the line 30-30 in FIG. 29.
[0168] The dental mouthpiece 7 according to this embodiment is
characterized by the shape of a storage space of a vibrating
element storing portion. This storage space is so shaped as to
provide the vibrating element with a play permitting the vibrating
element itself to move in the storage space.
[0169] In FIG. 29, an outer layer 7B constituting the dental
mouthpiece 7 is formed with a bulge portion 7a similar to the first
embodiment, and an electric motor 8 as a vibrating element is
stored in this bulge portion 7a. This electric motor 8 has a
cylindrical shape and is stored in the bulge portion 7a in such a
posture that a direction of the central axis thereof is a
horizontal direction (transverse direction) along the teeth 3.
[0170] On the other hand, a storage space 7b formed in the bulge
portion 7a, i.e. a space for storing the electric motor 8 has a
cylindrical shape whose cross section normal to longitudinal
direction has an elliptical shape longer in horizontal direction.
Accordingly, the shape of the storage space 7b is larger than the
outer shape of the electric motor 8 and provides a clearance or a
play extending in horizontal direction (inward and outward
directions of the buccal cavity).
[0171] The storage space 7a according to this embodiment permits
the electric motor 8 to be displaced along horizontal direction
(inward and outward directions of the buccal cavity) without
completely restraining the electric motor 8, i.e. provides the
electric motor 8 with a play. Accordingly, a vibration load
generated by the electric motor 8 as the vibrating element causes
the electric motor 8 itself to vibrate along the direction of the
above clearance (horizontal direction) and to collide with the wall
surface defining the storage space 7b. This vibration load
amplifies vibration to be applied to the teeth 3 of the user
wearing the dental mouthpiece 7, thereby further improving the
orthodontic effect by that much.
[0172] FIG. 32 are graphs showing an experiment result obtained by
the inventors of the present application. FIG. 32A shows the
amplitude of vibration to be applied to the teeth 3g, 3h to be
aligned from a dental mouthpiece 7 whose storage space 7b has a
shape equal to the outer shape of the electric motor 8, i.e. a
dental mouthpiece 7 in which the electric motor 8 is completely
restrained in the storage space 7 as a reference example, and FIG.
32B shows the amplitude of vibration in the case where a play is
provided in the storage space 7b as shown in FIG. 29.
[0173] FIG. 32A shows that regular vibration of about 200 Hz is
applied with a vibration load of about 30 g by the eccentric weight
of the electric motor 8 in the case where the electric motor 8 is
completely restrained in the storage space 7b. On the other hand,
FIG. 32B shows that vibration is irregular, but the vibration load
is increased (doubled) up to about 60 g in the case where there is
the play.
[0174] In this embodiment, the direction of the play (direction of
the clearance) coincides with a direction conforming to the
aligning direction of the teeth 3g, 3h to be aligned in the storage
space 7b. This largely contributes to the promotion of the
orthodontic effect.
[0175] For example, in the case of retracting a tooth sticking out
forward and in the case of pulling a retracted tooth forward, the
direction of the clearance may coincide with forward and backward
directions. Further, in the case of aligning a twisted tooth, the
direction of the clearance may coincide with a direction in which
the tooth should be twisted back and which is substantially normal
to the tooth surface. In an example shown in FIG. 33, the direction
of the clearance is set to be substantially normal to the right
half of the tooth surface of the tooth 3g to be aligned, which is
supported to be twisted in counterclockwise direction when viewed
from above.
[0176] A vibration effect utilizing such a clearance enables the
application of the vibration load having high directivity to the
teeth. For example, even if a vibrating element exemplified by the
electric motor 8 and having high directivity cannot be used in
light of cost and size and, instead, an inexpensive and small-sized
rotary motor or vibration motor has to be used, sufficient stimuli
can be given to promote the orthodontic effect by applying a
vibration load having high directivity to the tooth to be
aligned.
[0177] A seventeenth embodiment of the present invention is
described with reference to FIG. 34. FIG. 34 is a perspective view
showing a state where a dental mouthpiece 7' according to one
embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a dental cast 1
of a user. The dental mouthpiece 7' of this embodiment includes a
lower layer 71 corresponding to a dental cast 1A of the lower
dental arch, an upper layer 72 corresponding to a dental cast 1B of
the upper dental arch, connecting members 251, 252 connecting both
layers 71, 72 at positions distanced from teeth to be aligned, and
electric motors 8 as one example of a vibrating element. The upper
layer 72 is mountable on the upper teeth, and the lower layer 71 is
mountable on the lower teeth.
[0178] The lower layer 71 and the upper layer 72 of this dental
mouthpiece 7' are both produced using an apparatus equivalent to
the producing apparatus 111 shown in FIG. 18 by a method equivalent
to the producing method shown in FIG. 19. Thereafter, the
connecting members 251, 252 are formed in the following manner.
[0179] First, the lower layer 71 and the upper layer 72 produced as
above are mounted on corresponding dental casts 1A, 1B of the
dental cast 1 having the bite thereof adjusted. Subsequently, EVA
columns having the opposite ends thereof heated to be molten are
caused to stand at specified positions of the lower layer 71 with
both dental casts 1A, 1B opened, and then the dental casts 1A, 1B
are closed up to a specified angle. In this way, the ends of the
EVA columns at, an opposite side come into contact with the upper
layer 72. The EVA columns become the connecting members 251, 252
connecting both layers 71, 72 by being cooled in this state,
whereby a pair of upper and lower dental mouthpieces 7' is
completed.
[0180] The connecting members 251, 252 are provided at the
positions distanced from the teeth to be aligned between the upper
and lower layers 72, 71. For example, if the teeth to be aligned
are left and right molar teeth (e.g. teeth 3a to 3d and 3k to 3n in
the teeth shown in FIG. 1) and the vibrating elements such as the
electric motors 8 are built in the dental mouthpiece 7' at
positions near these teeth, the connecting members 251, 252 may be
formed at the positions near the front teeth (central incisors) 3g,
3h as shown in FIG. 34. Alternatively, only a single connecting
member 250 may be formed as in a dental mouthpiece 7'' shown as an
eighteenth embodiment in FIG. 35. On the other hand, if the teeth
to be aligned are front teeth (lateral incisors) 3f, 3i and front
teeth (canine teeth) 3e, 3j shown in FIG. 1 and the vibrating
element such as the electric motor 8 is built in at the position
shown in FIG. 2, the connecting members may be formed at positions
near the left and right posterior teeth (e.g. at positions of the
teeth 3c, 3d and teeth 3k, 3l of FIG. 1 or at their neighboring
positions).
[0181] In a dental mouthpiece 7''' shown as a nineteenth embodiment
in FIG. 36, the left and right connecting members (only left
connecting member 251 is shown in FIG. 36) are provided at
positions more toward the posterior teeth than the molar teeth. The
connecting members provided at such positions enable no load caused
by the bite to be applied to any of the front teeth (central
incisors) 3g, 3h, the front teeth (lateral incisors) 3f, 3i, the
front teeth (canine teeth) 3e, 3j, the molar teeth 3a to 3d, 3k to
3n as shown in FIG. 1. In other words, the open state can be kept.
Such a dental mouthpiece is suitable in the case of aligning the
entire teeth.
[0182] In the dental mouthpieces including the respective
connecting members, the biting state (bite force and biting
surfaces) of the upper layer 72 and the lower layer 71 can be kept
constant at the position(s) where the vibrating element such as the
electric motor 8 is provided. This prevents a change in the
vibration transmission mode caused by an unconscious behavior of
the user to bite the electric motor 8 or its neighboring part. In
other words, this eliminates the need for the user to make an
effort to keep the dental mouthpiece open, whereby a good
orthodontic effect can be obtained by continuing to apply specified
vibration to the teeth to be aligned while reducing burdens on the
user.
[0183] The inner surface form of the dental mouthpiece according to
the present invention is preferably in conformity with the dental
cast 1 of the user wearing braces including the orthodontic wire 5
and the brackets 4. The dental mouthpiece reflecting the shape of
the braces can be mounted on the teeth wearing the braces, and can
be used in combination with the braces.
[0184] FIG. 37 is a diagram showing a method for producing such a
dental mouthpiece. What should be noted here is that a dental
impression is obtained with the brackets 4 and the orthodontic wire
5 mounted on the dental cast 1 (Step S1) and the dental cast 1 is
completed (Step S2). Thereafter, dental wax 260 is filled into
clearances in parts of the dental cast 1 corresponding to the
brackets 4 and the orthodontic wire 5 to thereby eliminate
unevenness in Step S11. So-called "paraffin wax" or the like can be
used as the dental wax. This material is solid at normal
temperature, and is used in liquid state by being heated and molten
using an alcohol lamp or the like.
[0185] This method reduces burdens on the user as compared to the
method according to which the wax is used upon obtaining the dental
impression in Step S1, i.e. the method according to which the
dental impression is obtained after nontoxic wax or the like that
can be washed away with water is filled into clearances of the
brackets 4 and the orthodontic wire 5 with the user wearing the
brackets 4 and the orthodontic wire 5.
[0186] Further, in Step S12, the inner surface form of the
impression material 6 obtained using silicon corresponds to an
envelope of the outer shape of the braces including the bracket 4
and the orthodontic wire 5. This shape is such a shape capable of
avoiding the interference of the unevenness of the braces with the
inner surface of the dental mouthpiece to be cast, and a clearance
is defined between the inner surface of the impression material and
the buccal surface of the teeth 3. Thereafter, plaster is poured
into the impression material 6 and taken out after being hardened,
whereby a dental cast 1' actually used for the production of the
dental mouthpiece 7 is completed. Processes after Step S13 are
equivalent to the method shown in FIG. 19.
[0187] The inner surface form of the inner layer 7A of the dental
mouthpiece 7 thus produced conforms to the dental cast 1 of the
user wearing the braces including the orthodontic wire 5 and the
brackets 4. In other words, since the inner surface of this inner
layer 7 reflects the shape of the braces, the dental mouthpiece 7
is mountable on these braces, which enables the simultaneous use of
the dental mouthpiece 7 and the braces.
[0188] Further, since the inner surface form of the inner layer 7A
corresponds to the shape of the braces including the orthodontic
wire 5 and the brackets 4 after having the unevenness reduced and
reflects this uneven shape as clearances, the interference of the
sharp orthodontic wire 5 and the brackets 4 with the inner layer 7A
can be reduced. This prevents the braces from being displaced or
coming off and the dental mouthpiece 7 from being damaged when the
braces and dental mouthpiece 7 are mounted and detached.
[0189] FIG. 38 is a perspective view showing a state where a dental
mouthpiece 7 according to a twentieth embodiment of the present
invention is mounted on a user's lower dental arch, FIG. 39 is a
perspective view of a dental cast 1 of the user's lower dental arch
and FIG. 40 is a section along the line 40-40 in FIG. 38.
[0190] The orthodontic appliance according to this embodiment is
characterized by including a flexible board 2 on which an electric
motor 8 as a vibrating element is mounted and incorporating both
the electric motor 8 and the flexible board 2 into the dental
mouthpiece 7.
[0191] FIG. 41 is an exploded perspective view showing the
construction of the electric motor 8 and the flexible board 2, and
FIG. 42 is a section of the dental mouthpiece 7 having these built
therein.
[0192] The electric motor 8 includes a motor main body 8a, a rotary
shaft 8b and an eccentric weight 8c mounted on this rotary shaft
8b, and generates mechanical vibration of the rotations of the
rotary shaft 8b and the eccentric weight 8c. The electric motor 8
is of the unpacked type having the eccentric weight 8c thereof
exposed to the outside. Accordingly, if this electric motor 8 is
built in the dental mouthpiece 7 together with the flexible board 2
as it is, the eccentric weight 8c touches inner surface of the
dental mouthpiece 7 (e.g. inner surface of a bulge portion 7a for
the storage of the vibrating element shown in FIG. 38) and the
like, and this touch might hinder the rotation of the eccentric
weight 8c.
[0193] In order to prevent this inconvenience, a cover member 8d is
provided on the flexible board 2. This cover member 8d is made of
metal or the like, has a semicylindrical shape with a closed top
and covers the eccentric weight 8c in such a manner as to ensure a
space for the rotation of the eccentric weight 8c.
[0194] The flexible board 2 is in the form of a strip extending in
a direction along the teeth 3 as shown in FIG. 38 and has a circuit
for introducing an electric power to the motor main body 8a.
Specifically, this flexible board 2 is formed with a pair of wiring
patterns 2a, 2b extending in the longitudinal direction thereof,
and lands 2c used to solder terminals 8e provided on the motor main
body 8a are formed at a plurality of positions of the respective
wiring patterns 2a, 2b.
[0195] Even if this flexible board 2 is formed to have a
standardized shape, it can be commonly used for a plurality of
users whose teeth to be aligned differ from each other. In other
words, even if the teeth to be aligned differ from user to user,
the use of the flexible board 2 is enabled by selecting the lands
2c at positions corresponding to the teeth to be aligned (e.g.
teeth 3g, 3h to be aligned shown in FIG. 38) as those to which the
terminals 8e of the motor main body 8a are soldered. It is also
possible to mount a plurality of electric motors 8 on one flexible
board and to simultaneously drive them.
[0196] The enlargement of the lands 2c of the flexible board 2
strengthens the soldering of the terminals 8e to the lands 2c. This
soldering has a remarkably lower probability of breaking than a
power feed path formed by a lead wire directly drawn out from the
electric motor 8, i.e. forms a power feed path having higher
reliability. Further, the use of the flexible board 2 neither
damages the dental mouthpiece 7 nor hurts the buccal cavity.
[0197] The electric motor 8 may be either a direct-current (DC)
motor or an alternating-current (AC) motor. In the former case, the
intensity and cycle of the vibration can be made adjustable by
feeding a power from a battery via a switch and a variable
resistor. The rotating speed of the motor main body 8a, i.e.
vibration frequency (number of vibration) of the motor main body 8a
is preferably about several Hz to several 100 Hz.
[0198] In order to mount the cover member 8d, a plurality of
locking holes 2d aligned in the longitudinal direction of the
flexible board 2 are perforated at each of the opposite lateral
edges of the flexible board 2. On the other hand, projections 8f
are formed at the bottom of the cover member 8d and fittable into
arbitrary locking holes 2d. By changing the locking holes 2d into
which the projections 8f are fitted, the arranged position of the
cover member 8d on the flexible board 2 is changed. Accordingly,
regardless of to which lands the motor main body 8a is soldered,
the cover member 8d can be temporarily fixed at such a position as
to cover the eccentric weight 8c by a corresponding selection of
the suitable locking holes 2d into which the projections 8f of the
cover member 8d are to be fitted. If the mount position of the
motor main body 8a on the flexible board 2 is fixed, the lands 2c
and the locking holes 2d may be provided only at one position.
[0199] The flexible board 2 having the electric motor 8 and the
cover member 8d mounted thereon is sealed between the inner layer
7A and the outer layer 7B of the dental mouthpiece 7 in the same
manner as described above, and the cover member 8d is fixed to the
flexible board 2. Accordingly, even if the electric motor 8 of the
unpacked type is used, the normal operation thereof can be
guaranteed.
[0200] A board side connector 6a for the connection of the flexible
board 2 and an external circuit of the dental mouthpiece 7 is
provided at one end of the flexible board 2 with respect to
longitudinal direction. For example, a two-pin connector produced
by Japanese Solderless Terminals Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (JST Mfg.
Co., Ltd.) is used as this board side connector 6a. Terminals of
this board side connector 6a are soldered to lands 2e formed at
ends of the wiring patterns 2a, 2b at one side. Besides the
electric motor 8, a control circuit and a power source therefor may
be mounted on the flexible board 2. In the case of mounting the
control circuit, the board side connector 6a may further include a
pin for the transmission of a control signal. Further, in the case
of mounting the power source, the connector 6a may be used for the
on-off control and power control.
[0201] On the other hand, a lead-wire side connector 6b is provided
at ends of power feed cables (lead wires) 9 to be drawn out, and is
connected with the board side connector 6a. These lead-wire side
connector 6b and board side connector 6a form the connector 6
electrically connecting the flexible board 2 and the power feed
cables 9.
[0202] The use of the connector 6 facilitates a wiring operation
between the flexible board 2 and the external circuit.
Specifically, as described in detail later, the wiring operation
with the outside is performed only by exposing a part of the sealed
flexible board 2 corresponding to the connector 6a, connecting the
lead-wire side connector 6b with the exposed connector 6a and
sealing the exposed part again. This method remarkably simplifies
the wiring operation as compared to a method including steps of
exposing the wiring patterns 2a, 2b of the sealed flexible board 2
and sealing the exposed parts again after the power feed wires 9 to
be drawn out are soldered.
[0203] A direction in which the power feed cables 9 are drawn out
by this connector 6 is preferably perpendicular to the flexible
board 2, i.e. perpendicular to the tooth surface in light of
wearing comfort and the connecting operation of the connectors 6a,
6b. Normally, the connector 6 is set at a position corresponding to
the front teeth 3g, 3h in view of facilitation to take the lead
wires out of the buccal cavity. If the teeth to be aligned are the
front teeth 3g, 3h, the position of the connector 6 needs to be
changed to a proximate position (e.g. position corresponding to the
tooth 3i in FIG. 38). Such a change can be accomplished by
displacing the built-in position of the flexible board 2 in the
dental mouthpiece 7. An unnecessary part of the flexible board 2
may be built in the dental mouthpiece 7 while being folded or may
be cut off.
[0204] The power feed cables 9 are covered by an EVA tube 280 made
of the same material as the dental mouthpiece 7. The use of this
EVA tube 280 enables the drawn-out portions of the power feed
cables 9 to the outside to be also sealed airtight. Specifically,
the airtight sealing of the drawn-out portions of the power feed
cables 9 to the outside of the dental mouthpiece 7 is realized by a
method including a step of exposing a part of the board side
connector 6 sealed in the dental mouthpiece 7 as described above, a
step of connecting the lead-wire side connector 6b with this
connector 6a and a step of uniting an end 282 of the EVA tube 280
with a part exposed for the connection of the two connectors 6a,
6b, for example, by melting.
[0205] If the connection of the flexible board 2 and the external
circuit of the dental mouthpiece 7 is unnecessary, the connector 6
can be omitted. In such a case, no control is necessary from the
external circuit to strengthen or weaken the vibration. An
exemplary case is such that the power source and the control
circuit are also mounted on the flexible board 2 as described above
and the electric motor 8 can be turned on and off through the
operation of a push-push switch at a thinned part of the outer
layer 7B.
[0206] If the flexible board 2 is built in the dental mouthpiece 7,
the external appearance of the appliance is determined only by the
dental mouthpiece 7. Since the power feed cables do not touch the
buccal cavity with this appliance, electrical safety can be ensured
and an improvement in wearing comfort can be expected. Further, the
entire appliance is compact and convenient to carry around, and the
practical value thereof is high.
[0207] FIG. 43 is a diagram showing a method for producing the
dental mouthpiece 7 according to this embodiment. Up to the
completion of the inner layer 7A (Step S3), this method is the same
as the dental mouthpiece producing method shown in FIG. 19.
[0208] After the completion of the inner layer 7A, the flexible
board 2 having the electric motor 8 and the connector 6a mounted
thereon is attached onto the inner layer 7A while the inner layer
7A is still hot. The material of the dental mouthpiece 7,
particularly the EVA, has high viscosity when being molten to such
an extent as to be used as a main raw material of so-called hot
bond. Accordingly, the inner layer 7A immediately after being cast
from the half molten EVA in Step S3 still has heat and exhibits
high viscosity until being cooled. The flexible board 2 can be
temporarily fixed without particularly using fixing means such as
adhesive only by pressing the flexible board 2 against the inner
layer 7A utilizing an adhesive force of the material of the inner
layer 7A given by the remaining heat of the inner layer 7A.
[0209] In Step S15, the outer layer 7B is formed by placing the
heated EVA sheet on the inner layer 7A having the flexible board 2
attached thereto as described above as in Step S3 and applying air
suction. At this time, the flexible board 2, the electric motor 8
and the connector 6a are sealed airtight between the inner layer 7A
and the outer layer 7B.
[0210] In Step S16, the EVA forming the outer layer 7B is stripped
at a part corresponding to the board side connector 6a in the
dental mouthpiece 7 formed in this way, and the lead-wire side
connector 6b is connected with the connector 6a. In Step S17, the
end portion 282 of the EVA tube 280 mounted on the power feed
cables 9 are connected at a suitable position of the outer layer 7B
by being locally heated using a drier or the like, and this
connected part is sealed airtight. In this way, the dental
mouthpiece is completed.
[0211] In order to easily insert the power feed cables 9 into the
EVA tube 280, the end portion 282 of the tube 280 at an insertion
side is preprocessed to be widened as shown in FIGS. 41 and 42.
This widening process is realized, for example, by a method
including a step of mounting a tubular body having a heat
insulating property on the tube 280 and pulling only the end
portion 282 from this tubular body, and a step of softening the
pulled-out end portion 282 by locally heating it using a drier or
the like and inserting a conical body into the end portion 282 to
deform the end portion 282 into a shape conforming to the outer
circumferential surface of this conic body. The power feed cables 9
connected with the lead-wire side connector 6b are inserted for the
connection in Step S16 with the tubular body mounted thereon. This
enables complete waterproofing from the dental mouthpiece 7 to the
pulled-out portions of the power feed cables 9.
[0212] FIG. 44 is a plan view of a flexible board 2' used in an
orthodontic appliance according a twenty first embodiment of the
present invention. This flexible board 2' is similar to the
flexible board 2, and portions of both equivalent to each other are
identified by the same reference numerals and are not
described.
[0213] What should be noted in this flexible board 2' is that the
board side connector 6a is mounted at a longitudinal middle
position of the flexible board 2' and the flexible board 2' extends
toward the opposite sides in directions along the teeth 3 with this
connector 6a as a center. Accordingly, this flexible board 2' is
suitable for the orthodontic alignment of the molar teeth at the
opposite sides since the board side connector 6a is mounted at the
position corresponding to the front teeth if the flexible board 2'
is used as it is.
[0214] This flexible board 2' is characterized by perforation 2f
formed at one side of the connector 6a to facilitate the separation
of the flexible board 2'. In the flexible board 2' separated at the
perforation 2f, the board side connector 6a is located at an end
with respect to longitudinal direction. This enables the position
where the power feed cables 9 are drawn out from the board side
connector 6a to be located at the position of the molar teeth (back
side) similar to the aforementioned flexible board 2, and enables
the use of the flexible board 2' for the orthodontic alignment of
the front teeth.
[0215] The opposite ends of the flexible board 2' may be suitably
cut off in conformity with the size of a user's mouth. This enables
the use of the common flexible board 2' regardless of tooth (teeth)
to be aligned and the size of the user's mouth.
[0216] According to the present invention, the vibrating element
(e.g. electric motor 8) is not necessarily fixed to the lands of
the flexible board as described above. For example, the vibrating
element may be slidably mounted on the flexible board. This sliding
movement enables the positions of the vibrating element on the
flexible board to be changed.
[0217] As described above, the present invention is directed to an
orthodontic appliance for aligning teeth including a tooth to be
aligned, the appliance comprising a vibrating element for
generating mechanical vibration and applying this vibration to the
tooth to be aligned, and a dental mouthpiece having the vibrating
element built therein and mountable on the teeth with the vibrating
element built therein. Since the vibrating element for generating
mechanical vibration (mechanical stimuli) is built in the dental
mouthpiece to be mounted on the teeth in this appliance, the
vibrating element can efficiently apply vibration to the tooth to
be aligned. Further, the storage of the vibrating element in the
dental mouthpiece enables a treatment to be easily and safely
continued at any desired time, for example, at home without going
to a dental clinic.
[0218] It is preferable that the dental mouthpiece includes an
inner layer and an outer layer to be superimposed on the outer side
of the inner layer; and that a vibrating element storing portion
for storing the vibrating element is formed between the inner layer
and the outer layer. This construction facilitates the storage of
the vibrating element into the dental mouthpiece. Since the
mechanical vibration of the vibrating element is transmitted to the
tooth to be aligned via the superimposed part of the dental
mouthpiece having an overlaid structure, this vibration can be more
softly transmitted as compared to the case where mechanical
vibration is directly transmitted to the tooth to be aligned.
Further, the dental mouthpiece is water-washable and, thus,
hygienic if the vibrating element is hermetically stored in the
dental mouthpiece.
[0219] Specifically, it is preferable that the outer layer includes
an outward projecting bulge portion; and that the vibrating element
is stored between the inner side of the bulge portion and the outer
side of the inner layer. This structure enables the storage of the
vibrating element into the dental mouthpiece without enlarging the
entire dental mouthpiece.
[0220] The vibrating element storing portion is more preferably
formed at a part of the dental mouthpiece corresponding to the
tooth to be aligned.
[0221] For example, a motor is preferably used as the vibrating
element. In order to make this vibrating element more inexpensive,
the motor preferably includes an eccentric rotary portion rotatable
about a specified axis and having a center of gravity at a position
deviated from this axis. For example, this eccentric rotary portion
preferably includes a rotary shaft and an eccentric weight mounted
on this rotary shaft such that the center of gravity thereof is
deviated from the center of the rotary shaft and adapted to
generate mechanical vibration by rotating together with the rotary
shaft.
[0222] The vibrating element may be a linear motor having a moving
element that reciprocally vibrates.
[0223] If the appliance according to the present invention further
comprises a battery as a direct-current power source and the motor
is a DC motor driven by the direct-current power source and
electrically connected with the battery, a treatment can be made,
for example, outdoors.
[0224] Further, if the battery is stored in the vibrating element
storing portion together with the motor, the wearing comfort
becomes improved because a cable does not expose out of the mouth,
and carrying of the appliance is more convenient.
[0225] The vibrating element is more preferably built in the dental
mouthpiece in such an orientation that the direction of the
vibration generated by the vibrating element is substantially
normal to the teeth. This can improve vibration transmission
efficiency.
[0226] The vibrating element may be a permanent magnet for
generating mechanical vibration in response to a magnetic field
generated by magnetic field generating means arranged outside the
dental mouthpiece. The use of this permanent magnet makes the
entire appliance smaller.
[0227] The dental mouthpiece may be so shaped as to be mountable on
braces mounted on the teeth to align the tooth to be aligned or may
be so shaped as to apply an aligning force to the tooth to be
aligned.
[0228] The former dental mouthpiece preferably has an inner surface
form conforming to the dental cast of the user wearing the braces.
Since the inner surface form of this dental mouthpiece reflects the
shape of the braces, the dental mouthpiece can be mounted on the
braces. This realizes the simultaneous use of the braces and the
dental mouthpiece.
[0229] The inner surface form of such a dental mouthpiece is
preferably a shape corresponding to an envelope of the outer shape
of the braces and capable of avoiding the interference of the
unevenness of the braces with the inner surface of the dental
mouthpiece. Such a shape has the following advantages.
[0230] Stimuli from the vibrating element to the teeth are
alleviated to prevent the gums to be hurt by the stimuli.
[0231] Wearing comfort is improved.
[0232] The production of the dental mouthpiece is facilitated.
[0233] Damages of the gums by the edges and the like of the dental
mouthpiece can be prevented.
[0234] The dental mouthpiece may be so shaped as to be mountable on
the entire teeth or may be so shaped as to be mountable on a part
of the teeth. The former shape enables the positional relationship
between the tooth to be aligned and the vibrating element to be
more precisely set. The latter shape can make the dental mouthpiece
smaller.
[0235] Further, it is more preferable that the dental mouthpiece
includes a dividing portion at a part thereof except at the one
corresponding to the tooth to be aligned; and that this divided
portion suppresses the transmission of mechanical vibration so that
the mechanical vibration generated by the vibrating element acts
restrictedly on the part including the tooth to be aligned.
[0236] This construction enables the vibration to be restrictedly
applied to the tooth to be aligned.
[0237] The dental mouthpiece including the dividing portion
preferably includes, for example, any one of the following
constructions in order to facilitate the production thereof.
[0238] a) The dividing portion of the dental mouthpiece is a cutout
portion formed by cutting out either a tooth root portion or a
tooth crown portion of the dental mouthpiece except at the tooth to
be aligned, and the other part integrally connect parts of the
dental mouthpiece before and after the cutout portion.
[0239] b) The dividing portion of the dental mouthpiece is a slit
portion formed in a part of the dental mouthpiece except at the
tooth to be aligned, and parts of the dental mouthpiece before and
after this slit portion are connected to each other.
[0240] c) The dividing portion of the dental mouthpiece is a cut
portion formed by cutting a part of the dental mouthpiece except at
the tooth to be aligned, and parts of the dental mouthpiece before
and after this cut portion are connected via a member separate from
the one forming the cut portion.
[0241] d) The dividing portion of the dental mouthpiece is a cutoff
portion formed by cutting off a part of the dental mouthpiece
except at the tooth to be aligned, and this cutoff portion is
defined in such a position that the dental mouthpiece has a shape
fittable for only the tooth to be aligned.
[0242] e) The dividing portion of the dental mouthpiece is a cutout
portion formed by cutting out either a tooth root portion or a
tooth crown portion of the dental mouthpiece except at the tooth to
be aligned, and parts of the dental mouthpiece before and after the
cutout portion are integrally connected by the remaining part of
the dental mouthpiece.
[0243] It is more preferable that the dental mouthpiece includes a
storage space for storing the vibrating element inside; and that
this storage space has such a shape as to provide the vibrating
element with a play permitting the vibrating element itself to move
in the storage space.
[0244] The play permits the vibrating element itself to move in the
storage space by a vibration load generated by the vibrating
element. The vibrating element permitted to make such movements
collides with the inner surface of the dental mouthpiece enclosing
the storage space. Loads caused by this collision can increase the
vibration applied to the teeth of the user wearing the dental
mouthpiece. This enables stimuli sufficient to promote the
orthodontic effect to be applied to the tooth to be aligned while
using a vibrating element that is small-sized and lightweight and
generates a small vibration load.
[0245] The storage space is particularly preferably shaped such
that a clearance is formed in the storage space in a direction
corresponding to an aligning direction of the tooth to be aligned.
Such a shape enhances the directivity of the vibration to be
applied to the tooth to be aligned. For example, even if only the
vibrating element having a low vibration directivity (e.g.
inexpensive and small-sized rotary motor or vibration motor) can be
used because of cost and size, a vibration load having high
directivity can be applied to the teeth.
[0246] The dental mouthpiece preferably comprises an upper layer to
be mounted on an upper teeth and a lower layer to be mounted on a
lower teeth, the vibrating element being built in at least one of
the upper and lower layers; and a connecting member connecting the
upper layer and the lower layer at a position distanced from the
tooth to be aligned.
[0247] The connecting member keeps the biting state (bite force and
biting surfaces) of the upper and lower layers constant at the
position where the vibrating element is built in, thereby
preventing the user from unconsciously biting the vibrating means
and its neighboring part and the bite from changing a way of
transmitting the vibration. As a result, a desired orthodontic
effect can be obtained by continuing to apply desired vibration to
the tooth to be aligned while reducing burdens by eliminating the
need for the user to make an effort to keep the dental mouthpiece
open.
[0248] The position of the connecting member is not limited. For
example, the dental mouthpiece having the connecting member
disposed at a position corresponding to the front teeth is suitable
for the dental alignment of the molar teeth since it can ensure a
constant biting state at a part corresponding to the molar teeth by
preventing the application of loads given by the bite to this part.
Further, the dental mouthpiece having the connecting member
disposed at a position corresponding to the molar teeth is suitable
for the dental alignment of the front teeth since it can ensure a
constant biting state at a part corresponding to the front teeth by
preventing the application of loads given by the bite to this part.
Furthermore, the dental mouthpiece having the connecting member
disposed at a position more toward the back side than the molar
teeth is suitable for the dental alignment of the entire teeth
since it can be kept open by preventing the application of loads
given by the bite to parts corresponding to both the front teeth
and the molar teeth.
[0249] It is preferable that the orthodontic appliance according to
the present invention further comprises a flexible board on which
the vibrating element is to be mounted; and that this flexible
board includes a circuit for introducing power to the vibrating
element and is built in the dental mouthpiece together with the
vibrating element.
[0250] The flexible board forms a power feeding path for
introducing power to the vibrating element mounted thereon. This
power feeding path has a fairly lower likelihood of breaking as
compared to, for example, a power feeding path formed by drawing a
lead wire out from the vibrating element. Further, the use of the
flexible board neither damages the dental mouthpiece nor hurts the
buccal cavity. Beside the vibrating element, it is also possible to
mount a control circuit and a power source for the vibrating
element on the flexible board.
[0251] Further, if a board side connector for the external
connection is mounted on the flexible board, a wiring operation for
connecting the vibrating element and an external circuit of the
dental mouthpiece can be facilitated. This wiring operation is
carried out, for example, by a method comprising a step of exposing
a part of the sealed flexible board corresponding to the board side
connector from the dental mouthpiece, a step of connecting a
lead-wire side connector attached to a lead wire to be drawn out
with the exposed board side connector, and a step of sealing the
exposed part again. This method remarkably simplifies the wiring
operation as compared to a method including a step of exposing a
wiring pattern of the sealed flexible board from the dental
mouthpiece, a step of soldering a lead wire to be drawn out to the
wiring pattern, and a step of sealing the exposed part again.
[0252] Further, with an appliance comprising a lead wire drawn out
from the board side connector and a tube made of the same material
as the dental mouthpiece and adapted to cover the lead wire, a part
where the lead wire is drawn out from the dental mouthpiece can
also be sealed utilizing the tube. Specifically, a part of the
sealed flexible board corresponding to the board side connector is
exposed from the dental mouthpiece, and the lead-wire side
connector connected with the lead wire to be drawn out is connected
with this board side connector. Thereafter, a drawn-out portion is
sealed airtight by performing a step of uniting an end of the tube
with the exposed part for the connection of the connectors, for
example, by melting this end of the tube.
[0253] More preferably, the flexible board is so built in the
dental mouthpiece as to extend in the direction of the teeth and
formed with a wiring pattern extending in the longitudinal
direction thereof, a plurality of lands used to solder the
vibrating element being formed at a plurality of positions of the
wiring pattern.
[0254] With this flexible board, even if the shape of the flexible
board is standardized beforehand, the vibrating element can be
arranged at an optimal position by selecting the land to which the
vibrating element should be soldered from those provided on the
flexible board. This enables the vibrating element to be mounted on
the flexible board at a most suitable position for the tooth to be
aligned even if the tooth to be aligned differs from user to user,
with the result that the versatility of the flexible board can be
improved and the cost of the appliance can be reduced. It is also
possible to mount a plurality of vibrating elements on one flexible
board and to simultaneously drive them.
[0255] If the vibrating element includes a motor having an output
shaft and an eccentric weight mounted on the output shaft, a cover
member for covering the eccentric weight is more preferably so
fixed to the flexible board as to define a space necessary for the
rotation of the eccentric weight. This cover member effectively
suppresses the hindrance of the eccentric weight to the
satisfactory rotation of its own by the contact of the eccentric
weight with the inner surface of the dental mouthpiece.
[0256] The present invention is also directed to a method for
producing an orthodontic appliance comprising a vibrating element
for generating mechanical vibration and applying the vibration to a
tooth to be aligned of a user, and a dental mouthpiece having the
vibrating element built therein and mountable on teeth of the user
including the tooth to be aligned with the vibrating element built
therein, the orthodontic appliance promoting dental alignment by
transmitting the mechanical vibration to the tooth to be aligned,
the method comprising: a first step of forming an inner layer
constituting an inner part of the dental mouthpiece by placing a
sheet member having a heat softening property on a dental cast of
the user with the sheet member heated to be softened and closely
attaching the sheet member onto the dental cast; a second step of
mounting the vibrating element on the inner layer; and a third step
of setting the inner layer having the vibrating element mounted
thereon on the dental cast of the user, placing a sheet member
having a heat softening property on the inner layer with the sheet
member heated to be softened, and closely attaching the softened
sheet member to the inner layer, thereby forming an outer layer
constituting an outer part of the dental mouthpiece and sealing the
vibrating element airtight between the outer layer and the inner
layer.
[0257] According to this method, the dental mouthpiece having the
inner and outer layers can be efficiently produced. Specifically,
one dental impression is sufficient to form the outer layer,
thereby reducing the number of operation steps. According to this
method, instead of reheating the hardened inner layer and outer
layer and bonding those to each other, the sheet member of the
inner layer and that of the outer layer half molten by the heat of
the mounted outer layer and the heat transferred from the outer
layer to the inner layer are naturally united. Therefore, a dental
mouthpiece having high airtightness and high quality can be
formed.
[0258] In the second step, the vibrating element can be attached to
the inner layer utilizing an adhering force of the material of the
inner layer given by the remaining heat of the inner layer. This
method obviates the need for another fixing means such as adhesive
or enables the vibrating element to be simply temporarily fixed to
the inner layer while reducing a used amount of another fixing
means.
[0259] In the first step, a sheet member made of a resin whose
softening temperature is lower than the heat resistant temperature
of the vibrating element is preferably used as the sheet member for
forming the inner layer.
[0260] This construction enables the sheet member for forming the
inner layer to be placed on the vibrating element while avoiding
the trouble of the vibrating element due to a high temperature.
* * * * *