U.S. patent number 3,660,900 [Application Number 04/875,086] was granted by the patent office on 1972-05-09 for method and apparatus for improved orthodontic bracket and arch wire technique.
Invention is credited to Lawrence F. Andrews.
United States Patent |
3,660,900 |
Andrews |
May 9, 1972 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IMPROVED ORTHODONTIC BRACKET AND ARCH WIRE
TECHNIQUE
Abstract
The method and apparatus for improving orthodontic bracket and
arch wire technique where the individual brackets have an inner
radius for attachment to a tooth band which conforms to the outer
contour of the tooth both vertically and horizontally and has at
least one groove therein for the reception of one or more arch
wires having a radius for conforming to overall arch wire geometry
and wherein the groove is cut with a torquing angle, a tipping
angle, an in-out dimension and in some cases, a rotation
compensation angle for cooperation with an unbent arch wire in
which the various angles built into the bracket result in desired
force vectors for movement of individual teeth to a desired
position, and in the alternative the variations in dimensions and
angles are built into the tooth band.
Inventors: |
Andrews; Lawrence F. (San
Diego, CA) |
Family
ID: |
25365182 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/875,086 |
Filed: |
November 10, 1969 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
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669919 |
Sep 22, 1967 |
3477128 |
Nov 11, 1969 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
433/16;
433/24 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61C
7/143 (20130101); A61C 7/12 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61C
7/00 (20060101); A61C 7/12 (20060101); A61C
7/14 (20060101); A61c 007/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;32/14A |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Peshock; Robert
Parent Case Text
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation-in-part of my co-pending
application filed Sept. 22, 1967, Ser. No. 669,919, and now U.S.
Pat. No. 3,477,128 issued Nov. 11, 1969, for Method and Apparatus
for Improved Orthodontic Bracket and Arch Wire Technique.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A set of orthodontic brackets comprising:
a plurality of brackets having front faces and back sides;
each of said back sides being adapted for mounting to a
predetermined tooth having a specific contour, said back sides
being specifically contoured for cooperation therewith; and
said front sides having a groove recessed therein for the reception
of an arch wire, said grooves having predetermined depth and
angulation for creating force vectors operable for straightening
teeth of a patient upon installation of unbent arch wire
therein.
2. The set of orthodontic brackets of claim 1 wherein:
each of said grooves has a radius of curvature substantially equal
to a predetermined radius of curvature of an unbent arch wire after
the complete installation thereof.
3. The set of orthodontic brackets of claim 1 wherein:
the distance from said back sides to the outer faces of said
brackets conforms to overall curvature of an installed but unbent
arch wire geometry.
4. The set of orthodontic brackets of claim 1 wherein:
at least one of said grooves has a vertical angle with respect to
an axis of a predetermined tooth for creating a predetermined force
vector for tipping said predetermined tooth a predetermined amount
upon installation of an unbent arch wire.
5. The set of orthodontic brackets of claim 1 wherein:
the distance from said back sides to the inner faces of said
grooves is predetermined to create a predetermined in-out force
vector from an installed but unbent arch wire on a predetermined
tooth.
6. The set of orthodontic brackets of claim 1 wherein:
the outer face of at least one of said brackets and the back side
of said at least one of said brackets are angularly displaced a
predetermined amount in a vertical plane for creating a
predetermined torquing angle force vector on a predetermined tooth
from an installed but unbent arch wire.
7. The set of orthodontic brackets of claim 1 wherein:
the outer face of at least one of said brackets and the back side
of said at least one of said brackets are angularly displaced a
predetermined amount in a horizontal plane for creating a rotating
angle force vector on a predetermined tooth from an installed but
unbent arch wire.
8. A set of orthodontic brackets comprising:
a plurality of brackets each having a front face and a back
side;
said front face having a groove recessed therein for the reception
of an arch wire, said grooves having predetermined depth and
angulation for creating force vectors operable for straightening
teeth of a patient upon installation of an unbent arch wire
thereon; and
said back side being adapted for mounting to a predetermined tooth,
the distance from said back side to the outer face of said bracket
conforming to overall curvature of an installed but unbent arch
wire geometry.
9. The set of orthodontic brackets of claim 8 wherein:
each of said back sides is specifically contoured for cooperation
with a predetermined tooth.
10. The set of orthodontic brackets of claim 8 wherein:
each of said back sides is specifically contoured for cooperation
with a predetermined tooth having a specific contour; and
said groove has a radius of curvature substantially equal to a
predetermined radius of curvature of an unbent arch wire after the
complete installation thereof.
11. The set of orthodontic brackets of claim 8 wherein:
each of said back sides is specifically contoured for cooperation
with a predetermined tooth having a specific contour; and
at least one of said grooves has a vertical angle with respect to
an axis of a predetermined tooth for creating a predetermined force
vector for tipping said predetermined tooth a predetermined amount
after the installation of an unbent arch wire.
12. The set of orthodontic brackets of claim 8 wherein:
each of said back sides is specifically contoured for cooperation
with a predetermined tooth having a specific contour; and
the distance from said back side to the inner face of at least one
of said grooves is predetermined to create a predetermined in-out
force vector from completely installed but unbent arch wire on a
predetermined tooth.
13. The set of orthodontic brackets of claim 8 wherein:
each of said back sides is specifically contoured for cooperation
with a predetermined tooth having a specific contour; and
the outer face of at least one of said brackets and the back side
of said at least one of said brackets are angularly displaced a
predetermined amount in a vertical plane for creating a
predetermined torquing angle force vector on a predetermined tooth
from a completely installed but unbent arch wire.
14. The set of orthodontic brackets of claim 8 wherein:
each of said back sides is specifically contoured for cooperation
with a predetermined tooth having a specific contour; and
the outer face of at least one of said brackets and the back side
of said at least one of said brackets are angularly displaced a
predetermined amount in a horizontal plane for creating a rotating
angle force vector on a predetermined tooth from a completely
installed but unbent arch wire.
15. A set of orthodontic brackets comprising:
a plurality of brackets having a front face and a back side and top
and bottom sides;
said back side being adapted for mounting to a predetermined tooth
having a specific contour, said back side being specifically
contoured for cooperation therewith;
one of said top and bottom sides having a groove recessed therein
for the reception of an arch wire, said grooves having
predetermined depth and angulation for creating force vectors
operable for straightening teeth of a patient upon installation of
an unbent arch wire thereon; and
the distance from said back side to the outer face of said bracket
conforms to overall curvature of an installed nut unbent arch wire
geometry.
16. The set of orthodontic brackets of claim 15 wherein:
each of said grooves has a radius of curvature substantially equal
to a predetermined radius of curvature of an unbent arch wire after
the complete installation thereof.
17. The set of orthodontic brackets of claim 15 wherein:
at least one of said grooves has a vertical angle with respect to
an axis of a predetermined tooth for creating a predetermined force
vector for tipping said predetermined tooth a predetermined amount
upon installation of an unbent arch wire.
18. The set of orthodontic brackets of claim 15 wherein:
the distance from said back side to the inner face of at least one
of said groove is predetermined to create a predetermined in-out
force vector from an installed but unbent arch wire on a
predetermined tooth.
19. The set of orthodontic brackets of claim 15 wherein:
the inner face of at least one of said grooves and the back side of
at least one of said brackets are angularly displaced a
predetermined torquing angle force vector on a predetermined tooth
from an installed but unbent arch wire.
20. The set of orthodontic brackets of claim 15 wherein:
the inner face of at least one of said grooves and the back side of
at least one of said brackets are angularly displaced a
predetermined amount in a horizontal plane for creating a rotating
angle force vector on a predetermined tooth from an installed but
unbent arch wire.
21. A set of orthodontic brackets comprising:
a plurality of brackets having a front face and a back side and top
bottom sides;
one of said top and bottom side having a groove recessed therein
for the reception of an arch wire, said grooves having
predetermined depth and angulation for creating force vectors
operable for straightening teeth of a patient upon installation of
an unbent arch wire thereon; and
said back side being adapted for mounting to a predetermined tooth,
the distance from said back side of the bracket to the inner face
of said groove conforming to overall curvature of an installed but
unbent arch wire geometry.
22. The set of orthodontic brackets of claim 21 wherein:
each of said back sides is specifically contoured for cooperation
with a predetermined tooth having a specific contour; and
said grooves have a radius of curvature substantially equal to a
predetermined radius of curvature of an unbent arch wire after the
complete installation thereof.
23. The set of orthodontic brackets of claim 21 wherein:
said back side is specifically contoured for cooperation with a
predetermined tooth having a specific contour; and
at least one of said grooves has a vertical angle with respect to
an axis of a predetermined tooth for creating a predetermined force
vector for tipping said predetermined tooth a predetermined amount
after the installation of an unbent arch wire.
24. The set of orthodontic brackets of claim 21 wherein:
said back side is specifically contoured for cooperation with a
predetermined tooth having a specific contour; and
the distance from said back side to the inner face of at least one
of said grooves is predetermined to create a predetermined in-out
force vector from a completely installed but unbent arch wire on a
predetermined tooth.
25. The set of orthodontic brackets of claim 19 wherein:
said back side is specifically contoured for cooperation with a
predetermined tooth having a specific contour; and
the inner face of at least one of said grooves and the back side of
at least one of said brackets are angularly displaced a
predetermined amount in a vertical plane for creating a
predetermined torquing angle force vector on a predetermined tooth
from a completely installed but unbent arch wire.
26. The set of orthodontic brackets of claim 21 wherein:
said back side is specifically contoured for cooperation with a
predetermined tooth having a specific contour; and
the inner face of at least one of said grooves and the back side of
at least one of said brackets are angularly displaced a
predetermined amount in a horizontal plane for creating a rotating
angle force vector on a predetermined tooth from a completely
installed but unbent arch wire.
27. An orthodontic bracket and tooth band combination
comprising:
a tooth band adapted for attachment to a tooth;
a bracket adapted for attachment to said tooth band and having a
groove recessed therein for the reception of an arch wire;
said tooth band including means for varying the distance from said
tooth to the inner face of said groove to conform to overall
curvature of an installed but unbent arch wire geometry.
28. The orthodontic bracket of claim 27 wherein:
said means has a vertical angle with respect to an axis of a
predetermined tooth for creating a predetermined force vector for
tipping said predetermined tooth a predetermined amount after the
installation of an unbent arch wire.
29. The orthodontic bracket of claim 27 wherein;
the outer face of said means and the axis of said tooth are
angularly displaced a predetermined amount in a vertical plane for
creating a predetermined torquing angle force vector on a
predetermined tooth from a completely installed but unbent arch
wire.
30. The orthodontic bracket of claim 27 wherein:
the outer face of said means and the axis of said tooth are
angularly displaced a predetermined amount in a horizontal plane
for creating a rotating angle force vector on a predetermined tooth
from a completely installed but unbent arch wire.
Description
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for
improved orthodontic bracket and arch wire technique and more
particularly to a method and apparatus for an improved orthodontic
bracket and arch wire technique in which force vectors are built
into the individual orthodontic brackets or tooth bands for
obviating the necessity of placing bends in the arch wire to
produce the desired force vectors and, hence, the desired tooth
movement.
PRIOR ART
The prior art method of installing orthodontic brackets and arch
wires comprise basically the placement of brackets on bands which
are placed on the patient's teeth, each bracket having a groove
built therein for the reception of the arch wire. The orthodontist
would then mount the arch wire in the individual bracket grooves
and place bends in the arch wire which would result in various
force vectors for moving the individual teeth to their desired
positions. These force vectors are required for tipping the teeth
toward or away from the adjacent teeth. Torquing the teeth, i.e.,
angulating them toward or away from the center of the mouth was
accomplished by placing a twist in the arch wire along its
longitudinal axis and moving the teeth in and out parallel to
themselves toward the center or away from the center of the mouth
and forward and back in dental arch. Other required or desired
force vectors would be, as in the case of extractions, compensation
for tooth rotation resulting in an attempt to move the tooth toward
or away from another tooth and tip compensation to avoid the tooth
tipping as it is moved toward or away from adjacent teeth. Other
considerations involved in making these complex bends in the arch
wire would be the compensations for the haphazard mounting of the
brackets due to the outer contour of the tooth in two directions,
i.e., horizontally and vertically, and general arch wire geometry.
As can be appreciated, these complex vectors resulted at best in an
approximation of the proper bends to be placed in the wire and
depended a great deal on the individual orthodontic skill,
dexterity and experience of the operator. This problem is magnified
in the case of a partnership practice since few operators have
sufficiently identical techniques to maintain a continuity of
movement where succeeding arch wires are installed by different
operators. This, of course caused considerable jiggling of teeth,
i.e., partial retracing of previous movement together with the
disadvantages attendant therewith, such as root resorption.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention, the bracket or tooth band for each
individual tooth has a plurality of dimensions built in which, when
coupled to an unbent arch wire, result in the desired force vectors
being applied to the tooth. At the present time, there are a total
of eight dimensions being taken into consideration. The first two
to be considered is the curvature on the band side of the bracket
which consists of two radii at right angles to each other, taking
into consideration the outer contour of the individual tooth since
this varies from tooth to tooth, e.g., from the central incisor to
a molar. This contour consideration gives meaning to the other
built-in force vectors since it supplies a consistent starting
point. The prior art haphazard mounting of the bracket to the band
results in the absence of this consideration.
The next dimension takes into consideration the arch wire geometry,
i.e., the radius of curvature of the arch wire at the point of
contact with the individual bracket. The other angles are built
into the groove which receives the arch wire or to the tooth band.
These angles result in torquing, and tipping forces, and an in-out
force. In the extraction case, tip compensation and rotation
compensation angles are also built into the arch wire grooves or
tooth band. Relative thickness of the bracket from the tooth to the
inner face of the groove determines the in-out force.
It has been found that at least 90 percent of the malocclusions
fall into three basic types which can be accommodated by nine basic
sets of appliances. These can be subdivided into finer sets taking
into consideration extraction and non-extraction cases. With these
basic sets, a saving of from 15 to 75 minutes for each arch wire
installation is made by each orthodontist, as well as an improved
result by removing the guess work from the installation of the
brackets and bands because the built-in angles in the brackets or
bands predetermine their final arrangement.
An object of the present invention is the provision of a method and
apparatus for an improved orthodontic bracket and arch wire
technique.
Another object is to provide a method and apparatus for improved
orthodontic bracket and arch wire technique for providing uniform
results regardless of individual skill.
A further object of the invention is the provision of the method
and apparatus for improved orthodontic bracket and arch wire
technique which is faster and more uniform in results.
Still another object is to provide a method and apparatus for
improved orthodontic bracket and arch wire technique having desired
force vectors built into the orthodontic bracket or tooth band.
Yet another object is to provide a method and apparatus for an
improved orthodontic bracket and arch wire technique which obviates
or minimizes the necessity of placing bends in the arch wire.
Other objects and many of the attendant advantages will be readily
appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to
the following detailed description when considered in connection
with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals
designate like parts throughout the figures thereof and
wherein:
FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a typical prior art orthodontic
bracket and arch wire installation;
FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of a typical installation of the
orthodontic bracket and arch wire technique of the present
invention;
FIG. 3 is a top view of a typical prior art orthodontic bracket and
arch wire installation;
FIG. 4 is a top view of a typical installation of the orthodontic
bracket and arch wire technique of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of a
typical orthodontic bracket according to the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a top view showing a schematic representation of a
typical orthodontic bracket and arch wire installation according to
the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a top view showing a schematic representation of the
present invention as applied to an extraction case; and,
FIGS. 8-19 show various views of orthodontic brackets according to
the present invention having various corrective force vectors built
in as applied to different teeth in a typical case;
FIGS. 20-28 illustrate various views of tooth bands according to
the present invention, having various corrective force vectors
built in as applied to different teeth in a typical case.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, a plurality of teeth is shown each
having a tooth band 22 mounted thereon to which an orthodontic
bracket 23 is attached. Each orthodontic bracket 23 has a groove
which receives arch wire 25. Arch wire 25 has a plurality of bends
26.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, a plurality of teeth 21 is again shown
each carrying a tooth band 22. An orthodontic bracket 24 is
attached to each tooth band. Each orthodontic bracket 24 has
grooves with built-in angles substantially parallel to effect
passage of an unbent arch wires 25, 25B and 25C therein.
Referring to FIG. 5 an orthodontic bracket 24 has arch wire grooves
51, 52, and 53 with a back portion 28 adapted to conform to the
contour of a tooth band.
Referring to FIG. 6, a typical patient's mouth is shown having
central incisors 31, lateral incisors 32, cuspids 33, first
bicuspids 34, second bicuspids 35, first molars 36 and second
molars 37. Each of these teeth has an orthodontic bracket 24
attached thereto (by a tooth band not shown). Each of said
orthodontic brackets 24 has grooves for receiving arch wires 25 and
25B therein.
Referring to FIG. 7, an extraction case is illustrated wherein a
space generally shown at 41 is to be filled by tooth 42 by moving
it parallel to itself toward tooth 43. Here bracket 24 has an angle
E built in which compensates for rotation in the direction of arrow
44 and accomplishes a movement of the tooth 42 linearly in the
direction of arrow 46. A tipping compensation angle B or B' (FIGS.
10, 16, 12 and 18) would also be utilized.
Referring to FIGS. 8-13, typical angles, radii and dimensions are
shown on brackets 24 for a patient's right upper teeth. These
angles are shown as A, A', B, B' and D. The radii are shown as R,
R' and R" and one critical dimension is shown at C (FIG. 11).
Referring to FIGS. 14-19, a group of orthodontic brackets 24 are
shown for the left upper teeth complementing the set shown and
described with reference to FIGS. 6-11. Again, angles A, A', B, B',
and D are shown together with radii R, R', R" and dimension C (FIG.
17).
Angles A and A' represent torquing angles, B and B' represent
tipping angles and dimension C results in an in-out force vector.
Radii R and R" correspond to the outer contour of the tooth and are
at right angles to each other. Radius R' conforms to the radius of
curvature of the arch wire geometry at that point. The following
chart tabulates typical dimensions and angles for a set of these
brackets, where dimensions C, R, R' and R" are in inches and angles
A, A', B, B' and D are in degrees. The dimensions and angles shown
cover right uppers and left lowers in this exemplary set. The left
uppers and right lowers would have the same figures but would
constitute a mirror image of the right uppers and left lowers.
The angles shown would apply to all of the grooves in the brackets,
i.e., front grooves 51, top grooves 52, and bottom grooves 53. It
is pointed out that in orthodontic arch wire techniques as set out
in this application, it is contemplated that top or bottom grooves
52 or 53 would be utilized either alone or in conjunction with
front groove 51. Where front groove 51 is not utilized, the in-out
dimension and resulting force is determined by the distance from
the inner side of the top and/or bottom groove 52 or 53 and the
tooth. It will be seen below this can be varied by varying the
dimensions of the bracket and/or modifications to the tooth band.
##SPC1##
Referring to FIG. 20, tooth band 54 is shown in spatial
relationship with wedge members 56 and 57. Through the utilization
of wedge members 56 and 57, a laminate structure is added to tooth
band 54 which effects the same torquing angle as shown in FIG.
7.
Referring to FIG. 21, tooth band 54 is shown in spatial
relationship with wedge 58. It is contemplated that wedge 58 would
be supplied separately to the orthodontist and would be attached to
the tooth band in place of the laminate structure shown in FIG.
20.
Referring to FIGS. 22, tooth band 54 has a stamped protrusion 59
which effects the same angulation or torque as the structure of
FIGS. 20 and 21.
Referring to FIG. 23, wedges 61 and 62 are shown in spatial
relationship with tooth band 54 and are angulated for effecting a
torquing force vector.
Referring to FIG. 24 a single wedge member 63 is shown in spatial
relationship with tooth band 54. Wedge member 63 takes the place of
laminates 61 and 62 of FIG. 23.
Referring to FIG. 25, a stamped-out raised portion 64 is shown on
tooth band 54 which effects the same torquing force vector as in
FIGS. 23 and 24.
Referring to FIG. 26, laminates 66 and 67 are shown in spatial
relationship with tooth band 54 for effecting an in-out force which
would substitute for varying the thickness of the bracket
itself.
Referring to FIG. 27, laminates 66 and 67 are replaced with a
single build-up member 68, also for effecting the in-out force
vector.
Referring to FIG. 28, stamped raised portion 69 is shown on tooth
band 54 also for effecting an in-out force vector.
It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing disclosure
relates to only a preferred embodiment of the invention and that it
is intended to cover all changes and modifications of the examples
of the invention herein chosen for the purposes of the disclosure
which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the
invention.
* * * * *