U.S. patent number 3,874,080 [Application Number 05/337,897] was granted by the patent office on 1975-04-01 for buccal end tube.
Invention is credited to Melvin Wallshein.
United States Patent |
3,874,080 |
Wallshein |
April 1, 1975 |
BUCCAL END TUBE
Abstract
Two spaced substantially parallel tabs are supported on a
mounting portion which may be in the form of a welding flange
connectable to a tooth band. According to the presently preferred
embodiment, each of the tabs is provided with a plurality of
apertures. At least the wire receiving ends of the apertures are
tapered to facilitate location and entry of the arch wire into the
respective apertures. By selectively passing the arch wire through
preselected apertures, the wire can either be passively positioned
in the buccal end tube device wherein it does not exert any forces
on the tooth or, alternately, it can engage the device actively
wherein rotating as well as tipping forces can be applied to the
tooth on which the end tube device is mounted. An end tube device
is also described wherein a buccal tube is mounted adjacently to
the end tube device and is provided with a slot through which an
arch wire can pass interiorly of the tube. When so used, the buccal
tube replaces one of the apertured tabs and offers greater
versitility for applying forces to the tooth than provided by the
two apertured tabs.
Inventors: |
Wallshein; Melvin (Brooklyn,
NY) |
Family
ID: |
23322479 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/337,897 |
Filed: |
March 5, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
433/16;
433/17 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61C
7/282 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61C
7/28 (20060101); A61C 7/00 (20060101); A61c
007/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;32/14A |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Mancene; Louis G.
Assistant Examiner: Lever; J. Q.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Flynn & Frishauf
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A buccal end tube device for selectively orienting an
orthodontic arch wire relative to a tooth, the device comprising
two spaced tabs, each of said tabs being provided with arch wire
positioning means in the form of at least one aperture, said at
least one apertures in said tabs being spaced from each other in
the buccal-lingual direction and adapted to receive spaced portions
of the arch wire, whereby the arch wire may be disposed in a
predetermined orientation within a buccal-lingual plane by
positioning the arch wire in said at least one aperture in each of
said two spaced tabs and maintained in the selected orientation
against the action of external forces applied both to the arch wire
and to the buccal end tube device.
2. A buccal end tube device as defined in claim 1, wherein one of
said tabs is provided with one aperture, and wherein the other tab
is provided with two spaced apertures.
3. A buccal end tube device as defined in claim 1, wherein said
tabs are spaced from one another, and further comprising connecting
means extending between said tabs for fixing the spaced
relationship between the latter.
4. A buccal end tube device as defined in claim 3, wherein said
connecting means comprises a substantially flat strip adapted to be
connected to an associated tooth.
5. A buccal end tube device as defined in claim 4, wherein each tab
projects from said flat strip in a direction substantially normal
to the latter.
6. A buccal end tube device as defined in claim 2, wherein two
apertures, one in each of said respective tabs, are aligned with
each other along a first line directed along a predetermined
direction relative to an associated tooth, while another aperture
in said other flat tab is aligned with said one aperture in said
one flat tab along a second line inclined relative to said
predetermined direction, whereby an arch wire may be selectively
passed through said apertures to selectively orient the arch wire
relative to a tooth.
7. A buccal end tube device as defined in claim 1, further
comprising a substantially flat mounting strip extending between
said tabs, each of said tabs extending substantially normally from
said mounting strip.
8. A buccal end tube device as defined in claim 7, wherein a
plurality of apertures are provided in each of said tabs, at least
two apertures, one in each tab, being aligned with each other along
a line substantially parallel to said flat strip.
9. A buccal end tube device as defined in claim 7, wherein said
apertures are rectangular in configuration.
10. A buccal end tube device as defined in claim 7, wherein said
flat strip is curved to correspond to the curvature of an
associated tooth on which said strip is mounted.
11. A buccal end tube device as defined in claim 1, wherein one tab
is arranged to normally first receive the arch wire in an aperture
thereof, and another tab is arranged to normally receive the arch
wire in an aperture thereof subsequently to the latter having been
received in said one tab, said apertures in said other tab facing
said one tab being provided with tapered portions, whereby location
and entry of the arch wire into one of the apertures of said other
tab is facilitated.
12. A buccal end tube device as defined in claim 1, wherein each of
said apertures has an end portion normally first approached by an
arch wire successively passing through said respective apertures,
each of said apertures being provided with tapered portions at said
end portions, whereby location and entry of the arch wire into said
apertures is facilitated.
13. A buccal end tube device as defined in claim 1, wherein said
apertures are provided at each end thereof with tapered portions,
whereby location and entry of the arch wire into one of the
apertures of each of said tabs is facilitated irrespective of the
order of successive entry of the arch wire into said tabs.
14. A buccal end tube device comprising a substantially flat
U-shaped strip having a transverse mounting portion defining one
plane and two spaced apertured portions defining substantially
parallel planes substantially normal to the plane defined by said
mounting portion, one of said apertured portions being provided
with at least one aperture while the other of said apertured
portions being provided with at least two spaced apertures, at
least two apertures, one in each respective apertured portion,
being aligned with the other along a line substantially parallel
with said mounting portion, while another aperture in said other
portion being aligned with an aperture in said one portion along a
line inclined at a predetermined angle to said mounting portion,
whereby an arch wire may be passed selectively through said
aperture to orient the arch wire either parallel or at an incline
to said mounting portion; and an extra-oral end tube mounted on
said welding flange adjacent to said flat U-shaped strip, said tube
having an axis substantially parallel to said mounting portion.
15. A buccal end tube device as defined in claim 14, further
comprising a welding flange connected to said mounting portion,
said welding flange being configurated to conform to a tooth on
which the buccal end tube device is to be mounted.
16. A buccal end tube device as defined in claim 14, wherein a
portion of the periphery of said tube is disposed adjacent to said
flat U-shaped strip and is provided with a longitudinal slot
substantially extending the length between said two spaced
apertures portions, said slot being arranged to receive an arch
wire which passes through only one of said apertured portions,
whereby said slot in said extra-oral device can be utilized in
place of one of said apertured portions.
17. A buccal end tube device for selectively orienting an
orthodontic arch wire relative to a tooth, the device comprising
two spaced tabs, each of said tabs being provided with arch wire
positioning means in the form of at least one aperture, said at
least one aperture being adapted to receive spaced portions of the
arch wire, whereby the arch wire may be selectively oriented by
positioning the arch wire in said at least one aperture in each of
said two spaced tabs and maintained in the selected orientation
against the action of external forces applied both to the arch wire
and to the buccal end tube device; and guard means disposed on one
side of said tabs for preventing accumulation of material in the
space between the latter.
18. A buccal end tube device for selectively orienting an
orthodontic arch wire relative to a tooth, the device comprising
two spaced substantially flat tabs, each of said tabs being
provided with arch wire positioning means in the form of at least
one aperture, at least two apertures being provided in one of said
tabs spaced from each in a buccal-lingual direction when mounted on
a tooth, said apertures being adapted to receive spaced portions of
the arch wire in one of two general orientations in a
buccal-lingual plane, whereby the arch wire may be selectively
oriented in the buccal-lingual plane by positioning the arch wire
portions in selected ones of said apertures and maintained in the
desired orientation against the action of external forces applied
both to the arch wire and to the buccal end tube device.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to orthodontic appliances,
and more particularly to a buccal end tube device for selectively
orienting an orthodontic arch wire relative to a tooth.
Various buccal tubes or end tubes are already known which are
positioned on a tooth to receive the end of an arch wire of an
orthodontic arch. the buccal tubes are usually placed on one of the
molar teeth. As is well known in the art, the section of the arch
which extends between the cuspids to the first molars is generally
straight. However, depending on the precise position in which the
buccal tube is mounted on the buccal surface of the molar, the axis
of the aperture through the buccal tube will vary relative to the
straight line arch wire section which extends distally towards the
molars. Normally, the buccal tube is so mounted on a normally
positioned molar so that it has a distolingual inclination relative
to the undeflected arch wire extension. Forcing the arch wire
extension through the buccal tube, in such a case, causes the molar
on which the buccal tube is mounted to rotate mesiolingually or
distobuccally. When the molar is oriented in a desired position,
however, such rotation is undesirable and, ideally, the arch wire
extension only passes through the buccal tube in a passive state
without generating forces on the tube. Such passive relationship
between the arch wire extension and the buccal tube can sometimes
be achieved by precise positioning of the buccal tube so that its
axis is substantially aligned with the axis of the undeflected arch
wire extension. There have been numerous problems in the mounting
of buccal tubes. Firstly, it is not always possible or practical to
precisely mount the buccal tubes in such a manner that their axis
will align with the axis of the undeflected arch wire extension.
Frequently, a technician welds the tube inadvertently on a slightly
offset buccal surface from that surface which would provide such
coaxial alignment. Depending where the buccal tube is welded on a
tooth band, if any misalignment results, the molar tooth on which
the tube is mounted will either be forced to rotate distobuccally
or distolingually, mesiolingually, or mesiobuccally.
One approach which has been taken to achieve alignment in some
cases has been the bending of the arch wire lingually so as to
change the orientation of the axis of the arch wire extension to
coincide with the previously welded or positioned end tube or
buccal tube. Very careful attention must be given to the manner in
which molar bends are formed, because the previously mentioned
straight line from cuspid to molar ends at the molar. If the buccal
surface of the molar follows the same straight line, the tooth
would be rotated distobuccally. For example, a simple bend may be
proper over the mesiobuccal molar cusp, but a double bend or
bayonet bend is required if the bend is positioned more mesially.
The utilization of the bends in the arch wire extensions to provide
alignment presents a second problem known in the prior art which
arises when the arch wires move with the movement of teeth during
corrective action. Thus, while a bent arch wire extension may
initially provide passive angagement with an end tube, movement of
the arch wire relative to the end tube may generate the very
rotating forces which intended to be avoided by the application of
the bends. Furthermore, excessive movement of either the arch wire
or of the tooth on which end tube is mounted may result in
undesired engagement between the end tube and the bend whereby
further movement of one is prevented by the other of the engaging
elements.
Although passive engagement is frequently desired at the end tubes,
it is sometimes desired to rotate the molar either distobuccally or
distolingually when a molar is not in its desired position. In such
cases, the axis of an arch wire extension must be engaged with a
properly mounted end tube whose aperture axis forms a predetermined
or desired angle relative to the axis of the arch wire extension.
Most buccal tubes known in the art provide apertures parallel with
the welding flange, thereby forming no angle therewith. Some buccal
tubes are provided with a 5.degree. angle relative to the welding
flange. Such angled tubes are utilized for distolingual rotation to
essentially counteract the distobuccal or mesiolingual rotation
associated with normally positioned molars and straight wire
extensions described above.
The buccal tubes, either with 0.degree. or 5.degree. offsets, have
not, however, offered the flexibility required in the utilization
of buccal tubes. If another inclination or offset is desired, this
is not possible except by removing the end tube from the band and
reconnecting it on another buccal surface thereof. The latter
approach is very time consuming and cumbersome both to the
technician as well as to a patient. It also frequently happens that
the desired orientation of the end tube aperture changes as the
teeth move in response to the forces generated by the arch.
Clearly, the prior art end tubes do not permit changes in the
angular orientation of the end tubes without removing the latter
and repositioning it.
Another feature of the known end tubes has been that they have
normally been used merely for the purpose of preventing rotation of
a molar tooth in one direction or another. The known types of end
tubes do not permit convenient orientation of the arch wire
therethrough which would result or cause the molar to selectively
tip or rotate in one direction or another. To achieve such
corrective action, the end tube must be previously welded to a band
in the precisely desired fashion. As in the case of rotation, the
number of inclinations available for inserting an arch wire
extension for tipping purposes is severely limited.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a
buccal end tube device which is not possessed of the disadvantages
associated with prior art buccal or end tubes.
It is another object of the present invention for providing a
buccal end tube device which is simple in construction and
economical to manufacture.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a
buccal end tube device which provides flexibility in angular
orientations which an arch wire extension may be given without
repositioning the end tube device.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a
buccal end tube device which includes a plurality of apertures
through which an arch wire extension may selectively pass.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a buccal
end tube device which provides flexibility insofar as providing
possible angular inclinations of an arch wire extension for
purposes of tipping a tooth.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a
buccal end tube device which permits passive engagement of an arch
wire extension therethrough irrespective of the specific location
of the band on which the device is mounted.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a
buccal end tube device which may be engaged actively or passively
by an arch wire extension and which does not necessitate bends in
the arch wire for purposes of obtaining such engagement.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a
buccal end tube device which cooperates with a slotted buccal or
extra-oral tube which can laterally receive an arch wire extension
for increasing the number of angular orientations which the arch
wire extension may be given for purposes of tipping a tooth.
It is still an additional object of the present invention to
provide a buccal end tube device which comprises two spaced
apertured tabs, the space between the tabs being freely accessible
for facilitating the location and entry of the arch wire extension
through preselected apertures.
It is yet an additional object of the present invention to provide
apertures having tapered end portions which are arranged to first
receive the arch wires passing through the apertures for
facilitating location and entry therethrough.
In order to achieve the above objects, as well as others which will
become apparent hereafter, a buccal end tube device for selectively
orienting an orthodontic arch wire relative to a tooth comprises
two spaced arch wire positioning members. One of said members is
provided with first arch wire positioning means for positioning a
first portion of an arch wire and the other of said members is
provided with second arch wire positioning means for selectively
positioning a second portion of the arch wire in one of at least
two positions relative to the position of said first arch wire
portion. In this manner, the arch wire may be selectively oriented
by selectively positioning the second arch wire portion in the
desired one of said at least two positions.
In accordance with the presently preferred embodiment, each of said
first and second positioning members are in the form of apertured
tabs which are connected by a substantially flat elongated strip
adapted to be mounted on a band or tooth. The apertures are so
positioned on said tabs so that a wire passing through selected
aperture in each of said tabs causes said wire to be directed in
preselected orientations relative to the tooth on which the device
is mounted. At least two apertures, one in each tab, are so
provided so that an arch wire extension may pass therethrough and
be placed in a passive state with respect to the device. Rows of
such apertures may be spaced from each other in lingual or buccal
directions for permitting an arch wire extension to pass through
selected apertures in order to generate rotating and/or tipping
forces.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, an
extra-oral end tube is mounted adjacent to the apertured tabs. A
portion of the periphery of the tube is disposed adjacent to the
tabs and is provided with a longitudinal slot substantially
extending along the length between the apertured tabs. The slot is
arranged to receive an arch wire which passes through only one of
said apertured tabs. In this manner, said slots in said extra-oral
device or tube can be utilized in place of one of said apertured
portions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
With the above and additional objects and advantages in view, as
will hereinafter appear, this invention comprises the devices,
combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings of a preferred embodiment
in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a buccal edgewise device in
accordance with the present invention, showing one apertured tab
with two apertures and another spaced apertured tab with one
aperture;
FIG. 2 is a bottom view, in cross-section of the device as shown in
FIG. 1, and further showing an arch wire passing through the
apertures in both a passive as well as in an active condition or
state;
FIG. 3 is a fragmented enlarged portion of one of the tabs of the
device shown in FIG. 2, showing the details of the apertures;
FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the bicuspids and the first molar of
the lower dental arch with a wire passing through a buccal end tube
device as shown in FIG. 1 mounted on the first molar tooth, the
arch wire passing through the device passively through selected
apertures in the two tabs;
FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 4 wherein the first molar is rotated
distobuccally, the arch wire again passing passively through the
device through other selected apertures in the tabs of the edgewise
device;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the edgewise
device in accordance with the present invention, showing four
apertures in one of the tabs and one aperture in the other spaced
tab;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a buccal end tube device similar to
that shown in FIG. 6, but with three apertures in one of the tabs
and two apertures in the other of the spaced tabs; and
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a buccal end tube device similar to
that shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, but further including an extra-oral
tube connected to the end tube device, the extra-oral tube being
provided with a longitudinal peripheral slot which is suitable for
receiving arch wire extensions instead of passing through one of
the apertured tabs.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to the FIGURES, in which like or identical parts have
been designated by the same reference numbers, and first referring
to FIG. 1, a buccal end tube device, in accordance with the present
invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 10. The
device 10 includes a substantially flat strip in the form of a
welding flange 11 which may be of conventional design. Positioned
at the opposite ends of the welding flange 11 are arch wire
positioning members in the form of tabs 12, 14. Each tab has a
predetermined edge contour. In the preferred embodiment, the tabs
are integral with the welding flange 11 and are bent relative to
the latter so as to project substantially normally to the plane of
the welding flange 11. Although the tabs are advantageously
integral with the welding flange or mounting member, it should be
clear that this is not a critical requirement and the tabs may be
originally separate members which are connected to a welding flange
in any conventional manner.
The specific orientations and directions of the buccal devices to
be described in accordance with the preferred embodiments are
merely illustrative. It should become apparent from the following
description that the buccal end tube devices may be somewhat
modified by those skilled in the art so that they may be used in
corresponding manners in connection with the upper or lower
teeth.
The tab 12, on the mesial end of the end tube device of the
embodiment being described, is provided with arch wire positioning
means in the form of a single aperture 16. Similarly, the tab 14,
on the distal end of the device, is provided with arch wire
positioning means in the form of two spaced apertures 18, 20. The
apertures are fully contained within the respective edge contours
of the tabs. The apertures 18, 20 are spaced from each other in a
lingual direction when mounted on a buccal surface of a molar
tooth. The apertures 18, 20 are provided for selectively
positioning a portion of an arch wire passing therethrough in at
least one of two positions relative to another arch wire portion
which is positioned by the aperture 16. In this manner, the arch
wire may be selectively oriented by selectively positioning the
arch wire portion in the tab 14 in one of the two positions offered
by the apertures 18, 20. This selective orientation is illustrated
in FIG. 2 wherein an arch wire portion 26 is positioned within the
aperture 16 while another arch wire portion 28 is positioned in the
aperture 20. When the arch wire 24 passes through the apertures 16
and 20, the arch wire assumes a straight or unflexed state.
Accordingly, the arch wire 24 is passive insofar as the end tube
device 10 is concerned and does not apply any forces thereto. Such
would be the selection of apertures when the device 10 is mounted
on a tooth which is in its desired position and no rotation or
tipping of the tooth is deemed necessary.
The arch wire 24 is shown in dashed outline in FIG. 2, wherein it
passes through the apertures 16 and 18. In this condition, the arch
wire 24 assumes a flexed stressed state and applies rotating forces
to the end tube device 10 so as to rotate the tooth misiolingually
or distobuccally. It should be clear that the provision of a third
aperture in the tab 14 spaced facially from the aperture 20 could
reverse the direction if the arch wire 24 is made to pass through
the aperture 16 and that further facially spaced aperture. In such
a case, the tooth would be rotated distolingually.
In FIG. 3, the presently preferred aperture configurations are
shown. Thus, the tab 14 generally defines, when mounted on a tooth,
distal and mesial surfaces. Since an arch wire 28 normally enters
the tab 14 through the mesial surface, each of the apertures 18, 20
is provided with a conical or prismatic taper 30 at the mesial end
of the aperture. These conical or prismatic tapered portions of the
apertures facilitate the location and entry of the arch wire 28
through the apertures. It should be clear that the conical or
prismatic tapers 30 should at least be provided on the mesial ends
of the apertures of the distal tab 14. However, such tapered
portions may also be provided on the mesial ends of the apertures
provided in the mesially positioned tab 12. In order to permit the
reversal of the mesial and distal tabs 12, 14, tapers may be
provided, in each tab, at the end of each aperture.
The conical or prismatic tapers 30 are especially helpful when an
arch wire is desired to pass through the device and be engaged
therewith in a passive state. To obtain such a passive
relationship, it is only necessary to first pass the arch wire
through an aperture in the mesially spaced tab, e.g. tab 12, and
advance the arch wire while permitting the end arch wire portion 28
to freely select an aperture in the distally spaced tab, e.g. tab
14. Such natural selection by the arch wire automatically provides
the angular orientation which is the least active. Stated in
another way, by freely letting the arch wire end portion 28 select
one of the apertures in the distally spaced tab, an orientation of
the arch wire 24 will be provided which is the most passive
possible with the available apertures.
When an active state of the arch wire is desired, the arch is first
passed through one aperture in the mesially spaced tab 12 and the
arch wire portion 28 is directed by a technician, e.g. with a
pliers gripping the arch wire portion 28, into a selected aperture
in the distally spaced tab 14. For this reason, the space between
the tabs is advantageously left exposed and not covered so as to
prevent gripping of an arch wire end portion 28 when it is situated
between the two spaced halves. It is possible, however, to
partially close the space by providing a guard 22 which prevents
accumulation of food particles or other material between the spaced
tabs, if this is desirable. The guard 22 should be so dimensioned
so as not to interfere with the gripping of an arch wire portion
disposed between the two tabs. When a guard 22 is provided, it also
prevents breakage of the arch wire due to opposing occlusive
forces.
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, two bicuspid teeth 40 are shown
adjacent a first molar tooth 42. Brackets 44 are mounted on bands
46 on each of the biscupid teeth 40. In FIG. 4, the buccal surface
of the molar tooth 42 is shown inclined distolingually with respect
to the arch wire 24. Assuming that this is the desired position of
the molar tooth 42, it is then desirable that the arch wire 24 pass
through the buccal end tube device 10 passively. This is
accomplished by passing the arch wire through the apertures 16 and
20 so that the arch wire continues along a straight line when
extended from the mesial portion of the arch adjacent the bicuspids
40. If, on the other hand, it were desired to rotate the molar
tooth 42 in FIG. 4 distobuccally or mesiolingually, the arch wire
24 could be passed through the apertures 16 and 18, as described
above.
In FIG. 5, the buccal surface of the molar tooth 42 is shown to be
disposed substantially parallel to the arch wire 24 in the region
of the bicuspids. Again, if this is the desired position of the
molar tooth 42, then the arch wire is made to pass through the
apertures 16 and 18. On the other hand, if it is desired to rotate
the tooth distolingually, the arch wire can be passed through the
apertures 16 and 20 by simply guiding the arch wire into the
aperture 20 after it has been passed through the aperture 16. The
flexibility of the end tube device 10 can be substantially enhanced
by increasing the number of apertures in each of the tabs in the
lingual or facial directions.
Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, another embodiment of a buccal end tube
device is shown. In FIG. 6, the device 50 comprises a welding
flange 52. A substantially flat U-shaped strip has a transverse
mounting portion 55 connected to the welding flange in two spaced
apertured portions or tabs 54, 56 which are essentially normal to
the plane defined by the mounting portion 55. As with the buccal
end tube device 10, a plurality of apertures may be provided in
either of the tabs 54, 56. In the device 50, the tab 54 is provided
with a single aperture 58 while the tab 56 is provided with
apertures 60, 62, 64 and 66. The aperture 60 is spaced facially
from the aperture 66 while the aperture 62, 64 are spaced
respectively above and below the aperture 66.
The operation of the device 50 insofar as the apertures 58, 60 and
66 are concerned is essentially the same as described with the
buccal end tube device 10. The provision of apertures 62 and 64
permits the tipping of a tooth. Thus, when an arch wire passes
through the aperture 58 and the aperture 62, the arch wire has a
tendency to tip the tooth distally. On the other hand, passage of
the arch wire through the apertures 58 and 64 normally tends to tip
the tooth mesially.
In FIG. 7, the buccal end tube device 70 is provided with a welding
flange 72 and two spaced aperture tabs 74 and 76. A mounting
portion 75 extends between the tabs and is connected by
conventional means to the welding flange 72. The tab 74 is provided
with two spaced apertures 78, 80 while the tab 76 is provided with
three spaced apertures 82, 84 and 86. Since all the tabs in the
device 70 are essentially in a common plane with respect to the
lingual or facial directions, the device 70 is most suitable for
tipping corrective action. Otherwise, the operation of the buccal
end tube devices 10, 50 and 70 are essentially the same.
Since buccal end tube devices are normally mounted on teeth which
also support buccal tubes which accommodate extra-oral appliances,
further flexibility of the end tube device in accordance with the
present invention can be provided by forming a combination of an
end tube buccal device and extra-oral buccal tube as shown in FIG.
8 and designed by the reference numeral 90. The combination device
90 has a pair of spaced welding flanges 92 to which is connected a
welding flange 94 of the buccal end tube device similar to that
described in connection with FIGS. 6 and 7. The edgewise device has
spaced apertured tabs 96 and 98 -- the tab 96 having apertures 100,
102, and 104 while the tab 98 has apertures 106, 108 and 110.
Although the apertures on each tab are shown positioned along an
arc adjacent the periphery of the rounded tabs, it should be clear
from the above description that the apertures may be provided in
any suitable locations to provide desired results. The more
apertures which are provided on each of the tabs, the greater is
the flexibility in which the arch wire 24 can be selectively
oriented therethrough.
Also mounted on the welding flanges 92 is a buccal tube or
extra-oral tube, as it is sometimes called, which has an aperture
or opening 114 dimensioned to receive the extensions of an
extra-oral appliance, facebow or night appliance.
In order to increase the number of possible orientations in which
arch wires can be positioned, the buccal tube 112 is slotted, the
slot 116 being disposed adjacent the buccal edgewise device welding
flange 94. More particularly, the slot 116 advantageously extends
between the tabs 96, 98 and communicates with the space defined
between the tabs.
The aperture combination device shown in FIG. 8 are suitable for
both tipping as well as rotation and several possible arch wire
orientations are illustrated in both solid as well as dashed
outlines. Of course, the total number of possible orientations
depends on the number of possible combinations of apertures through
which the arch wire may pass. This includes the slot 116 which may
be used, for practical purposes, as another aperture so that an
arch wire may pass through one tab and, instead of passing through
the other tab, may pass through the slot 116 as shown in dashed
outline in FIG. 8. The utilization of a slot 116 essentially
enhances the flexibility insofar as the device 90 is utilized for
tipping purposes. However, by providing further slots in the buccal
tube 112 spaced more in the facial direction, those slots can
simultaneously be utilized for purposes of rotating a tooth.
Although the apertures have been shown square, it should be clear
that round apertures may equally be used. The specific construction
or peripheral configurations of the tabs are not critical for
purposes of the present invention. Any manufacturing technique
which is economical can be used, e.g. punching the devices from
sheet metal and bending the ends thereof to form the spaced
tabs.
Numerous alterations of the structure herein disclosed will suggest
themselves to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be
understood that the present disclosure relates to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention which is for purposes of
illustration only and is not to be construed as a limitation of the
invention.
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