System and method for correcting malocclusion

• US 10,500,019 B2
• Filed: 02/08/2018
• Issued: 12/10/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Advanced Orthodontics and Education Association, LLC
• Original Assignee: Orthoaccel Technologies, Inc
• Inventors: Lowe, Michael Kenneth, Wasden, Christopher Lyle, Tarver, William Brent
• Primary Examiner(s): Nelson, Matthew M
• Application Number:
  US15/892,187
• Publication Number:
  US 20180168774A1
• Time in Patent Office: 670 Days
• Field of Search: 433 6, 433 18, 433 24, 433118, 433119, 433122
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 7/00 Orthodontics, i.e. obtaining or maintaining the desired position of teeth, e.g. by straightening, evening, regulating, separating, or by correcting malocclusions
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 7/002 Orthodontic computer assisted systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 7/008 using vibrating means
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 7/08 Mouthpiece-type retainers or positioners, e.g. for both the lower and upper arch arch-shaped medicament applicators for teeth or gums A61C19/063; mouthguards for protecting the teeth of sportsmen A63B71/085

Abstract

Methods of inducing tooth movement and treating malocclusion include reducing orthodontic treatment duration by daily applying cyclic forces simultaneously to teeth of the maxillary and mandibular arches during a treatment period. The teeth are also receiving static forces generated by an orthodontic appliance during the treatment period. The cyclic forces applied daily by clamping the teeth down on a bite plate, and activating an extraoral vibration source configured to deliver the cyclic forces to the bite plate at a constant frequency and a maximum force. Data indicating usage duration and usage frequency is stored electronically.

Claims

1. A method for correcting malocclusion, comprising:

reducing orthodontic treatment duration by daily applying cyclic forces simultaneously to teeth of the maxillary and mandibular arches during a treatment period, the teeth also receiving static forces generated by an orthodontic appliance during the treatment period, the cyclic forces applied daily by;

clamping the teeth down on a bite plate;

activating an extraoral vibration source configured to deliver the cyclic forces to the bite plate at a constant frequency in a range of 0.1 to 400 Hertz and a maximum force;

wherein the bite plate and the extraoral vibration source are held during use only by clamping the teeth on the bite plate; and

storing, electronically, data indicating usage duration and usage frequency.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the usage data is readable to determine patient compliance.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the orthodontic appliance is braces.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the orthodontic appliance is a clear aligner.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the constant frequency is about 40 Hertz.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the cyclic forces are applied about 20 minutes daily.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the maximum force is about 5 Newtons.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising automatically deactivating the extraoral vibration source after a predetermined time.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising activating an indicator upon elapse of a predetermined usage duration.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the treatment period begins with bonding of brackets to at least some of the teeth and ends with removal of the brackets.

11. A method for correcting malocclusion, comprising:

accelerating movement of teeth during an orthodontic treatment period by daily applying cyclic forces simultaneously to teeth of the maxilla and mandible arches during the orthodontic treatment period, the teeth also receiving static forces generated by an orthodontic appliance during the orthodontic treatment period, the cyclic forces applied daily by;

clamping the teeth down on a bite plate;

activating an extraoral vibration source configured to deliver the cyclic forces to the bite plate at a constant frequency in a range of 0.1 to 400 Hertz and a maximum force; and

storing, electronically, data indicating usage duration and usage frequency.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the usage data is readable to determine patient compliance.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the orthodontic appliance is braces.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the orthodontic appliance is a clear aligner.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein the constant frequency is about 40 Hertz.

16. The method of claim 11 wherein the cyclic forces are applied about 20 minutes daily.

17. The method of claim 11 wherein the maximum force is about 5 Newtons.

18. The method of claim 11 further comprising automatically deactivating the extraoral vibration source after a predetermined time.

19. The method of claim 11 further comprising activating an indicator upon elapse of a predetermined usage duration.

20. The method of claim 11 wherein the treatment period begins with bonding of brackets to at least some of the teeth and ends with removal of the brackets.