SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND ADJUNCTIVE PROCEDURES FOR CORRECTING MALOCCLUSION

• US 20080227046A1
• Filed: 07/05/2007
• Published: 09/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dentsply (Astrazeneca PLC)
• Original Assignee: Orthoaccel Technologies, Inc
• Inventors: Wasden, Christopher Lyle, Lowe, Michael Kenneth, Tarver, William Brent
• Granted Patent: US 9,668,828 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 433/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/20 using ultrasonics
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/228 Self-contained intraoral toothbrush, e.g. mouth-guard toothbrush without handle
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 19/063 Medicament applicators for teeth or gums, e.g. treatment with fluorides
• 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, craniofacial anomalies, bony defects, and dentofacial deformities through accelerated bone remodeling as caused by the delivery non-static forces; reducing pain and discomfort in patients; and improving tissue integrity long-term results as to prevent post-orthodontic treatment relapse. The methods and apparatus include a mechanism for data capture and analysis related to patient compliance and usage behavior, as well as for establishing the invention as a component of the clinical office workflow to increase efficiency and productivity.

Claims

1. An orthodontic appliance, comprising:

a. an extraoral vibratory source;

b. an intraoral attachment including at least one of;

bite plate or platform interfacing with a dentition; and

c. an interface coupling the extraoral vibratory source to the intraoral attachment.

2. The orthodontic appliance of claim 1, comprising an intraoral vibratory source and an interface coupling the intraoral vibratory source to the intraoral attachment.

3. The orthodontic appliance of claim 1, comprising a processor to control the extraoral vibratory source.

4. The orthodontic appliance of claim 2, comprising a processor to control the intraoral vibratory source.

5. The orthodontic appliance of claim 3, wherein the processor captures usage frequency and duration.

6. The orthodontic appliance of claim 3, wherein the processor communicates usage frequency and duration to a remote computer.

7. The orthodontic appliance of claim 3, wherein the processor communicates with the remote computer over the Internet.

8. The orthodontic appliance of claim 1, comprising a rechargeable battery to drive the vibratory source.

9. The orthodontic appliance of claim 1, wherein the vibratory source comprises a piezoelectric device.

10. The orthodontic appliance of claim 1, comprising a bleaching or whitening agent to be applied to teeth.

11. The orthodontic appliance of claim 1, comprising a device to clean or provide prophylactic benefit to a dentition or an orthodontic appliance.

12. A method for treating occlusion, comprising:

providing an extraoral vibratory source;

placing in a mouth an intraoral attachment including at least one of;

bite plate or platform interfacing with a dentition; and

interfacing the extraoral vibratory source to the intraoral attachment.

13. The method of claim 12, comprising placing in the mouth an intraoral vibratory source and an interface coupling the intraoral vibratory source to the intraoral attachment.

14. The method of claim 12, comprising digitally controlling the extraoral vibratory source with a processor.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the processor captures usage frequency and duration.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the processor communicates usage frequency and duration to a remote computer.

17. The method of claim 12, comprising leasing the intraoral or extraoral vibratory source.

18. The method of claim 12, comprising providing diagnostic information to a service provider.

19. The method of claim 12, comprising recycling the intraoral or extraoral vibratory source.

20. The method of claim 12, comprising treating craniofacial anomaly, boney defects, or dentofacial deformity.

21. The method of claim 12, comprising providing stimuli including temperature or moisture sensing as well as salivary mineral content sensing.

22. The method of claim 12, comprising pulsating or vibrating at a frequency of between about 0.1 Hertz to about 400 Hertz.

23. A method for treating occlusion, comprising:

applying a cyclic force to cause dental bone remodeling; and

applying a force to move teeth to predetermined positions.

24. A method for bleaching or whitening the dentition comprising:

a. applying an extraoral vibratory source to teeth;

b. applying an intraoral attachment including at least one of;

bite plate or platform interfacing with a dentition;

c. coupling the extraoral vibratory source to the intraoral attachment; and

d. applying a bleach or whitening agent to the intraoral attachment.

25. A method for cleaning or providing prophylactic benefit to the dentition or orthodontic appliance(s) comprising:

a. applying an extraoral vibratory source to teeth;

b. applying an intraoral attachment including at least one of;

bite plate or platform interfacing with a dentition;

c. coupling the extraoral vibratory source to the intraoral attachment; and

d. applying a cleaning or prophylactic agent to the intraoral attachment.