VIBRATING ORTHODONTIC REMODELING DEVICE AND METHOD THEREOF

• US 20130323669A1
• Filed: 08/22/2013
• Published: 12/05/2013
• 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 K.
• Granted Patent: US 8,939,762 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 433/24
• 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

A bite plate allowing for contact with occlusal and facial and/or lingual maxillary and mandibular teeth is coupled to an extraoral housing containing a rechargeable battery coupled to a vibrator coupled to a processor coupled to data and charging port or ports. The housing is at least water resistant, and a hatch allows access to the data and charging port or ports only. The device is fitted with a very smooth and quiet vibrator, with minimal variance on operating specifications.

Claims

1. An orthodontic remodeling device, comprising:

a) an extraoral housing containing a power source operably coupled to an actuator operably coupled to a processor that controls said actuator and captures and communicates device usage data;

b) said extraoral housing operably connected to an intraoral U-shaped bite plate;

c) said bite plate having upper and lower vertical edges on a facial edge thereof to contact both arches of teeth; and

d) wherein during use said orthodontic remodeling device is held in place only by teeth clamping on the bite plate and vibrates at a frequency from 0.1 to 400 Hz.

2. The orthodontic remodeling device of claim 1, wherein said orthodontic remodeling device vibrates at a frequency from 20 to 40 Hz and at a force from 0.1 to 0.5 Newtons.

3. The orthodontic remodeling device of claim 2, wherein said housing has a socket therein, and said bite plate has a connector protruding from a midline thereof for snap fitting into said socket.

4. The orthodontic remodeling device of claim 3, wherein said bite plate comprises a rigid inner core and a biocompatible coating.

5. The orthodontic remodeling device of claim 4, wherein said rigid inner core is metal.

6. The orthodontic remodeling device of claim 4, wherein said rigid inner core is a plastic of less than 40 Shore D.

7. The orthodontic remodeling device of claim 4, wherein said biocompatible coating is medical grade silicone.

8. The orthodontic remodeling device of claim 1, wherein said orthodontic remodeling device vibrates at a frequency of 30 Hz and 0.25 Newtons during use.

9. The orthodontic remodeling device of claim 3, said connector reversibly snap fitting into said socket.

10. The orthodontic remodeling device of claim 1, said housing being water tight.

11. The orthodontic remodeling device of claim 1, said processor operably coupled to a data-and-charging port for transmitting said data and charging said power source.

12. The orthodontic remodeling device of claim 1, further comprising a pressure sensor operably coupled to said processor.

13. The orthodontic remodeling device of claim 12, wherein said processor activates said actuator when said pressure sensor senses a patient'"'"'s biting on said bite plate.

14. A faster method of orthodontic remodeling, comprising:

a) a patient wearing an orthodontic fixed appliance biting the bite plate of the orthodontic remodeling device of claim 1, and

b) activating said orthodontic remodeling device for about 20 minutes daily,

wherein the overall tooth movement rate is about 0.5 mm per week.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

c) monitoring and recording the patient'"'"'s daily usage of the orthodontic remodeling device.