SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CORRECTING MALOCCLUSION

• US 20180168774A1
• Filed: 02/08/2018
• Published: 06/21/2018
• 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
• Granted Patent: US 10,500,019 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 and a maximum force; 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 in a range of 0.1 to 400 Hertz.

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

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

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

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

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

11. 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.

12. 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 and a maximum force; and

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

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

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the orthodontic appliance is braces.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein the orthodontic appliance is a clear aligner.

16. The method of claim 12 wherein the constant frequency is in a range of 0.1 to 400 Hertz.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the constant frequency is about 40 Hertz.

18. The method of claim 12 wherein the cyclic forces are applied about 20 minutes daily.

19. The method of claim 12 wherein the maximum force is about 5 Newtons.

20. The method of claim 12 further comprising automatically deactivating the extraoral vibration source after a predetermined time.

21. The method of claim 12 further comprising activating an indicator upon elapse of a predetermined usage duration.

22. The method of claim 12 wherein the treatment period begins with bonding of brackets to at least some of the teeth and ends with removal of the brackets.

23. A system for reducing orthodontic treatment time, comprising:

an extraoral vibratory source operable to vibrate at a constant frequency;

a bite plate coupled to the vibratory source and configured to deliver cyclic forces simultaneously to teeth of the maxillary and mandibular arches;

a battery operable to power the extraoral vibratory source;

a processor configured to control the extraoral vibratory source; and

electronic media operable to capture data indicating usage duration and usage frequency to allow patient compliance to be determined.

24. The system of claim 23 further comprising an indicator operable to indicate usage duration in a current treatment session.

25. The system of claim 23 wherein the processor is operable to automatically deactivate the extraoral vibration source after a predetermined time.

26. The system of claim 23 further comprising a communications port.

27. The system of claim 26 wherein the communications port is a USB port.

28. The system of claim 27 wherein the data is downloadable via the USB port.