Orthodontic distalizing appliance

• US 6,435,870 B1
• Filed: 09/28/2000
• Issued: 08/20/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kevin C. Walde
• Original Assignee: Kevin C. Walde
• Inventors: Walde, Kevin C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lucchesi, Nicholas D.
• Application Number:
  US09/672,921
• Time in Patent Office: 691 Days
• Field of Search: 433/6, 433/7, 433/18, 433/24
• US Class Current: 433/7
• 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 7/10 Devices having means to apply outwardly directed force, e.g. expanders
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 8/0096 Implants for use in orthodontic treatment

Abstract

This orthodontic distalizing appliance includes a forward support assembly having an anchoring base in the roof of the mouth. A rearward laterally disposed spring assembly is provided having outer ends removably received within associated sheaths attached to maxillary molars. A centrally disposed adjustment assembly extends between the anchoring base and the spring assembly for applying a force to the spring assembly which is transmitted to the molars to be distalized.

Claims

1. An orthodontic distalizing appliance comprising:

a forward support assembly including an anchoring base adapted to seat in the upper part of the mouth;

a rearward spring assembly including spring means having a first portion and at least one outwardly extending second portion, said second portion being removably attached to a tooth; and

adjustment means including a forward portion attached to the base and a rearward portion receiving the first portion of the spring means in removable relation and means connecting the forward and rearward portions together in movable relation for applying a force to the second portion of the spring means and the tooth to which it is attached.

2. A distalizing appliance as defined in claim 1, in which:

the adjustment means includes a screw having a first portion attached in freely rotatable relation to the forward portion, said screw having a second portion threadedly connected to the rearward portion so that the rearward portion is movable relative to the forward portion when the screw is rotated.

3. A distalizing appliance, as defined in claim 2, in which:

the adjustment means includes a pair of slide rods connecting said first and second portions together in sliding relation.

4. A distalizing appliance, as defined in claim 2, in which:

the screw first portion includes a tool-acceptable portion by which the screw is rotatable to move the forward and rearward portions relative to each other.

5. A distalizing appliance, as defined in claim 4, in which:

the head of the screw is faceted and adapted to accept a tool in angular relation from the anterior of the mouth.

6. A distalizing appliance, as defined in claim 1, in which:

the forward portion of the adjustment means includes laterally disposed forwardly extending portions fixedly attached to the base.

7. A distalizing appliance, as defined in claim 6, in which:

the anchoring base is a Nance button formed from plastic material and the laterally disposed portions are embedded in said Nance button.

8. A distalizing appliance, as defined in claim 1, in which:

the anchoring base is a Nance button formed from plastic material, and the base includes outwardly extending portions embedded in the Nance button at an inner end and are adapted to be cemented to a tooth at an outer end.

9. A distalizing appliance, as defined in claim 1, in which:

the spring assembly includes opposed, tooth-attachable sleeves, and outer ends receivable into associated sleeves in removable relation.

10. A distalizing appliance, as defined in claim 1, in which:

the adjustment means rearward portion includes a slot, and the spring assembly includes a forwardly extending intermediate portion removably received by said slot.

11. A distalizing appliance, as defined in claim 1, in which:

the spring means includes a forwardly extending intermediate portion and outwardly extending portions each adapted to be removably attached to a tooth; and

the adjustment means is centrally located and the rearward portion includes a slot receiving the intermediate portion of the spring means in removable relation.

12. A distalizing appliance as defined in claim 1, in which:

the anchorage base is a palatal endosseous implant attached to the roof of the mouth.

13. A distalizing appliance as defined in claim 12, in which:

the adjustment device is attached to the implant by a support means extending between the implant and the adjustment device.

14. A distalizing appliance as defined in claim 13, in which:

the support means is a generally U-shaped wire having a bight portion attached to the implant and rearwardly extending arms attached to the adjustment device.

15. A kit for providing an orthodontic distalizing appliance comprising:

a forward support assembly including means for providing an anchoring base;

a rearward spring assembly including a spring;

an adjustment device including a forward portion attached to the anchoring base, a rearward portion receiving the spring in removable relation and a screw for threadedly connecting the forward and rearward portions together in movable relation.

16. A kit as defined in claim 15, in which:

the anchoring means includes means for providing a Nance button.

17. A kit as defined in claim 15, in which:

the anchoring means includes means for providing an endosseous implant.

18. An orthodontic distalizing appliance comprising:

a forward support assembly including an anchoring base adapted to seat in the upper part of the mouth;

a rearward spring assembly including spring means having a first intermediate portion and opposed outwardly extending second portions, said second portions being removably attached to an associated tooth; and

adjustment means including a forward portion attached to the base and a rearward portion having a slot receiving the first portion of the spring means in removable relation and means connecting the forward and rearward portions together in movable relation for applying a force to the second portion of the spring means and the tooth to which it is attached.

19. A distalizing appliance as defined in claim 18, in which:

the spring means intermediate portion is generally U-shaped.

20. A distalizing appliance, as defined in claim 18, in which:

the forward portion of the adjustment means includes laterally disposed forwardly extending portions.

21. An orthodontic distalizing appliance comprising:

a forward support assembly including an anchoring base adapted to seat in the upper part of the mouth;

a rearward spring assembly including spring means having a first portion and at least one outwardly extending second portion, said second portion being removably attached to a tooth;

adjustment means including a forward portion attached to the base and a rearward portion receiving the first portion of the spring means in removable relation and means connecting the forward and rearward portions together in movable relation for applying a force to the second portion of the spring means and the tooth to which it is attached; and

said means connecting the forward and rearward portions together including a screw connected between the forward and rearward portion so that the rearward portion is movable relative to the forward portion when the screw is rotated, said screw including a head adapted to accept a tool in angular relation from the anterior of the mouth.