Anchor apparatus and method for orthodontic appliances

• US 7,806,686 B2
• Filed: 08/24/2006
• Issued: 10/05/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Toads LLC
• Original Assignee: Toads LLC
• Inventors: Fisher, Jack, Baughman, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Rodriguez; Cris L
• Assistant Examiner(s): BALLINGER, MICHAEL ROBERT
• Application Number:
  US11/508,909
• Publication Number:
  US 20080050691A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,503 Days
• Field of Search: 433/18, 433/24, 433/172, 433/173, 433/174, 433/175, 433/176, 606/305, 606/307, 606/308, 606/232, 411/372.1, 411/531
• US Class Current: 433/18
• 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 8/0018 characterised by the shape
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 8/0096 Implants for use in orthodontic treatment

Abstract

An apparatus and method for anchoring orthodontic appliances or the like in the mouth wherein anchor screws of different constructions are installed in the bone in different areas of the mouth to insure adequate bone contact and retention. Each of the anchor screws has a threaded portion and a washer portion at the outer end of the threaded portion which is of sufficient width to engage the adjacent exterior bone surface when the threaded portion is installed in the bone to provide lateral support for the threaded portion. In some cases, the threaded portion is provided with threads of different sizes and the washer portion is provided with an exterior thread for cutting through gum tissue to enable the washer portion to engage the underlying adjacent exterior bone surface when the threaded portion is installed in the bone. Each anchor screw is provided with a lateral bore at the outer end thereof for receiving a ligature or the like therethrough to prevent the anchor screw from falling in the mouth.

Claims

1. Apparatus for anchoring orthodontic appliances in the mouth, comprising anchor screws of different constructions for installation in the bone in different areas of the mouth to insure adequate bone contact and retention, each of the anchor screws having a threaded portion with a longitudinal axis and a washer portion of non-threaded construction at the outer end of the threaded portion, said washer portion being of sufficient width to engage the adjacent exterior bone surface when the threaded portion is installed in the bone to provide lateral support for the threaded portion, wherein said washer portion has a smooth inner surface that is concave and comprises an outer uniform and continuous sharp peripheral edge to facilitate cutting through the adjacent gum tissue and engagement with the underlying adjacent exterior bone surface when the threaded portion is installed in the bone, said peripheral edge lying in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said threaded portion wherein each of the anchor screws has a neck portion adjacent the outer end of the washer portion, the neck portion having a lateral bore extending therethrough so that a ligature can be extended through the lateral bore to prevent the anchor screw from falling in the mouth.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of the anchor screws has an angled nut portion on the outer end of the washer portion for engagement by a tool or driver for rotating and installing the anchor screw in the bone.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of the anchor screws has a head portion adjacent the neck portion, the head portion having a pair of lateral recesses that are longitudinally aligned with the opposite ends of the lateral bore to receive therein portions of a ligature extending outwardly from the bore.

4. An anchor screw for anchoring orthodontic appliances in the incisal area of the mouth, said anchor screw comprising an elongated threaded portion having a longitudinal axis and a washer portion of non-threaded construction at the outer end of the threaded portion, said washer portion being of sufficient width to engage the adjacent exterior bone surface when the threaded portion is installed in the bone to provide lateral support for the threaded portion, wherein said washer portion has a smooth inner surface that is concave and comprises an outer uniform and continuous sharp peripheral edge to facilitate cutting through the adjacent gum tissue and engagement with the underlying exterior bone surface when the threaded portion is installed in the bone, said peripheral edge lying in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said threaded portion wherein said anchor screw has a neck portion adjacent the outer end of the washer portion, the neck portion having a lateral bore extending therethrough so that a ligature can be extended through the lateral bore to prevent the anchor screw from falling in the mouth.