System and method for correcting malocclusion

• US 10,806,545 B2
• Filed: 11/27/2019
• Issued: 10/20/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dentsply (Astrazeneca PLC)
• Original Assignee: Advanced Orthodontics and Education Association, LLC
• Inventors: Lowe, Michael Kenneth, Wasden, Christopher Lyle, Tarver, Wilson Brent
• Primary Examiner(s): Nelson, Matthew M
• Application Number:
  US16/698,233
• Publication Number:
  US 20200093570A1
• Time in Patent Office: 328 Days
• Field of Search: 433 6, 433 18, 433 24, 433118, 433119, 433122
• 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

An orthodontic remodeling system includes an extraoral vibratory source coupled to a bite plate, where the extraoral vibratory source is operable to vibrate the bite plate at a frequency in a range of 0.1 to 400 Hz. The bite plate is configured to deliver cyclic forces simultaneously to teeth of the maxillary and mandibular arches, and the bite plate and the extraoral vibratory source are held during use only by clamping with the teeth. A battery is operable to power the extraoral vibratory source, and a processor is configured to control the extraoral vibratory source. Electronic media is operable to capture data indicating usage duration and usage frequency to allow patient compliance to be determined.

Claims

1. An orthodontic remodeling system, comprising:

an extraoral vibratory source;

a bite plate coupled to the extraoral vibratory source, the extraoral vibratory source operable to vibrate the bite plate at a frequency in a range of 0.1 to 400 Hz, the bite plate configured to deliver cyclic forces simultaneously to teeth of the maxillary and mandibular arches, wherein the bite plate and the extraoral vibratory source are held during use only by clamping with the teeth;

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.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising an indicator operable to indicate the usage duration in a current treatment session.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the processor is operable to automatically deactivate the extraoral vibratory source after a predetermined time.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising a communications port.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the communications port is a USB port.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the data is downloadable via the USB port.

7. The system of claim 1 further comprising orthodontic braces and an archwire applying static forces to the teeth.

8. The system of claim 1 further comprising a removable appliance applying static forces to the teeth.

9. A device for accelerating movement of teeth, comprising:

a vibratory source;

a processor that controls said vibratory source;

a power source that drives said vibratory source;

a U-shaped bite plate configured to contact occlusal surfaces of a patient'"'"'s teeth, wherein a patient biting on said U-shaped bite plate holds said vibratory source and said U-shaped bite plate in place during use;

wherein said vibratory source is operable to vibrate the U-shaped bite plate at a frequency between 0.1 and 400 Hz; and

wherein said vibratory source automatically shuts off after a suitable treatment interval.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein said processor captures duration of use data.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein said processor captures frequency of use data and duration of use data.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein said frequency of use data and duration of use data update in real time.

13. A device for accelerated orthodontic treatment, comprising:

a vibratory source;

a processor that controls said vibratory source;

a battery that drives said vibratory source;

a U-shaped bite plate configured to contact and transmit vibration to occlusal surfaces of maxillary teeth and mandibular teeth simultaneously, wherein said U-shaped bite plate and said vibratory source are held during use only by a patient biting on said U-shaped bite plate;

wherein said vibratory source is operable to vibrate the U-shaped bite plate at a frequency between 0.1 and 400 Hz; and

wherein said vibratory source automatically shuts off after a suitable treatment interval.

14. The device of claim 13 wherein the frequency is about 40 Hz.

15. The device of claim 13 wherein said processor is operable to determine an elapsed treatment interval.

16. The device of claim 13 wherein the suitable treatment interval is 1-20 minutes.

17. The device of claim 13 wherein the suitable treatment interval is 2-20 minutes.