Twist-lock orthodontic post
AssigneeOrtho Solutions, LC
InventorsDarren Buddemeyer, Matthew Malabey
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An orthodontic post and pin system for secure attachment of a dental appliance to an alignment wire, which also facilitates quick and easy removal and replacement. The system described herein uses a “twist-lock” dental post that is rotated onto, and counter-rotated off of, an alignment wire. The dental post includes structural elements to facilitate the twist-lock functionality, as well as structures for accepting a fastener to secure the alignment wire in place and inhibit unintentional or undesired dislodging.
Claims20
An orthodontic post comprising:
- a generally cylindrical body;
- a bore axially disposed through said body;
- a pair of locking elements attached to an end of said body, each of said locking elements comprising:
- an arm extending from said end, said arm having a generally arcuate exterior surface;
- and
- a flange extending from said arm, said flange having an arcuate exterior surface having opposing ends connected by a chord surface;
- wherein said arms are attached to said end at opposing sides of said end;
- wherein said chord surfaces define a center channel;
- and
- wherein a gap between said end and each of said flanges defines a pair of opposing locking recesses;
- wherein when an alignment wire is passed through said center channel, said alignment wire is disposed at said end such that rotating said body causes said flanges to capture said alignment wire in said locking recesses.
A method of interfacing an orthodontic post and an alignment wire comprising:
- providing an alignment wire;
- providing an orthodontic post comprising:
- a generally cylindrical body;
- a bore axially disposed through said body;
- a pair of locking elements attached to an end of said body, each of said locking elements comprising:
- an arm extending from said end, said arm having a generally arcuate exterior surface;
- and
- a flange extending from said arm, said flange having an arcuate exterior surface having opposing ends connected by a chord surface;
- wherein said arms are attached to said end at opposing sides of said end;
- wherein said chord surfaces define a center channel;
- and
- wherein a gap between said end and each of said flanges defines a pair of opposing locking recesses;
- wherein when an alignment wire is passed through said center channel, said alignment wire is disposed at said end such that rotating said body causes said flanges to capture said alignment wire in said locking recesses;
- passing said alignment wire through said center channel until said alignment wire is disposed at said end;
- and
- rotating said body to cause said flanges to capture said alignment wire in said locking recesses.
An orthodontic post and pin system comprising:
- a fastener;
- an orthodontic post comprising:
- a generally cylindrical body;
- a bore axially disposed through said body;
- a pair of locking elements attached to an end of said body, each of said locking elements comprising:
- an arm extending from said end, said arm having a generally arcuate exterior surface;
- and
- a flange extending from said arm, said flange having an arcuate exterior surface having opposing ends connected by a chord surface;
- wherein said arms are attached to said end at opposing sides of said end;
- wherein said chord surfaces define a center channel;
- and
- wherein a gap between said end and each of said flanges defines a pair of opposing locking recesses;
- wherein when an alignment wire is passed through said center channel, said alignment wire is disposed at said end such that rotating said body causes said flanges to capture said alignment wire in said locking recesses.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.