Electrothermal dental debracketing tool and method of removal
AssigneeJohnson & Johnson Consumer Products, Inc.
InventorPatrick E. Martin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A heating element is inserted into the archwire slot of the tooth in order to allow the adhesive surface of a dental bracket to become loose. Force is exerted by a pull wire, controlled by a force limiting spring, until the bracket is removed. No harm comes to the patient or the tooth.
Claims15
A device for removing a dental bracket having a tie wing and archwire slot extending from a face attached to a tooth comprising:
- a heating element for emplacement in the archwire slot of said bracket;
- pulling means attached to said heating element, said pulling means capable of attachment to the tie wing of a dental bracket;
- a body portion resiliently connected by spring means to said heating element and said pulling means;
- a nose portion attached to said body portion and enclosing said pulling means and said heating element, such that said pulling means and said heating element, such that said pulling means and said heating element are retractable into said nose portion;
- and
- switch means capable of activating said heating element, said switch means connected to said body portion and operable during the motion of said heating element into the archwire slot of said bracket, such that when said pulling means are attached to said dental bracket, said spring means exert a regulable force on said pulling means which is transferred to said dental bracket.
A device for removing a dental bracket having a face attached to said tooth, said face supporting a pair of tie wings around an archwire comprising:
- a generally cylindrical heating element having a slotted end adapted to fit within the archwire slot of said dental bracket, said heating element connected to a power source by a control switch;
- a generally cylindrical body section including a generally hollow tube, said control switch connected to said body section, said heating element slidable within said hollow tube such that said control switch activates said heating element upon the sliding of said heating element within said hollow tube;
- first spring means connecting said body section and said heating element;
- a puller assembly attached to said heating element near said heating element slotted end, said puller assembly including a pull wire capable of attachment to the tie wing of a dental bracket by the movement of said pull wire relative to said heating element;
- and
- a nose portion rigidly attached to said body portion, said nose portion having a generally hollow tubular center for the sliding of said heating element and said puller assembly and providing a base for said device inside the mouth.
A method for the removal of a dental bracket adhered to a tooth comprising:
- heating said dental bracket;
- simultaneously pulling said dental bracket with a regulated force to overcome the bonding strength of the loosened heated adhesive;
- and
- creating a reaction force near said dental bracket, such that the tooth to which said bracket is adhered is not pulled.
A method for the removal of a dental bracket having a tie wing and an archwire slot comprising:
- attaching a pull wire to said tie wing, said pull wire resiliently connected to a heating element;
- inserting said heating element in the archwire slot of said bracket;
- activating a switch means connected to said heating element to initiate heating said bracket upon the insertion of said element within said archwire slot;
- providing a pulling force to said pull wire, said pulling force regulated by spring means connected to said pull wire;
- providing a reaction force to the mouth near said dental bracket;
- and
- heating said bracket until the pulling force overcomes the adhesive force bonding said bracket to said tooth.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.