Removable orthodontic appliance
AssigneeM-B Orthodontics, Inc.
InventorsMartin G. Martz, Robert D. Brining
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Dental clasps are removable secured to teeth in part by wire ears engaging the natural undercut of the teeth and in part by engagement with buttons adhered to the teeth. Clasps are modified for the above purpose and also form combinations to engage different areas of teeth to correct various occlusions. Preferably the clasps are encased in molded plastic appliances which fit a single arch or a portion thereof or fit both arches. The plastic appliance preferably does not cover the occlusal surfaces; hence the patient's mouth may close to a more normal position. The buttons are shaped to facilitate installation of the appliance, as by tapering the outside surface of the button or the slot in the button which receives the clasp.
Claims46
In an orthodontic appliance,
- at least one clasp formed of spring wire comprising, in order, engagement means to engage a first surface of a tooth formed with an undercut, an upward extending first generally vertical stretch, a generally horizontal stretch across the occlusal surface of said tooth and a downward extending second generally vertical stretch and first attachment means on a second surface of said tooth opposite said first surface, said engagement means comprising a bent wire ear shaped to engage said undercut,
- a button adhered to said second surface of said tooth, said button being formed with second attachment means to detachably engage said first attachment means,
- said first attachment means further comprising means to receive archwire.
In an orthodontic appliance,
- at least one clasp comprising, in order, engagement means to engage a first surface of a tooth, an upward extending first generally vertical stretch, a generally horizontal stretch across the occlusal surface of said tooth and a downward extending second generally vertical stretch and first attachment means on a second surface of said tooth opposite said first surface,
- a button adhered to said second surface of said tooth, said button being formed with second attachment means to detachably engage said first attachment means,
- said engagement means comprising a second horizontal stretch adjacent the gingival area of the first surface of said tooth extending in opposite directions from said first vertical stretch, the opposite ends of said second horizontal stretch being formed with hooks to engage said tooth on opposite sides of said first surface thereof.
In an orthodontic appliance,
- at least one clasp comprising, in order, engagement means to engage a first surface of a tooth, an upward extending first generally vertical stretch, a generally horizontal stretch across the occlusal surface of said tooth and a downward extending second generally vertical stretch and first attachment means on a second surface of said tooth opposite said first surface,
- a button adhered to said second surface of said tooth, said button being formed with second attachment means to detachably engage said first attachment means,
- said clasp further comprising an upward extending third generally vertical stretch, a second generally horizontal stretch across the occlusal surface of said tooth and a downward extending fourth generally vertical stretch, said engagement means extending generally horizontally and attached to said first and third vertical stretches, said first attachment means extending generally horizontally and attached to said second and fourth vertical stretches,
- and which further comprises a second button adhered to said first surface, said second button being formed with third engagement means to engage said first-mentioned engagement means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.