Z-bend orthodontic instrument and method
AssigneeAlbert Einstein Healthcare Network
InventorMartin Weinstein
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An orthodontic instrument includes a pair of complementary mating die movable together and apart for forming a Z-shaped bend in an orthodontic arch wire. A Z-shaped bend in an orthodontic arch wire is utilized in conjunction with an orthodontic appliance for applying force to a tooth through a bracket thereon to change its inclination and/or rotation respecting the long axis of the tooth, e.g., to upright an angulated tooth or derotate a rotated tooth. Different embodiments of the instrument are utilized in a sideways or an end-on orientation relative to the arch wire to form a Z-bend therein in situ in a patient's mouth, or may operate on the arch wire outside the mouth.
Claims43
An orthodontic instrument for bending an arch wire comprising:
- a pair of complementary mating die for forming at least two portions of a Z-shaped bend in an arch wire, wherein unbent portions of the arch wire adjacent the Z-shaped bend are substantially co-linear;
- and
- a mechanism adapted to move said complementary mating die apart and to move said complementary mating die together;
- whereby the arch wire is formed to said Z shape when between said complementary mating die when said die move together.
An orthodontic instrument for bending an arch wire comprising:
- a pair of complementary mating die for forming at least two portions of a Z-shaped bend in an arch wire. wherein unbent portions of the arch wire adjacent the Z-shaped bend are substantially co-linear, wherein said pair of complementary mating die comprise a male die and a female die, said male die having at least first, second and third planar surfaces, wherein said second planar surface extends upwardly from said first planar surface and intersects said third planar surface to define a ridge line;
- and
- a mechanism adapted to move said complementary mating die apart and to move said complementary mating die together.
An orthodontic plier for forming a Z-shaped bend in an arch wire comprising:
- a plier including a pair of handle portions and a pair of jaw portions pivotally connected to allow the jaw portions thereof to move together and apart;
- and
- a pair of complementary mating die wherein each one of the pair of complementary mating die is attached to a respective one of the jaw portions, said pair of complementary mating die together defining at least two portions of the Z-shaped bend for forming the Z-shaped bend in the arch wire with unbent portions of the arch wire adjacent both ends of the Z-shaped bend being substantially co-linear,
- whereby the arch wire is formed to said Z shape between said complementary mating die when said die move together.
An orthodontic plier for forming a Z-shaped bend in an arch wire comprising:
- a plier including a pair of handle portions and a pair of jaw portions pivotally connected to allow the jaw portions thereof to move together and apart;
- and
- a pair of complementary mating die wherein each one of the pair of complementary mating die is attached to a respective one of the jaw portions, said pair of complementary mating die together defining at least two portions of the Z-shaped bend for forming the Z-shaped bend in the arch wire with unbent portions of the arch wire adjacent both ends of the Z-shaped bend being substantially co-linear,
- wherein said pair of complementary mating die comprise a male die and a female die, said male die having at least first, second and third planar surfaces, wherein said second planar surface extends upwardly from said first planar surface and intersects said third planar surface to define a ridge line.
A method of adjusting an arch wire of an orthodontic appliance comprising:
- identifying a tooth to be angulated and/or rotated;
- releasing the arch wire from a bracket on the identified tooth and from brackets on at least one tooth distal and one tooth mesial therefrom;
- forming a Z-shaped bend in the arch wire using a Z-bend forming instrument, the Z-shaped bend having a longer diagonal portion between two shorter portions;
- placing a longer diagonal portion of the Z-shaped bend into the bracket of the identified tooth;
- and
- securing the arch wire in the brackets on the identified tooth and on the at least one tooth distal and one tooth mesial therefrom.
A method of adjusting an orthodontic appliance comprising:
- identifying a tooth to be angulated and/or rotated;
- obtaining an arch wire and identifying thereon the location of a bracket for the identified tooth;
- forming a Z-shaped bend at the identified location of the arch wire, the Z-shaped bend having at the identified location a longer diagonal portion between two shorter portions;
- placing the longer diagonal portion of the Z-shaped bend into the bracket of the identified tooth;
- and
- securing the arch wire on the identified tooth and on at least one tooth distal and one tooth mesial therefrom.
An orthodontic instrument for bending an arch wire comprising:
- a pair of complementary mating die for forming at least two bends defining at least two portions of a Z-shaped bend in an arch wire, wherein unbent portions of the arch wire adjacent the Z-shaped bend are substantially co-linear;
- and
- a mechanism adapted to move said complementary mating die apart and to move said complementary mating die together;
- whereby the arch wire is formed to said Z shape when between said complementary mating die when said die move together.
An orthodontic plier for forming a Z-shaped bend in an arch wire comprising:
- a plier including a pair of handle portions and a pair of jaw portions pivotally connected to allow the jaw portions thereof to move together and apart;
- and
- a pair of complementary mating die wherein each one of the pair of complementary mating die is attached to a respective one of the jaw portions, wherein said pair of complementary mating die together are for forming at least two bends in the arch wire defining at least two portions of the Z-shaped bend in the arch wire with unbent portions of the arch wire adjacent both ends of the Z-shaped bend being substantially co-linear,
- whereby the arch wire is formed to said Z shape between said complementary mating die when said die move together.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.