# US 6,984,128 B2 · Methods for enabling and stabilizing tooth movement

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- Number: US 6,984,128 B2
- Document ID: US6984128B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 10/695,299
- Filed: 2003-10-27
- Published: 2004-06-17
- Granted: 2006-01-10
- Earliest claimed: 2002-11-01
- Assignees: BAS Medical, Inc.
- Inventors: Peter M. Breining; Dennis R. Stewart
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6984128B2

## CPC

- A61K 45/06: Mixtures of active ingredients without chemical characterisation, e.g. antiphlogistics and cardiaca
- 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
- A61C 19/063: {Medicament applicators for teeth or gums, e.g. treatment with fluorides}
- A61K 31/19: Carboxylic acids, e.g. valproic acid (salicylic acid A61K31/60)
- A61K 31/485: Morphinan derivatives, e.g. morphine, codeine
- A61K 31/56: Compounds containing cyclopenta[a]hydrophenanthrene ring systems; Derivatives thereof, e.g. steroids
- A61K 38/1825: {Fibroblast growth factor [FGF]}
- A61K 38/1866: {Vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF]}
- A61K 38/2221: {Relaxins}
- A61K 38/4886: {Metalloendopeptidases (3.4.24), e.g. collagenase}
- 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)}
- A61C 7/12: Brackets; Arch wires; Combinations thereof; Accessories therefor
- A61K: PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES (devices or methods specially adapted for bringing pharmaceutical products into particular physical or administering forms A61J3/00; chemical aspects of, or use of materials for deodorisation of air, for disinfection or sterilisation, or for bandages, dressings, absorbent pads or surgical articles A61L; soap compositions C11D)
- A61C: DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE (non-driven toothbrushes A46B; {tongue scrapers A61B17/24;} preparations for dentistry A61K6/00; preparations for cleaning the teeth or mouth A61K8/00, A61Q11/00)

## Abstract

Orthodontic methods comprise applying force to reposition teeth and administering a tissue remodeling and/or an angiogenic substance(s) to the periodontal tissue surrounding the teeth to be moved. The substance(s) may be delivered before, during, or after the teeth are moved, and the substance(s) may be selectively applied only to those teeth undergoing movement at any particular time. The substance(s) may be applied from the dental repositioning appliance or may be applied separately, either topically or by injection.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for preventing relapse in a patient, said method comprising:
applying force to at least one tooth in a jaw of the patient, and
administering a tissue remodeling and/or an angiogenic substance to the patient to promote remodeling of gingiva surrounding the tooth, wherein said tissue remodeling and/or angiogenic substance is administered to the patient at a dose from about 1 ng to about 500 μg per day.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said remodeling and/or angiogenic substance is relaxin or an analog or mimetic thereof.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, wherein said relaxin is delivered to the patient for a period of time before, after or during an orthodontic procedure to some or all of the regions of the gingiva where teeth have been moved in order to promote stabilization and remodeling of the gingiva.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, wherein said relaxin is delivered to the gingiva by a topical composition selected from the group consisting of gel, cream, ointment, and fluid substance.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, wherein said relaxin is injected into the gingiva.

### Claim 6 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, wherein said relaxin is released from a controlled release device engaged against the gingiva.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said applying force comprises positioning a removable appliance between one or more anchor teeth and one or more target teeth.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein applying force further comprises adjusting said appliance, wherein said appliance is selected from the group consisting of positioners, aligners, and retainers.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein the removable appliance comprises a reservoir which releases the substance.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the reservoir further comprises a porous structure which releases the substance at a controlled rate over time onto the gingiva of the patient.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said remodeling and/or angiogenic substance is applied to the gingiva while force is applied to at least one tooth in the jaw of the patient.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said remodeling and/or angiogenic substance is applied to the gingiva after force is applied to at least one tooth in the jaw of the patient.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said remodeling and/or angiogenic substance is applied to the gingiva before force is applied to at least one tooth in the jaw of the patient.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the angiogenic substance is selected from the group consisting of VEGF, bFGF, estrogen, nitrous oxide and naltrexone.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the patient undergoes orthodontic treatment.