Orthodontic appliance

Abstract

An orthodontic appliance consisting of a two-component bracket assembly and a customized wire where the tooth component of the bracket assembly is semi-permanently glued to the tooth surface and the wire component of the bracket assembly is securely attached to the customized wire. The customized wire has a configuration that is derived from characteristics of both the mal-aligned and aligned states of the teeth. The series of wire components of the bracket assembly are separated by an inter-bracket distance and are specifically oriented along the customized wire to form the customized wire-bracket device. When the wire component and the tooth component of the bracket assembly are engaged, the alignment of the teeth occurs due to the elastic recoil of the customized wire. The customized wire-bracket device is completely detachable and re-attachable to the tooth component of the bracket assembly as are the two components of the bracket assembly.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims priority under 35 USC 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 776,436 filed, Mar. 11, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention is generally related to orthodontic appliances. More particularly, the invention relates to an orthodontic appliance having a two-component bracket assembly comprising a wire component and a tooth component with a customized wire attached to the wire component to form a customized wire bracket device that advantageously locks in with the tooth component affixed to the mal-aligned teeth resulting in deflection and recoil of the customized wire, to bring the mail-aligned teeth into a rapid and frictionless three dimensional alignment of the mal-aligned teeth.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Mal-aligned teeth detract from the aesthetic appeal of a smile and impart a negative image of the wearer of the smi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent is about an orthodontic device made up of two components: a bracket and a customized wire. The wire is attached to the bracket and helps move the teeth into alignment. The design allows for three-dimensional movement and helps bring the teeth into position faster with less discomfort for the patient. It also promotes better dental hygiene because it eliminates the need for ligature ties and power chains. The device is also friction-free, making it easier to floss.

Problems solved by technology

Mal-aligned teeth detract from the aesthetic appeal of a smile and impart a negative image of the wearer of the smile.

Even with the rectangular arch wire completely filling the rectangular slot of the bracket, all three degrees of control or movement of the teeth may not be efficient due to the bracket-wire play which is essentially brought about by the difference in size of the bracket slot and the arch wire engaged in that slot.

Torquing is the most difficult tooth movement to accomplish due to small moment arm.

The use of such wires generates heavy forces that have been documented to cause undesirable side effects like orthodontic root resorption.

The conventional orthodontic treatment systems thus described are a cumbersome process and the bracket-wire interaction during the treatment lacks complete three dimensional control, especially in the initial stages of orthodontic treatment.

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