Fixed space regainer

The fixed space regainer is a resin band designed to regain space in the gap between the remaining teeth when a tooth is lost. The band has opposing concave ends that provide bonding surfaces or anchors that attach to the remaining teeth on opposite sides proximal to the gap and an elongate connecting band between the bonding surfaces. The regainer is made from a biocompatible elastic material so that the connecting band will arch when installed across the gap and exert resilient pressure against the remaining teeth proximal to the gap to regain the space lost by narrowing that occurs by loss of the tooth, thereby providing proper spacing for growth of a permanent tooth or installation of a cosmetic replacement. The regainer may be designed by the dentist in software from a digital impression and made by 3D printing or additive manufacturing.

BACKGROUND

The disclosure of the present patent application relates to dental appliances, and particularly to a fixed space regainer for regaining space between remaining teeth when one or more teeth are lost, the regainer being made by 3D printing or additive manufacturing.

2. Description of the Related Art

Patients who present with loss of a tooth are a common occurrence in dental offices. Pediatric dentists commonly see children who have lost one or more of their primary or “baby” teeth and are waiting for the tooth or teeth to be replaced by permanent teeth. Similarly, adults may experience loss of a tooth and must wait for a denture or tooth implant to be fabricated to replace the lost tooth, often for cosmetic reasons. When a tooth is lost, there can be loss of arch length, arch perimeter, and arch circumference or other pathological conditions that result in narrowing of normal spacing between the remaining teeth. A variety of devices and dental appliances are available to try to maintain normal alignment or regain the space lost by narrowing, including braces, transparent aligners, mechanical metal appliances (such as metal coil springs), rubber bands, etc. However, such devices are often expensive, require making molds that can be sent to laboratories for fabricating the devices, require replacement to adjust for changes in the alignment of the teeth, or present a poor cosmetic appearance.

Thus, a fixed space regainer solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY

The fixed space regainer is a resin band designed to regain space in the gap between the remaining teeth when a tooth is lost. The band has opposing concave ends that provide bonding surfaces or anchors that attach to the remaining teeth on opposite sides proximal to the gap and an elongate connecting band between the bonding surfaces. The regainer is made from a biocompatible elastic material so that the connecting band will arch when installed across the gap and exert resilient pressure against the remaining teeth proximal to the gap to regain the space lost by narrowing that occurs by loss of the tooth, thereby providing proper spacing for growth of a permanent tooth or installation of a cosmetic replacement. The regainer may be designed by the dentist in software from a digital impression and made by 3D printing or additive manufacturing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The fixed space regainer is a resin band designed to regain space in the gap between the remaining teeth when a tooth is lost. The band has opposing concave ends that provide bonding surfaces or anchors that attach to the remaining teeth on opposite sides proximal to the gap and an elongate connecting band between the bonding surfaces. The regainer is made from a biocompatible elastic material so that the connecting band will arch when installed across the gap and exert resilient pressure against the remaining teeth proximal to the gap to regain the space lost by narrowing that occurs by loss of the tooth, thereby providing proper spacing for growth of a permanent tooth or installation of a cosmetic replacement. The regainer may be designed by the dentist in software from a digital impression and made by 3D printing or additive manufacturing.

FIGS. 1 and 2show an exemplary fixed space regainer10having opposing concave ends20,30joined by a connecting band40extending between the ends20,30. The concave openings50,60or recesses defined in the ends20,30, respectively, define bonding surfaces or anchors adapted for attachment to the remaining teeth proximal to the gap formed by the loss of one or more teeth. The curvature of the concave ends20,30is such that the bonding surfaces extend up to one-half the corresponding proximal tooth surface. The connecting band40is elongate, having a length slightly longer than the existing space and equal to the planned needed space to remain after regaining the space lost by narrowing after the loss of the intervening tooth or teeth.FIG. 1shows the regainer10flexed or arched for initial insertion between the remaining teeth, andFIG. 2shows the regainer10in a flat, relaxed state, without any compressive force applied to the opposing ends20,30.

FIG. 3shows the fixed space regainer10flexed or arched between the proximal remaining teeth70,80by elastic tension during an early stage of the period of regaining the space lost by narrowing the gap formed by loss of the tooth between the proximal teeth70,80, andFIG. 4shows the regainer10returning to its relaxed, flat state after the proximal teeth70,80have been moved to the desired degree of separation.FIG. 5is a side view showing a comparison of the spacing between the proximal teeth70,80and the curvature of the connecting band40before and after regaining the lost space. The length of the connecting band40is calculated with attention to the elastic modulus of the material from which the regainer10is made so that the period of regaining the lost space between the teeth70,80is gradual in order to avoid rotation or excessive torsion being applied to the proximal teeth70,80.

The fixed space regainer10may be made from any biocompatible elastic material conventionally used in making dental appliances, particularly polymer composite resins, such as PMMA poly (methyl methacrylate). Preferably the regainer10is made by 3D printing or additive manufacturing. Suitable 3D printers include 3D printers made or marketed by NextDent, Formlabs, ADMAtec, 3D-systems, EOS, ASIGA, and DWS. Suitable resins include NextDent provisional PMMA-based composite resins, DWS provisional materials, etc. The regainer10may be made from dental impressions using any suitable CAD software to make drawings moving the teeth proximal to the gap to the desired new locations, drawing the regainer10to a length suitable to bridge the gap (allowing for the modulus of elasticity of the material used for 3D printing) and using a 3D printer to make the regainer10directly from the software design, without the necessity of a physical model or mold. It is envisioned that the dentist may make the regainer10in his or her office or dental clinic, if equipped with a 3D printer, without the necessity of using an outside dental laboratory. The regainer10may then be installed in the patient's mouth and left in place for a period between two weeks and three months, during which time the necessary space for growth of a permanent replacement tooth or for a denture or tooth implant may be gradually regained.