# Patent

## Title
Orthodontic bracket and clip release tool

## Abstract

A clip release tool with a first and second projection, for releasing a clip from a main bracket body of an orthodontic bracket while regulating movement or deformation of the clip, and a related method, and a method of attaching a clip to an orthodontic bracket main body using a clip release tool.

## Background
This application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/730,268, filed Dec. 9, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,442,039 and entitled “ORTHODONTIC BRACKET AND CLIP RELEASE TOOL”, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/431,693, filed Dec. 9, 2002. This application also claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-122879, filed on May 9, 2008 in the Japanese Patent Office. The disclosures of each of these applications are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an orthodontic bracket and a clip release tool, and in particular, for correcting irregular teeth rows or twisted teeth, relates to an orthodontic bracket and a clip release tool.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, the orthodontic bracket has been used for correcting teeth rows. As to the orthodontic bracket, a base thereof is provided with a bracket main body. The bracket main body is formed with an arch wire slot for receiving an arch wire therein and is furnished with a clip for preventing the arch wire from getting out from the interior of arch wire slot.
The clip is curved substantially in U-shape and is formed to be engageable in such a manner that a catching end portion formed at an upper distal portion of the clip creeps under a catching part of the bracket main body.
As means for taking off the upper distal portion of the clip from the catching part, the following technologies are disclosed.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,698,017 shows an art of rotating a clip by a bar-like tool to release the arch wire slot.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,562,444 shows an art of releasing a clip rotating round a tie-wing by the bar-like tool inserted in a hole of the clip.
This publication also discloses a way of pushing to open the front end of the clip by use of a tool (not especially designated).
In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 5,906,486 is concerned with a self-ligation bracket of sliding a U-shaped clip and releasing and closing the arch wire slot, and shows an art of inserting the bar-like tool into the hole of the clip for releasing the clip.
The self-ligation bracket is meant by a bracket where an opening of the arch wire slot is closed with a rotating or sliding clip so that the arch wire does not get out from the interior of the arch wire slot.
But, when releasing the clip by the bar-like tool inserted in the hole of the clip, it is necessary to work the bar-like tool as a lever, and so an exceeding load is effected on the clip.
Therefore, when releasing the clip by the bar-like tool, the clip is often deformed.
In case the clip is deformed, even if returning the clip to a closing position, not only the deformed clip cannot press down the arch wire, but also the arch wire gets out of position not to continue a curing.
Further, since the hole into which the bar-like tool is inserted is formed at about center of the clip, a spring property of the clip is spoiled to reduce force pressing down the arch wire, and besides a problem arises that the clip is easily deformed owing to concentration of stress.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the above mentioned problems, the invention has been realized. Accordingly it is an object of the invention to offer an orthodontic bracket which enables to prevent the clip from deforming when releasing the clip, and a clip release tool.
For accomplishing the above mentioned object, the orthodontic bracket of a first aspect of the invention comprises, a base firmly attachable directly or indirectly to teeth surfaces; a bracket main body equipped on one side of the base; an arch wire slot shaped in groove along mesiodistal direction in the bracket main body, enabling to support an arch wire therein; a substantially belt-like clip curved substantially in U-shape as covering at least one part of an opposite side to the base in the arch wire slot, the clip having a catching end portion for creeping under a cover portion supported by the bracket main body at an upper end part thereof and a recess portion for catching a clip release tool for releasing the clip at the upper end part thereof; and a guide portion formed in at least one of the bracket main body and the base and along a tooth axial direction crossing with the arch wire slot, enabling to guide the clip.
Herein, the orthodontic bracket according to the invention includes an embodiment that the bracket main body is secured to the face-like base attachable to the teeth surfaces, or an embodiment that the bracket main body is welded, via the base, to a band attached to the teeth surfaces.
In the thus structured orthodontic bracket, the clip is provided at the upper end part thereof with the recess portion which enables to catch the clip release tool for releasing the clip. The position catching the clip release tool is formed to be the recess, so that it is not required to open a hole for the clip to pass through in the thickness direction. Thus, although the clip is substantially U-shaped and narrow in width, it keeps rigidity and can secure spring force to press down the arch wire.
Besides, since the clip is not opened with the hole but formed with the recess portion, concentration of stress is reduced with respect to the clip, and the clip can be prevented from deformation.
According to the orthodontic bracket of a second aspect of the invention, in the orthodontic bracket of the first aspect, it is desirable that the recess portion is a concave portion which is formed at the upper end part of the clip and does not pass through the clip along thickness.
The recess portion is made the concave, whereby the clip can be released while being pressing it to the bracket main body, so that the clip is not caused to be deformed, and the recess portion can be comparatively easily formed.
According to the orthodontic bracket of a third aspect of the invention, in the orthodontic bracket of the first aspect, desirably the recess portion is a cut-and-rising portion where the clip rises along thickness in a direction separating from the bracket main body.
The recess portion is made the cut-and-rising portion by rising in a direction separating from the bracket main body, so that the recess portion can be comparatively easily formed. The clip can be released while being pressing it to the bracket main body by use of an exclusively used tool.
According to the orthodontic bracket of a fourth aspect of the invention, in the orthodontic bracket of the third aspect, desirably the recess portion is the cut-and-rising portion where one side of a slit as a boundary formed at the upper end part of the clip rises along thickness in a direction separating from the bracket main body.
The recess portion is the cut-and-rising portion which causes one side of the slit as the boundary in the direction separating from the bracket main body, whereby the recess portion is comparatively easily formed. In addition, thereby, seeing the slit as the boundary, its front side can be a convex and its inner part can be a concave, so that though not being the exclusively used tool, the clip can be released while being pressing it to the bracket main body.
According to the orthodontic bracket of a fifth aspect of the invention, in the orthodontic bracket of the third aspect, desirably the recess portion is formed at an end part of the clip.
The recess portion is formed at the end part of the clip, whereby the clip can be more easily formed, and the exclusively used tool can be positioned accurately at its front end.
According to the orthodontic bracket of a sixth aspect of the invention, in the orthodontic bracket of the fifth aspect, desirably the recess portion is shaped substantially in a half-spherical dome.
The recess portion is shaped substantially in the half-spherical dome, whereby the clip release tool can be properly caught by the recess portion, making use of the substantially half-spherical dome.
According to the orthodontic bracket of a seventh aspect of the invention, in the orthodontic bracket of the sixth aspect, desirably the recess portion has a cutout substantially in V-shape at a flat and end part thereof.
The recess portion is formed with the cutout, whereby the cutout portion holds the release tool so that the recess portion surely catches the release tool. Therefore, the clip can be more easily released when the clip is released.
The orthodontic bracket of an eighth aspect of the invention comprises, a base firmly attachable directly or indirectly to teeth surfaces; a bracket main body equipped on one side of the base; an arch wire slot shaped in groove along mesiodistal direction in the bracket main body, enabling to support an arch wire therein; a substantially belt-like clip curved substantially in U-shape as covering at least one part of an opposite side to the base in the arch wire slot, the clip having a catching end portion for creeping under a cover portion supported by the bracket main body at an upper end part thereof and a catching cutout portion substantially in V-shape for catching a clip release tool for releasing the clip at the upper end part thereof; and a guide portion formed in at least one of the bracket main body and the base and along a tooth axial direction crossing with the arch wire slot, enabling to guide the clip.
The clip is formed at the upper end part thereof with a catching cutout portion substantially in V-shape which enables to catch the clip release tool for releasing the clip, whereby the recess portion can be more easily formed. The clip can be easily formed, while the spring force of the clip can influence over the catching ends formed at the upper end parts of the clip extending to both of mesial and distal sides. Therefore, rotation control of the arch wire can be effectively exercised.
According to the orthodontic bracket of a ninth aspect, in the orthodontic bracket of the first aspect or the eighth aspect, the clip has a contacting portion and the bracket main body has a receiving portion enabling to contact to the contacting portion, and wherein when the clip is released from the bracket main body, the contacting portion contacts to the receiving portion, thereby enabling to regulate a releasing position of the clip from the bracket main body.
The releasing position of the clip from the bracket main body by the contacting portion and the receiving portion is enabled to be regulated, whereby it is possible to prevent the clip from exceedingly releasing or dropping from the bracket main body.
The clip release tool of a tenth aspect of the invention, for releasing a clip from a bracket main body of an orthodontic bracket, the orthodontic bracket comprising a base firmly attachable directly or indirectly to teeth surfaces, a bracket main body equipped on one side of the base, an arch wire slot shaped in groove along mesiodistal direction in the bracket main body, enabling to support an arch wire therein, a substantially belt-like clip curved substantially in U-shape as covering at least one part of an opposite side to the base in the arch wire slot, the clip having a catching end portion for creeping under a cover portion supported by the bracket main body at an upper end part thereof and a recess portion or a substantially V-shaped catching cutout portion for catching a clip release tool for releasing the clip at the upper end part thereof, and a guide portion formed in at least one of the bracket main body and the base, and along a tooth axial direction crossing with the arch wire slot, enabling to guide the clip, the clip release tool comprising, a first projection and a second projection which are arranged substantially in V-shape, wherein the first projection enables to catch the recess portion or the substantially V-shaped catching cutout portion of the clip, and the second projection regulates the engagement of the first projection with the recess portion or the catching cutout portion, while pressing down the clip to prevent the clip from deformation of the clip.
The clip release tool comprises the first projection and the second projection arranged substantially in V-shape. The first projection is caught with the recess portion or the catching cutout portion, and the second projection regulates the engagement of the first projection with the recess portion or the catching cutout portion.
Pressing the clip with the second projection, when releasing the clip, the clip is prevented from turning up and deformation.
The clip release tool of a eleventh aspect of the invention, for releasing a clip from a bracket main body of an orthodontic bracket comprising a base firmly attachable directly or indirectly to teeth surfaces, a bracket main body equipped on one side of the base, an arch wire slot shaped in groove along mesiodistal direction in the bracket main body, enabling to support an arch wire therein, a substantially belt-like clip curved substantially in U-shape as covering at least one part of an opposite side to the base in the arch wire slot, the clip having a catching end portion for creeping under a cover portion supported by the bracket main body at an upper end part thereof and a recess portion or a substantially V-shaped catching cutout portion for catching a clip release tool for releasing the clip at the upper end part thereof and a guide portion formed in at least one of the bracket main body and the base, and along a tooth axial direction crossing with the arch wire slot, enabling to guide the clip, the clip release tool comprising a first projection; and a second projection having a side face facing the first projection, wherein the first projection is engageable with the recess portion or the substantially V-shaped catching cutout portion of the clip, and when releasing the clip, the side face of the second projection is brought into contact with the bracket main body to regulate a movement of the clip.
According to a clip release tool of an eleventh aspect of the invention, when releasing the clip, the second projection is brought into contact with a base portion of the clip such that a force is applied to the clip from the first projection and the second projection.
According to a method of releasing a clip from a bracket main body of an orthodontic bracket with a clip release tool, the orthodontic bracket comprises a base firmly attachable directly or indirectly to teeth surfaces, a bracket main body equipped on one side of the base, an arch wire slot shaped in groove along mesiodistal direction in the bracket main body, enabling to support an arch wire therein, a substantially belt-like clip curved substantially in U-shape as covering at least one part of an opposite side to the base in the arch wire slot, the clip having a catching end portion for creeping under a cover portion supported by the bracket main body at an upper end part thereof and a recess portion or a substantially V-shaped catching cutout portion for catching a clip release tool for releasing the clip at the upper end part thereof, and a guide portion formed in at least one of the bracket main body and the base, and along a tooth axial direction crossing with the arch wire slot, enabling to guide the clip. The clip release tool comprises a first projection and a second projection having a side face facing the first projection, the method comprises engaging the first projection with the recess portion or the substantially V-shaped catching cutout portion of the clip; and moving the clip release tool until the side face of the second projection is brought into contact with the bracket main body to regulate a movement of the clip. The method of releasing a clip from a bracket main body of an orthodontic bracket with a clip release tool may further comprise engaging the second projection with a base portion of the clip, wherein a force is applied to the clip from the first projection and the second projection.
According to a method of attaching a clip to a bracket main body of an orthodontic bracket with a clip release tool, the orthodontic bracket comprises a base firmly attachable directly or indirectly to teeth surfaces, a bracket main body equipped on one side of the base, an arch wire slot shaped in groove along mesiodistal direction in the bracket main body, enabling to support an arch wire therein, a substantially belt-like clip curved substantially in U-shape as covering at least one part of an opposite side to the base in the arch wire slot, the clip having a catching end portion for creeping under a cover portion supported by the bracket main body at an upper end part thereof and a recess portion or a substantially V-shaped catching cutout portion for catching a clip release tool for releasing the clip at the upper end part thereof, and a guide portion formed in at least one of the bracket main body and the base, and along a tooth axial direction crossing with the arch wire slot, enabling to guide the clip, the clip release tool comprising a first projection and a second projection. The method comprises abutting the first projection and the second projection against a curved portion of the clip; and pressing the clip with the first projection and the second projection.



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an orthodontic bracket (a first embodiment) according to the invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a clip of the first embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 3A is a cross sectional view along A-A line of FIG. 2;
FIG. 3B is a cross sectional view showing a modified example of the first embodiment;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a clip release tool according to the invention;
FIGS. 5A and 5B are enlarged views of a portion B of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion C of FIG. 4;
FIGS. 7A and 7B are enlarged views of elementary parts showing modified examples of the clip release tool according to the invention;
FIGS. 8A and 8B are views for explaining works of the first embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a clip of a second embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 10A is a cross sectional view along D-D line of FIG. 9;
FIG. 10B is a cross sectional view showing a modified example of the second embodiment;
FIGS. 11A and 11B are views for explaining works of the second embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a clip of a third embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a clip of a fourth embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a clip of a fifth embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a clip of a sixth embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the clip release tool according to the invention;
FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of a portion E of FIG. 16;
FIG. 18 is a view for explaining the using example of the clip release tool according to the invention;
FIGS. 19A to 19C are plan and side views showing an orthodontic bracket (a seventh embodiment) according to the invention;
FIGS. 20 and 21 are views for explaining a method of releasing a clip from a bracket with a clip release tool according to the invention;
FIGS. 22 and 23 are views for explaining a method of releasing a clip from a bracket with a modified clip release tool according to the invention;
FIGS. 24 and 25 are views for explaining a method of releasing a clip from a bracket with another modified clip release tool according to the invention;
FIGS. 26 and 27 are views for explaining a method of attaching a clip to a bracket main body with the modified clip release tool of FIG. 24 according to the invention;
FIG. 28 A is a view of a clip release tool according to the invention; and
FIG. 28B is an enlarged view of the clip release portion of the clip release tool of FIG. 28A.



DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Explanations will be made to embodiments according to the invention, referring to the attached drawings. In each of the following embodiments, members and others having explained in FIG. 1 will be given the same numerals or corresponding marks in other drawings for simplifying or omitting the explanation.
Herein, in each of under shown embodiments, as the orthodontic bracket, a twin bracket (the bracket having the two cover portions) is exemplified, but the invention is also applicable to a single bracket, and is not limited to the twin bracket only.
In addition, in the following embodiments, the orthodontic bracket used to a labial side (a lip side) is shown, but also applicable to a lingual side (a tongue side).
Further, the invention is titled as the orthodontic bracket, but the bracket referred to herein includes a buccal tube for molars, and is not meant by brackets of narrow meaning as for anterior teeth or bicuspids.
As shown in FIG. 1, an orthodontic bracket 10 as a first embodiment of the invention comprises a base 11, a bracket main body 12, an arch wire slot 13, a guide portion 14, and a substantially belt-like clip 20. The base 11 is firmly attachable directly or indirectly to teeth surfaces. The bracket main body 12 is equipped on one side of the base 11. The arch wire slot 13 is shaped in groove in the bracket main body 12. The guide portion 14 is formed in at least one of the bracket main body and the base, and along a tooth axial direction crossing with the arch wire slot 13. The substantially belt-like clip 20 is guided by the guide portion 14.
The arch wire slot 13 is formed along the mesiodistal direction of the bracket main body 12.
In the orthodontic bracket 10, the clip 20 is curved substantially in U-shape as covering at least one part of an opposite side to the base in the arch wire slot 13. A pair of catching end portions 21 are provided at an upper end part along length of the clip 20. A catching groove 15A is provided at the lower part of a cover portion 15 supported by the bracket main body 12. The pair of catching end portions 21 are caught to enable to creep under the catching groove 15A.
Herein, the opposite side to the base is generally designated as the labial side (the lip side), but in a case of the lingual bracket, it is designated as the lingual side (the tongue side).
The clip 20 is formed to be substantially U-shape with, e.g., a spring thin steel of high corrosion resistance of 0.1 to 0.2 mm thickness.
A base 22 of the clip 20 is inserted into the guide part 14, while the catching end portions 21 creep into the catching groove 15A under the cover part 15. Therefore, the clip 20 is attached to the bracket main body 12 as closing.
The base 22 is provided with an upper projecting stopper 23 so that, when releasing the clip 20, the base 22 does not get out from the guide part 14.
The clip 20 is formed with a concave portion 25 as the recess portion in an upper end part 24 between the pair of catching end portions 21. The concave portion 25 is used for catching a clip release tool 30 (see FIGS. 4 to 7) for releasing the clip 20.
If the recess portion is made concave 25, the clip 20 is not required to have a hole passing through in the thickness direction, so that spring force of the clip 20 can be kept.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3A, the concave portion 25 of the clip 20 is formed to be larger than a heel portion 31 of the clip release tool 30 for receiving it.
Thus, if an operator inserts the heel portion 31 of the clip release tool 30 into the concave portion 25 and moves the clip 20 by the clip release tool 30, mutual engagement between the catching end portions 21 of the clip 20 and the catching groove 15A of the cover part 15 (see FIG. 1) can be more certainly and easily canceled.
Herein, a toe portion 32 regulates the engagement of the heel portion 31 to the concave portion 25, and at the same time presses down the clip 20, so that it serves to avoid the clip 20 from deformation.
That is, the toe portion 32 works in a direction of pressing the clip 20 against the bracket main body 12 (see FIG. 1), so that it can be prevented that the clip 20 is turned up by the bar-like tool having referred to concerning the related art, and the clip 20 can be avoided from deformation.
In FIG. 3A, the explanation has been made to the example of forming the concave portion 25 to be circular arc, but no limitation is made to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 3B, it is possible to form a position 26 to be deep toward a side of the toe portion 32 in the concave portion 25.
Thereby, when getting the heel portion 31 into the concave portion 25, the heel portion 31 can be more certainly inserted into the concave portion 31.
Next, the clip release tool 30 will be referred to on the basis of FIGS. 4 to 7B.
As seeing in FIG. 4, the clip release tool 30 has a left releasing portion 34 and a right releasing portion 35 respectively at left and right end parts of a grip 33.
As seeing in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the left releasing portion 34 has a heel portion (a first projection) 31 and a toe portion (a second projection) 32, which are disposed substantially in V-shape and in vertical direction. The heel portion 31 is positioned to enable to catch the concave portion 25 at the upper end part 24 of the clip 20 (see FIGS. 1 and 2).
The toe portion 32 is positioned to regulate the engagement of the heel portion 31 to the concave portion 25 (see FIGS. 1 and 2), and enable to avoid the clip 20 from deformation by pressing down the clip 20 (see FIGS. 1 and 2).
If the heel portion 31 and the toe portion 32 are arranged vertically, the left releasing part 34 can be used in parallel to the tooth axial direction.
The heel portion 31 and the toe portion 32 are formed in the same width.
As seeing in FIG. 6, the right releasing part 35 is provided with a heel portion (the first projection) 37 and a toe portion (the second projection) 38, which are disposed substantially in V-shape and in lateral direction. The heel portion 37 is at a position enabling to catch the concave 25 formed in the upper end part 24 of the clip 20 (see FIGS. 1 and 2).
The toe portion 38 is at a position enabling to regulate the engagement of the heel portion 37 with the concave 25 and to avoid deformation of the clip 20 by pressing down the clip 20.
If the heel portion 37 and the toe portion 38 are arranged laterally, it is possible to release the clip 20 in the tooth axial direction from a side in a place not permitting to pull toward a front side such as back tooth.
The heel portion 37 is formed to be narrow in the width and the toe portion 38 is formed to be wide in the width.
In FIGS. 5A, 5B and FIG. 6, the left and right releasing parts 34, 35 have been explained as to the examples formed with the heel portions 31, 37 and the toe portions 32, 38, but no limitation is made thereto. For instance, as seeing in FIG. 7A, a releasing part 39A may be provided with a column limited in height, and as seeing in FIG. 7B, a releasing part 39B may be provided with a half-column limited in height.
In the following, explanation will be made to the heel portion 31 and the toe portion 32 constituting the left releasing part 34 as representative examples.
Next, explanation will be made to works of the orthodontic bracket 10 and the clip release tool 30 on the basis of FIGS. 8A and 8B.
In FIG. 8A, the operator gets the heel portion 31 of the clip release tool 30 into the concave portion 25. Then, the toe portion 32 regulates fitting of the heel portion 31 in the concave portion 25.
If moving the clip release tool 30 in a direction of an arrow mark under a condition of getting the heel portion 31 into the concave portion 25, the clip 20 is moved in the arrow direction together with the clip release tool 30.
At this time, the toe portion 32 presses down the clip 20, so that the clip 20 is not turned up, and the clip 20 can be avoided from deformation.
In FIG. 8B, the clip 20 is moved together with the clip release tool 30, and the catching end portions 21 get out from the catching groove 15A of the cover 15 to easily move the clip 20 to the releasing position.
In this case, since the concave portion 25 provided in the clip 20 at the side of the bracket main body 12 is convex, when the clip 20 is released from the bracket main body 12, the releasing position of the clip 20 is regulated in that the concave portion 25 contacts, as the convex, a stepwise receiving portion 12A formed in the bracket main body 12. It is possible thereby to avoid an exceeding release or drop of the clip 20 from the bracket main body 12.
Next explanation will be made to second to sixth embodiments of the orthodontic bracket with reference to FIGS. 9 to 15.
As shown in FIG. 9, a clip 40 as the second embodiment of the invention is different from the clip 20 of the first embodiment only in that the clip 40 has, as the recess portion, a cut-and-rising portion 41 rising in a direction separating from the bracket main body 12 (see FIG. 1) along the thickness, and other structures are the same as those of the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 10A, the cut-and-rising portion 41 is made in the direction separating from the bracket main body 12 (see FIG. 1) along the thickness by raising one side of making a boundary a slit 42 formed in the upper end part 24 of the clip 40.
Herein, the other position 43 having the slit 42 as the boundary is raised in the direction approaching the bracket main body 12 along the thickness.
In FIGS. 9 and 10A, the explanation has been made to the example that the other position 43 having the slit 42 as the boundary is raised in the direction approaching the bracket main body 12 along the thickness, and no limitation is made thereto. For example, as seeing in FIG. 10B, the same effect is available although the other position 43 having the slit 42 as the boundary is not raised in the direction approaching the bracket main body 12 along the thickness.
Further explanation will be referred to works of the clip 40 on the basis of FIGS. 11A and 11B.
In FIG. 11A, the operator disposes the heel portion 31 of the clip release tool 30 neighboring the cut-and-rising portion 41, so that the heel portion 31 contacts the cut-and-rising portion 41.
In this case, the toe portion 32 regulates engagement of the heel portion 31 with the other position 43.
Under this condition, if moving the clip release tool 30 in the arrow direction, the clip 40 is moved in the same together with the clip release tool 30.
Then, the toe portion 32 can press down the clip 40 to prevent it from turning up and enable to avoid deformation of the clip 40.
In FIG. 11B, the catching end portions 21 of the clip 40 slips out of the catching groove 15A of the cover part 15, and can easily move the clip 40 to the releasing position.
At this time, the other position 43 can be used as a stopper.
That is, the other position 43 contacts a wall 44 of a middle groove terminal to stop the clip 40. Thus, a sliding range is reasonably limited, enabling to prevent the clip 40 from exceedingly releasing.
It is possible thereby to avoid the clip from deformation caused by the clip over releasing.
In addition, also in the clip 40 of the second embodiment, the same effect as that of the clip 20 of the first embodiment can be obtained.
Next, a third embodiment will be referred to.
As shown in FIG. 12, a clip 50 as the third embodiment of the invention is different from the clip 20 of the first embodiment only in that the clip 50 has, as the recess portion, a cut-and-rising portion 51 rising in a direction separating from the bracket main body 12 (see FIG. 1) along the thickness, and other structures are the same as those of the first embodiment.
The cut-and-rising portion 51 is provided substantially in a half-spherical dome shape at an end part 52 of the clip 50.
If the clip release tool 30 is moved under a condition of contacting the heel portion 31 (see FIG. 2) to the cut-and-rising portion 51, the clip 50 can be released together with the clip release tool 30.
In the clip 50 of the third embodiment, the same effect as that of the clip 20 of the first embodiment can be also obtained.
Next, a fourth embodiment will be referred to.
As shown in FIG. 13, a clip 60 as the fourth embodiment of the invention is different from the clip 20 of the first embodiment only in that the clip 60 has, as the recess portion, a cut-and-rising portion 61 raising in a direction separating from the bracket main body 12 (see FIG. 1) along the thickness, and other structures are the same as those of the first embodiment.
The cut-and-rising portion 61 is provided substantially in a half-spherical dome shape at an end part 62 of the clip 60, and a cutout portion 64 substantially in V-shape is provided in a flat end part 63 of the cut-and-rising portion 61.
If the clip release tool 30 is moved under a condition of contacting the heel portion 31 (see FIG. 2) to the cut-and-rising portion 61, the clip 60 can be released together with the clip release tool 30.
In this case, since the substantially V-shaped cutout 64 is provided in the flat end part 63 of the cut-and-rising portion 61, the heel portion 31 is held by the cutout portion 64 and can be certainly caught with the cut-and-rising portion 61, so that handling can be more heightened.
In the clip 60 of the fourth embodiment, the same effect as that of the clip 20 of the first embodiment can be also obtained.
A fifth embodiment will be explained.
As shown in FIG. 14, a clip 70 as the fifth embodiment of the invention is different from the clip 20 of the first embodiment only in that the upper end part 24 is provided with a catching cutout portion 71 substantially in V-shape enabling to catch the heel portion 31 (see FIG. 2) of the clip release tool 30 for releasing the clip 70, and other structures are the same as those of the first embodiment.
The catching cutout portion 71 is determined to be 0.5 to 2.0 mm in width W and 0.3 to 1.0 mm in depth D.
By determining the width W of the catching cutout portion 71 to be 0.5 to 2.0 mm and the depth D 0.3 to 1.0 mm, spring force of the clip 20 can be effectively transmitted to the catching end portions 21 formed at the upper end parts of the clip 20 divided in the mesiodistal direction.
If the clip release tool 30 is moved under a condition of contacting the heel portion 31 (see FIG. 2) to the catching cutout portion 71, the clip 70 can be released together with the clip release tool 30.
Thus, since the catching cutout portion 71 is formed substantially in V-shape, the heel portion 31 is held by the catching cutout portion 71, so that the handling can be more heightened.
In the clip 70 of the fifth embodiment, the same effect as that of the clip 20 of the first embodiment can be also obtained.
Next, a sixth embodiment will be referred to.
As shown in FIG. 15, a clip 80 as the sixth embodiment of the invention is different from the clip 20 of the first embodiment only in that the clip 80 is a cut-and-rising portion 81 rising in a direction separating from the bracket main body 12 (see FIG. 1) along the thickness, and other structures are the same as those of the first embodiment.
The cut-and-rising portion 81 is provided substantially in a half-spherical dome shape at a part 83 separating from the end part 82 of the clip 80.
If the clip release tool 30 is moved under a condition of contacting the heel portion 31 (see FIG. 2) to the cut-and-rising portion 81, the clip 80 can be released together with the clip release tool 30.
In the clip 80 of the sixth embodiment, the same effect as that of the clip 20 of the first embodiment can be also obtained.
The clip release tool and other embodiments will be explained on the basis of FIGS. 16 to 18.
As seeing in FIG. 16, a clip release tool 90 has, for example, a left releasing portion 34 (see FIG. 4) at the left end part of a grip 91, and a wire releasing portion 92 at the right end part.
As seeing in FIG. 17, the wire releasing portion 92 has respectively first projections 94 and second projections 95 substantially in V-shape at distal parts 93A of a pair of rods 93.
The pair of rods 93 are, as shown in FIG. 18, positioned at the front end portions 93A thereof to both sides of the orthodontic bracket 10 disposed on the tooth 97. An arch wire 98 is placed between the first and second projections 94, 95 of one rod 93, while the arch wire 98 is similarly placed between the first and second projections 94, 95 of the other rod 93.
By using the clip release tool 90 thereby, the arch wire 98 can be easily adjusted.
A seventh embodiment of the orthodontic bracket will be explained on the basis of FIGS. 19A to 19C.
The orthodontic bracket 100 shown in FIGS. 19A to 19C has a bracket main body 120 basically similar to the bracket main body 12 used to the clip release tool 10 of the first embodiment and a clip 200 similar to the clip 50 exemplified in the third embodiment.
The orthodontic bracket 100 is different from those of the first and third embodiments in that a pair of contacting portions 200A is furnished in the clip 200 and the bracket main body 120 has a pair of receiving portions 120A enabling to contact with the respective contacting portions 200A.
The contacting portions 200A are provided as cutouts substantially like a crank in flat at an end part of the clip 200 formed as expanding toward the upper end of the clip 200. On the other hand, the receiving portions 120A are stepwise portions formed in the surface of the bracket main body 120, and the flat shape thereof corresponds to the flat shape of the contacting portions 200A (see FIG. 19C).
Therefore, the contacting portion 200A and the receiving portion 120A contact each other when the clip 200 is released until a predetermined position from the bracket main body 120, thereby to regulate the releasing position of the clip 200 from the bracket main body 120 (see FIGS. 19A and 19B).
When releasing the clip 200 from the bracket main body 120, the respective contacting portions 200A contact the respective receiving portion 120A. Therefore, the orthodontic bracket 100 regulates the releasing position of the clip 200 from the bracket main body 120, and it is possible to avoid the over-releasing or dropping of the clip 200 from the bracket main body 120.
FIG. 28A shows a clip release tool 300 according to an embodiment of the invention. The clip release tool 300 has a grip portion and a clip release portion on one end thereof. FIG. 28B is an enlarged view of the clip release portion of the clip release tool 300. As shown in FIG. 28B, the clip release portion has a first projection 310 and a second projection 320.
A method of releasing a clip 20 from a bracket main body 12 with the clip release tool 300 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 20 and 21. As shown in FIG. 20, firstly, the first projection 310 of the clip release tool 300 is made to engage with a recess portion 25 at an upper portion of the clip 20 which is attached to the bracket main body 12 of an orthodontic bracket 10. When releasing the clip 20, the clip release tool 300 is moved in a direction which is indicated as a rightward arrow in FIG. 20.
As shown in FIG. 21, the second projection 320 has a side face 330 facing the first projection 310. While releasing the clip 20, the side face 330 is brought into contact with a side wall of the bracket main body 12 to regulate a movement of the clip 20, whereby a deformation of the clip 20 is prevented. Further, because the clip release tool 300 regulates the movement of the clip 20, the clip 20 is prevented from excessively being released from the bracket main body 12 of the orthodontic bracket 10. Thus, the clip 20 does not drop off from the bracket main body 12.
A method of releasing the clip 20 with a modified clip release tool 301 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 22 and 23. As shown in FIG. 22, firstly, a first projection 311 of the clip release tool 301 is made to engage with the recess portion 25 of the clip 20 which is attached to the bracket main body 12 of the orthodontic bracket 10, and a second projection 321 of the clip release tool 301 is brought into contact with a base end portion, including a base 22 and a stopper 23, of the clip 20, When releasing the clip 20, the clip release tool 301 is moved in a direction which is indicated as a rightward arrow in FIG. 22 such that a moving force is applied to the clip 20 from two points, namely the first projection 311 and the second projection 321.
As shown in FIG. 23, the second projection 321 has a side face 331 facing the first projection 311. While releasing the clip 20, the side face 331 is brought into contact with a side wall of the bracket main body 12 to regulate a movement of the clip 20, whereby a deformation of the clip 20 is prevented. Further, because the clip release tool 301 regulates the movement of the clip 20, the clip 20 is prevented from excessively being released from the bracket main body 12 of the orthodontic bracket 10. Thus, the clip 20 does not drop off from the bracket main body 12.
A method of releasing the clip 20 with another modified clip release tool 302 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 24 and 25. As shown in FIG. 24, a first projection 312 of the clip release tool 302 is made to engage with the recess portion 25 of the clip 20 which is attached to the bracket main body 12 of an orthodontic bracket 10. The clip release tool 302 is moved in a direction which is indicated as a rightward 15 arrow in FIG. 24 such that a moving force is applied to the clip 20 from the first projection 312, whereby the clip 20 is released from the bracket main body 12 of the orthodontic bracket 10 as shown in FIG. 25.
A method of attaching the clip 20 to the bracket main body 12 with the clip release tool 302 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 26 and 27. As shown in FIG. 26, firstly, the first projection 312 and a second projection 322 of the clip release tool 302 are brought into contact with a bent portion of the clip 20. Then, the clip 20 is pressed by the first projection 312 and the second projection 322, and is attached to the bracket main body 12 as shown in FIG. 27. Because the clip 20 is held by the first projection 312 and the second projection 322 at the bent portion thereof while it is being pressed, the clip 20 can be stably attached to the bracket main body 12 without slippage.
In the drawings, the first projection 312 and the second projection 322 are illustrated to have substantially the same shape. However, the first projection 312 and the second projection 322 are not required to have the same shape. Further, each of the projections 312, 322 may be designed to have any shape. For example, the respective shapes of the projections 312, 322 may be similar to those of the projections 310, 320 or the projections 311, 321.
Further, although the methods of releasing and attaching the clip 20 having the recess portion 25 have been explained in the foregoing description of the clip release tools 300, 301, 302, the clip release tools 300, 301, 302 are also suitable for releasing other types of clips, e.g., the clip 70 having a V-shaped catching cutout portion 71 as shown in FIG. 14.
As to other matters, qualities of materials, dimensions, configurations, numbers, arranging places, thickness sizes, and others of the clips, clip release tools, or bracket main bodies exemplified in the above embodiments may be arbitrary without making any limitations as far as accomplishing the invention.
As explained above, according to the orthodontic bracket of the first aspect of the invention, the clip is provided at the upper end part thereof with the recess portion which enables to catch the clip release tool for releasing the clip. The position catching the clip release tool is formed to be the recess, so that it is not required to open a hole for the clip to pass through in the thickness direction. Thus, it keeps rigidity and can secure spring force.
Besides, since the clip is not opened with the hole but formed with the recess portion, concentration of stress is not loaded to the recess portion of the clip, so that the clip can be prevented from deformation.
The spring force of the clip is secured, and the stress is not concentrated, thereby enabling to avoid the clip from deformation.
According to the orthodontic bracket of the second aspect of the invention, the recess portion is made the concave, so that the recess portion can be comparatively easily formed and the clip can be comparatively easily formed, it is possible to reduce the cost-up, prevent the clip from deformation, and secure the spring force of the clip.
According to the orthodontic bracket of the third aspect of the invention, the recess portion is made the cut-and-rising portion in the direction separating from the bracket main body, so that the recess portion can be comparatively easily formed. The clip can be comparatively easily formed, and it is possible to reduce the cost-up, prevent the clip from deformation, and secure the spring force of the clip.
According to the orthodontic bracket of the fourth aspect of the invention, the recess portion is the cut-and-rising portion which causes one side of the slit as the boundary formed at the upper end part of the clip to rise along thickness in a direction separating from the bracket main body, so that the clip can be comparatively easily formed. It is possible to reduce the cost-up, prevent the clip from deformation, and secure the spring force of the clip.
According to the orthodontic bracket of the fifth aspect of the invention, the recess portion is formed at the end part of the clip, so that the recess portion can be more easily formed. Therefore, the cost-up can be reduced, and the exclusively used tool can be positioned accurately there at its front end.
According to the orthodontic bracket of the sixth aspect of the invention, the recess portion is shaped substantially in the half-spherical dome. Therefore, the clip release tool can be easily caught by the recess portion, making use of the substantially half-spherical dome. Thereby, when releasing the clip, it is possible to more easily release the clip.
According to the orthodontic bracket of the seventh aspect of the invention, the recess portion is formed with the cutout, so that the clip release tool can be easily caught by the recess portion. Thereby, when releasing the clip, it is possible to more easily release the clip.
According to the orthodontic bracket of the eighth aspect of the invention, the clip is formed at the upper end part thereof with the catching cutout portion substantially in V-shape which enables to catch the clip release tool for releasing the clip. Therefore, the recess portion can be more easily formed, so that the clip can be easily formed, thereby enabling to reduce the cost-up.
According to the orthodontic bracket of the ninth aspect, when the clip is released from the bracket main body, the contacting portion contacts the receiving portion, thereby enabling to regulate the releasing position of the clip from the bracket main body. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the clip from exceedingly releasing from the bracket main body, and the clip from dropping from the bracket main body.
According to the clip release tool of the ten aspect of the invention, it comprises the first projection and the second projection arranged substantially in V-shape. The first projection is caught with the recess portion or the catching cutout portion, and the second projection regulates the engagement of the first projection with the recess portion or the catching cutout portion.
Pressing the clip with the second projection, when releasing the clip, the clip is prevented from turning up and deformation.

## Claims

1. A system comprising an orthodontic bracket and a clip release tool,
the orthodontic bracket comprising:
a base firmly attachable directly or indirectly to teeth surfaces, a bracket main body equipped on one side of the base,
an arch wire slot shaped as a groove along a mesiodistal direction in the bracket main body, enabling to support an arch wire therein,
a clip curved substantially in U-shape to cover at least one part of the arch wire slot that opposes the base, the clip having a catching end portion at an upper end part of the clip, operative to creep under a cover portion supported by the bracket main body at an upper end part thereof and a recess portion or a substantially V-shaped catching cutout portion operative to the clip release tool for releasing the clip at the upper end part thereof,
a guide portion formed in at least one of the bracket main body and the base, and along a tooth axial direction crossing with the arch wire slot, the guide portion operative to guide the clip,
a middle groove, formed on the bracket main body at a middle area thereof along a direction perpendicular to the mesiodistal direction; and a wall portion which extends upward from an edge of the middle groove and faces the cover portion,
wherein the bracket main body has a front end portion and a rear end portion, the front end portion being separated from the rear end portion by the arch wire slot, and
wherein the cover portion is provided at the front end portion and the edge from which the wall portion extends is provided at the rear end portion, and wherein the wall portion extends in a direction perpendicular to the mesiodistal direction and perpendicular the direction of the middle groove;

the clip release tool comprising:
a first projection; and
a second projection having a side face facing the first projection,
wherein the first projection is configured to engage with the recess portion or the substantially V-shaped catching cutout portion of the clip, and
wherein the side face of the second projection is configured to be brought into contact with the main body when releasing the clip to regulate a movement of the clip.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein, when releasing the clip, the second projection is configured to be brought into contact with a base portion of the clip, and apply a force to the clip from the first projection and the second projection.

3. A method of releasing a clip from a bracket main body of an orthodontic bracket with a clip release tool, comprising:
providing the orthodontic bracket, the orthodontic bracket comprising
a base firmly attachable directly or indirectly to teeth surfaces, a bracket main body equipped on one side of the base, an arch wire slot shaped as a groove along a mesiodistal direction in the bracket main body, enabling to support an arch wire therein,
a clip curved substantially in U-shape to cover at least one part of the arch wire slot that opposes the base, the clip having a catching end portion at an upper end part of the clip, operative to creep under a cover portion supported by the bracket main body at an upper end part thereof and a recess portion or a substantially V-shaped catching cutout portion operative to the clip release tool for releasing the clip at the upper end part thereof,
a guide portion formed in at least one of the bracket main body and the base, and along a tooth axial direction crossing with the arch wire slot, the guide portion operative to guide the clip,
a middle groove, formed on the bracket main body at a middle area thereof along a direction perpendicular to the mesiodistal direction; and
a wall portion which extends upward from an edge of the middle groove and faces the cover portion,
wherein the bracket main body has a front end portion and a rear end portion, the front end portion being separated from the rear end portion by the arch wire slot, and wherein the cover portion is provided at the front end portion and the edge from which the wall portion extends is provided at the rear end portion, and
wherein the wall portion extends in a direction perpendicular to the mesiodistal direction and perpendicular the direction of the middle groove;


engaging the first projection with the recess portion or the substantially V-shaped catching cutout portion of the clip; and
moving the clip release tool such that the first and second projections move in a same tooth axial direction until the side face of the second projection is brought into contact with the bracket main body to regulate a movement of the clip.

4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising:
engaging the second projection with a base portion of the clip,
wherein a force is applied to the clip from the first projection and the second projection.

5. A method of attaching a clip to a bracket main body of an orthodontic bracket with a clip release tool, comprising:
providing the orthodontic bracket, the orthodontic bracket comprising:
a base firmly attachable directly or indirectly to teeth surfaces,
a bracket main body equipped on one side of the base, an arch wire slot shaped as a groove along a mesiodistal direction in the bracket main body, enabling to support an arch wire therein,
a clip curved substantially in U-shape to cover at least one part of the arch wire slot that opposes the base, the clip having a catching end portion at an upper end part of the clip, operative to creep under a cover portion supported by the bracket main body at an upper end part thereof and a recess portion or a substantially V-shaped catching cutout portion operative to the clip release tool for releasing the clip at the upper end part thereof,
a guide portion formed in at least one of the bracket main body and the base, and along a tooth axial direction crossing with the arch wire slot, the guide portion operative to guide the clip,
a middle groove, formed on the bracket main body at a middle area thereof along a direction perpendicular to the mesiodistal direction; and
a wall portion which extends upward from an edge of the middle groove and faces the cover portion,
wherein the bracket main body has a front end portion and a rear end portion, the front end portion being separated from the rear end portion by the arch wire slot, and wherein the cover portion is provided at the front end portion and the edge from which the wall portion extends is provided at the rear end portion, and
wherein the wall portion extends in a direction perpendicular to the mesiodistal direction and perpendicular the direction of the middle groove;

abutting the first projection and the second projection against a curved portion of the clip; and
pressing the clip with the first projection and the second projection.

6. A system comprising an orthodontic bracket and a clip release tool,
the orthodontic bracket comprising:
a base firmly attachable directly or indirectly to teeth surfaces, a bracket main body equipped on one side of the base,
an arch wire slot shaped as a groove along a mesiodistal direction in the bracket main body, enabling to support an arch wire therein,
a clip curved substantially in U-shape to cover at least one part of the arch wire slot that opposes the base, the clip having a catching end portion at an upper end part of the clip, operative to creep under a cover portion supported by the bracket main body at an upper end part thereof and a recess portion or a substantially V-shaped catching cutout portion operative to the clip release tool for releasing the clip at the upper end part thereof,
a guide portion formed in at least one of the bracket main body and the base, and along a tooth axial direction crossing with the arch wire slot, the guide portion operative to guide the clip,
a middle groove, formed on the bracket main body at a middle area thereof along a direction perpendicular to the mesiodistal direction; and
a wall portion which extends upward from an edge of the middle groove and faces the cover portion,
wherein the bracket main body has a front end portion and a rear end portion, the front end portion being separated from the rear end portion by the arch wire slot, and
wherein the cover portion is provided at the front end portion and the edge from which the wall portion extends is provided at the rear end portion, and wherein the wall portion extends in a direction perpendicular to the mesiodistal direction and perpendicular the direction of the middle groove;

the clip release tool comprising:
a first projection and a second projection which are arranged substantially in V-shape,
wherein the first projection is configured to catch the recess portion or the substantially V-shaped catching cutout portion of the clip, and
wherein the second projection is configured to regulate the engagement of the first projection with the recess portion or the catching cutout portion, while pressing down the clip to prevent deformation of the clip.