Orthodontic appliance with shoulder support for ligature

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance (10) has a bracket portion (12) with an archwire slot (14) formed therein. The archwire slot (14) extends in the mesial-distal direction of the appliance (10) and is dimensioned to receive an archwire (W). The orthodontic appliance has at least one pair of tie-wings (18). Each tie-wing (18) projects outwardly from the bracket portion (12) on an opposite side of the archwire slot (14) with respect to the other tie-wing (18). One pair of opposing shoulders (20) are located on the mesial end of the bracket portion, and another pair of opposing shoulders (20) are located on the distal end of the bracket portion. Each shoulder (20) is located on an opposite side of the archwire slot (14) relative to the other shoulder (20) of the pair. Each shoulder (20) is adapted to support a ligature thereon, and is dimensioned and located with respect to the archwire slot (14), so that the ligature is spaced above an archwire (W) received therein. The orthodontic appliance (10) is therefore permitted to move relative to the archwire (W) during orthodontic treatment.

Description: The present invention relates to an orthodontic appliance as specified in the preamble of Claim 1. Such a device is disclosed in US-A-4 799 882. An orthodontic appliance typically comprises a bracket portion having an archwire slot formed therein, which is dimensioned to receive an archwire. The archwire slot extends in the mesial-distal direction of the appliance. Tie-wings project outwardly from either side of the archwire slot. A base member is typically fixed to the underside of the bracket portion. The orthodontic appliance is mounted to a tooth by applying adhesive to the base member and mounting the base member to the surface of the tooth. With other types of orthodontic appliances, the bracket portion is welded to a thin metal strip or band. The band is in turn wrapped around the tooth and fixed relative thereto by tooth bonding cement. The orthodontic archwire is then fitted into the archwire slot and ligated to the orthodontic appliance. Typically, a stainless steel ligature wire or elastic member is fitted under the archwire and wrapped around the tie-wings to ligate the archwire to the appliance. The resultant bending and tension within the wire imparts forces to the appliance which are in turn imparted to the tooth. The archwire must be securely ligated to the orthodontic appliance to move the tooth as desired. The force of the archwire can then be accurately imparted to the appliance and, therefore, accurately imparted to the tooth. US Patent 4799882 (Kesling) shows a number of embodiments of this type of orthodontic appliance. During orthodontic treatment, it is necessary for the orthodontic appliance to be able to move relative to the archwire. The forces imparted by the archwire are intended to move the tooth. Therefore, the appliance, which is firmly attached to the tooth, must be permitted to move with the tooth relative to the archwire. One problem with known orthodontic appliances, however, is that the ligature becomes securely engaged with both the archwire and the appliance. As a result, the appliance cannot move freely with the tooth relative to the archwire during treatment. Accordingly, the tooth cannot move freely in response to the force of the archwire. The outcome of the orthodontic treatment is unpredictable. One approach to solving this problem, has been to ligate the archwire to the orthodontic appliance with a stainless steel ligature wire, so that a space is maintained between the ligature wire and the orthodontic archwire. The archwire is then usually permitted to slide relative to the orthodontic appliance to permit tooth movement. One problem with this approach, however, is that it is difficult for the clinician to accurately twist the ligature wire so that an appropriate space is maintained between the ligature wire and the orthodontic archwire. This has also proven to be a relatively time-consuming and, therefore, expensive procedure. With elastic ligatures, on the other hand, it has not been possible to ligate an archwire in such a way that permits the elastic and orthodontic appliance to move relative to the archwire. It has been difficult, therefore, to achieve free tooth movement with elastic ligatures. The problem of permitting orthodontic appliances to move relative to an orthodontic archwire is enhanced with ceramic orthodontic appliances. There is typically a greater degree of friction between ceramic surfaces and an orthodontic archwire than between metal surfaces and an orthodontic archwire. This problem is further enhanced with orthodontic archwires that are coated with a polymeric material. The polymeric material tends to further increase the level of friction between the archwire and the ceramic appliances. According to the present invention, there is provided an orthodontic applicance including a bracket portion, comprising an archwire slot defined in the bracket portion, the archwire slot extending substantially in the mesial-distal direction of the appliance and being adapted to receive an archwire therein, and at least one pair of tie-wings, each tie-wing projecting outwardly from the bracket portion on an opposite side of the archwire slot with respect to the other tie-wing, characterised in that the bracket portion includes four shoulders on the free end thereof, two shoulders being located on opposite sides of the archwire slot with respect to each other on the mesial end of the appliance and the other two shoulders being located on opposite sides of the archwire slot with respect to each other on the distal end of the appliance, the tie-wings each being adapted so that a ligature can be wrapped underneath each tie-wing and over the shoulders to ligate an archwire to the appliance, each shoulder being adapted to support the ligature thereon so that a space is maintained between the ligature and the archwire received within the archwire slot to permit the appliance to move relative to the archwire during orthodontic treatment. It is preferable that the orthodontic appliance includes two pairs of tie-wings spaced apart from each other, one pair of tie-wings being located adjacent to the two shoulders located on the mesial end of the appliance, and the other pair of tie-wings being located adjacent to the two shoulders located on the distal end of the appliance. Conveniently, the orthodontic appliance includes two shoulders located on opposite sides of the archwire slot with respect to each other and extending between the two pairs of tie-wings, each shoulder being adapted to support a ligature thereon so that a space is maintained between the ligature and an archwire received within the archwire slot to permit the appliance to move relative to the archwire during orthodontic treatment. It is preferable that the two shoulders located on the mesial end of the appliance are defined by a first member projecting outwardly from the bracket portion and having one end of the archwire slot formed therethrough; and the two shoulders located on the distal end of the appliance are defined by a second member projecting outwardly from the bracket portion and having the other end of the archwire slot formed therethrough. Preferably, each shoulder is defined by a substantially curved surface of the first or second member, respectively, extending downwardly from the adjacent edge of the archwire slot in substantially the direction of the base member. According to another aspect of the invention, the orthodontic appliance comprises two pairs of tie-wings spaced apart from each other and an indentation is formed within each respective tie-wing, the surface defining each indentation forming the respective shoulder, the indentation being adapted to receive and support the ligature and to maintain the ligature spaced above an archwire received within the archwire slot. One advantage of the orthodontic appliance of the present invention, is that each shoulder is dimensioned and located relative to the archwire slot to support a ligature so that it is spaced above an archwire received therein. The ligature therefore does not engage the archwire as with other known orthodontic appliances and, accordingly, does not prevent the orthodontic appliance from moving with the tooth relative to the archwire during orthodontic treatment. The orthodontic appliance of the present invention permits both stainless steel ligature wires or elastic ligatures to be used to securely ligate an archwire thereto while permitting the archwire to move relative thereto. The problems encountered with known orthodontic appliances that do not permit free tooth movement are therefore overcome by the orthodontic appliance of the present invention. There now follows a description of a number of preferred embodiments of the invention, with reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a top perspective view of an orthodontic appliance embodying the present invention. Figure 2 is another perspective view of the orthodontic appliance of Figure 1, shown mounted to a tooth with an archwire ligated by a ligature wire thereto. Figure 3 is a side plan view of the orthodontic appliance of Figure 2, illustrating the archwire in cross-section. Figure 4 is another perspective view of the orthodontic appliance of Figure 1, shown mounted to a tooth with an archwire ligated thereto by an elastic ligature. Figure 5 is a top perspective view of another orthodontic appliance embodying the present invention. Figure 6 is another perspective view of the orthodontic appliance of Figure 5, shown mounted to a tooth with an archwire ligated thereto by a ligature wire. Figure 7 is another perspective view of the orthodontic appliance of Figure 5, shown mounted to a tooth with an archwire ligated thereto by an elastic ligature. Figure 8 is a top perspective view of another orthodontic appliance embodying the present invention. Figure 9 is a top perspective view of another orthodontic appliance embodying the present invention. Figure 10 is a top perspective view of another orthodontic appliance embodying the present invention. Figure 11 is a top perspective view of another orthodontic appliance embodying the present invention. In Figure 1, an orthodontic appliance embodying the present invention is indicated generally by the reference numeral 10. The orthodontic appliance 10 includes a bracket portion 12, having an archwire slot 14 formed therein. The archwire slot 14 is dimensioned to receive an archwire W, as shown in Figures 2 through 4. A base member 16 is fixed to the bottom of the bracket portion 12, and is provided to mount the orthodontic appliance 10 to a tooth with a suitable adhesive. The orthodontic appliance 10 further comprises a pair of tie-wings 18, projecting outwardly from the bracket portion 12 on either side of the archwire slot 14. Four shoulders 20 extend upwardly on the bracket portion 12 on the free end thereof, on either side of the tie-wings 18. There are two opposing mesial shoulders 20 and two opposing distal shoulders 20. For purposes of illustration, the distal shoulders 20 are to the right in the drawings, and the mesial shoulders 20 are to the left in the drawings. Each shoulder 20 is provided to support a ligature, such as a stainless steel ligature wire or an elastic ligature, to secure an archwire W to the orthodontic appliance 10. As shown in Figure 1, each shoulder 20 has a curved outer surface, which is substantially defined by a radius of curvature, and extends between the top edge of the archwire slot 14 and the bracket portion 12. In Figure 2, the orthodontic appliance 10 is shown mounted to a tooth T. An archwire W is fitted within the archwire slot 14, and is ligated to the orthodontic appliance 10 by a stainless steel ligature wire 22. As shown in Figure 2, the archwire W is seated against the bottom surface of the archwire slot 14. The stainless steel ligature wire 22 is wrapped over the distal shoulders 20, underneath the two tie-wings 18 and, in turn, over the mesial shoulders 20. The two ends of the ligature wire 22 are then wrapped underneath the archwire on the mesial side of the appliance 10, and twisted together, as shown in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 3, the shoulders 20 are dimensioned so that when the archwire W is seated against the bottom surface of the archwire slot 14, the top edge of each shoulder extends above the top surface of the archwire W. A space S is thus maintained between the top of the archwire W and the ligature wire 22. As a result, because the ligature wire 22 is not pressed against the archwire W, but is maintained above the archwire by a space S, the orthodontic appliance 10 is permitted to move with the tooth relative to the archwire W. The tooth T is thus permitted to move freely under the forces of the archwire W. Accordingly, the problems of known orthodontic appliances that cannot move freely relative to the archwire are overcome with the orthodontic appliance 10. In Figure 4, the orthodontic appliance 10 is shown mounted to a tooth T with an archwire W ligated to the bracket portion by an elastic ligature 24. The elastic ligature 24 is fitted over the distal shoulders 20, under the tie-wings 18, and over the mesial shoulders 20, to securely ligate the archwire W to the orthodontic appliance 10. Because the elastic ligature 24 is supported by the four shoulders 20, it is spaced above the top of the archwire W by a space S. Therefore, when the tooth T moves during treatment, the orthodontic appliance 10 is permitted to move with the tooth and thus slide relative to the archwire W. In Figure 5, another orthodontic appliance embodying the present invention is indicated generally by the reference numeral 110. The orthodontic appliance 110 includes a bracket portion 112, and an archwire slot 114 extending through the bracket portion 112 in the mesial-distal direction thereof. The orthodontic appliance 110 is a twin tie-wing appliance and, therefore, includes two pairs of tie-wings 116. The tie-wings 116 project outwardly from either side of the archwire slot 114. A channel 118 extends through the bracket portion 112 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the archwire slot 114, between the two pairs of tie-wings 116. The orthodontic appliance 110 further comprises four shoulders 120 extending upwardly on the bracket portion 112 on the free end thereof, on either side of the archwire slot 114. Two opposing shoulders 120 are located on the mesial end of the orthodontic appliance 110, and the other two opposing shoulders 120 are located on its distal end. Each of the shoulders 120 includes a rounded exterior surface which extends upwardly on the bracket portion 112 and terminates on the top edge of the archwire slot 114. Each shoulder 120 is defined substantially by a radius of curvature. The orthodontic appliance 110 further comprises a base member 122, fixed to the underside of the bracket portion 112, for mounting the appliance to a tooth. In Figure 6, the orthodontic appliance 110 is shown mounted to a tooth T. An archwire W is seated against the bottom surface of the archwire slot 114, and ligated to the orthodontic appliance 110 by a stainless steel ligature wire 122. The ligature wire 122 is wrapped over the distal shoulders 120, under both pairs of tie-wings 116, and up over the mesial shoulders 120. The free ends of the ligature wire 122 are then twisted together beneath the archwire W on the mesial side of the orthodontic appliance 110, as shown in Figure 6. As further shown in Figure 6, when the archwire W is seated against the bottom surface of the archwire slot 114, the top of the archwire W is located below each shoulder 120. Accordingly, when the ligature wire 122 is supported by the shoulders 120, it does not contact the archwire W. As a result, when the tooth T moves during orthodontic treatment, the orthodontic appliance 110 is permitted to move with the tooth T relative to the archwire W. It should be noted, however, that if necessary for a particular patient, the stainless steel ligature wire 122 can be ligated in contact with the archwire W. The ligature wire 122 would not be supported by the shoulders 120, but would be wrapped in contact with the archwire W on either end of the orthodontic appliance 110. The stainless steel ligature wire 122 would thus be supported directly by the archwire W and maintained in firm contact therewith. Therefore, when using an orthodontic appliance of the present invention, a clinician has the option to permit the appliance to move or not move relative to the archwire during treatment. In Figure 7, the orthodontic appliance 110 is shown mounted to a tooth T, with an archwire W ligated thereto by an elastic ligature 124. The elastic ligature 124 is wrapped underneath the tie-wings 116, and over the four shoulders 120. The shoulders 120 support the elastic ligature 124 so that it is spaced above the archwire W, and thus does not contact the archwire. Therefore, like the embodiment described above in relation to Figure 6, the orthodontic appliance 110 is permitted to move with the tooth T, relative to the archwire W. It should be noted, however, that like the stainless steel ligature 122, the elastic ligature 124 can be wrapped directly in contact with the archwire W. The elastic ligature 124 would then be wrapped underneath the tie-wings 116 and to the side of each of the four shoulders 120. The elastic ligature would thus be supported by the archwire W and wrapped in firm contact therewith, on either end of the orthodontic appliance 110. In Figure 8, another orthodontic appliance embodying the present invention is indicated generally by the reference numeral 110. The orthodontic appliance 110 of Figure 8 is similar to the orthodontic appliance described above in relation to Figures 5 through 7. Therefore, like reference numerals are used to indicate like elements. The orthodontic appliance 110 of Figure 8 differs from the orthodontic appliance described above, in that the shoulders 120 extend along the length of the archwire slot 114, between the two pairs of tie-wings 116. The orthodontic appliance 110 of Figure 8 is particularly suitable for obtaining rotational tooth movement. Either an elastic ligature or a stainless steel ligature wire can be wrapped around only one pair of opposing tie-wings 116, in order to apply a rotationally directed force to the tooth. In such a case, the ligature is supported above the archwire by the shoulders 120 on either side of the respective pair of tie-wings 116. Accordingly, the orthodontic appliance 110 is permitted to move relative to an archwire W with corresponding tooth movement during treatment. In Figure 9, another orthodontic appliance embodying the present invention is indicated generally by the reference numeral 110. The orthodontic appliance 110 of Figure 9 is similar to the orthodontic appliance described above in relation to Figures 5 through 7. Therefore, like reference numerals are used to indicate like elements. The orthodontic appliance 110 of Figure 9 differs from the orthodontic appliance described above, in that the shoulders 120 located on the mesial and distal ends of the orthodontic appliance 110, are each formed by a shoulder member 121. Each shoulder member 121 projects outwardly from a respective end of the orthodontic appliance 110, each having a respective end of the archwire slot 114 formed therethrough. Each shoulder member 121 defines a radially contoured outer surface, defined substantially by a radius of curvature. Each shoulder 120 is therefore defined by the radially contoured surface and terminates on the top edge of the archwire slot 114. The shoulders 120 are dimensioned so that when the ligature wire is supported thereon, it is spaced above the archwire W by a space S. In Figure 10, another orthodontic appliance embodying the present invention is indicated generally by the reference numeral 110. The orthodontic appliance 110 of Figure 10 is similar to the orthodontic appliance of Figure 9 and, therefore, like reference numerals are used to indicate like elements. The orthodontic appliance 110 differs from the orthodontic appliance described above, in that the shoulders 120 each have a substantially different shape than the shoulders described above. As shown in Figure 10, two opposing shoulders 120 project outwardly from the tie-wings 116 on opposite sides of the archwire slot 114 in the distal direction. The other two opposing shoulders 120 project outwardly from the other tie-wings 116 on opposite sides of the archwire slot 114, on the other end of the orthodontic appliance. Each shoulder 120 defines a top surface 123 which extends outwardly from the top surface of the adjacent tie-wing 116 in substantially the same plane thereof. The top surfaces 123 are dimensioned relative to the bottom surface of the archwire slot 114, so that when the ligature is supported on the surfaces 123, it is spaced above the archwire W by a space S. In Figure 11, another orthodontic appliance embodying the present invention is indicated generally by the reference numeral 110. The orthodontic appliance 110 of Figure 11 is similar to the orthodontic appliance 110 described above in relation to Figures 5 through 7. Therefore, like reference numerals are used to indicate like elements. The orthodontic appliance 110 differs from the orthodontic appliances described above in the construction of the tie-wings 116 and shoulders 120. As shown in Figure 11, each tie-wing 116 defines an indentation in the side thereof opposite the archwire slot 114. The surface defining the indentation forms the respective shoulder 120. Each indentation is dimensioned to receive an elastic ligature, or a stainless steel ligature wire therein. Therefore, the ligature (not shown) is wrapped underneath one side of the tie-wing and up through the indentation defining the shoulder 120. The ligature is then wrapped over the shoulder 120 and archwire slot 114, and down through the indentation defined in the opposite tie-wing 116. The top surface of each tie-wing 116 is dimensioned relative to the bottom surface of the archwire slot 114, so that when an archwire is seated in the archwire slot, a space S is maintained between the top of the archwire and the top surface of the respective tie-wing 116. The ligature is therefore supported by each shoulder 120 above the archwire by the space S. It should be noted, however, that the ligature can also be wrapped around the end of the orthodontic appliance 110, and not through the shoulders 120, as described above in relation to the other orthodontic appliances. In such a case, the ligature would be wrapped in contact with the archwire and, accordingly, would not permit the archwire to move freely relative to the orthodontic appliance.

Claims: An orthodontic appliance including a bracket portion (12), comprising an archwire slot (14) defined in the bracket portion (12), the archwire slot (14) extending substantially in the mesial-distal direction of the appliance and being adapted to receive an archwire therein, and at least one pair of tie-wings (18), each tie-wing (18) projecting outwardly from the bracket portion (12) on an opposite side of the archwire slot (14) with respect to the other tie-wing (18), characterised in that the bracket portion (12) includes four shoulders (20) on the free end thereof, two shoulders (20) being located on opposite sides of the archwire slot (14) with respect to each other on the mesial end of the appliance and the other two shoulders (20) being located on opposite sides of the archwire slot (14) with respect to each other on the distal end of the appliance, the tie-wings (18) each being adapted so that a ligature can be wrapped underneath each tie-wing (18) and over the shoulders (20) to ligate an archwire to the appliance, each shoulder (20) being adapted to support the ligature thereon so that a space (S) is maintained between the ligature and the archwire received within the archwire slot (14) to permit the appliance to move relative to the archwire during orthodontic treatment. An orthodontic appliance as claimed in Claim 1, further characterised in that the orthodontic appliance comprises two pairs of tie-wings (116) spaced apart from each other, one pair of tie-wings (116) being located adjacent to the two shoulders (120) located on the mesial end of the appliance, and the other pair of tie-wings (116) being located adjacent to the two shoulders (120) located on the distal end of the appliance. An orthodontic appliance as claimed in Claim 2, further characterised by comprising two shoulders (120) located on opposite sides of the archwire slot (114) with respect to each other and extending between the two pairs of tie-wings (116), each shoulder (120) being adapted to support a ligature thereon so that a space is maintained between the ligature and an archwire received within the archwire slot (114) to permit the appliance to move relative to the archwire during orthodontic treatment. An orthodontic appliance as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3, further characterised in that the two shoulders (120) located on the mesial end of the appliance are defined by a first member (121) projecting outwardly from the bracket portion (112) and having one end of the archwire slot (114) formed therethrough; and the two shoulders (120) located on the distal end of the appliance are defined by a second member (121) projecting outwardly from the bracket portion (112) and having the other end of the archwire slot (114) formed therethrough. An orthodontic appliance as claimed in Claim 4, further characterised in that each shoulder (120) is defined by a substantially curved surface of the first or second member (121), respectively, extending downwardly from the adjacent edge of the archwire slot (114) in substantially the direction of a tooth abutting surface of the bracket portion (112). An orthodontic appliance as claimed in Claim 1 characterised in that the appliance further comprises two pairs of tie-wings (116) spaced apart from each other and an indentation is formed within each respective tie-wing (116), the surface defining each indentation forming the respective shoulder (120), the indentation being adapted to receive and support the ligature and to maintain the ligature spaced above an archwire received within the archwire slot (114).

Inventors: MIURA FUJIO, MIURA, FUJIO
Applicants: GAC INT INC, GAC INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Application year: 1990
Main classification: A61C7
IPC codes: A61C7