Abstract:
An attachment for orthodontic appliances, such as orthodontic braces, retainers, or other oral health devices, and a method of removably attaching the attachment to the orthodontic appliances, is disclosed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims priority of provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/759,317, filed Jan. 17, 2006, and is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. utility patent application Ser. No. 11/120,823, filed May 3, 2005, which claimed priority of provisional patent application S No. 60/573,704. 
     
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     Not Applicable.  
       TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0003]     This invention generally relates to attachments to an orthodontic appliance, such as orthodontic braces, a retainer, or other oral health device, and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus enabling decorative, aesthetic and/or protective attachments for the bracket or wire of the orthodontic appliance.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     Individuals exert significant efforts and use various means to hide or minimize the apparent unsightliness of the orthodontic appliance and/or differentiate, visually enhance and display the orthodontic appliance in a personalized manner. Indeed certain apprehensions associated with wearing the orthodontic appliance, particularly by children and young adults, may be minimized when orthodontists and other oral health professionals use colors, designs, or other features to distinguish and personalize the orthodontic appliance. Existing options for differentiation include colored elastomeric ties, objects affixed to orthodontic braces using intertwining wires, or colored orthodontic appliance material. However the existing options often require the oral health professional&#39;s assistance in order to modify the distinguishing feature and in some instances (e.g., colored orthodontic appliance material), the distinguishing feature cannot be modified without substantial expense.  
         [0005]     Patients, especially children and young adults, often change such patients&#39; preferences over the months, if not years, that the patients need to wear the orthodontic appliance. Therefore, it would be preferable to have a low cost apparatus that can allow the patients more freedom in the choices of differentiating and personalizing the patients&#39; orthodontic appliances.  
         [0006]     The present invention is provided to address these and other issues.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]      FIGS. 1   a ,  1   b  and  1   c  are drawings of respective side, front (i.e., view looking into the mouth of a patient) and rear views of a first version of a first embodiment of the apparatus in the shape of a donut.  
         [0008]      FIG. 1   d  is a drawing of another front view of the first version of the first embodiment of the apparatus as illustrated with orthodontic braces on a pair of teeth.  
         [0009]      FIGS. 2   a ,  2   b  and  2   c  are drawings of respective side, front and rear views of a second version of the first embodiment of the apparatus in a cylindrical or elongate shape.  
         [0010]      FIGS. 3   a ,  3   b ,  3   c ,  3   d  and  3   e  are drawings of side, front, rear, side and rear views of a fourth version of the first embodiment of the apparatus in the shape of two or more donuts, each donut having the entry to receive the wire, connected by an outer surface.  
         [0011]      FIGS. 4   a ,  4   b ,  4   c  and  4   d  are drawings of side, front, rear and front (illustrated with teeth) views of a first version of a second embodiment of the apparatus having a hook to attach directly to a bracket.  
         [0012]      FIGS. 5   a ,  5   b ,  5   c  and  5   d  are drawings of side, front, rear and front views of a second version of the second embodiment of the apparatus having a bar to attach directly to the bracket.  
         [0013]      FIGS. 6   a ,  6   b ,  6   c ,  6   d ,  6   e  and  6   f  are drawings of side, front, side, front, and two top views of a third version of the second embodiment of the apparatus having an engaging opening to attach directly to the bracket.  
         [0014]      FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b  are front and rear perspective drawings of a fourth embodiment of the invention.  
         [0015]      FIGS. 8   a ,  8   b  and  8   c  are respective side, top and perspective views of a fifth embodiment of the invention.  
         [0016]      FIGS. 9   a ,  9   b  and  8   c  are respective side, top and perspective views of a sixth embodiment of the invention.  
         [0017]      FIGS. 10   a ,  10   b  and  10   c  are respective side, top and perspective views of a seventh embodiment of the invention.  
         [0018]      FIGS. 11   a ,  11   b  and  11   c  are respective side, top and perspective views of an eighth embodiment of the invention.  
         [0019]      FIGS. 12   a ,  12   b  and  12   c  are respective side, top and perspective views of a ninth embodiment of the invention.  
         [0020]      FIGS. 13   a ,  13   b  and  13   c  are respective side, top and perspective views of a tenth embodiment of the invention.  
         [0021]      FIGS. 14   a ,  14   b  and  14   c  are respective side, top and perspective views of an eleventh embodiment of the invention.  
         [0022]      FIGS. 15   a  and  15   b  are respective side and perspective views of a twelfth embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0023]     While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings, and will be described herein in detail, specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.  
         [0024]     Referring to  FIG. 1   d , orthodontic braces typically include a plurality of brackets  22  attached to a patient&#39;s teeth  24  interconnected by a wire  26 . Other orthodontic appliances include some or all of the elements identified in the orthodontic braces. For example, retainers have the wire  26 .  
         [0025]     The invention, as illustrated herein in various embodiments, is an apparatus  20  that can be attached to, and a method enabling the apparatus  20  to attach to, orthodontic braces or other orthodontic appliances.  
         [0026]     As discussed below, the apparatus  20  can preferably be made using plastic or other inexpensive rigid material or a somewhat flexible material. Certain embodiments can be preferably also be made with an elastomeric material.  
         [0027]     The apparatus  20  can be made with, or be susceptible to embody, one or more shapes, heights, lengths, colors, designs, letters, numbers, pictures, drawings, trademarks, logos, and/or other distinguishing or differentiating features. For example, the patient could spell a word or name, depict a jersey number or graduation year, or depict the patient&#39;s favorite or school colors. One of the differentiating features includes a circular, square, rectangular, or other shaped opening or window  28  allowing a front view of all or a portion of the plurality of the brackets  22  and/or the wire  26 . An oral health professional may give the patient a packet containing a sufficient number of one or more varying embodiments of the apparatus  20  with differentiating features. The apparatus  20  can then be applied, sometimes without the oral professional&#39;s assistance, with a reasonable amount of pressure and easily changed, mixed, matched and replaced with one or more apparatuses  20  with a different differentiating feature depending upon the patient&#39;s preference.  
         [0028]     First and second versions of a first embodiment of the apparatus  20  are illustrated in  FIGS. 1   a - 1   d  and  2   a - 2   c , respectively. The first version of the first embodiment includes an outer surface  30 , a lumen  32 , and a slit, gap or other entry  34  extending between the outer surface  30  and the lumen  32 . The entry  34  receives the wire  26  into the lumen  32  for retaining the apparatus  20  on the wire  26 . The entry  34  may be formed by overlapping, inter-locked, laterally positioned, parallel positioned, or other positioned ends.  
         [0029]     In  FIGS. 1   a ,  1   b , and  1   c , side, front (i.e., viewing looking into the mouth of the patient) and rear views, respectively, of the first version of the first embodiment of the apparatus  20  are illustrated in the shape of a donut. The apparatus  20  has the entry  34  to allow the apparatus  20  to attach directly to the wire  26  by slipping the apparatus  20  over the wire  26  and receiving the wire  26  into the lumen  32  so that the apparatus  20  rests on the wire  26 . This shape of the embodiment of the apparatus  20  is primarily decorative and allows the patient to attach one or more apparatuses  20 , each or all of the apparatuses  20  having one or more differentiating features. In  FIG. 1   d , another front view of the first embodiment of the apparatus  20  is illustrated in reference to the teeth  24 , the bracket  22  and the wire  26 .  
         [0030]     In  FIGS. 2   a ,  2   b  and  2   c , side, front and rear views, respectively, of the second version of the first embodiment of the apparatus  20  are illustrated in the shape of a cylindrical or elongate shape with an optional window  28  illustrated in phantom. This embodiment of the apparatus  20  is similar to the illustrations identified in  FIGS. 1   a - 1   d , but provides a greater outer surface  30  to cover more wire  26  and allow more options with respect to distinguishing features.  
         [0031]     The embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 1   a - 1   c  and  2   a - 2   c  can preferably be made with a rigid polymer, such as Acetal, such as that sold by E.I. duPont de Nemours and Company under the trademark Delrin®. They may also be made with a more flexible plastic.  
         [0032]     In  FIGS. 3   a ,  3   b  and  3   c , side, front and rear views, respectively, of a fourth version of the first embodiment of the apparatus  20  are illustrated in the shape of two or more connected donuts with the entry  34  on each donut to allow the apparatus  20  to attach directly to the wire  26 . Similar to the views illustrated in  FIGS. 1   a - 2   c , the entry  34  allows the apparatus  20  to attach directly to the wire  26  by slipping the apparatus  20  over the wire  26 , receiving the wire  26  into the lumen  32  and resting the apparatus  20  on the wire  26 . The apparatus  20  may be placed between a plurality of brackets  22  to cover more wire  26 . The apparatus  20  may also be placed on each side of one or more brackets  22  to cover one or more brackets  22 . The connecting outer surface  30  allows for more options with respect to distinguishing features. For example the dotted lines of  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   c  show optional height variations of the outer surface  30  and  FIG. 3   b  shows an optional window  28 .  
         [0033]     In  FIGS. 3   d  and  3   e , side and rear views, respectively, of a fifth version of the first embodiment of the apparatus  20  show a variation wherein the entry  34  is formed by overlapping ends of the apparatus  20 , allowing the apparatus  20  to attach directly to the wire  26  in a more secure manner.  
         [0034]     The embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 3   a - 3   e  can preferably be made with a rigid polymer, such as Acetal, such as that sold by E.I. duPont de Nemours and Company under the trademark Delrin®. They may also be made with a more flexible plastic.  
         [0035]     Three versions of a second embodiment of the apparatus  20  are illustrated in  FIGS. 4   a - 4   d ,  5   a - 5   d  and  6   a - 6   e , respectively. Each of the three versions of the second embodiment of the apparatus  20  includes the outer surface  30  and an upper and lower engaging member, such as a hook  36  in a first version, a bar  38  in a second version and an engaging opening  40  in a third version. The upper and lower engaging member engages and secures the apparatus  20  to the upper and lower portion of the bracket  22 . This second embodiment of the apparatus  20  enables attachment directly to the bracket  22  in a manner that would not cause interference with the wire  26 .  
         [0036]     In  FIGS. 4   a ,  4   b , and  4   c , side, front and rear views of the first version of the second embodiment of the apparatus  20  are illustrated in the shape of a backward letter C, the upper hook  36  engaging above and behind a top portion of the bracket  22  and the lower hook  36  engaging below and behind the lower portion of the bracket  22 . This embodiment of the apparatus  20  is much like a cap over the bracket  22  and is not intended to cause interference with the wire  26 . The outer surface  30  will be the portion seen by others when the patient smiles and can be used to depict various differentiating features. Furthermore, the apparatus  20  may hide certain unaesthetic aspects of the bracket  22 .  FIG. 4   a  shows an optional block  42  on width ends of the apparatus  20  encapsulating the side width ends of the upper and lower portions of the bracket  22 . The optional block  42  minimizes side-to-side movement of the apparatus  20  from the bracket  22 .  FIG. 4   b  shows an optional window  28 . In  FIG. 4   d , another front view of the second embodiment of the apparatus  20  is illustrated in reference to the teeth  24 , the bracket  22  and the wire  26 , along with the optional window  28 .  
         [0037]     The embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 4   a - 4   d  can preferably be made with a rigid polymer, such as Acetal, such as that sold by E.I. duPont de Nemours and Company under the trademark Delrin®. They may also be made with a more flexible plastic.  
         [0038]     In  FIGS. 5   a ,  5   b ,  5   c  and  5   d , side, front, rear and other front views of the second version of the second embodiment of the apparatus  20  are illustrated in the shape of a backward letter C similar to the embodiment of the apparatus  20  illustrated in  FIGS. 4   a - 4   c . However this embodiment of the apparatus  20  includes a t-shaped top bar  38  for engaging between and behind the top portion of the bracket  22  and a t-shaped bottom bar  38  engaging between and behind the lower portion of the bracket  22 . In these views, the top and bottom bars  38  fit securely behind the top and lower portion of the bracket  22 .  FIGS. 5   b  and  5   c  shows an optional larger width in the middle portion of the apparatus  20 , allowing a greater surface area.  FIG. 5   d  shows an optional window  28 .  
         [0039]     The embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 5   a - 5   d  can preferably be made with a rigid polymer, such as Acetal, such as that sold by E.I. duPont de Nemours and Company under the trademark Delrin®. They may also be made with a more flexible plastic.  
         [0040]     In  FIGS. 6   a ,  6   b ,  6   c ,  6   e ,  6   d ,  6   e  and  6   f , side, front, another side, another front, and two top views of the third version of the second embodiment of the apparatus  20  are illustrated which include an upper and lower engaging opening  40 . When flexibly bent or stretched, the upper engaging opening  40  engages around and behind the upper portion of the bracket  22  by receiving the upper portion of the bracket  22 , allowing the upper portion of the bracket  22  to fit securely in the engaging opening  40 . Similarly, the engaging opening  40  engages around and behind the lower portion of the bracket  22  by receiving the lower portion of the bracket  22 , allowing the lower portion of the bracket  22  to fit securely in the engaging opening  40 .  
         [0041]      FIGS. 6   b  and  6   d  show the optional window  28 .  FIGS. 6   c ,  6   e  and  6   f  show an optional taller outer surface to hide a greater portion of the bracket  22  and allow for a larger outer surface  30 .  
         [0042]     A third embodiment of the apparatus  20  includes the outer surface  30 , one or more distinguishing features, such as the window  28 , embodied on the outer surface  30  and a temporary glue or other adhesive  44  on the back side of the outer surface  30 . The temporary adhesive attaches the apparatus  20  to the bracket  22 , the second embodiment of the apparatus  20 , or another object attached to the bracket  22  or wire  26 .  
         [0043]     The embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  can be preferably made of an elastomeric material. The embodiments of  FIGS. 6   c - 6   f  can also be preferably made of an elastomeric material. Additionally these embodiments can preferably be made with a rigid polymer, such as Acetal, such as that sold by E.I. duPont de Nemours and Company under the trademark Delrin®. They may also be made with a more flexible plastic.  
         [0044]     Apparatuses illustrated in  FIGS. 7-11  and  15  illustrate various embodiments having one or more shoulders to engagingly receive the wire.  
         [0045]     A fourth embodiment of the apparatus  20  is illustrated in  FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b . The apparatus  20  is preferably formed of a rugged, generally inflexible polymer, such as that sold by E.I. duPont de Nemours and Company under the trademark Delrin®. They may also be made with a more flexible plastic.  
         [0046]     The apparatus  20  straddles the bracket  22  and engages the wire  26 . The apparatus  20  has a front portion  40 . The apparatus  20  further includes two wings  44   a  and  44   b . Each of the wings a notch  46 . Inner surfaces of the notches  46  are shaped to form a generally cylindrical upper channel  48   a , middle channel  48   b  and lower channel  48   c.    
         [0047]     Often orthodontists use wires of different diameters, depending on the tension to be placed on the wire. The middle channel  48   b  is larger than the upper channel  48   a  and the upper channel  48   c  is larger than the middle channel  48   b . This permits the upper channel  48   a  to securely receive and retain wires of relatively small diameters, the middle channel  48   b  to securely receive and retain wires of relatively mid-sized diameters and the lower channel  48   c  to securely receive and retain wires of relatively large diameter.  
         [0048]     A fifth embodiment of the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 8   a - 8   c . This embodiment is similar to that of the fourth embodiment, but has two curved legs  50  to engage the wire  26 .  
         [0049]     This embodiment is preferably formed of a rugged, generally inflexible polymer, such as that sold by E.I. duPont de Nemours and Company under the trademark Delrin®. It may also be made with a more flexible plastic.  
         [0050]     A sixth embodiment of the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 9   a - 9   c . This embodiment is similar to that of the fourth embodiment, but has two legs  50  having a generally saw-toothed profile to engage the wire  26 .  
         [0051]     This embodiment is preferably formed of a rugged, generally inflexible polymer, such as that sold by E.I. duPont de Nemours and Company under the trademark Delrin®. It may also be made with a more flexible plastic.  
         [0052]     A seventh embodiment of the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 10   a - 10   c . This embodiment is similar to that of the fourth embodiment, but the inner surfaces of the notches  46  are shaped to form a generally square channel  48  to engage the wire  26 .  
         [0053]     This embodiment is preferably formed of a rugged, generally inflexible polymer, such as that sold by E.I. duPont de Nemours and Company under the trademark Delrin®. It may also be made with a more flexible plastic.  
         [0054]     An eighth embodiment of the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 11   a - 11   c . This embodiment is similar to that of the seventh embodiment, but the inner surfaces of the notches  46  are shaped to form three generally square channels  48   a ,  48   b  and  48   c  to engage the wire  26 .  
         [0055]     This embodiment is preferably formed of a rugged, generally inflexible polymer, such as that sold by E.I. duPont de Nemours and Company under the trademark Delrin®. It may also be made with a more flexible plastic.  
         [0056]     A ninth embodiment of the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 12   a - 12   c . This embodiment is similar to the embodiment of  FIGS. 3   a - 3   a , but which leg  50  is shaped differently to engage the wire  26 .  
         [0057]     This embodiment is preferably formed of a rugged, generally inflexible polymer, such as that sold by E.I. duPont de Nemours and Company under the trademark Delrin®. It may also be made with a more flexible plastic.  
         [0058]     A tenth embodiment of the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 13   a - 13   c . In this embodiment the apparatus includes a pivot joint  52  to permit the apparatus to open to clear the wire  26 . The apparatus further includes a latching mechanism  54  to keep the apparatus closed when placed over the wire  26 .  
         [0059]     This embodiment is preferably formed of a rugged, generally inflexible polymer, such as that sold by E.I. duPont de Nemours and Company under the trademark Delrin®. It may also be made with a more flexible plastic.  
         [0060]     An eleventh embodiment of the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 14   a - 14   c . This embodiment is similar to that of the tenth embodiment, although the locations of the pivot joint  52  and latching mechanism  54  have been moved.  
         [0061]     This embodiment is preferably formed of a rugged, generally inflexible polymer, such as that sold by E.I. duPont de Nemours and Company under the trademark Delrin®. It may also be made with a more flexible plastic.  
         [0062]     A twelfth embodiment of the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 15   a  and  15   b . According to this embodiment, one or both of the legs  50  (one is illustrated in phantom) include a bump  70  to form a shoulder to engage the wire  26 .  
         [0063]     As with the embodiments described above, one or more distinguishing features may be applied to the front portion  40 . For example, the outer surface  30  may be of other shapes, such as oval. Windows  28  may be provided on any of the embodiments, as desired.  
         [0064]     From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.