Abstract:
The segmental distalization element includes a smoothly arcuate central body equipped at one end with a head for adaptation to the canine and at the other end with a head for adaptation to the molar, connected to the arcuate body of the element via a zone of reduced cross-section to increase the resilience of the distalization element in the zone and obtain direct, easy adaptation.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/279,964, filed Apr. 17, 2006, which is a continuation of International Patent Application No. PCT/ES2004/000459, filed Oct. 21, 2004, which claims priority of Spanish Patent Application No. 20030272, filed Oct. 23, 2003, the disclosures of which are incorporated by referenced herein their entireties. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present invention discloses an element for the segmental distalization of the canine-to-molar posterior maxillary sector for orthodontic treatments which affords significant advantages over the currently known elements for this purpose. 
         [0003]    Auxiliary elements for segmental distalization are known in this art, for example those corresponding to Spanish Patent Application No. 200102210 in the name of the same applicant. 
         [0004]    With the auxiliary element for segmental distalization according to the aforementioned patent in the name of the same applicant there was disclosed the formation of said auxiliary element in two parts, namely a median segment equipped with an enlargement intended to be fixed to the canine by means of adhesive and an arcuate arm ending with a ball which is introduced into a small arcuate receiving shoe fixed to the upper molar by adhesive. 
         [0005]    Although the invention according to the aforementioned patent represented a significant advance over formerly known devices, it had specific problems owing to its production in two parts due to the relative production costs and the relatively awkward handling of the two-part assembly. 
         [0006]    The inventor carried out research to obtain novel improvements to segmental distalization devices and arrived at the present invention. 
         [0007]    The inventor carried out research to obtain novel improvements to segmental distalization devices and arrived at the present invention. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    As the fruit of the investigations and tests, the inventor has developed the present distalization device of which a specific characteristic is the single-part construction, the ease of adaptation thereof owing to inherent design characteristics and the production thereof from a metallic material which is preferably of the type known as super-resilient or a thermoelastic material which has the necessary characteristics of adequate toughness and resilience. 
         [0009]    Basically, the new segmental distalization element is characterized in that it comprises a single-part elongate body having, at one end, a terminal which can be adapted to the external surface of the canine and which has an attachment for the resilient means, while the other end has, with interposition of a zone of greater flexibility, a shoe which can be coupled to the molar of the upper portion, preferably by an adhesive or other means. 
         [0010]    In a preferred solution, the zone of greater resilience will consist of a simultaneous double elbow with a constriction of the material cross-section. 
         [0011]    The portion with a double elbow and constriction is characterized in that it has two successive angle folds and at the same time a constriction of the cross section of the material between the central portion of the distalization element and the end or terminal for coupling to the molar. The first of the angles, in other words the angle which connects the intermediate elbow to the main element or arcuate bridge of the distalization element will preferably be an obtuse angle while the second angle, in other words the angle between the intermediate bridge of smaller cross-section and the end shoe for application to the molar, can be a slightly obtuse or right angle. The angle between the end of the central arm of the device and the longitudinal axis of the shoe for fixing to the canine will also be of interest for defining the structure of the distalization element according to the present invention. 
         [0012]    The zone equipped with a constriction and which has two successive angles will preferably have a significant constriction and can similarly be formed by two fine parallel arms which define an intermediate aperture or other similar form. 
         [0013]    However, the zone of greater flexibility preceding the element which can be adapted to the molar may be produced in a wide variety of forms and not necessarily with the double elbow provided for the preferred embodiment. Thus, for example, instead of a double elbow, a smooth curved zone, an omega like or similarly shaped zone with an open or closed shape, or a zone with one or more helical turns in an arrangement resembling a helical spring may be provided. 
         [0014]    The accompanying drawings of a preferred embodiment of the invention, given as non-limiting examples, will assist the understanding thereof. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a lateral elevation of a distalization segment according to the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a front elevation of the actual segment. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is an elevation showing a detail of the double elbow at the end corresponding to the fixing to the molar. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a plan view of the elements shown in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a cross-section through the sectional plane indicated with various alternative shapes. 
           [0020]      FIGS. 6 ,  7  and  8  are views similar to  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  5  for the version of elbowed zone with an intermediate window. 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  shows a variation in which the portion of greater resilience has a smaller cross-section and a substantially curved sinusoidal or omega-shaped form or the like. 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  shows a second variation in which the more flexible portion forms a closed omega-shaped handle or the like. 
           [0023]      FIGS. 11 and 12  show respective helical versions with one turn. 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  shows an arrangement in the form of a smooth curve. 
           [0025]      FIGS. 14 and 15  show respective helical shapes in a form similar to a spring in the upper and lower portion respectively. 
           [0026]      FIGS. 16 and 17  show an arrangement with a loop directed laterally with respect to the positional convention used in the previous figures. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]    As shown in the drawings, the distalization element according to the present invention comprises, in a single part, a smoothly arcuate main body  1  of substantial length which terminates at one end with a head  2  for fixing it to the canine and at the other end with a head  3  for fixing it to the molar on the same side, having respective curved internal zones  4  and  5  for better adaptation to the canine and molar respectively and a variable number of reliefs such as the ribs  6  and  7 , grating profiles, grids or other types of roughness intended to improve the fixing to the aforementioned tooth parts using an adhesive. 
         [0028]    The distalization element according to the present invention has the basic characteristic of comprising a more flexible zone preferably in the form of a curved, constricted zone in various dispositions. In a preferred embodiment, said more flexible zone will adopt the form of a double-elbow connecting bridge  8  between the central arm  1  and the end head  3  for adaptation to the molar. Said double-elbow-shaped bridge or zone will also have a significant reduction in the material cross-section, resulting in significant flexibility in the end zone  3  which will allow better adaptation thereof and will therefore allow the production of the distalization segment in a single part. 
         [0029]    The double elbow will be produced by means of a first, preferably obtuse, angle  9  and a second slightly obtuse or else right angle  10 . In addition to said angles, of which the first is indicated by the letter alpha, the angle beta will also be important, this angle being formed between the axis  11  of the end  12  of the arm  1  and the axis  13  which substantially corresponds to the longitudinal axis of the head  3  which preferably adopts the form of a small shoe  14  of rectangular or oval construction. 
         [0030]    It will be appreciated that, despite the aforementioned quantities relating to the angles of the double elbow, the values of the angles can vary within wide limits, according to the prerequisites of the distalization device. 
         [0031]    As mentioned, the zone of the double elbow, which is indicated by reference numeral  15 , has a significant constriction with respect to the central portion  1 , which can either be achieved by a constriction in cross-section as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  to form a single connecting bridge between the central element or arm  1  and the end head  14  or be formed by means of a constricted zone  17 ,  FIGS. 6 and 7 , which will also have a central aperture  18  determining parallel arms  19  and  20  of which the precise shape can vary greatly,  FIG. 8  showing three versions in which the first one  21  has two arms with a circular cross-section, the second, indicated by reference numeral  22 , has two arms with a rectangular cross-section and the third  23  has two arms with an oval cross-section, or, as will be appreciated, the with form of said arms varying greatly. 
         [0032]    Also in the case of the constriction in the zone  16  shown in  FIGS. 1 to 4 , the cross-section can assume various specific shapes such as those designated by reference numerals  24  for a half-rod-shaped section,  25  for a circular section,  26  for a substantially rectangular section or  27  for an oval section, or else the shape of said cross-section can vary within wide limits. 
         [0033]    The various views show the upper face of the end head  14  with a flat shape, taking into account the fact that said shape is intended to allow the possible joining of a molar tube to allow complementary actions. 
         [0034]      FIGS. 9 to 17  show various additional versions of the flexible zone between the portion of the central element of the device and the zone for adaptation to the molar. Thus, for example,  FIG. 9  shows the arrangement, between said central zone  1  and the end zone  3  which can be adapted to the molar, of a singly curved zone  28  which can have a sinusoidal, omega or similar shape. 
         [0035]      FIG. 10  shows a version in which the zone of greater flexibility consists of a closed curve  29  in the form of an omega or another form. 
         [0036]      FIGS. 11 and 12  show respective versions  30  and  31  in the form of loops which are directed toward the upper portion and lower portion respectively. 
         [0037]      FIG. 13  shows a version in which a smooth curved zone  32  is disposed singly between the central portion  1  of the device and the end head for application to the molar. 
         [0038]      FIGS. 14 and 15  show respective versions in which the zones of greater flexibility  33  and  34  are produced by means of respective elements of helical shape with a plurality of turns, in other words in the manner of a spring, directed upwardly and downwardly respectively. 
         [0039]      FIGS. 16 and 17  show a lateral elevation and a plan view of an embodiment in which the zone of greater flexibility  35  is formed by a loop or the like situated in a disposition which can be described as lateral, based on the convention employed in the previous figures, in which the loops which, simultaneously with the reduction in cross-section, impart the greatest flexibility are disposed in a plane perpendicular to that of the embodiments shown in the earlier figures. It is obvious that the disposition shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17  could be found on either of the sides determined by the longitudinal plane of symmetry. Similarly, although not shown, other planes which are intermediate to those shown could be used for said loops and similar elements. 
         [0040]    Although not shown in the figures, the invention will similarly allow the production of the more flexible connection zone, between the central portion of the distalization segment and the head for fixing to the molar, from a metal part made of a more highly adaptable metal such as, for example, stainless steel. In this case, the constriction in said zone of greater flexibility may be omitted since the adaptation can be achieved partially by direct bending of said metal part. 
         [0041]    The materials for producing the distalization element according to the present invention can be varied, providing that the mechanical characteristics, in particular adequate toughness and resilience, necessary for the operation thereof are achieved. In particular, a metal material of the type known as super-resilient, steel, thermoelastic materials or a plastics material, for example a polymer, may be provided. 
         [0042]    Super-resilient materials include those known as Ni—Ti such as Cu, Ni, Ti and Cr alloys.