Abstract:
An orthodontic retraction arch ( 10 ) includes an arch section ( 12 ) and two distal spring sections ( 14 ). Distal ends of spring sections ( 14 ) have eyelets ( 16 ) for ligation to orthodontic implants ( 18 ). An orthodontic retraction spring ( 20 ) has first and second spring segments ( 22, 24 ) and structures to engage an archwire (a crimpable archwire slot  28 ) and an orthodontic implant  18  (an eyelet  26 ). Retraction arch ( 10 ) and retraction spring ( 20 ) may also include recumbant loops ( 15, 23 ).

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/850,624, filed Oct. 10, 2006 and entitled “Orthodontic Devices, Implants and Related Apparatus,” the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to orthodontic devices, and more particularly, to orthodontic retraction arches and springs, including recumbent loops. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    It is estimated that about 60% of orthodontic starts demonstrate Class II tendencies (i.e., “overbite”). These cases are typically treated via the use of fixed appliances or intra-oral elastics. However, a percentage of these cases are treated by extracting teeth (typically 1 st  bicuspids) from the maxilla and then retracting the anterior teeth distally in order to the close this newly opened space. While such a method is effective in resolving the anterior/posterior relationships in the case, it does not address any vertical corrections that may be required in a Class II deep bite case. Resolving this vertical relationship typically requires a separate solution that targets placing an intrusive force on the anterior teeth. 
         [0004]    What is needed is an orthodontic appliance that addresses both Class II tendencies and vertical corrections. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    In one aspect, the present invention is a retraction arch. This arch is made of a suitable metal with elastic properties (e.g. NiTi) and may extend from cuspid to cuspid. Alternatively, the arch may extend from central to cuspid if only a unilateral space closure is called for (i.e., a space closure on one side of the arch only created by an extraction). The arch wire may be round or rectangular in cross-section, depending on whether the clinician desires torque control while closing the space. Once positioned in the patient&#39;s mouth and affixed to the appropriate teeth, the arch is activated by uprighting a set of spring arms (located at the distal ends of the arch and including a recumbent loop) and affixing them, such as by ligation, to a pair of orthodontic implants or mini-screws previously implanted in the patient&#39;s mouth. Once activated, the arch provides both distilizing and intrusive force vectors. 
         [0006]    As an alternative to the retraction arch similar distalizing end intrusive force vectors may be created on a tooth-by-tooth basis utilizing a retraction spring that includes a crimpable arch wire slot at one end and an eyelet at the other end for attachment to an orthodontic implant. The retraction spring is essentially the same as the distal ends of the retraction arch, including a recumbent loop, but includes the additional element of a structure that facilitates engagement with an arch wire. That structure may be a crimpable archwire slot or a wire segment that is receivable in an orthodontic bracket. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    Various additional features and aspects will become readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the following description of illustrative embodiments of the invention and from the drawings in which: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a retraction arch of the present invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the retraction arch of  FIG. 1  shown in an activated orientation; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a retraction spring in an unactivated position; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing the retraction spring of  FIG. 3  in an activated position; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is an alternative embodiment of a retraction spring of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the retraction spring of  FIG. 5  shown in an activated orientation; 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing the retraction spring of  FIGS. 5 and 6  in an activated orientation within the oral cavity of a patient; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view showing an alternative embodiment of a retraction spring of the present invention along with a stabilizing anchor. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]      FIGS. 1 and 2  show a retraction arch  10  in accordance with the present invention. As shown, the retraction arch has an arch portion  12  and two distal spring portions  14 .  FIG. 1  shows the retraction arch  10  in a rest position and  FIG. 2  shows retraction arch  10  in an activated position wherein the distal spring members  14  have been positioned into a generally upright orientation. Recumbant loops  15  are located at the transition from arch portion  12  to spring members  14  to provide force reduction to spring members  14 . As shown specifically in  FIG. 2 , the distal-most end of the upright spring members  14  includes a ball, hook or eyelet  16  which is designed to be ligated to an orthodontic implant  18 , such as with a ligature wire  19 , to hold the distal end of retraction arch  10  in a fixed position in the oral cavity. With this configuration, the orthodontic retraction arch  10  can provide the necessary distalizing or retracting force on the teeth to which the arch segment  12  is attached to directly address Class II malocclusions. Orthodontic implant  18  may be any suitable implant known in the art. In particular, implant  18  may be one of the types disclosed in co-pending PCT International application No. ______, filed Oct. 10, 2007, entitled “Orthodontic Implants,” which is expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
         [0017]      FIGS. 3 and 4  show an alternative embodiment of the present invention in the form of a retraction spring or pinch-on recumbent loop  20 . Retraction spring  20  has a first segment  22  and a second segment  24  which are shown at rest in  FIG. 3 . Recumbant loop  23  is positioned between first and second segments  22  and  24 . In the context of retraction arch  10  and retraction spring  20 , one material that is particularly advantageous is a NiTi alloy having shape memory properties. Furthermore, in the context of the retraction arch  10 , the cross-section of the arch segment may be circular or square depending on whether torquing is desired. 
         [0018]    With respect to  FIG. 4 , retraction spring  20  is shown wherein the second segment  24  is in an upright or active position and ready for engagement with an orthodontic implant  18  by ligation (such as with ligation wire  19 ) to the eyelet or ball hook  26  at the distal-most end of segment  24 . The forward-most end of the first segment  22  of retraction spring  20  is shown having a crimpable arch wire slot member  28  affixed thereto. This configuration allows the clinician to attach the retraction spring  20  to the patient&#39;s jaw at a distal end (via ligation to implant  18 ) and to an arch wire  30  via the arch wire crimpable portion  28  to provide the desired tipping, tilting, intruding, rotating, or other desired forces, depending on the spatial orientation of the distal end  26  and anterior end  28 . 
         [0019]      FIGS. 5-7  show an alternative embodiment of retraction spring  20   a  wherein the spring has an anterior segment of reduced diameter  40  which is designed to be bent into an orientation such as that shown in  FIG. 6  for being received into a vertical slot  42  in a tooth bracket  44  as shown in  FIG. 7 . The distal end of retraction spring  20   a  also includes a suitable eyelet or hook member  26  for ligation (as by wire  19 ) to an orthodontic implant  18  as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . As will be appreciated, the placement of implant  18  in the patient&#39;s mouth vis-à-vis the location of bracket  40  on a patient&#39;s tooth, will result in a desired force vector on the tooth. 
         [0020]      FIG. 8  shows an alternative embodiment of a retraction spring  60  in which a first end  61  is received in a bracket  64  attached to a patient&#39;s tooth  56  and the distal end  63  is received in a bonding tube  65  of the type disclosed in co-pending PCT International Application No. ______ filed Oct. 10, 2007 entitled “Tooth Bonding Pad with Wire Retaining Portions And Related Methods,” which is expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. The spring  60  tends to drive tooth  70  in the direction of arrow  62  to provide a tilting force thereto. In order for that to be accomplished without compromising the orientation of tooth  56 , to which retraction spring  60  is also connected, requires the use and placement of button or ball hook member  54  on tooth  56 , which includes an anchor member  50  that has a receiving hook  52  at an end thereof for ligation (as by wire  19 ) to an orthodontic implant. When orthodontic implant  18  is implanted into the patient&#39;s jaw and ligated to the receiving eyelet or hook  52  the tooth  56  is anchored in position relative to any force vectors created by the forces applied to tooth  70 . 
         [0021]    While the present invention has been illustrated by description of one or more embodiments and while these embodiments have been described in detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is, therefore, not limited to the specific details, representative systems, apparatus and method, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant&#39;s inventive concept.