WO2001008592A1 - Bleaching orthodontic retainer - Google Patents

Bleaching orthodontic retainer Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2001008592A1
WO2001008592A1 PCT/US2000/017867 US0017867W WO0108592A1 WO 2001008592 A1 WO2001008592 A1 WO 2001008592A1 US 0017867 W US0017867 W US 0017867W WO 0108592 A1 WO0108592 A1 WO 0108592A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
wire
teeth
labial
carrier
lingual portion
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2000/017867
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2001008592A9 (en
Inventor
Steven P. Afsahi
Original Assignee
Afsahi Steven P
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Afsahi Steven P filed Critical Afsahi Steven P
Priority to AU63391/00A priority Critical patent/AU6339100A/en
Publication of WO2001008592A1 publication Critical patent/WO2001008592A1/en
Publication of WO2001008592A9 publication Critical patent/WO2001008592A9/en

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
    • A61C7/00—Orthodontics, i.e. obtaining or maintaining the desired position of teeth, e.g. by straightening, evening, regulating, separating, or by correcting malocclusions
    • A61C7/08—Mouthpiece-type retainers or positioners, e.g. for both the lower and upper arch
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
    • A61C19/00—Dental auxiliary appliances
    • A61C19/06—Implements for therapeutic treatment
    • A61C19/063—Medicament applicators for teeth or gums, e.g. treatment with fluorides
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
    • A61C19/00—Dental auxiliary appliances
    • A61C19/06—Implements for therapeutic treatment
    • A61C19/063—Medicament applicators for teeth or gums, e.g. treatment with fluorides
    • A61C19/066—Bleaching devices; Whitening agent applicators for teeth, e.g. trays or strips

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an orthodontic retainer that also acts as a bleaching device to whiten teeth.
  • Teeth are an important health issue. The longevity of natural teeth are directly related to the health of the gumline, which requires frequent cleaning. Furthermore, recent studies have shown a direct correlation between healthy teeth and lowered rates of coronary artery disease and heart attacks. Cleaning of teeth and gums are facilitated by having the teeth in a preferred straight position. Image conscious individuals want their teeth to be perfect and therefore want their teeth in a preferred position.
  • teeth must be prevented from moving from the preferred position or must be moved slightly toward the preferred position.
  • the retainer is used for these purposes.
  • the retainer can also be used to move teeth into the preferred position without the previous use of braces should only minor movement be required to move teeth into the preferred position.
  • the retainer is worn substantially 24 hours per day for a period of three to six months for these purposes.
  • the labial or front surfaces of the teeth are often discolored due to the extended duration of the bonding of the porcelain orthodontic brackets to the labial surfaces of the teeth.
  • the surface of the tooth under the orthodontic bracket does not become discolored as quickly as the surface of the tooth not covered by the orthodontic bracket.
  • the surfaces of the teeth are hard to clean because of the obstructions created by the brace and wires. Therefore, patients often desire to whiten their teeth following the removal of braces in order to remove any discoloration of the teeth.
  • the most common type of retainer known as a "Hawley Retainer,” is shown in DE 1 ,293,946.
  • the device consists of an acrylic section which is molded to fit the lingual surfaces of a patient's mouth. The device is kept in place by the use of wires adapted to contact the teeth.
  • Figure 5 illustrates a conventional Hawley Retainer 21.
  • Hawley Retainer Variations on the Hawley Retainer have been described. These include United States Patent No. 3,967,379, which describes a device kept in place by a wire adapted to contact the labial surfaces of the patient's anterior teeth. United States Patent No. 5,096,416 describes a device kept in place with wires adapted to contact the labial surfaces of at least one molar.
  • the Hawley Retainer and its progeny suffer from a drawback in that the devices do not allow for whitening of the patient's teeth during the period in which the retainers are worn.
  • An object of this invention is to overcome the above-discussed drawbacks of the conventional retainer devices.
  • the device of this invention includes a lingual portion that is capable of preventing the movement of teeth from a predetermined position as well as moving the teeth toward the predetermined position.
  • a carrier is adapted to hold a dental agent to whiten the labial surfaces of the teeth. The invention allows the teeth in most cases to appear whitened and attractive following the discontinuation of the use of a retainer device.
  • Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the device according to the invention
  • Fig. 2 is a side view of the device of Fig. 1 in a users mouth
  • Fig. 3 is a plan view of the device of Fig. 1
  • Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the device of Fig. 1 ;
  • Fig. 5 is a conventional dental retainer; and Fig. 6 is a conventional whitening or bleaching device.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preformed orthodontic device 1.
  • the device 1 is generally symmetrical about the longitudinal axis 15 of the device .
  • a lingual portion 2 is molded generally to fit the lingual surfaces of the patient's mouth 7.
  • the lingual portion 2 may be made of any one of an opaque acrylic, colored acrylic common, or other plastic material to mouthpiece-type retainers.
  • a labial wire 3 is encased within the lingual portion 2 and a molded carrier 6.
  • the labial wire 3 can be made of any suitable material, such as, for example only, stainless steel.
  • Figures 3 and 4 illustrate the labial wire 3 extending from the lingual portion 2 into the molded carrier 6 and crossing from the lingual side 8 to the labial side 9 of the teeth between a bicuspid tooth 10 and a canine tooth 11 , then running along the labial surfaces of the anterior teeth generally perpendicular to the vertical axis of the teeth.
  • the labial wire 3 then runs between a bicuspid tooth 14 and a canine tooth 13 and returns to the lingual portion 2 of the device 1.
  • the device 1 is generally symmetrical about the longitudinal axis 15 of the device 1.
  • An optional buccal wire 4 is encased within the lingual portion 2 and the molded carrier 6.
  • the buccal wire 4 extends from the lingual portion 2 into the molded carrier 6 and crosses from the lingual to the labial side of the teeth between a molar 16 and another molar 17.
  • the buccal wire 4 then runs generally perpendicular to the vertical axis of the molar 16 and then crosses from the labial side 9 to the lingual side 8 of the teeth between the molar 16 and another molar 18.
  • the buccal wire 4 then passes from the molded carrier 6 into the lingual portion 2.
  • Figure 1 shows an optional structural wire 5, which is mutually exclusive to the use of the buccal wire 4, completely encased in the molded carrier 6 and the lingual portion 2.
  • the wire runs from the molded carrier 6 into the lingual portion 2 and generally follows the U-shape of the lingual portion 2 before ending in the molded carrier 6.
  • the molded carrier 6 may be made of any suitable plastic material, such as, for example only, a clear dental-grade vinyl and is generally molded to the shape of the patient's teeth 19.
  • the molded carrier 6 is substantially liquid impermeable and covers substantially all of the labial surfaces of the patient's teeth that are exterior to the gum line.
  • the molded carrier 6 is bonded to the lingual portion 2 by an overlapping joint on the lingual portion 2.
  • the lingual portion 2 of the device 1 is generally molded to fit the shape of the lingual surfaces of the patient's mouth.
  • the lingual portion 2 may prevent the patient's teeth from moving from a preferred position or the lingual portion may alternatively move the patient's teeth toward a preferred position.
  • the labial wire 3 and buccal wire 4 serve to keep the retainer in place inside the patient's mouth and provide structural reinforcement for the lingual portion 2.
  • the structural wire 5 also provides structural reinforcement for the lingual portion 2.
  • the patient places a dental agent 23 into the molded carrier 6.
  • the dental agent may be bleach or a dental medicament.
  • the dental medicament can be, for example only, flouride or an antibiotic solution.
  • the patient then inserts the device into the patient's mouth.
  • the patient can then remove the device periodically and refresh the supply of dental agent 23 in the molded carrier 6.
  • the dental agent 23 may even be carbamide peroxide or any other biologic bleaching agent.
  • the molded carrier 6 can be used to maintain contact between any dentally- acceptable medicament (not shown) which can be inserted into the molded carrier 6 and the labial or lingual surfaces of the teeth.
  • the current device improves upon the conventional device, such as the prior art Hawley Retainer, by allowing patients to whiten their teeth immediately after the removal of the patient's braces while wearing a mouthpiece-type retainer.
  • the current device may also be used without prior orthodontic work, such as braces, in order to both move teeth toward a preferred position and whiten or bleach teeth concurrently.
  • the device of this invention can be adapted to function with any design of retainer device, including a retainer device which does not incorporate the use of wires.
  • the lingual portion 2 is made of a dental-grade acrylic and the molded carrier 6 is made of Tru-tane plastic.
  • the molded carrier 6 and the lingual portion 2 are chemically bonded when the acrylic monomer is polymerized on the vinyl lingual portion 2.
  • the molded carrier 6 and the lingual portion 2 can be formed separately and then bonded together using, for example, a dental grade adhesive (not shown).
  • the retainer device 1 that is used in the palatal part of the mouth further comprises the labial wire 3 and the buccal wire 4.
  • the retainer device 1 that is used in the lower arch further comprises the labial wire 3 and the structural wire 5. All wires are made of stainless steel.
  • the dental agent 23 is bleach or a dental medicament, such as, for example, flouride or an antibiotic solution.

Abstract

A preformed orthodontic device adapted to be placed within a patient's mouth. The device includes a lingual portion that contacts lingual surfaces of the teeth. The lingual portion is also adaptable to move the teeth to a predetermined position as well as prevent the movement of the teeth from the predetermined. The device also includes a substantially liquid impermeable carrier that is bonded to the lingual portion at a joint. The carrier and lingual portion form a trough capable of containing a dental agent and adapted to substantially contact the labial surface of at least one tooth. A labial wire extends from the lingual portion to the carrier and contacts the labial surface of at least one tooth to minimize movement of the lingual portion when the device is positioned in the mouth of the patient.

Description

BLEACHING ORTHODONTIC RETAINER
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to an orthodontic retainer that also acts as a bleaching device to whiten teeth.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Teeth are an important health issue. The longevity of natural teeth are directly related to the health of the gumline, which requires frequent cleaning. Furthermore, recent studies have shown a direct correlation between healthy teeth and lowered rates of coronary artery disease and heart attacks. Cleaning of teeth and gums are facilitated by having the teeth in a preferred straight position. Image conscious individuals want their teeth to be perfect and therefore want their teeth in a preferred position.
Because human teeth do not always develop into this preferred position, "braces" for teeth are used to move teeth into the preferred position. If only minor tooth movement is required to move teeth into the preferred position, a retainer incorporating embedded wires, known as finger springs, can be used for this purpose.
Following the removal of braces, teeth must be prevented from moving from the preferred position or must be moved slightly toward the preferred position. The retainer is used for these purposes. The retainer can also be used to move teeth into the preferred position without the previous use of braces should only minor movement be required to move teeth into the preferred position. Typically, the retainer is worn substantially 24 hours per day for a period of three to six months for these purposes.
After removal of the braces, the labial or front surfaces of the teeth are often discolored due to the extended duration of the bonding of the porcelain orthodontic brackets to the labial surfaces of the teeth. The surface of the tooth under the orthodontic bracket does not become discolored as quickly as the surface of the tooth not covered by the orthodontic bracket. Also, the surfaces of the teeth are hard to clean because of the obstructions created by the brace and wires. Therefore, patients often desire to whiten their teeth following the removal of braces in order to remove any discoloration of the teeth.
The most common type of retainer, known as a "Hawley Retainer," is shown in DE 1 ,293,946. The device consists of an acrylic section which is molded to fit the lingual surfaces of a patient's mouth. The device is kept in place by the use of wires adapted to contact the teeth. Figure 5 illustrates a conventional Hawley Retainer 21.
Variations on the Hawley Retainer have been described. These include United States Patent No. 3,967,379, which describes a device kept in place by a wire adapted to contact the labial surfaces of the patient's anterior teeth. United States Patent No. 5,096,416 describes a device kept in place with wires adapted to contact the labial surfaces of at least one molar.
The Hawley Retainer and its progeny, including DE 1 ,293,946 and United States Patent Nos. 3,967,379 and 5,096,416, suffer from a drawback in that the devices do not allow for whitening of the patient's teeth during the period in which the retainers are worn.
Current devices to whiten teeth include United States Patent No. 4,990,089. This device consists of a generally U-shaped carrier molded to cover substantially all of the labial portions of the teeth. The carrier is liquid impermeable and adapted to contain a whitening agent. The whitening agent is dispensed into the carrier, and then inserted into the patient's mouth. The carrier can be removed occasionally to refresh the supply of whitening agent. The carrier can be worn substantially 24 hours per day. Currently, this device cannot be used until the retainer is no longer worn by the patient for substantially 24 hours per day. Figure 6 illustrates a conventional whitening or bleaching carrier 22. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of this invention is to overcome the above-discussed drawbacks of the conventional retainer devices.
The device of this invention includes a lingual portion that is capable of preventing the movement of teeth from a predetermined position as well as moving the teeth toward the predetermined position. A carrier is adapted to hold a dental agent to whiten the labial surfaces of the teeth. The invention allows the teeth in most cases to appear whitened and attractive following the discontinuation of the use of a retainer device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the device according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a side view of the device of Fig. 1 in a users mouth; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the device of Fig. 1 ; Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the device of Fig. 1 ;
Fig. 5 is a conventional dental retainer; and Fig. 6 is a conventional whitening or bleaching device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The following description is intended to set forth only detailed examples of the invention. Many advantages to various aspects of these examples will be apparent to those skilled in the art. However, not all aspects are intended to be a required part of the broadly defined invention. Modifications will be apparent to skilled artisans which do not deviate from the scope and spirit of the invention, as set forth in the claims.
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preformed orthodontic device 1. The device 1 is generally symmetrical about the longitudinal axis 15 of the device . As shown in Figure 2, a lingual portion 2 is molded generally to fit the lingual surfaces of the patient's mouth 7. The lingual portion 2 may be made of any one of an opaque acrylic, colored acrylic common, or other plastic material to mouthpiece-type retainers. A labial wire 3 is encased within the lingual portion 2 and a molded carrier 6. The labial wire 3 can be made of any suitable material, such as, for example only, stainless steel.
Figures 3 and 4 illustrate the labial wire 3 extending from the lingual portion 2 into the molded carrier 6 and crossing from the lingual side 8 to the labial side 9 of the teeth between a bicuspid tooth 10 and a canine tooth 11 , then running along the labial surfaces of the anterior teeth generally perpendicular to the vertical axis of the teeth. The labial wire 3 then runs between a bicuspid tooth 14 and a canine tooth 13 and returns to the lingual portion 2 of the device 1. The device 1 is generally symmetrical about the longitudinal axis 15 of the device 1.
An optional buccal wire 4 is encased within the lingual portion 2 and the molded carrier 6. The buccal wire 4 extends from the lingual portion 2 into the molded carrier 6 and crosses from the lingual to the labial side of the teeth between a molar 16 and another molar 17. The buccal wire 4 then runs generally perpendicular to the vertical axis of the molar 16 and then crosses from the labial side 9 to the lingual side 8 of the teeth between the molar 16 and another molar 18. The buccal wire 4 then passes from the molded carrier 6 into the lingual portion 2.
Figure 1 shows an optional structural wire 5, which is mutually exclusive to the use of the buccal wire 4, completely encased in the molded carrier 6 and the lingual portion 2. The wire runs from the molded carrier 6 into the lingual portion 2 and generally follows the U-shape of the lingual portion 2 before ending in the molded carrier 6.
The molded carrier 6 may be made of any suitable plastic material, such as, for example only, a clear dental-grade vinyl and is generally molded to the shape of the patient's teeth 19. The molded carrier 6 is substantially liquid impermeable and covers substantially all of the labial surfaces of the patient's teeth that are exterior to the gum line. The molded carrier 6 is bonded to the lingual portion 2 by an overlapping joint on the lingual portion 2. The lingual portion 2 of the device 1 is generally molded to fit the shape of the lingual surfaces of the patient's mouth. The lingual portion 2 may prevent the patient's teeth from moving from a preferred position or the lingual portion may alternatively move the patient's teeth toward a preferred position. The labial wire 3 and buccal wire 4 serve to keep the retainer in place inside the patient's mouth and provide structural reinforcement for the lingual portion 2. The structural wire 5 also provides structural reinforcement for the lingual portion 2.
In use, prior to insertion of the device into the patient's mouth, the patient places a dental agent 23 into the molded carrier 6. The dental agent may be bleach or a dental medicament. The dental medicament can be, for example only, flouride or an antibiotic solution.
The patient then inserts the device into the patient's mouth. The patient can then remove the device periodically and refresh the supply of dental agent 23 in the molded carrier 6. The dental agent 23 may even be carbamide peroxide or any other biologic bleaching agent. Furthermore, the molded carrier 6 can be used to maintain contact between any dentally- acceptable medicament (not shown) which can be inserted into the molded carrier 6 and the labial or lingual surfaces of the teeth.
The current device improves upon the conventional device, such as the prior art Hawley Retainer, by allowing patients to whiten their teeth immediately after the removal of the patient's braces while wearing a mouthpiece-type retainer. The current device may also be used without prior orthodontic work, such as braces, in order to both move teeth toward a preferred position and whiten or bleach teeth concurrently. Also, the device of this invention can be adapted to function with any design of retainer device, including a retainer device which does not incorporate the use of wires.
Preferably, the lingual portion 2 is made of a dental-grade acrylic and the molded carrier 6 is made of Tru-tane plastic. The molded carrier 6 and the lingual portion 2 are chemically bonded when the acrylic monomer is polymerized on the vinyl lingual portion 2. Alternatively, the molded carrier 6 and the lingual portion 2 can be formed separately and then bonded together using, for example, a dental grade adhesive (not shown). Preferably, the retainer device 1 that is used in the palatal part of the mouth further comprises the labial wire 3 and the buccal wire 4. Preferably, the retainer device 1 that is used in the lower arch further comprises the labial wire 3 and the structural wire 5. All wires are made of stainless steel. Ideally, the dental agent 23 is bleach or a dental medicament, such as, for example, flouride or an antibiotic solution.

Claims

CLAIMS WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A preformed orthodontic device adapted to be placed within a patient's mouth, comprising: a lingual portion that contacts lingual surface of one or more teeth and is adapted to move the teeth to a predetermined position and prevent the movement of the teeth from the predetermined position; a substantially liquid impermeable carrier bonded to the lingual portion at a joint on the lingual portion, the carrier and lingual portion form a trough that is capable of containing a dental agent and adapted to substantially contact the labial surface of at least one tooth; and a labial wire extending from the lingual portion to the carrier, the labial wire contacts the labial surface of at least one tooth to minimize movement of the lingual portion when the device is positioned in the mouth of the patient.
2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the device is symmetrical about a longitudinal axis.
3. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the lingual portion is comprised of one of an opaque acrylic, colored acrylic, and plastic.
4. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the labial wire is comprised of stainless steel.
5. The device according to claim 1 , further comprising a buccal wire encased within and extending from the lingual portion to the carrier between a first pair of teeth along a first portion of the buccal wire, extending across the labial portion of at least one tooth along a second portion of the buccal wire, and extending from the carrier to the lingual portion between a second pair of teeth along a third portion of the buccal wire.
6. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the trough contacts the labial surface of upper teeth.
7. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the trough contacts the labial surface of lower teeth.
8. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the device is generally molded to fit a shape of a palatal part of the patient's mouth.
9. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the device is generally molded to fit a shape of a lower arch of the patient's mouth.
10. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the carrier is comprised of one of plastic and dental-grade vinyl and is generally molded according to a shape of the patient's teeth.
11. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the lingual portion is U- shaped.
12. The device according to claim 11 , further comprising a structural wire encased within the carrier and lingual portion, wherein the structural wire runs from the a first portion of the carrier into the lingual portion, follows the U-shaped lingual portion and terminates in a second portion of the carrier.
13. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the labial wire is adapted to exert a force on the lingual portion to move the teeth to the predetermined position and prevent movement of the teeth from the predetermined position.
14. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the dental agent comprises one of bleach and a dental medicament.
15. The device according to claim 14, wherein the dental medicament comprises one of flouride and an antibiotic solution.
16. A method of making a device which whitens or bleaches teeth and prevents the teeth from moving from a predetermined position or moves the teeth toward the predetermined position, comprising the steps of: shaping a labial wire; surrounding one or more segments of the shaped labial wire with a dentally acceptable material capable of being polymerized; polymerizing the material capable of being polymerized such that the polymer forms a lingual portion; surrounding one or more segments of the shaped labial wire with a dentally acceptable material capable of being polymerized; and polymerizing the material capable of being polymerized such that the polymer forms a carrier.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein the polymerized carrier is polymerized onto the lingual portion.
18. The method of claim 16, further comprising the steps of: shaping a buccal wire while shaping the labial wire; surrounding one or more segments of the shaped buccal wire while surrounding the one or more segments of the shaped labial wire; and surrounding one or more segments of the shaped buccal wire while surrounding the one or more segments of the shaped labial wire with the dentally acceptable material capable of being polymerized.
19. The method of claim 16, further comprising the steps of: shaping a structural wire while shaping the labial wire; surrounding one or more segments of the shaped structural wire while surrounding the one or more segments of the shaped labial wire; and surrounding one or more segments of the shaped structural wire while surrounding the one or more segments of the shaped labial wire with the dentally acceptable material capable of being polymerized.
20. A method of whitening or bleaching teeth while preventing the teeth from moving away from a predetermined position or moving the teeth toward the predetermined position, comprising the steps of: inserting a dental agent into a carrier of a device consisting of the carrier, a lingual portion, a labial wire and one of a buccal wire or a structural wire; inserting the device into a patient's mouth such that the retainer section moves the teeth toward the predetermined position or prevents the teeth from moving away from the predetermined position and the whitening or bleaching agent contacts the labial surfaces of substantially all of the teeth; periodically removing the device from the mouth to reapply the bleaching or whitening agent to the molded carrier; and reinserting the device into the patient's mouth.
PCT/US2000/017867 1999-07-29 2000-07-28 Bleaching orthodontic retainer WO2001008592A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU63391/00A AU6339100A (en) 1999-07-29 2000-07-28 Bleaching orthodontic retainer

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US14598299P 1999-07-29 1999-07-29
US60/145,982 1999-07-29

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WO2001008592A1 true WO2001008592A1 (en) 2001-02-08
WO2001008592A9 WO2001008592A9 (en) 2002-07-25

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