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Systems and methods for correcting malocclusion

Systems and methods for correcting malocclusion description/claims

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/906,807, filed on Mar. 14, 2007, the content of which is incorporated by reference. This application is also related to commonly owned application entitled “SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND ADJUNCTIVE PROCEDURES FOR CORRECTING MALOCCLUSION” having Ser. No. 11/773,849, filed on Jul. 5, 2007, the content of which is incorporated by reference.

This system relates to systems and methods for treating malocclusion.

Orthodontics is a specialty of dentistry that treats malocclusion through the displacement of teeth and control and modification of facial growth. This process is accomplished by using mechanical static forces to induce bone remodeling thereby enabling teeth to move. This widely accepted approach to treating malocclusion takes about twenty four months on average. In this approach, orthodontic braces, consisting of an archwire that applies a continuous static force to the teeth interfaces with brackets that are affixed to each tooth, are used to treat a number of different classifications of clinical malocclusion. These clinical malocclusions include underbites, overbites, cross bites, open bites, and crooked teeth, for both esthetic and functional/structural reasons. Recently, removable clear appliances such as the Invisalign® system have been introduced for treating teeth. The removeable appliances, as well as the traditional components of the orthodontic system, for example the tooth brackets and an archwire, are disposable,. At an initial visit, during a procedure known as bonding, orthodontic brackets are affixed to the teeth with cement or some similar substance with adhesive properties. With the exception of incidents of damage or loss of brackets, the same brackets are maintained throughout the entire course of treatment. At the end of the treatment, the orthodontic brackets are removed. Archwires are typically changed at adjustment visits as necessary. The previous archwire is disposed of each time a new one is ligated to the brackets. These direct materials are charged to the patient as a cost element of the larger treatment fee, which also includes overhead expenses and direct labor costs. Fixed appliances, such as retainers that must be worn for some duration post-treatment and clear aligners which are worn until a pre-determined subsequent visit, are customized in fit and sold to the patient. Headgear is typically sold to the patient through the orthodontist and represents a fixed and set cost that must be paid regardless of treatment duration.

Orthodontic treatment can be complicated by the fact that it is oftentimes uncomfortable and painful for patients. Medical devices have not alleviated the pain associated with this treatment, including initial bonding, adjustments, and ongoing discomfort between visits. Post-treatment stability of results and tissue integrity are also important considerations related to orthodontic treatment. Stability is typically accomplished and enhanced through ongoing wear of retainers, in many cases indefinitely. Compliance issues in wearing retainers can lead to relapses that require additional treatments.

In one aspect, an orthodontic appliance includes an extraoral vibratory source; an intraoral attachment including at least one of: archwire, a bracket, a retainer, a palatal expander; and an interface coupling the extraoral vibratory source to the intraoral attachment.

In another aspect, an orthodontic appliance includes an extraoral or intraoral vibratory source, an intraoral archwire or bracket and an interface coupling the extraoral vibratory source to the intraoral archwire or bracket.

In another aspect, a method for treating occlusion includes providing an extraoral or intraoral vibratory source; mounting an intraoral archwire on teeth; and interfacing the extraoral vibratory source to the intraoral archwire.

Implementations of the above aspect can include one or more of the following. A bite plate can be coupled to the extraoral or intraoral vibratory source. The extraoral or intraoral vibratory source can have a pillar or post interfacing with the archwire coupled to the archwire. The pillar moves from a resting position to contact the archwire at a midline or anywhere with the archwire or appliance, wherein two central maxillary incisors come into mesial contact in a patient maxilla, and two central mandibular incisors come into mesial contact in a patient mandible. The system can interact with any part of the appliance systems both intra and extra orally. For example, the interface can contact the teeth at any point and at one or more points. The interface can contact the patient at the mid-line of each tooth, or at other locations on the tooth. A processor can control the extraoral vibratory source. The processor runs software that captures usage frequency and duration [and can be programmed to change the force, frequency, wave form, amplitude, duration or any other operating parameter. The processor can communicate usage frequency and duration to a remote computer via any type wired or wireless communication method. The processor can communicate with the remote computer over the Internet. A rechargeable battery can drive the vibratory source, wherein the rechargeable battery is charged using power from any type of power source including a USB port or an RS-232 port or a FireWire port, for example. The vibratory source can include a motor or a piezoelectric device. A leasing, rental or per procedure usage or any other variable usage systems as well as an out right purchase system enables the extraoral vibratory source to be provided to patients a low cost. The system can provide diagnostic information to a service provider. The system also supports recycling the extraoral vibratory source.

In another aspect, a system for treating malocclusion includes a device that delivers non-static forces to teeth, the device disposed to teeth, and the device can be leased to a treating professional.

In yet another aspect, a system for treating tooth pain includes a device that delivers non-static forces to one or more teeth and where the device disposed to the teeth provides pain relief.

In yet another aspect, a method for recording the compliant use of an orthodontic device that delivers non-static forces to teeth includes a device that delivers non-static forces to teeth, where the device having electronic media that captures information pertaining to delivery.

In a further aspect, a new composition of dental tissue includes a jaw, the jaw having sustained non-static forces delivered to the teeth constituents, and the non-static forces having remodeled the tissues of the mandibular, the periodontal ligament, or the jaw. [we would like to be able to use our device, probably would require a separate patent, for other type of maxiofacial application and trauma like TMJ, Lefort classification procedures, tooth and other dental implants, etc.]

In other aspects, inducing tooth movement and treating malocclusion, craniofacial anomalies, bony defects, and dentofacial deformities through accelerated bone remodeling are achieved by the delivery non-static forces; reducing pain and discomfort in patients; and improving tissue integrity long-term results as to prevent post-orthodontic treatment relapse. The methods and apparatus include a mechanism for data capture and analysis related to patient compliance and usage behavior, as well as for establishing the invention as a component of the clinical office workflow to increase efficiency and productivity.

Advantages of the system may include one or more of the following. The system enhances the traditional orthodontic treatment process with the application of non static forces. In accordance with one embodiment of the system, non-static forces are used to accelerate the remodeling of craniofacial bones in conjunction with orthodontic treatment. The system can be used to treat all forms and classifications of dental malocclusion, craniofacial anomaly, boney defect, or dentofacial deformity in which bone remodeling plays a physiological role. The system can be used exclusively in the maxilla, exclusively in the mandible, or in a dual-arch manner (both maxilla and mandible at the same time). Furthermore, the system can be used to treat cases presenting with a full dentition, any combination of naturally or unnaturally missing teeth, and to remodel bone in edentulous patients. Patients of any age and medical history profile can be treated. The system can be used by patients taking any type of medication.

The system enables an efficacious, yet quick treatment period of static force that involves rapidly changing the forces on the teeth. This is done without requiring the introduction of piezoelectric currents to the mechanically stressed bone. Patient compliance is greatly enhanced through computer monitoring of usage. Treatment outcomes are directly dependent on how closely the patient follows the instructions of the healthcare professional. The system can be worn for a predetermined period such as approximately twenty minutes daily or any other suitable duration of time, thus the patient can wear the device at home for a modest wear duration. The healthcare professional can measure patient compliance and usage patterns that have occurred between appointments. The measured compliance and application is stored in electronic means, and available for retrieval by the health care professional; including retrieval over the internet or any other communication medium.

The system supports a business model allows for a non-disposable component of the orthodontic treatment to be variable and proportional in cost to the duration of the treatment. The device can be disposable or non-disposable. The device can be leased, rented, or purchased on a procedure basis to the patient directly or through the orthodontist or by a third party. The proposed system also increases orthodontic case throughput and therefore office efficiency.

• Provisional Patent
• Utility Patent

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