Orthodontic hook assembly and appliance

This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/852,046, filed May 6, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,873,716.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to orthodontic appliances and, in particular, to hooks for securing elastic members to orthodontic braces.

Orthodontic braces are well known. Typically, braces include one or more brackets secured to the teeth of the patient. The brackets may be secured in a number of ways. One manner of securing the brackets is to adhere them to the surface of the teeth with a suitable adhesive. Alternatively, the brackets may be secured to the teeth by attaching them to a series of bands that encircle the individual teeth. Once the brackets are secured to the teeth, it is typical to install what is known as an arch wire through the brackets. The arch wire may extend through slots in some or all of the brackets and be anchored at each end to a bracket secured to one of the patient's molars.

Often, elastic members in the form of small rubber bands are utilized to apply additional tension to the braces, which in turn transmit the tension to the teeth. Typically, a pair of hooks is provided for securing the elastic member to the braces. One hook is typically located on the lower set of braces and one on the upper set of braces. The elastic member is secured about one hook and then stretched and secured about the second hook so as to extend from the upper set of braces to the lower set of braces.

The elastics are usually applied by the patient and are periodically changed. For example, the elastics are typically removed when the patient brushes his or her teeth and new ones are put on. Sometimes, the elastics will break or become disengaged from the braces and fall out. In these instances, new elastics are again applied by the patient.

Orthodontists have found that patients do not always replace their elastics once they have been removed for a given reason. For example, it is not unusual for younger wearers of braces, such as teenagers, to fail to wear their elastics. Thus, the patient's treatment may be prolonged because the proper tension is not being applied to the braces in the absence of the elastics.

The present invention provides orthodontic hook assemblies that position the hooks such that they contact the interior of the patient's mouth and cause discomfort when the elastics are not applied to the hooks. When the elastics are applied, the hooks move to positions in which they do not contact the interior of the patient's mouth.

These and other features of the present invention are attained by an orthodontic appliance having a plurality of brackets, an arch wire connected to the brackets and hooks for receiving an elastic member. One or more of the hooks are movable from a first position when the elastic member is not positioned about the hook to a second position when the elastic member is positioned about the hook. The hook extends in the labial direction when the elastic member is not positioned about the hook and in the incisal direction when the elastic member is positioned about the hook.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the orthodontic appliance further includes a clamp pivotable about the arch wire, a tube connected to the clamp and to the hook, and a second wire connected to the tube and to at least one of the brackets. The second wire may be a shape memory wire.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the orthodontic appliance includes a clamp pivotable about the arch wire, a tube connected to the clamp and a second wire extending into the tube. The tube and second wire are bent to form the hook.

In another embodiment of the present invention, an orthodontic appliance further includes two magnets. The first is secured to the hook and the second is secured to the arch wire. The arch wire extends through the first magnet and the first magnet is pivotable about the arch wire.

According to another embodiment of the invention, an orthodontic appliance includes a plurality of brackets, an arch wire extending through the brackets, a clamp secured to the arch wire, a hook and a wire having a first end secured to the clamp and a second end secured to the hook. The hook is movable in response to a force applied by an elastic member from a first position in which the hook extends in the labial direction to a second position in which the hook extends in the incisal direction.

In one embodiment, the wire extends in the labial direction. In another embodiment, the wire extends in the distal and mesial directions.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, an orthodontic appliance includes a plurality of brackets, an arch wire secured to the brackets, a hook and a wire segment. The wire segment is connected to one of the brackets and the hook. The hook is movable in response to a force applied by an elastic member from a first position in which the hook extends in the labial direction to a second position in which the hook extends in the incisal direction. One of the brackets includes a slot and the wire segment extends into the slot.

According to still another embodiment of the present invention, an orthodontic appliance includes a plurality of brackets and at least one tube. An arch wire extends through the brackets and the tube. A hook is pivotally connected to the tube. The hook is secured to the tube by a hinge and is spring loaded. Alternatively, the hook can be held in place magnetically.

Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1

is a perspective view of an orthodontic hook assembly according to the present invention.

FIG. 2

is a perspective view of an orthodontic appliance according to the present invention utilizing the hook assembly of

FIG. 1

, without an elastic member secured thereto.

FIG. 3

is a perspective view of the orthodontic appliance shown in

FIG. 2

with an elastic member secured to the hook assembly.

FIG. 4

is a perspective view of another embodiment of an orthodontic hook assembly according to the present invention.

FIG. 5

is a perspective view of an orthodontic appliance according to the present invention utilizing the hook assembly of

FIG. 4

, without an elastic member secured thereto.

FIG. 6

is a perspective view of the orthodontic appliance shown in

FIG. 5

with an elastic member secured to the hook assembly.

FIG. 7

is a perspective view of another embodiment of an orthodontic hook assembly according to the present invention.

FIG. 8

is a perspective view of an orthodontic appliance according to the present invention utilizing the hook assembly of

FIG. 7

, without an elastic member secured thereto.

FIG. 9

is a perspective view of the orthodontic appliance shown in

FIG. 8

with an elastic member secured to the hook assembly.

FIG. 10

is a perspective view of another embodiment of an orthodontic appliance according to the present invention, without an elastic member secured thereto.

FIG. 11

is a perspective view of the orthodontic appliance shown in

FIG. 10

with an elastic member secured to the hook assembly.

FIG. 12

is a perspective view of another embodiment of an orthodontic appliance according to the present invention, without an elastic member secured thereto.

FIG. 13

is a perspective view of the orthodontic appliance shown in

FIG. 12

with an elastic member secured to the hook assembly.

FIGS. 14

a

-

14

d

illustrate another embodiment of an orthodontic hook assembly according to the present invention.

FIG. 15

is a perspective view of an orthodontic appliance according to the present invention utilizing the hook assembly of

FIGS. 14

a

-

14

d,

without an elastic member secured thereto.

FIG. 16

is a perspective view of the orthodontic appliance shown in

FIG. 15

with an elastic member secured to the hook assembly.

FIG. 17

is a perspective view of another embodiment of an orthodontic appliance according to the present invention, without an elastic member secured thereto.

FIG. 18

is a perspective view of the orthodontic appliance shown in

FIG. 17

with an elastic member secured to the hook assembly.

FIG. 19

is a perspective view of another embodiment of an orthodontic appliance according to the present invention, without an elastic member secured thereto.

FIG. 20

is a perspective view of the orthodontic appliance shown in

FIG. 19

with an elastic member secured to the hook assembly.

FIG. 21

is a perspective view of another embodiment of an orthodontic appliance according to the present invention, without an elastic member secured thereto.

FIG. 22

is a perspective view of the orthodontic appliance shown in

FIG. 21

with an elastic member secured to the hook assembly.

FIG. 23

is a perspective view of another embodiment of an orthodontic appliance according to the present invention, without an elastic member secured thereto.

FIG. 24

is a perspective view of the orthodontic appliance shown in

FIG. 23

with an elastic member secured to the hook assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1

is a perspective view of a orthodontic hook assembly according to the present invention. Assembly

10

generally includes clamp

20

, tube

30

and hook

40

. In the embodiment shown, clamp

20

is a generally c-shaped member having an outer surface

21

, an inner surface

22

, a first end

23

and a second end

24

. A slot

25

is cut through outer surface

21

and inner surface

22

. A bore

26

extends through clamp

20

. Note, however, that clamp

20

does not have to have the shape shown in FIG.

1

. Nor does it need to include a slot. Clamp

20

may have various configurations that allow clamp

20

to be secured to the arch wire in either a fixed or pivotable manner, as desired and described below. Various alternative designs of clamps are described below and illustrated in other figures.

Tube

30

includes an outer surface

31

, an inner surface

32

, a first end

33

and a second end

34

. A bore

35

extends through tube

30

. Outer surface

31

of tube

30

is joined to outer surface

21

of clamp

20

by welding, although other methods may be used.

Hook

40

includes a first segment

41

extending radially outward from outer surface

31

of tube

30

and a second segment

42

disposed at a generally right angle to first segment

41

. Second segment

42

extends in generally the same direction as the axes of bores

26

and

35

and terminates in a free end

43

. Hook

40

is secured to outer surface

31

of tube

30

by welding or other means.

FIG. 2

is a perspective view of an orthodontic appliance according to the present invention utilizing the orthodontic hook assembly shown in FIG.

1

. Hook assembly

10

is shown secured to a patient's braces. The braces typically include a plurality of brackets

100

secured to the teeth

101

with an arch wire

102

extending through brackets

100

. Arch wire

102

also extends through bore

26

of clamp

20

. Clamp

20

is then crimped such that slot

25

is closed. This prevents clamp

20

from disengaging arch wire

102

. Note, however, that clamp

20

should not be crimped such that it is fixed in a stationary position on arch wire

102

. Rather, clamp

20

must be free to rotate about arch wire

102

.

A second wire segment

50

is connected to some of the brackets

100

. Wire segment

50

is preferably a shape memory wire made from a nickel-titanium alloy or another resilient wire. One end of wire

50

extends into bore

35

of tube

30

. Tube

30

is then crimped such that it is securely fastened to wire segment

50

and does not rotate about wire segment

50

. Wire segment

50

is shaped and installed such that it holds hook

40

in the position shown, that is extending in the labial direction, when no elastic member is secured to hook

40

.

When an elastic member

60

is secured about hook

40

and stationary hook

104

secured to lower arch wire

103

, as shown in

FIG. 3

, or, alternatively, to a stationary hook on a molar tube, the force applied by elastic member

60

causes clamp

20

to pivot about arch wire

102

such that hook

40

extends downwardly in the incisal direction. When elastic member

60

is removed, wire segment

50

will return to its original position, thus causing clamp

20

to pivot about arch wire

102

and return hook

40

to its original position extending in the labial direction. In this manner, if the patient does not wear his or her elastics, hook

40

will protrude in the labial direction and poke the inside of the patient's mouth. This causes discomfort and encourages the patient to apply the elastics such that hook

40

pivots to the incisal direction and is no longer irritating the inside of the mouth.

FIG. 4

shows another embodiment of an orthodontic hook assembly according to the present invention. Hook assembly

200

generally includes a clamp

220

, wire

230

and hook

240

. In the embodiment shown, clamp

220

has an outer surface

221

, an inner surface

222

, a first end

223

and a second end

224

. Clamp

220

is generally c-shaped and includes a slot

225

cut through outer surface

221

and inner surface

222

. A bore

226

extends through clamp

220

. Again, the clamp can be any one of a number of configurations. For example, slot

225

can be eliminated.

Wire

230

is a resilient wire, preferably made from a shape memory nickel-titanium alloy. Wire

230

includes a first end

231

and a second end

232

. Wire

230

is secured to the exterior surface

221

of clamp

220

by welding or other means. Wire

230

extends in generally the same direction as the axis of bore

226

.

Hook

240

includes a first segment

241

generally coaxial with wire

230

and secured to second end

232

thereof. A second segment

242

of hook

240

extends from first segment

241

at a generally right angle thereto. Third segment

243

of hook

240

extends from the opposite end of second segment

242

at a generally right angle thereto, generally parallel to wire

230

, and terminates in free end

244

.

FIG. 5

shows the hook assembly of

FIG. 4

secured to orthodontic braces without an elastic member applied to hook

240

. In this embodiment, clamp

220

is crimped about arch wire

102

such that it cannot rotate with respect to arch wire

102

. In this position, hook

240

extends outwardly in the labial direction. When an elastic member

60

is applied to hook

240

(FIG.

6

), the resulting force bends wire

230

downwardly such that hook

240

extends in the incisal direction. When elastic member

60

is removed, wire

230

springs back to its original position and hook

240

extends once again in the labial direction.

FIG. 7

shows another embodiment of an orthodontic hook assembly according to the present invention. Hook assembly

300

generally includes a clamp

320

, wire

330

and hook

340

. In the embodiment shown, clamp

320

has an outer surface

321

, an inner surface

322

, a first end

323

and a second end

324

. Clamp

320

is generally c-shaped and includes a slot

325

cut through outer surface

321

and inner surface

322

. A bore

326

extends through clamp

320

.

Wire

330

is a resilient wire, preferably made from a nickel-titanium shape memory alloy. Wire

330

includes a first end

331

and a second end

332

. Wire

330

is secured to the exterior surface

321

of clamp

320

by welding or other means. Wire

330

extends generally perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of bore

326

.

Hook

340

includes a first segment

341

generally coaxial with wire

330

and secured to second end

332

thereof. A second segment

342

of hook

340

extends from first segment

341

at a generally right angle thereto and terminates in a free end

343

.

FIG. 8

shows the hook assembly of

FIG. 7

secured to orthodontic braces without an elastic member applied to hook

340

. In this embodiment, clamp

320

is crimped about arch wire

102

such that it cannot rotate with respect to arch wire

102

. In this position, hook

340

extends outwardly in a labial direction. When an elastic member

60

is applied to hook

340

(FIG.

9

), the resulting force bends wire

330

downwardly such that hook

340

extends in the incisal direction. When elastic member

60

is removed, wire

330

springs back to its original position and hook

340

extends once again in the labial direction.

FIG. 10

shows yet another embodiment of an orthodontic hook assembly according to the present invention. In this embodiment, hook assembly

400

generally includes a wire

410

and a hook

420

. Wire

410

includes a first segment

411

having a free end

412

and a second end that transitions into a second segment

413

disposed at a generally right angle to first segment

411

. Second segment

413

terminates in a second end

414

. Wire

410

is preferably made from a resilient material or a nickel-titanium shape memory alloy.

Hook

420

includes a first segment

421

extending generally coaxial with second segment

413

of wire

410

and a second segment

422

extending at a generally right angle to first segment

421

. Second segment

422

terminates in a free end

423

.

In use, first end

412

of first segment

411

is inserted through a slot

501

in a bracket

500

and secured therein. In this manner, hook

420

extends in the labial direction and contacts the interior of the patient's mouth when an elastic member is not applied to hook

420

. When an elastic member

60

is applied (FIG.

11

), wire

410

bends as shown and hook

420

extends in the incisal direction so as not to irritate the interior of the patient's mouth. Again, when elastic member

60

is removed, wire

410

returns to its original position such that hook

420

extends in the labial direction.

FIG. 12

shows yet another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a second wire

600

is positioned over arch wire

102

and secured to brackets

100

by ligature ties. Each end of second wire

600

terminates in a hook

610

. Hook

610

includes a first segment

611

that extends generally perpendicular to end

601

of wire

600

. Hook

610

further includes a second segment

612

disposed generally perpendicular to first segment

611

. Second segment

612

terminates in a free end

613

.

As can be seen in

FIG. 13

, when elastic member

60

is placed around hook

610

and stationary hook

104

, hook

610

bends downward in the incisal direction. In this manner, as with the other embodiments, hook

610

will not poke the inside of the patient's mouth as long as the elastics are in place.

FIGS. 14

a

-

14

d

show yet another embodiment of an orthodontic hook assembly according to the present invention. In this embodiment, a shape memory wire

700

is inserted into a tube

701

. Tube

701

is then crimped as shown at

702

to secure tube

701

to wire

700

. Wire

700

and tube

701

are then bent in the form of a hook as shown in

FIG. 14

c.

Tube

701

is then secured to a clamp

703

as shown in

FIG. 14

d.

To install the hook assembly shown in

FIGS. 14

a

-

14

d,

clamp

703

is placed about arch wire

102

so that it is free to rotate as described above in conjunction with the embodiment of FIG.

1

. Wire

700

extends through the brackets of the braces. In this manner, the hook assembly will pivot between a position in which it pokes the inside of the mouth (

FIG. 15

) and one in which it does not (

FIG. 16

) depending upon whether or not the patient is wearing his or her elastics.

FIGS. 17 and 18

show still another embodiment of an orthodontic hook assembly according to the present invention. In this embodiment, a magnet

800

is positioned on arch wire

102

and is free to rotate thereabout. A hook

802

extends from magnet

800

. A second magnet

801

is positioned on arch wire

102

adjacent first magnet

800

and is fixed so that it cannot rotate. The magnets are aligned such that the north pole of one magnet is adjacent the south pole of the other magnet. In this manner, the magnetic forces of attraction between magnets

800

and

801

hold hook

802

in the position shown in FIG.

17

. When elastic member

60

is applied to hook

802

(FIG.

18

), the force of the elastic member overcomes the magnetic force and causes magnet

800

to rotate as shown such that hook

802

is no longer irritating the inside of the patient's mouth. When elastic member

60

is removed, the magnetic force will restore hook

802

to the position shown in FIG.

17

.

FIGS. 19 and 20

show yet another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, arch wire

103

passes through a molar tube

900

secured to a base

901

. Base

901

is secured to tooth

101

. A hook

902

extends in the gingival direction from tube

900

. Hook

902

is pivotally secured to tube

900

as by a hinge

903

. The hook

902

is spring loaded such that it extends as shown in

FIG. 19

when elastic member

60

is not secured to hook

902

. Alternatively, hook

902

may be held in the position shown by magnetic force. When elastic member

60

is applied to hook

902

(FIG.

20

), hook

902

pivots as shown so as not to irritate the interior of the patient's mouth. In this embodiment, the opposite end of elastic member

60

is secured to a stationary hook positioned on the upper molars.

FIGS. 21 and 22

show an occlusal view of yet another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, arch wire

103

extends through a molar tube

1000

secured to a base

1001

. Base

1001

is secured to tooth

100

such that hook

1002

extends in the labial direction. Hook

1002

is spring loaded and is pivotally secured to tube

1000

by a hinge

1003

. Without an elastic on hook

1002

, the hook pokes the inside of the patient's mouth. When elastic member

60

is secured to hook

1002

, it pivots as shown in FIG.

22

.

FIG. 23

shows still another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a second wire

1100

, which may be a shape memory wire, is positioned over arch wire

102

and secured to brackets

100

by ligature ties. Each end of second wire

1100

includes a helical portion or coil

1102

which terminates in a hook

1110

. During assembly, arch wire

102

is threaded through coil

1102

. Hook

1110

includes a first segment

1111

that extends generally perpendicular to end

1101

of wire

1100

. Hook

1110

further includes a second segment

1112

disposed generally perpendicular to first segment

1111

. Second segment

1112

terminates in free end

1113

.

As can be seen in

FIG. 24

, when elastic member

60

is placed around hook

1110

and stationary hook

104

, hook

1110

bends downward in the incisal direction. In this manner, as with the other embodiments, hook

1110

will not poke the inside of the patient's mouth as long as the elastics are in place. When elastic member

60

is removed, coil

1102

of second wire

1100

springs back into the position shown in FIG.

23

. Accordingly, hook

1110

extends in the labial direction and contacts the interior of the patient's mouth.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is to be clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation. Numerous changes can be made to the embodiments shown without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the clamps, hooks and other components illustrated can be of shapes other than those shown. Also, more than one movable hook assembly may be employed. For example, two such assemblies, one on each side of the patient's mouth, may be used. Accordingly, the spirit and scope of the invention are to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims.