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

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing dental devices and to a dental device.
• the patient who has problems linked to poor dental occlusion can complain of negative effects on the posture of the spinal column and therefore of the back, shoulders, head and neck, and on muscular force and on joints, said effects being indeed caused by incorrect movements and by an incorrect closure of the mandible and maxilla.
• the aim of the present invention is to solve the problems described above, by providing a method for manufacturing dental devices that are contoured specifically to meet the needs of the patients for which they are intended.
• an object of the invention is to provide a dental device that allows meeting the requirements and solving the problems of each patient without causing him or her discomfort.
• a further object of the invention is to propose a method for manufacturing dental devices that is capable of correcting defects in dental occlusion while maintaining optimum dimensions and space occupation.
• Another object of the present invention is to provide a dental device that can be used by sportspeople and patients in general to eliminate postural problems.
• Another object of the invention is to provide dental devices that have low costs and are safe in application.
• a method for manufacturing a dental device which consists in preparing a model of a mandible and a model of a maxilla of a patient, intended to receive the device; storing a predefined dental occlusion for said models, which corresponds to a specific closure mode of the dental arches of the patient and to a predefined occlusal key; performing a thermoforming treatment on a sheet that is at least partially thermoformable and substantially faces one of said models, for mating with said one of said models and for production of a first portion of a dental device, which has a first surface region that is substantially complementary to the shape of said one of said models; working manually a first pliable substance inserted between said first portion, coupled to said one of said models, and the other one of said models, mutually arranged according to said predefined dental occlusion, for the complete closure of the gaps comprised between said models, with said first portion mated, with consequent modeling of a second portion of the device and obtainment of a complete dental
• a dental device characterized in that it comprises a first portion, which has a first surface region that is substantially complementary to the shape of either the model of a mandible or the model of a maxilla of a patient, said first portion being obtained by thermoforming an at least partially thermoformable sheet which faces said one of said models of a patient, a second portion being superimposed on said first portion and having a second surface region, which is opposite with respect to said first surface region and is substantially complementary to the shape of the other one of said models, said second portion being modeled by manual working of a first pliable substance ⁇ inserted between said first portion, mated with said one of said models, and said other one of said models, which are mutually arranged according to said predefined dental occlusion, until the gaps comprised between said models are completely closed, with said first portion coupled.
• FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the method according to the invention.
• Figure 2 is a perspective view of the device according to the invention.
• Figure 3 is a side elevation view of the mandible model and of the maxilla model, with the occlusal key;
• FIGS 4 to 7 are views of some steps of the method according to the invention.
• the method according to the invention aims at manufacturing dental devices, generally designated by the reference numeral 1 and also known as "orthotics" or “bites”; they are constituted substantially by variously shaped plates; which can be clamped between the maxilla and the mandible (and more precisely between the respective dental arches), for example to remedy morphological defects of the teeth and/or to correct the manner in which the teeth make contact (a manner which is referred to, in the art and below in the present description, by the expression “dental occlusion”).
• the method of manufacturing dental devices 1 according to the invention therefore consists, in a step a., in preparing a model of a mandible 2 and a model of a maxilla 3 (typically but not exclusively made of alginate) of a patient who is to receive and use the device 1.
• a step b. the method provides for storing a predefined dental occlusion for the models 2, 3, which corresponds to a specific closure mode of the dental arches of the patient, and to a preset occlusal key 4 (which will be delved into hereinafter). Then, in a step c, the method provides for performing a thermoforming treatment on an at least partially thermoformable sheet 5, which preliminarily is arranged substantially so as to face one of the models 2, 3.
• the method according to the invention provides, in a step d., for the manual working of a first pliable substance which is inserted between the first portion 6, which is mated to the mandible model 2 (or, as shown, to the maxilla model 3), and the maxilla model 3, with the models 2, 3 mutually arranged according to the predefined dental occlusion.
• said first pliable substance might be constituted by acrylic resin (for example clear resin); as an alternative, without exhausting the possible types of pliable substances that can be used in the scope of the method claimed herein, the first pliable substance can be Constituted by wax.
• the first pliable substance chosen its working allows closure of the gaps comprised between the maxilla model 3 and the mandible model 2 (with the first portion 6 mated), until a second portion of the device 1 is modeled and the complete dental device 1 is thus obtained, which can be clamped between the maxilla and the mandible of a patient, in order to make him assume the predefined dental occlusion, and has a second surface region, which is opposite to the first surface region, which is substantially complementary to the shape of the maxilla model 3 (and to the upper dental arch formed by it).
• the method according to the invention provides, before the step a. of preparing the models 2, 3, for determining, in a step el ., the predefined dental occlusion, which corresponds to an optimum configuration of mutual closure of the mandible and of the maxilla of a specific patient who is to receive the dental device 1.
• the determination step el to interpose, between the mandible and the maxilla of the specific patient for whom the device 1 is intended, two cylinders (or sheets or strips) made of a material such as cotton.
• this procedure in fact allows identifying the optimum configuration of mutual closure of the mandible and of the maxilla of said patient: it is sufficient to make him perform simple gestures and movements (typically swallowing and walking), by positioning and repositioning the cylinders, to check (of course if said pains are due to an incorrect way of closing the teeth) for any disappearance of the pain and determine (in step el .) the predefined dental occlusion.
• step el the predefined dental occlusion in another manner (for example by means of muscle tests of various kinds) as a function of the specific requirements.
• the device 1 In any case, having identified the predefined dental occlusion, which the patient shall have to assume by clamping between his dental arches the device 1 according to the invention, it is possible to provide, in a step e2., the predetermined occlusal key 4, by interposing a second pliable substance between the dental arches of the patient while said arches are arranged in the predefined dental occlusion and therefore in the optimum configuration of mutual closure of the mandible and of the maxilla.
• the second pliable substance, and therefore the occlusal key 4 can be made of a material based on bisacrylates, such as Luxabite®, which is a registered trademark.
• the occlusal key 4 is thus substantially a variously shaped strip, which replicates the gaps that are present between the dental arches of the patient when they are arranged in the predefined dental occlusion; on its basis it is thus possible to obtain a device 1 which in practice induces the patient to close the mandible and maxilla according to said occlusion.
• the preparation step a. provides for forming, in a step al ., an impression of the maxilla and of the mandible (in ways which can also be of a known type and for example by interposing between the mandible and the maxilla the material intended to constitute the impression, in the pasty state, in order to make it assume the desired shape and then wait for it to harden).
• a model of the maxilla 3 and a model of the mandible 2 of the specific patient for whom the device 1 is being manufactured which can be mutually arranged according to the predefined dental occlusion by means of the occlusal key 4 already obtained in the preceding steps.
• the storage step b provides for placing the occlusal key 4, the mandible model 2, the maxilla model 3 (obtained according to the methods described in the preceding paragraphs), mutually arranged according to the predefined dental occlusion, on an articulator in order to adjust the mutual arrangement that corresponds to the predefined dental occlusion.
• the method provides, after step b. for storage and before step c. for execution, for placing, in a step fl ., at least the mandible model 2 (or the maxilla model 3) in a thermo forming apparatus 7, which is provided with at least one tank 8, which is affected by means for generating a partial pneumatic vacuum and is designed to accommodate the mandible model 2 (or the maxilla model 3).
• the method After accommodating, in step fl ., the mandible model 2 in the tank 8, the method provides for filling, in a step f2., the tank 8 with a plurality of granules 9, preferably made of steel, in order to keep the mandible model 2 in position during thermoforming (as can be seen in Figure 4).
• step c. of execution of the thermoforming treatment leads to the obtainment of the first portion 6 (starting from the sheet 5), mated with the mandible model 2. It is useful to note, in any case, that the possibility is not excluded of performing the step c. of execution (like the others) without resorting to the preliminary activities described above and/or according to methods that are different from the ones illustrated in the present description, without thereby abandoning the protective scope claimed herein.
• the method according to the invention provides, after the execution step c. and before the working step d., for arranging, in a step g., the maxilla model 3 and the mandible model 2, with the first portion 6 obtained in the preceding steps, on the articulator, in order to reproduce the configuration that corresponds to the predefined dental occlusion, and thus perform correct closure (thanks to working of the first pliable substance, in step d.) of the gaps comprised between the mandible model 2, with the first portion 6, and the maxilla model 3 (with the models 2, 3 arranged according to said predefined dental occlusion).
• the method according to the invention provides for finishing the dental device 1 , in a step h., to correct and remove any defects.
• the method according to the invention provides, in a step i., for polishing the device 1 in order to complete its construction.
• the sheet 5 faces the mandible model 2 (or the maxilla model 3) with a first thermoformable layer thereof, which is softer than a second layer which is superimposed on the first layer; the first pliable substance can thus be positioned on said second harder layer.
• the first layer is preferably made of a material of the type of thermoplastic polyurethane (also known by the acronym "TPU"), while the second layer is preferably made of a material of the type of polyesters and even more preferably of the type of polyethylene terephthalates (also known by the acronym "PETG").
• TPU thermoplastic polyurethane
• PETG polyethylene terephthalates
• the dental device 1 comprises a first portion 6, which in turn has a first surface region which is substantially complementary to the shape of the model of a mandible 2 and of a lower dental arch of a patient (or to the shape of the model of a maxilla 3 and of an upper dental arch): said first portion 6 is obtained by thermoforming a sheet 5 (which is at least partially thermoformable) which faces the model 2 of the mandible of the patient.
• a second portion is superimposed on the first portion 6 and has a second surface region which is opposite to the second surface region and is substantially complementary to the shape of the model of a maxilla 3 and of an upper dental arch (or the shape of the model of the mandible 2 and of the lower dental arch): the second portion is modeled by working a first pliable substance, which is inserted between the mandible model 2, with the first portion 6, and the maxilla model 3 (or vice versa), mutually arranged according to said predefined dental occlusion, until the gaps comprised between the models 2 and 3 are completely closed, with the first portion 6 coupled.
• the sheet 5 comprises a first thermoformable layer, which is provided with the first surface region: said first layer is made of a material of the type of thermoplastic polyurethane and is softer than a second layer, which is superimposed on the first layer and is made of a material of the type of polyesters, and even more preferably of the type of polyethylene terephthalates.
• the first pliable substance is distributed on said second layer, which is intentionally selected with a greater hardness.
• the method according to the invention therefore makes it possible to provide to a patient who requires a remedy to an incorrect manner of closing his teeth, a dental device 1 which, once clamped in the mouth, causes the rearrangement of the dental arches according to the predefined dental occlusion, selected as a function of a preliminary analysis and capable of eliminating the symptoms and pains caused by an incorrect position of the teeth, of the maxilla and of the mandible.
• the predefined dental occlusion can be determined in step el . by means of adapted tests aimed at verifying how any pains affecting the back, the legs, etcetera are due to any incorrect manner of closing the teeth (which therefore can be corrected by means of the device 1 according to the invention).
• step el it is possible to provide, in a step e2., the occlusal key 4, which replicates the interspaces that are present between the dental arches of the patient, when they are arranged in the predefined dental occlusion.
• the method then provides for forming, in step al ., an impression of the maxilla and of the mandible and on the basis of this impression it is thus possible to shape, in step a2., a model of a mandible 2 and a model of a maxilla 3, which can then be placed on an articulator (in the mutual arrangement of Figure 3) in order to store, in step b., the predefined dental occlusion for the models 2, 3.
• the mandible model 2 (or the maxilla model 3) can then be removed from the articulator to be positioned, in step fl ., in the tank 8 of the thermoforming apparatus 7, which is subsequently filled, in step f2., with the steel granules 9.
• step c it is thus possible, in step c, to perform the thermoforming treatment and produce (with the sheet 5 of thermoformable material, which faces the mandible model 2) the first portion 6 of the dental device 1 , which has a first surface region that is complementary to the mandible model 2 (and therefore to the dental arch of said mandible).
• the first portion 6 of the device 1 and the mandible model 2 can thus be arranged, in step g., on the articulator, in opposition to the maxilla model 3, in order to allow -the subsequent execution of step d. of working a first pliable substance to close the gaps comprised between the mandible model 2, with the first portion 6, and the maxilla model 3, with consequent modeling of the second portion of the device 1 (in this manner, the second portion can also have greater or smaller thicknesses so as to follow the different center distances that the patient may have between the dental arches) and consequent obtainment of the complete device 1.
• the closure of the gaps is necessary because since the first portion 6 is produced by thermo forming a sheet 5, it is assuredly spaced from the maxilla model 3 : by modeling the pliable substance ⁇ while the various elements involved are fixed to the articulator, in the predefined occlusion, the second portion that is obtained is absolutely complementary to the maxilla model 3 and therefore to the actual maxilla of the patient.
• the device 1 can be improved and rendered perfectly suitable for use by means of the finishing step h. and the polishing step i.
• a device 1 that adapts perfectly to the maxilla and the mandible of the patient (arranged in the predefined occlusion, selected so as to eliminate the problems and symptoms reported by the patient), thanks to the first surface region, which by thermoforming is rendered complementary to the lower dental arch, and thanks to the second surface region, which by modeling of the first pliable substance is instead complementary to the upper dental arch.
• the complete adaptability of the device 1 thus manufactured to the mandible and maxilla of the patient indeed makes it possible to avoid the danger of discomfort to the customer and to ensure, at the same time, that optimum dimensions and space occupations (lingual and vestibular) are maintained (thus avoiding other problems and pains that are often present when resorting to devices, such as bites or orthotics, of a known type).
• sheets 5 having very low thicknesses for example 1.2 mm are adopted.
• thermoforming a sheet 5 which has two layers, the first one, intended for contact with the mandible of the customer, being softer than the second one, which is simply intended to support the first pliable substance and therefore the second portion of the device 1 , but without making contact, during use, with anatomical tissues of the patient.
• the method and the device according to the invention fully achieve the intended aim, since the manufacture of a device that comprises a first portion, provided with a first surface region obtained by thermoforming a sheet that faces one of the two models, and a second portion provided by modeling a pliable substance and having a second surface region, which is complementary to the shape of the other one of the two models, makes it possible to obtain devices that are shaped specifically to meet the requirements of the patients for whom they are intended.
• the materials used, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to the requirements and the state of the art.

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• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (AREA)
• Dentistry (AREA)
• Epidemiology (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• Instructional Devices (AREA)

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Cited By (3)

Citations (4)

• 2012
  • 2012-06-21 WO PCT/IT2012/000190 patent/WO2013190580A1/fr not_active Ceased

Patent Citations (4)

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