BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the dental arts and more particularly, to an orthodontic hybrid bracket.

Attachment of orthodontic appliances to first and/or second molars is often inhibited or prevented by the presence of gingival tissue on or along a portion of the distal surface of the molar. Attachment in these cases causes extreme discomfort to the patient and/or requires a surgical procedure to eliminate the gingival tissue in this area.

Typical appliance attachment methods include bands, crowns, and ROCs (removed occlusal crowns). Current orthodontic bands and crowns encircle the molar and impinge gingival tissue particularly on the distal aspect of the tooth. In short, each of these fixed appliances encroach on the retromolar gingival tissue causing discomfort to the patient.

Thus, while these methods are adequate for fully erupted molars, partially erupted molars on younger orthodontic patients are a challenge with the current devices as they inflict pain. For younger patients, already apprehensive of the procedure, this pain can be a dealbreaker or a constant source of complaints throughout the patient’s treatment plan.

Accordingly, there is a need for an orthodontic hybrid bracket that does not impinge on the retromolar gingiva simply by not extending to the distal of the molar, thereby eliminating unwanted pain to the patient yet allowing for attachment to molars that are not fully erupted. Moreover, the present invention provides a more comfortable procedure for the patient and eliminates the need for soft tissue surgery. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, an orthodontic bracket providing a buccal portion and a lingual portion opposite the buccal portion, the buccal portion and the lingual portion defining a length 80 (as shown in FIG. 5) of the bracket; a mesial connector interconnecting the buccal portion and the lingual portion; and a distance extending orthogonal to the length defines a width 90 (as shown in FIG. 2) of the bracket, wherein the distance extends a distal direction from the most proximal end of the mesial connector, wherein the width is dimensioned to end proximal of a distal surface of a posterior tooth.

In another aspect of the present invention, the buccal portion of the orthodontic bracket is adapted to be adjacent to a buccal surface of the posterior tooth, wherein the lingual portion is adapted to be adjacent to a lingual surface of the posterior tooth, and wherein the mesial connector is adapted to be adjacent to a mesial surface of the posterior tooth, wherein the buccal portion comprises a buccal bonding pad, wherein the lingual portion comprises a lingual bonding pad; and further providing an occlusal connector interconnecting the buccal portion and the lingual portion, wherein an occlusal window is defined between the occlusal connector and the mesial connector; and further providing a buccal tube connected to the buccal portion, wherein the buccal tube comprises one or more circumscribed archwire slots, wherein the buccal tube comprises an elastic hook, and wherein the buccal tube comprises a headgear tube or lip bumper tube and/or the orthodontic bracket has a lingual sheath attachment connected to the lingual portion.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description, and claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention illustrating the buccal surface of a molar.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention illustrating the lingual surface of a molar.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention illustrating the distal surface of a molar.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention illustrating the mesial surface of a molar.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention illustrating the occlusal surface of a molar.

FIG. 6A is a detail view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention taken along line 6A-6A of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6B is a detail view similar to FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6C is another detail view similar to FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6D is yet another detail view similar to FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention illustrating the occlusal surface of a molar.

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention illustrating the buccal surface of a molar with the bracket in a supragingival configuration.

FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention illustrating the buccal surface of a molar with the bracket in a subgingival configuration.

FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention illustrating the lingual surface of a molar with the bracket in a supragingival configuration. FIG. 1 1 is a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention illustrating the lingual surface of a molar with the bracket in a subgingival configuration.

FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention illustrating the lingual surface of a molar with a connected appliance.

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention with a connected appliance.

FIG. 14 is a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention illustrating the buccal surface of a molar.

FIG. 15 is a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention illustrating the lingual surface of a molar.

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides an orthodontic hybrid bracket having a body dimensioned and adapted to engage a plurality of surfaces of a posterior tooth, wherein the body terminates proximal of the distal surface of the posterior tooth.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 16, the present invention may include a plurality of orthodontic hybrid brackets 10, 32, 46, 54, 68. Each orthodontic hybrid bracket 10, 32, 46, 54, 68 is dimensioned and adapted to engage the non-distal surfaces of a posterior tooth 12. Each orthodontic hybrid bracket 10, 32, 46, 54, 68 has a buccal bonding pad 16, 34, 64, 72 and a lingual bonding pad 26, 44, 52, 60, 78 bridged by an occlusal connector 22, 40, 48, 56 and/or a mesial connector 24, 42, 50, 58, 70, respectively. In certain embodiments, an occlusal window 22a and 56a may be defined between the occlusal connector 22, 56 and the adjacent mesial connector 24, 58. It should be understood that the dental terms buccal, lingual, mesial, distal, and occlusal indicates the location of the associated component relative the posterior tooth 12; specifically, that the associated component is adjacent to that portion of the posterior tooth 12.

In certain embodiments, a buccal tube 18, 36, 66, and 74 may be disposed along the buccal bonding pad 16, 34, 64, 72, respectively. Each buccal tube 18, 36, 66, and 74 may provide one or more slots 28 (circumscribed by the body of the buccal tube 18, 36, 66, and 74) and a hook 20, 38, 76 and/or an auxiliary tube such as a headgear tube or lip bumper tube 30. The slots 28 may be an archwire slot or multiple auxiliary archwire slots; likewise, the hook 20, 38, 76 and/or the auxiliary tube 30 is dimensioned and adapted to engage auxiliary orthodontic appliances and/or elastics (not shown).

The lingual bonding pad 26, 44, 52, 60 and 78 could have a lingual sheath attachment that would allow for attachment points for removable metal appliance components. The occlusal connector 22, 40, 48, 56 could be omitted, however strength would be diminished. The mesial connector 24, 42, 50, 58 and 70 could be omitted if the occlusal connector 22, 40, 48, 56 is present, however the strength would also be diminished. The mesial connector 24, 42, 50, 58, 70 could extend to the subgingival level or a supragingival level. The lingual bonding pad 26, 44, 52, 60, 78 and the buccal bonding pad 16, 34, 64, 72 could also extend to a subgingival level or a supragingival level.

The buccal bonding pad 16, 34, 64, 72, the lingual bonding pad 26, 44, 52, 60, 78, the occlusal connector 22, 40, 48, 56 and the mesial connector 24, 42, 50, 58 and 70 may be adhered to the associated surfaces of the posterior tooth 12 with orthodontic cement/adhesive. As a whole, the present invention functions to adhere the entire orthodontic hybrid bracket 10, 32, 46, 54, and 68 to the posterior tooth 12 without interfacing with the distal surface of the posterior tooth 12 and thus not impinging on that surface’s gingival tissue 14. As tissue impingement is eliminated, the appliance is more comfortable with the patient and easier for the orthodontist to attach.

Additional orthodontic and/or orthopedic appliances such as fixed expanders 62, TPAs, Herbst appliances, MARA appliances, non-compliance correctors, habit appliances, molar distalizing appliances, auxiliary appliances, and space maintainers may be attached to the lingual bonding pad 26, 44, 52, 60, 78 or any of the other elements of the hybrid bracket 10, 32, 46, 54, and 68. The additional orthodontic appliances may be soldered directly to the orthodontic hybrid bracket 10, 32, 46, 54, 68 or it may be configured as a removable connection. The orthodontic hybrid bracket 10, 32, 46, 54, 68 will allow for placement of orthodontic appliances before the complete eruption of the posterior tooth 12.

The present invention may be made by additive or subtractive manufacturing including, but not limited to, computer numerical control (CNC) molding, casting, injection molding, laser sintering, and 3D printing of bracket.

A method of using the present invention may include the following. The orthodontic hybrid bracket 10, 32, 46, 54, 68 disclosed above may be provided. After the posterior tooth 12 is cleaned, it is etched, rinsed, and primed, the orthodontic hybrid bracket 10, 32, 46, 54, 68 would be directly bonded to the posterior tooth 12 with orthodontic adhesive/cement. The orthodontic hybrid bracket 10, 32, 46, 54, 68 would be bonded lingually, buccally, occlusally, and mesially to the posterior tooth 12 for retention and strength.

Many orthodontic and orthopedic appliances may be attached to the orthodontic hybrid bracket such as: palatal expanders, mandibular expanders, habit appliances, space maintenance appliances, mandibular advancement appliances, eruption appliances, braces, and other fixed orthodontic appliances.

As used in this application, the term "about" or "approximately" refers to a range of values within plus or minus 10% of the specified number or, if there is no specified number, is to be construed as indicating a deviation as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art to operate satisfactorily for an intended purpose. The term “substantially” refers to up to 90% or more of an entirety. Recitation of ranges of values herein are not intended to be limiting, referring instead individually to any and all values falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated, and each separate value within such a range is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. Though it is also understood that ranges of values and/or numeric values are provided herein as examples only, and do not constitute a limitation on the scope of the described embodiments. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (“e.g.,” “such as,” or the like) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the embodiments and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the embodiments or the claims. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any unclaimed element as essential to the practice of the disclosed embodiments.

In the following description, it is understood that terms such as “first,” “second,” “top,” “bottom,” “up,” “down,” and the like, are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms unless specifically stated to the contrary. Directional terms, specifically, may be construed through reference to the elevation Figures, where the term “upward” is directed toward the upper margin of the relevant figure, and the term “downward” is directed to the lower margin of the relevant figure.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.