DESCRIPTION

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to an orthodontic device, in particular to an orthodontic bracket or tube apt to implement orthodontic braces.

Background

The orthodontic devices currently on the market, such as for example the orthodontic brackets and other aids for implementing the orthodontic braces and for anchoring thereof to the teeth, are produced according to standard formats and shapes.

In particular, the orthodontic brackets or tubes are devices contributing to implement, as a whole, an orthodontic brace for correcting the positioning of teeth and/or the shape of the palate of a patient. The orthodontic brackets are interconnected by means of an orthodontic arch, that is metal wire (which during use is stressed by tension or compression) connecting all orthodontic brackets or tubes and it keeps them joined, to implement an orthodontic brace. During use, generally, each orthodontic bracket is applied in a fixed way to a patient's tooth, on the vestibular, lingual or palatal surface.

For sake of completeness, it has to be specified that conventionally for each tooth a first external surface is defined, for example visible when one smiles, called "vestibular" surface, and a second surface facing the mouth inner portion, defined "lingual" surface for the teeth of the lower arch and "palatal" surface for the teeth of the upper arch, as it is known to any person skilled in the art. The chewing portion is defined "occlusal" for premolars and molars, incisive margin for incisors and canines.

An example of orthodontic brackets of known type is shown by way of example in Figures 1 a and 1 b. As it can be observed, and orthodontic bracket of known type n substantially has a main body a and a base b.

In the main body a a hole passing through the housing of the orthodontic arc is obtained. Such hole can have different configurations, apt to determine a particular positioning and tensioning of the orthodontic arch or other orthodontic aid, like a palatal bar. The base b comprises a surface intended to face a tooth, which is a rigid, generally concave or convex surface according to a standardized curvature profile. The shape and extension of such surface cannot be modified after the implementation of the device. Moreover, the base b bears a small net or wire mesh c at such surface. The small net c has an extension equal to that of the base b thereto it adheres, which extension, during use, corresponds to the area in contact with the tooth surface, which determines ultimately the retaining capability of the bracket. In the present description, under retaining capability the bracket capability of adhering in fixed way to the tooth is meant, by discharging thereon the due stresses provided by the therapy.

Disadvantageously, such orthodontic devices of known type, after the implementation thereof, cannot be modified or adapted in any way by the operator to the specific shape of the patient teeth or to the particular phase of his/her therapy. Therefore, at the beginning of each therapeutic path, the dentist chooses a determined type of device for the patient treatment among the few standardized shapes available on the market, generally different in the extension of the surface intended to face on the tooth and in the information existing inside its slot. For example, in Figure 1 b the orthodontic bracket on the top is smaller than the other ones as it is intended for the second molars, which often in the lower arch are not well visible as they are covered by the gingiva. The bracket shown in the same figure in central position is of classical type, whereas the one on the bottom is much wider with respect to the other ones, retaining but stiff, then potentially less stable and adaptable to the dental surface. Disadvantageously, during the therapy, the operator could have to replace even several times the initially selected bracket with devices having a more suitable shape to the new subsequent clinical phases faced by the patient.

For example, according to some techniques the distal tilting of the molars is provided to increase the orthodontic anchoring upon closing the spaces, but at the end of this phase the detachment of the whole orthodontic bracket from the tooth is provided. On the contrary, the present invention provides the replacement of the movable portion only, having inside thereof the new information. Such method can be applied to all brackets (replacement and consequent exchange of three-dimensional information of the movable portion containing the slot for the orthodontic wire).

Moreover, the known orthodontic devices are recognized as sources of stress and time losses due to the occurrence of frequent unwished variations in the adhesion of the device to the tooth, and then of the required periodic maintenance for restoring the therapeutic conditions. For example, one can think about the repeated detachments of the orthodontic brackets from teeth. These detachments are favoured by the fact that the standardized configuration of the brackets not always adapts to the dental surface of the patient, then the real area in contact with the tooth is reduced with respect to the area of the small net c and the real retaining capability of the bracket is reduced with respect to the ideal one.

Moreover, the orthodontic brackets could be replaced to change the shape of the hole apt to house the orthodontic arc to select each time the most suitable one to keep the tensional state and the wished tilting of the orthodontic arc in the different therapy phases. This disadvantage above all appears in the application field of the palatal bars.

Hereinafter in the description the tilting of the orthodontic arc according to the three traditional planes of the space, well known to a person skilled in the art in the field of orthodontics, such as the rotation, tip or angular, and of torque plane, will be referred to.

At last, it has to point out that the application of the orthodontic bracket to the patient tooth is a very delicate procedure. It is fundamentally important to orient correctly the bracket with respect to the tooth to guarantee the holding of the bracket itself and the correct arrangement of the orthodontic arc in the above- mentioned space planes.

Currently, the common practice in the application of the orthodontic devices provides that they are positioned by using as reference parameter a tooth element, defined FACC (Facial Axis of the Clinical Crowns) together with the alignment of marginal ridges and the "contact point". One defines "contact point" the point - which in reality has an even minimum extension, then it substantially corresponds to an area - of contact between a tooth and the adjacent one. The positioning techniques then are exclusively based upon the determination of a tooth point thereto the device is to be centred, and of the axes which can be virtually identified by evaluating the position and shape of the tooth together with the axes which can be identified starting from the bracket to be positioned on the tooth. However, the contact points, or better the contact areas can have indeed a not well defined extension, then the positioning of the device on the tooth remains arbitrary to some extent.

Therefore, the difficulty is inherent in the fact that the correct positioning of the bracket with respect to the tooth surface depends exclusively upon the operator skill.

Summary of the invention

The technical problem placed and solved by the present invention is then to provide a device allowing to obviate at least one of the drawbacks mentioned above with reference to the known art. Such problem is solved by a device according to claim 1 .

Preferred features of the present invention are set forth in the depending claims.

The present invention provides an orthodontic device comprising a main body, bearing means for connecting to an orthodontic arch or similar element, and a base surface, intended to face to an application surface such as a dental surface.

Furthermore, the device comprises a wire mesh or small net, connected to the base surface of the main body, intended to adhere, preferably directly, to the application surface.

A first object of the invention is to provide an orthodontic device wherein the small net has an extension greater than the area of the base surface of the main body.

The device of the invention then has a contact area with more extended application surface than the devices of known art, the sizes of the base surface of the main body being equal, allowing to implement a higher retaining capability. In other words, a considerable increase in the mechanical adhesion to the tooth is implemented by means of the increase in the extension of the small net, which is no more shaped with the same sizes of the base, but it projects externally with respect thereto.

According to an additional aspect of the invention, the lower base can be implemented with a smaller thickness than the traditional ones, then slightly more flexible and preferably even wider, to accompany the small net in the adhesion to the tooth. In this way, the drawbacks linked for example to the detachments of the devices from the application surface and the maintenance procedures can be reduced during the therapeutic period.

Advantageously, this allows to implement a saving in terms of time and money, apart from offering to the patient an experience characterized by a greater sensation of comfort and tranquillity. By way of example, it has to be considered that an offset of 1 mm of the surface of the small net with respect to a rectangular base surface with sizes equal to 4.2x2.5 mm corresponds to a contact area (corresponding to the area of the small net) between the orthodontic device and the application surface equal to 18.2 mm ² , against an area of the base surface equalling to 10.5 mm ² .

According to preferred embodiments of the invention, the small net can be further shaped in any moment to adapt to the particular shape of the application surface of the patient, by allowing a high customization of the product and a greater adaptability of the device. This represents a considerable advantage with respect to the devices of known type, especially for applications on teeth having a different anatomy than the classical one, for example even orthodontic brackets with reduced sizes can be implemented, then with greater comfort, but with shapeable wide small net on the deciduous molars.

Moreover, it is possible to deform the small net (and, if produced with smaller thicknesses than the traditional ones, even the base) to adapt the configuration thereof (in particular its concavity or convexity, even with one or more variations thereof in the same surface) to the configuration of the application surface.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a modular orthodontic device. The modularity of the device is obtained by means of implementing a main body comprising two portions, a first fixed portion and a second movable and interchangeable portion. Moreover, the device comprises a base integral to the fixed portion and a small net fastened to such base, intended to come in contact and in particular to adhere to the application surface.

The movable portion of the main body is the one bearing the seat for housing the orthodontic arch or another element for anchoring to similar devices, for example a metal elongated element to implement a palatal bar, a removable lingual arch, molar tubes for lingual techniques and/or auxiliary means.

Advantageously, it is possible to replace the movable portion of the device with another movable portion having a different configuration, such as for example a differently shaped seat, according to the different phases of the therapeutic path. Then, advantageously, in case of need it is not necessary to replace the whole device, with greater comfort for the patient. In other words, the device of the invention allows to eliminate the need for removal and periodic repositioning of the device as a whole according to the different phases of the therapeutic treatment, by keeping one portion always fastened to the tooth ("passive" portion) and by replacing each time exclusively the movable portion ("active" portion), bearing the seat for housing the arch or other similar device.

In this way, the procedures for replacing the orthodontic device during the therapeutic path reduce to simple procedures for replacing the movable portion, quicker and less traumatic for the patient and less time-consuming for the operator.

Still, an additional object of the invention is to provide an orthodontic device apt to ease the correct positioning and orientation on the tooth by the operator. In particular, the device of the invention is equipped with one or more spurs and/or wings, provided at preferred directions of positioning in the space, for example arranged with determined angles with respect to the seat of the orthodontic tube, or with respect to a main extension direction of the bracket.

Substantially, the device of the invention can be more stable, versatile (modular and interchangeable) and allow a greater positioning precision than the orthodontic devices of known art.

Other advantages, features and use modes of the present invention will result evident from the following detailed description of some embodiments, shown by way of example and not for limitative purpose.

Brief description of the figures

The enclosed figures will be referred to, wherein:

- Figures 1 a and 1 b show a front view and a perspective rear view of orthodontic brackets of known type, respectively; - Figure 2 shows a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment of an orthodontic device according to the present invention;

- Figure 3 shows a rear perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 2; - Figures 4a to 4d show perspective views in sequence of the application phases of a preferred embodiment of an orthodontic device according to the present invention to a patient's tooth;

- Figure 5 shows a perspective view of an orthodontic device according to the present invention, applied to a tooth; - Figure 5a shows a schematic top view of another embodiment of the device of the invention;

- Figure 6 shows schematically in perspective an exploded view of an additional preferred embodiment of orthodontic device according to the present invention; - Figure 7 shows schematically in perspective the embodiment of Figure 6, in a configuration of inserting a movable body in a fixed base;

- Figure 8 shows schematically in perspective view preferred embodiments of a movable body of an orthodontic device according to the present invention and wherein the variations in the space according to the three rotation axes, tip, torque, are noted;

- Figures 9A, 9B, 9C show schematically a side, plan and perspective view, respectively, of a preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein in particular means for positioning the bracket is visible;

- Figure 10 shows a preferred embodiment of a positioning element according to the present invention;

- Figures 1 1A e 1 1 B show a preferred embodiment of the invention, comprising a positioning element like the one shown in Figure 10, respectively; and

- Figure 12 shows still an additional preferred embodiment of an orthodontic device according to the present invention.

The above-mentioned Figures are to be meant only as an example and not for limitative purposes, and they can be not in proportion.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

By firstly referring to Figures 2 e 3, a first preferred embodiment of an orthodontic device according to the present invention is designated as a whole with 1 . In the description an orthodontic tube 1 will be referred to, in particular suitable for the vestibular application on molar teeth, but the invention can relate to any orthodontic device assimilable thereto, such as for example molar bands, brackets for application on vestibular or lingual versants of all teeth, lingual tubes for palatal bars and lingual sheaths. For example, the invention can relate to single, double or triple vestibular tubes, generally according to any type known to a person skilled in the art. In particular, such devices show a circular tube for the insertion of EOT -Extra- Oral Traction - on the upper side, or for the insertion of Lip Bumper, on the lower side. This results to be particularly projecting, uncomfortable for some patients, and useless in some treatment phases, but usually it is not replaced for reasons of costs and operating time.

The orthodontic bracket 1 first of all comprises a main body 10 and a contact element 4.

The contact element 4 is intended to come in contact to and adhere to the surface of a tooth (generally any surface of the oral cavity of the patient, defined as application surface) at a contact surface 41 thereof. In particular, the adhesion between the contact element 4 and the application surface is implemented by applying a bonding agent, well visible in Figure 5, which preferably adheres chemically to the tooth and binds mechanically to the contact element 4. Generally, a light radiation of UVA type is used for hardening the bonding agent. As it can be noted from the Figures, the element 4 preferably is shaped "like a foil", in particular implemented like a net-like element, for example wire mesh.

Alternatively, the element 4 can be an orthodontic band, to be used for example as lingual sheath for palatal bar (Figure 12).

According to preferred embodiments of the invention, the contact element 4 is plastically deformable before and during the application on the patient tooth. In particular, the element 4 can be worked even manually by the dentist to give it the shape most suitable to adhere to the tooth surface (Figure 4b). According to another aspect, it is further possible to shape, for example with scissors, the contact element 4, that is to modify the peripheral profile thereof, in order to adapt it to the width and shape of the application surface of the tooth thereto it will make to adhere (Figures 5 and 9B).

In Figures 4a to 4d a sequence of images is shown by way of example, related to the preliminary phases of the deposition on a tooth of an orthodontic bracket according to the present invention. It is possible to note that the shape of the contact element 4 can vary thanks to the deformability thereof. In particular, by comparing Figures 4a and 4b, it can be noted that the element 4 is progressively modelled by the operator. In Figures 4c and 4d, which illustrate the subsequent sequences of the procedure, the modelling and then adapting of the element 4 to the tooth surface takes place by pressing the same on the dental surface, in order to make it to adhere with precision indeed to the tooth application surface.

According to an additional object of the invention, and for devices preferably intended to the application on the vestibular versant of the molar teeth (Figures 2 and 5), it is provided that the main body 10 has means 1 1 for guiding the correct positioning on the tooth, which can comprise one or more deformable prolongations of the main body 10, such as wings or spurs which will be described better hereinafter. The contact element 4, for example at one above- mentioned spur or wing, can have a decrease in the extension of the peripheral profile thereof, such as an indentation or ripple. The main body 10 of the orthodontic bracket first of all comprises means 5 for connecting to an orthodontic arch or to another auxiliary device for anchoring to similar devices, for example an elongate element or metal wire to implement a palatal bar. Furthermore, the main body 10 has a resting surface 22 intended to face to the tooth application surface, to which application surface 22 the contact element 4 can be connected. The peripheral edge of the resting surface 22 can have various geometries (ex. oval or rectangular), and follow for example a simple line of continuous or broken type, or have knurlings.

The resting surface 22 - and then the main body 10 - is connected to the contact element 4 by mechanical route, for example by means of fastening means of type known in the field, or by means of welding, preferably of laser type. The mechanical connection can be coadiuvated by the application of a binding substance, for example the same substance used to make the contact element 4 to adhere to the tooth. According to alternative embodiments of the invention, it is provided that the contact element 4 is integral to the resting surface 22. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention 100 shown in Figure 5a, such connection indeed provides even the use of a binding agent and the peripheral edge of the resting surface 22 has knurlings. The presence of the knurlings allows to implement sub-frameworks s, well visible in figure (the representation is not proportioned indeed to allow to appreciate the geometry of the sub-frameworks s). In order to implement such sub-frameworks s, the drawing of the peripheral edge follows a decoration with polygonal, preferably trapezoidal sequence, in particular shaped like an isosceles trapezium with the larger base faced towards outside, to create empty spaces or compartments with width growing towards the edge external portion. Alternatively, or in combination with what just described, sub-frameworks can be implemented on the whole resting surface 22, in the thickness size.

The advantage deriving from the presence of the sub-frameworks is simply said. The binding agent used for fastening the contact element 4 to the resting surface 22 engages in the sub-frameworks s, with an increase in the stability of the connection between the element 4, the surface 22 and the tooth surface.

The profile of the polygonal decoration of the peripheral edge further allows to increase the total retaining surface of the orthodontic bracket to the dental surface.

Moreover, an additional contact element, still preferably configured "like a foil" and made of wire mesh, can be connected to the vestibular surface of the main body 10, which is opposite with respect to the resting surface 22.

Advantageously, as said in advance, the invention can provide that the contact element 4 has a contact surface 41 with greater extension than the resting surface 22.

In other words, as it is well visible in Figure 2 and 3, the contact surface 41 projects with respect to the main body 10 and to the resting surface 22, to implement a tooth contact area larger than the area of the resting surface 22, by obtaining all already mentioned advantages. Preferably, the contact surface 41 has a peripheral extension staggered externally by some millimetres with respect to the resting surface 22. According to an additional advantageous aspect of the invention, the main body 10', shown by way of example in Figures 6 and 7, can comprise a fixed base 2 and an interchangeable movable body 3, to implement an orthodontic bracket 1 of modular type. The fixed base 2 comprises the resting surface 22, and it can further comprise the contact element 4, the peripheral surface with retentions s, wings and spurs, whereas the movable body 3 comprises the connecting means 5.

As said previously, and by referring to Figures 9A, 9B, 9C, the base can comprise positioning guiding means 1 1 . Such means 1 1 can comprise at least a wing 200 and/or a spur 1 1 1 . Generally, the positioning guiding means 1 1 are shaped like substantially elongated elements, in other words like elements having a main extension direction. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the wings 200 and the spurs 1 1 1 can be implemented by one or more deformable prolongations of the base 2 itself. Alternatively, the positioning guiding means 1 1 can be removably connected to the orthodontic device, for example to the main body 10 and in particular to the base 2, at predetermined positions, in such a manner that, once connected to the device, the main extension direction thereof is oriented in a known manner and predetermined with respect to an extension direction of the orthodontic bracket, or with respect to an important geometrical parameter thereof. To this purpose, a device 1 according to the present invention can have at least a notch or cavity, for example at least a side portion of the base 2, configured so as to be apt to engage or connect to at least one end of a wing 200 and/or a spur 1 1 1 .

Preferably, an orthodontic device 1 according to the present invention has two wings 200 and one spur 1 1 1 .

Such prolongations are apt to ease the correct positioning and orientation of the orthodontic bracket on the tooth, by acting as visual (wings) but even stabilizing (spur) references. The positioning guiding means 1 1 , such as the above- mentioned wings 200 and/or the spurs 1 1 1 , preferably have a parametric sizing with respect to the size of the tooth therefor the application is intended.

The spur 1 1 1 preferably can be modelled, or better deformed, manually, so that it can be adapted to the natural curvature profile of the application tooth. As partly anticipated, the spur 1 1 1 is apt to ease a correct spacial positioning of the orthodontic brackets of the invention, in particular on the molar teeth. Preferably, the spur 1 1 1 has a positioning and a length so that, when the bracket is correctly applied to the tooth, it comes at and inserts in the vestibular groove which separates the two cusps of the tooth, to reach the occlusal surface. Generally, the spur 1 1 1 can be shaped "like a hook". In other words, the spur 1 1 1 inserts astride the groove between the two cusps, and it is apt to implement a "hook" allowing the device "to hook" to the tooth, when the tooth belongs to the lower arch. In particular, the spur 1 1 1 can extend as far as the passage between the vertical-vestibular surface of the tooth and the horizontal- occlusal one. This configuration facilitates the operator in giving primary stability to the bracket during the fastening to the tooth with the binding agent. The spur then implements a huge help for the operator in positioning the orthodontic tube in the right position with respect to the tooth axis. Still, the means 1 1 for guiding the positioning can further comprise one or more wings 200, in alternative to or in combination with the spur 1 1 1 . Even such wings 200, preferably implemented as two prolongations of the base 2, can be deformed and adapted to the tooth in the device application phase. Such prolongations extend in the mesial-distal direction along the tooth equator in use, reaching near the tooth contact points however without interfering with the adjacent teeth, then having a variable length based upon the size of the application tooth. Preferably, the wings 200 can be modelled so that they "embrace" or rather surround the tooth, that is so that they can follow the natural curvature profile typical of the application tooth surface. Furthermore, as already said, above all so that they guide the operator in the right positioning of the bracket. According to preferred embodiments of the invention, the wings 200 can be provided at preferential directions of positioning in space during use, for example arranged with a determined angle with respect to the spur 1 1 1 or with respect to a main extension direction of the bracket.

By way of example, the wings 200 can be arranged according to a direction which during use, if the device is applied correctly, corresponds to the direction of a horizontal axis of the tooth. On the contrary, the spur 1 1 1 can be arranged according to a direction orthogonal to the previous one, apt to correspond during use, if the device is applied correctly, to the direction of the vertical axis of the application tooth. In order to increase the visibility thereof, the wings and the spur can have a profile bent towards the surface of the application tooth during use, or even be coloured according to specific light-dark chromatic alternances.

By still referring to Figures 9A-9C, a preferred embodiment is shown wherein the orthodontic bracket comprises a spur 1 1 1 and two wings 200. Let's consider a reference system of Cartesian axes X-Y arranged like the plan view of Figure 9B, with the axis Y coincident with the main extension direction of the spur 1 1 1 and the axis X coincident with a main extension direction of the orthodontic device. As shown in figure, the two wings 200 can be arranged preferably laterally with respect to the main body 10, in opposed positions with respect to the spur 1 1 1 and the axis Y, oriented with an angle of about 90° with respect to the spur, that is along the horizontal axis X.

Advantageously, the spur 1 1 1 and the wings 200 help the operator not to make positioning errors during the application of bracket to the tooth. If errors are not performed in this phase, the operator should not remove the bracket to re-place it in the right position in a subsequent phase, by reducing the losses in time and money. By referring to Figure 10, the wings 200 and the spur(s) 1 1 can be connected to a common support to implement one single positioning element 60. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the element 60 can be implemented in one single piece, with the wings and the spur integral to the common support. The positioning element 60 preferably is formed by one single piece configured to engage on a peripheral portion of the base 2, preferably elastic and deformable, for example made of rubber. For example, such common support can be shaped like an annular element, bearing a passage hole configured to engage with the peripheral edge of the base 2, for example thanks to the presence of connection means such as notches and protuberances implemented, in opposed way, on the profile of the base 2 and on the inner annular surface of the positioning element 60.

A preferred embodiment of the orthodontic bracket of the invention 1000 which comprises a preferred embodiment of the positioning element 60, according to what just described, is shown in Figure 1 1 A. Preferably, even the wings and the spurs can be made of elastic material, for example rubber. The positioning elements 60 are mainly used by the brackets. The wings 200, with respect to the positioning element 60, represent occlusal appendixes, preferably folded so that the tooth axis can be identified, when the element 60 is applied to the bracket. Since it is preferably made of rubber, if the tooth is badly positioned and the appendix interferes in the positioning with the adjacent tooth, it is possible to cut it. The wings 200, in order to implement better their functionality of appendixes/prolongations to ease the positioning, preferably are made with coloured bands divided into millimetres.

Figure 1 1 B shows an embodiment of the bracket of the invention comprising a base 2 wider than that shown in the embodiment of Figure 1 1 A, and which in the plan view results to be projecting with respect to the cumbersome periphery of the orthodontic bracket (or at least of the movable body 3, if existing). In an alternative embodiment of the invention, instead of the wings 200 reference lines can be implemented, marked directly on the small net, apt to implement a visual element guiding the correct positioning of the device. For example, on the small net a dark line can be implemented apt to correspond during use, if the device is applied correctly, to the direction of a horizontal axis of the application tooth. In addition, in case instead of the spur 1 1 1 , on the small net another line can be implemented, orthogonal to the preceding one, apt to correspond during use, if the device is applied correctly, to the direction of the vertical axis of the application tooth. Such lines or signs can be implemented by means of, preferable indelible, laser marking.

The connection means 5 comprises a seat configured to engage with and/or to house at least a portion of an orthodontic arch. Moreover, it can comprise wings or other aids for applying elastic bands, hooks, pins and other orthodontic accessories known to the persons skilled in the art (even the tube for the Extra Oral Traction or Lip Bumper). The seat preferably has a main extension direction S, and generally it is implemented like a through hole with rectilinear extension. Such hole can have different tiltings in space and different geometries of its cross section based upon the required functionality, as shown by the various embodiments of the movable body 3 shown in Figure 8, wherein the main extension axis of the seats is highlighted. In particular, to each hole geometry determined pieces of information related to torque, rotation and tip are associated. In the technical language of the orthodontic field, such information correspond to values, expressed in sexagesimal degrees, respectively related to the position of the tooth root with respect to its own vertical axis (rotation), to the position of the tooth root in vestibular-buccal direction (torque) and to the tooth position in mesial-distal direction (tip).

The movable body 3, as said in advance, is removably connected to the fixed base 2. Such technical feature results to be particularly advantageous in the application to orthodontic devices such as vestibular molar tubes and the palatal tubes for the upper molars. The fixed base 2 can be connected in reversible way to the movable body 3 by means of a system for fixing with pressure or clip, for example a gate, or still by means of a coupling of sliding type, as provided in the example described herein.

In order to increase the stability of the mechanical connection between the movable body 3 and the fixed base 2, auxiliary elements can be used, in particular to implement a mutual locking of such bodies during use. Such auxiliary elements can comprise for example a metal wire applied so as to surround and keep firmly in contact the two bodies 2, 3, when the body 3 is connected to, or better inserted into, the fixed base 2. To this purpose, both the latter fixed base 2 and the movable body 3 can bear a groove 222, 222' on a respective outer surface, indeed shaped to allow the insertion of such metal wire, shown by way of example in Figure 12.

In particular, the fixed base 2 can comprise means for guiding the translation of the movable body 3, in such a manner that the movable body 3 indeed is sliding with respect thereto. Preferably, the fixed base 2 bears such means 6 for guiding the translation in opposite position with respect to the resting surface 22. For its part, the movable body 3 is configured to engage with said means 6. As still shown in Figures 6 and 7, the means 6 for guiding the translation preferably is implemented according to a direction orthogonal to the main extension direction S of the seat of the movable body 3, and in particular it comprises grooves shaped like a dovetail. Moreover, the means 6 for guiding the translation preferably comprises a limit switch element 8 for the movable body 3 and/or additional elements for locking/releasing the movable body 3 with respect to the fixed base 2.

A configuration for inserting the movable body 3 in the fixed base 2 is shown in Figure 6, whereas a configuration of completed insertion is shown in Figure 7. At last, a preferred mode for applying a device according to the present invention provides that the operator uses pliers or tweezers anatomically suitable for the application or assembly of the device. The pliers are suitable to guide the arrangement of the device in the ideal position, by considering the morphological guides (spur, strip, deformable small net), together with the associated visual guides (mesial-distal wings, cutout of the small net according to anatomy of the tooth and vertical spur). By referring to Figure 12, an additional embodiment of an orthodontic device according to the present invention, designated as a whole with 2000, is described hereinafter. It is underlined that such embodiment will be described exclusively with reference to the differences with respect to the already discussed embodiments of the invention.

The orthodontic device 2000 comprises a main body 10', in turn comprising a fixed base 2 and a movable body 3 interchangeable with respect thereto. The device 2000 further comprises a contact element 4 shaped like an orthodontic band, to be used for example like a lingual sheath for palatal bar. Moreover, the fixed base 2 of the main body 10' on an outer surface thereof has a preferably rectilinear groove 222, which in the illustrated example develops along the faces and the sides parallel to the sliding direction of the movable body 3 and a bottom side, which implements the limit switch for the movable body 3. Correspondingly, the movable body 3 bears a preferably rectilinear groove 222', which in the illustrated example develops along a side or upper face of the movable body 3 when it is inserted in the fixed body 2, that is a face opposite to the face of the movable body 3 abutting on the limit switch of the fixed base 2, according to a direction transversal to the sliding direction of the movable body 3 within the body 2.

The grooves 222, 222' have a shape so as to house at least partially an auxiliary element, for example a binding metal wire preferably having a diameter of 0.09-0.10 mm, to implement a mutual locking of such bodies 2, 3 when connected, or at least to make firmer and more stable the connection between the two bodies 2, 3.

The configuration of the grooves 222, 222' is so that, when the movable body 3 is inserted in the fixed body 2, they implement one single continuous groove.

According to additional embodiments of the invention, systems for fastening the movable body 3 with respect to the fixed one 2, different from the just described one, preferably equivalent systems, can be provided. At last, it has to highlight that the present invention relates to a general orthodontic device, then it can relate to an orthodontic tube, a palatal tube - generally used in the orthodontic aids like the palatal bars - and even to classical orthodontic brackets, which are susceptible of application on any dental element (incisors, canine, premolar teeth).

The present invention has been sofar described with reference to preferred embodiments. It is to be meant that other embodiments, belonging to the same inventive core, may exist, as defined by the protective scope of the herebelow reported claims.