HK1126645B - Dentition correcting device - Google Patents

Description

Orthodontic device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an orthodontic device.

Background

Conventionally, an orthodontic device having a wire attached to an dentition has been known as an orthodontic device. The wire has a spring back force acting on the array of teeth as a prescribed static load to straighten the alignment or occlusion of the teeth. That is, the orthodontic device is based on the principle that when a predetermined force is applied to the dentition, the alveolar Bone supporting the teeth in the gingiva is gradually deformed (Bone remodelling) to straighten the dentition.

However, the above-mentioned orthodontic correction using the wire takes a long time to completely cure the tooth (6 months is required at the fastest speed, and several years is required in general). This may also be the reason for giving up the treatment. In order to shorten the time required for such correction of dentition, a technique of applying vibration to dentition has been studied. For example, as shown in fig. 17 (a), the result of the study disclosed in non-patent document 1 (journal of the japanese dental office of orthodontics, 1986, volume 45, pages 56 to 72, clear water literature) shows that, when comparing an example a in which a predetermined force is applied to the dentition and an example B in which a vibration force is applied to the dentition, the example B in which a vibration force is applied is more effective in shortening the time.

Similarly, as shown in fig. 17 (b), the results of the study disclosed in non-patent document 2 (journal of the japanese dental office of orthodontics, 2001, No. 4, page 201, supra at 60) show that, when comparing example C in which a predetermined urging force is applied to the dentition and example D in which a predetermined urging force and a vibration force are applied to the dentition, example D in which a predetermined urging force and a vibration force are applied is more effective in shortening the time.

These studies have revealed that the application of vibration to the dentition can significantly shorten the period of time required for dentition correction to about 1/2 to 1/3 in the past. Further, the non-patent document 1 shows that only 1.5 hours of vibration force should be applied in one day, while the non-patent document 2 shows that only one vibration force is applied every 2 weeks, and the application time per one time is only 2 minutes.

These studies have revealed that, as compared with orthodontic correction in which only a predetermined corrective force is applied to the dentition by a wire or the like, orthodontic correction in which not only the corrective force but also a vibration force is applied is more effective in significantly shortening the correction time.

Conventionally, apparatuses for practical application of the above studies have been disclosed. Specifically, patent document 1 (japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2002-102255) discloses an apparatus comprising: a mouthpiece installed on the dentition to facilitate movement of teeth of the orthodontic subject; and an ultrasonic wave applying mechanism for applying ultrasonic vibration to the peripheral group of the tooth socket. Further, patent document 2 (japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2004-201895) discloses an apparatus for applying ultrasonic vibration to a tooth to be corrected.

However, the devices disclosed in patent documents 1 and 2 both receive ultrasonic vibration applied from the outside by pressing the ultrasonic wave supply head against the surface of, for example, cheek skin, and therefore have a problem that ultrasonic vibration cannot be efficiently applied to teeth to be corrected. Further, since each of the devices requires an ultrasonic wave generating device, there is a problem that treatment cannot be continued without reaching a dental hospital having the device.

Disclosure of Invention

In order to solve the above-described problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an orthodontic device that can accurately apply vibration to only teeth to be aligned and can continue treatment at home simply and safely.

To achieve the above object, the present invention provides an orthodontic device for aligning the dentition of a subject including teeth, comprising: a vibration generating element that generates mechanical vibration and applies the mechanical vibration to the teeth to be corrected; and a mouthpiece in which the oscillation generating element is built and which is attached to the teeth row in the built-in state. The mouthpiece has an inner member and an outer member superposed on the outer side of the inner member, and between these inner member and outer member, a vibration-starting-element accommodating portion for accommodating the vibration starting element is formed.

In this apparatus, since the vibrating element that generates mechanical vibration (mechanical stimulation) is built in the mouthpiece attached to the dentition, the vibrating element can efficiently apply vibration to the teeth to be corrected. Furthermore, since the vibration generating element is accommodated in the mouthpiece, it is not necessary to go to a dental hospital, for example, at home, when vibration is to be given, and treatment can be continued simply and safely at any time.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a mandibular dental cast.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the mouthpiece according to the first embodiment of the present invention is attached to a tooth row.

Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the mouthpiece shown in figure 2 as seen from its outer surface.

Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the mouthpiece shown in figure 2 as seen from its inner surface.

FIG. 5 (a) is a sectional view taken along line VA-VA of FIG. 2; FIG. 5 (b) is a sectional view taken along line VB-VB in FIG. 2; fig. 5 (c) is a wiring diagram of the electric motor.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which a mouthpiece according to a second embodiment of the present invention is attached to a tooth row.

FIG. 7 is a mouthpiece according to a third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 (a) is an exploded perspective view, and FIG. 7 (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIIB-VIIB of FIG. 7 (a).

FIGS. 8 (a) and 8 (B) are sectional views corresponding to the line VIIB-VIIB in FIG. 7 (a), and each show a different structure.

FIG. 9 is a mouthpiece according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 9 (a) is a perspective view, and FIG. 9 (B) is a sectional view corresponding to line IX B-IX B of FIG. 9 (a).

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a mouthpiece according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 (a) is a perspective view of a mouthpiece according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 11 (b) is a plan view of the user and the magnetic field generating coil; fig. 11 (c) is a front view of the user and the magnetic field generating coil.

FIG. 12 is a view showing an example of a method of manufacturing the mouthpiece of the present invention.

Figure 13 (a) is a perspective view of a mouthpiece according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention; fig. 13 (b) is an enlarged sectional view of a main portion.

FIG. 14 (a) is a perspective view of the electric motor portion of the mouthpiece of the eighth embodiment of the present invention; fig. 14 (b) is an enlarged sectional view of a main portion thereof.

FIG. 15 (a) is a sectional view showing a state in which a tube is inserted into a tube connecting structure using a mouthpiece according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 15 (b) is a sectional view showing a state in which the pipe is welded; fig. 15 (c) is a sectional view showing a state after fusion-joining of the pipes.

FIG. 16 (a) is a sectional view showing a tube connecting structure using a mouthpiece according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention before the connectors are coupled; fig. 16 (b) is a sectional view showing the connector after connection.

Fig. 17 (a) and 17 (b) are graphs for explaining the effect of shortening the orthodontic time.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing an example of the mouthpiece making apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a view for explaining a first example of the method of producing a mouthpiece according to the present invention using the producing apparatus shown in FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a view for explaining a second example of the method of manufacturing a mouthpiece according to the present invention using the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 18.

Fig. 21 (a) and 21 (b) are schematic views showing a mouthpiece forming step using an EVA sheet.

Fig. 22 is a perspective view of a mouthpiece according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention attached to a dentition.

Fig. 23 is a perspective view of a mouthpiece according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention attached to a dentition.

Figure 24 is a perspective view of a mouthpiece according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 25 is a perspective view of a mouthpiece according to a twelfth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a mouthpiece according to a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 27 is a perspective view of a mouthpiece according to a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention attached to a dentition.

Figure 28 is a perspective view of a mouthpiece according to a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 29 is a perspective view showing a state in which the mouthpiece according to the sixteenth embodiment of the present invention is attached to the mandible of a user.

Fig. 30 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 30-30 of fig. 29.

Figure 31 is an exploded perspective view of a mouthpiece of a sixteenth embodiment of the present invention viewed from the outside surface thereof.

FIG. 32 is a graph showing the results of the experiment of the present invention.

Fig. 33 is a perspective view showing an example of a mouthpiece similar to the mouthpiece of the sixteenth embodiment of the present invention, which is different from the mouthpiece of the sixteenth embodiment in terms of a method of correction.

Fig. 34 is a perspective view showing a state in which a mouthpiece according to a seventeenth embodiment of the present invention is attached to a dental cast of a user.

Fig. 35 is a perspective view showing a state in which a mouthpiece according to an eighteenth embodiment of the present invention is attached to a dental cast of a user.

Fig. 36 is a perspective view showing a state in which a mouthpiece according to a nineteenth embodiment of the present invention is attached to a dental cast of a user.

Figure 37 is a diagram illustrating a method of making a mouthpiece having an inner surface shape that conforms to a dental cast of a user wearing the appliance.

Fig. 38 is a perspective view of a state in which a mouthpiece according to a twentieth embodiment of the present invention is attached to a user's mandible.

Fig. 39 is a perspective view of the mandibular cast of the user.

Fig. 40 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 40-40 of fig. 38.

Fig. 41 is an exploded perspective view showing the structures of the excitation actuator (activator) and the flexible substrate.

Fig. 42 is a sectional view of a mouthpiece, an electric motor incorporated therein, and a flexible substrate according to a twentieth embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 43 is a view for explaining a method of manufacturing a mouthpiece according to the twentieth embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 44 is a plan view of a flexible substrate showing a mouthpiece according to a twenty-first embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 1 to 5. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a mandibular dental cast 1 of the present embodiment; fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a mouthpiece 7 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is attached to the teeth 3 of the dental cast 1.

The dentition 3 shown in fig. 1 comprises teeth 3a to 3n, wherein the teeth 3a, 3n are molars, and appliances are attached to teeth 3b to 3m other than these molars. This appliance comprises a plurality of brackets 4 fixed to the outer surfaces of the teeth 3b to 3m, and wires (arcuate wires) 5 arranged along the brackets 4, and the wires 5 are locked to the teeth 3b to 3m by the brackets 4. The wire 5 is locked in an elastically deformed state, and a repulsive force thereof acts on the tooth row 3 as a predetermined static load. By imparting the static load, the alignment and occlusion of the teeth is corrected. The appliance for correcting the dentition is not limited to the appliance shown in fig. 1.

The orthodontic device of the present embodiment includes an electric motor 8 and a mouthpiece 7 as shown in fig. 2 and 3.

The mouthpiece 7 is attached to the dentition of the object to be corrected, for example, to the dentition 3 to which the wire 5 is attached. Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the mouthpiece 7 as seen from its outer surface; figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of mouthpiece 7 shown in figure 3, viewed from its inner surface.

The mouthpiece 7 has an inner and outer double layer construction. Specifically, as shown in fig. 5 (a), the tooth row 3 includes an inner member 7A directly covering the tooth row 3 and an outer member 7B covering the outside of the inner member 7A.

As the inner member 7A and the outer member 7B, a general-purpose mouthpiece (or mouthpiece) material that is safe from the hygienic viewpoint, for example, an EVA (Ethylene vinyl acetate) sheet that is a high molecular material, is preferably formed into an appropriate shape (a method for manufacturing the mouthpiece 7 will be described later). This material is preferred because it has a low effect on tooth or gum sensitivity.

The material of the mouthpiece of the present invention is not limited to the EVA sheet. However, the EVA sheet is preferable because it has high electrical insulation and can function as a heat insulator. In particular, when the EVA sheet is applied to the inner layer 7A, the inner layer 7A can be made soft, and the soft nature of the inner layer 7A can alleviate mechanical vibrations transmitted from the electric motor 8 described later to the teeth 3g and 3h to be corrected, and this alleviation of vibration transmission effectively suppresses damage to the teeth 3g and 3h to be corrected.

The electric motor 8 constitutes a vibration generating element for generating mechanical vibration, and is built in the mouthpiece 7. In order to incorporate the electric motor 8, a projection 7a as shown in fig. 5 (B) is formed on a portion of the outer member 7B corresponding to the teeth 3g and 3h to be corrected. A space for accommodating the electric motor 8 is formed between the inner side surface of the boss portion 7A and the outer side surface of the inner member 7A.

The electric motor 8 is small and light, and generates vibration for improving the correction effect. The electric motor 8 is placed in the space in a horizontal direction (i.e., in a posture in which the vibration direction is substantially perpendicular to the tooth row 3). The electric motor 8 has an eccentric rotating portion that rotates around a predetermined axis, the center of gravity of the eccentric rotating portion is offset from the axis, and the rotation of the eccentric rotating portion generates mechanical vibration. The rotating portion may include, for example, a rotating shaft and an eccentric weight attached to a position offset from a center axis of the rotating shaft. A general vibrator such as a cellular phone can be used as the electric motor 8.

The inner member 7A is covered inside the outer member 7B in a state where the electric motor 8 is fitted inside the boss portion 7A. The outer surface of the inner member 7A and the inner surface of the outer member 7B are hermetically joined by thermal welding, ultrasonic welding, or the like, and the two members 7A and 7B are integrated by the joining, so that saliva, cleaning water, or the like is prevented from entering the boss portion 7A from the overlapping surface. The airtightness may be maintained to be higher than the watertightness at which water does not substantially enter the inside of the convex portion 7 a.

In the present embodiment, the electric motor 8 is a Direct Current (DC) motor. In the dentition correction device, a battery 11 as shown in fig. 2 and 5 (c) is provided as a dc power supply for the electric motor 8, and the electric motor 8 is connected to the battery 11 via a power supply line 9. The power supply line 9 is drawn from the electric motor 8 to the outside of the mouthpiece 7 through a through hole 7f formed in the boss 7a while keeping the inside of the boss 7a of the outer member 7B airtight, and is drawn from between the lips to the outside of the mouth, and is connected to the battery 11 via a variable resistor 10 and a switch 12.

The variable resistor 10 and the battery 11 are provided on, for example, a table or the like near a user (patient) who installs the mouthpiece 7. The variable resistor 10 varies the level of the dc voltage supplied to the electric motor 8. The dc voltage level is adjusted by the variable resistor 10, and the number of rotations of the electric motor 8, that is, the number of vibrations can be adjusted. The vibration frequency (number of vibrations) to be adjusted is not particularly limited, but is preferably about several Hz to several hundreds Hz, for example. The electric motor 8 may also be an Alternating Current (AC) motor.

Next, an example of a method for manufacturing the mouthpiece 7 will be described with reference to fig. 12.

In step S1 shown in fig. 12, the impression is taken by attaching the impression material to the user' S dentition 3. After the impression material is taken, the impression material is taken off from the element row 3 in a state of keeping the shape of the element row, and plaster is put into the impression material. The plaster is removed from the impression material after it has become solid. Thereby, the user' S dentition cast E is completed (step S2).

If the brackets 4, the wires 5, or the like are attached to the dentition 3 of the user of the mold, damage to the inner members 7A or detachment of the brackets 4 from the surface of the teeth may occur when the inner members 7A of the mouthpiece 7 are fitted to the dentition 3 because the inner members 7A are caught at the edge of the appliance. In order to prevent such a problem, a wax agent or the like may be filled in the gap between the bracket 4 and the line 5 on the plaster cast E to eliminate the edge. This method reduces the burden on the user compared to a method in which a water-washable non-toxic wax agent or the like is filled in the gaps between the portions of the carrier 4 and the portions of the strings 5 before the impression material is attached to the element rows 3, and the impression is taken after the edges are removed.

The EVA sheet softened by heating is attached to the tooth plaster mold E of step S2, and air-suction molding is performed. After the EVA sheet is cooled, the tooth gypsum mold E is detached from the EVA sheet, thereby completing the inner 7A (step S3).

By changing the thickness of the EVA sheet, the inner layer 7A having different thicknesses (sheet thickness) can be manufactured. When the thin inner layer 7A is used, the mechanical vibration transmission characteristics from the electric motor 8 are improved while the mounting performance is improved. Further, by changing the thickness of the inner layer 7A for each of the teeth 3a to 3n, the transmission characteristics of the mechanical vibration to each of the teeth 3a to 3n can be changed.

The inner layer 7A is fitted to the plaster cast E (step S3), and in this state, mold extraction is performed again using silicone or the like (step S4). Gypsum is put into the finished silicon mold and is taken out after it has become solid. Thereby, the inner member cast F is completed (step S5).

The cast F' forming the convex portion 7a of the outer member 7B is joined to the cast F of the inner member (step S6). Then, the EVA sheet softened by heating is attached to the inner layer plaster mold F, and air-suction molding is performed. After the EVA sheet is cooled, the inner sheet cast F is detached from the EVA sheet, thereby completing the outer sheet 7B (step S7).

Then, the inner member 7A is covered inside the outer member 7B with the electric motor 8 being fitted inside the boss portion 7A of the outer member 7B. In this state, the outer surface of the inner sheet 7A and the inner surface of the outer sheet 7B are joined together in an airtight manner by ultrasonic welding, an adhesive, or the like, thereby completing the mouthpiece 7 (step S8). The total thickness of the mouthpiece 7 is preferably about 1 to 6 mm.

The joining of the outer surface of the inner member 7A and the inner surface of the outer member 7B may be performed only on the peripheral portion of the outer member 7B in which the boss portion 7A of the electric motor 8 is housed. However, in consideration of the cleaning or storage of the inner sheet 7A and the outer sheet 7B, it is preferable to join the entire outer peripheries of the inner sheet 7A and the outer sheet 7B in an airtight manner, which is also advantageous in cleaning or storage after use of the mouthpiece 7.

In the orthodontic device of the present embodiment, the electric motor 8 for generating mechanical vibration (mechanical stimulation) is incorporated in the mouthpiece 7 attached to the dentition 3, and therefore vibration can be efficiently applied to the teeth 3g and 3h to be corrected. In particular, since the electric motor 8 of the present embodiment is incorporated in the portion of the teeth 3g and 3h to be corrected in the mouthpiece 7, vibrations can be accurately applied to the teeth 3g and 3h to be corrected.

Further, since the mouthpiece 7 is built in the electric motor 8, the treatment can be continued simply and safely at any time, for example, at home, without going through a dental hospital.

Further, since the mechanical vibration of the electric motor 8 is transmitted to the portions of the teeth 3g and 3h to be aligned via the inner layer 7A, the toothache due to the direct transmission of the mechanical vibration to the portions of the teeth 3g and 3h to be aligned can be alleviated.

Further, since the electric motor 8 is accommodated in the mouthpiece 7 in a sealed state, it is hygienic and can be washed with water.

The electric motor 8 as the vibration generating element is inexpensive. In particular, an electric motor that generates mechanical vibration by rotation of an eccentric rotating portion is cheaper because it can be used with a small, lightweight, and versatile vibrator.

When the electric motor 8 does not mechanically vibrate due to the rotation of the eccentric rotating portion, if the electric motor 8 is accommodated in the mouthpiece 7 in a posture in which the vibration direction is substantially perpendicular to the teeth 3, the direction of the rotation axis coincides with the teeth direction. Since these directions coincide with each other, even if the length of the electric motor 8 in the direction of the rotation axis is long, the height of the teeth socket 7 can be made low, and the feeling of strangeness can be reduced. Further, the direction of vibration of the electric motor 8 and the tooth surface are set to be perpendicular so that the vibration of the motor is efficiently imparted to the tooth rows.

When the electric motor 8 is driven by a Direct Current (DC) power supply, the number of vibrations (number of rotations) of the electric motor 8 can be easily adjusted by adjusting the DC voltage level using the variable resistor 10. Further, by using the battery 11 as the dc power supply, treatment can be performed even in a place (for example, outdoors or the like) where an AC outlet is not provided.

Since the mouthpiece 7 has a shape to be attached to the entire dentition 3, by attaching it to the dentition 3, a vibration generating element for generating mechanical vibration, that is, the electric motor 8, can be correctly positioned at the portion of the teeth 3g, 3h to be corrected.

Since the vibration force output from the electric motor 8 is easily controlled if the electric motor 8 directly contacts the inner surface of the boss portion 7a or the like, it is preferable that the electric motor 8 is accommodated in a cover made of metal or resin (for example, ABC resin) in a space in the boss portion 7a together with the cover so as to prevent the vibration force from being controlled.

For example, as shown in the seventh embodiment of fig. 13 (a) and 13 (b), the electric motor 8 and the cover may be housed together in the space of the boss portion 7a in a state where the cover 20 made of metal or resin and having a top cylindrical shape is fitted to the outside of the housing of the electric motor 8 and surrounds the eccentric weight 8c of the electric motor 8.

Alternatively, as shown in the eighth embodiment of fig. 14 (a) and 14 (b), the electric motor 8 may be mounted on a rectangular flexible substrate 21. A pair of power supply leads 21a and 21b extending in the longitudinal direction are formed on the flexible substrate 21. On the back surface of the electric motor 8, power supply terminals (not shown) that can be brought into contact with the lead wires 21a and 21b, respectively, are formed, and the mounting position of the electric motor 8 to the flexible board 21 can be adjusted in the direction of the lead wires 21a and 21 b. After the mounting position of the electric motor 8 is adjusted, the electric motor 8 is fixed to the flexible substrate 21 by soldering the power supply terminal of the electric motor 8 and the lead wires 21a and 21 b. In addition, power supply terminals (not shown) of a first-side connector (for example, a male connector) 22 may be soldered to the leads 21a and 21b of the flexible substrate 21.

A cover 24 having a top cylindrical shape made of metal or resin is disposed around the housing of the electric motor 8. The cover 24 has a plurality of claw portions 24a, and a plurality of locking holes 21c are provided in the flexible substrate 21 along the leads 21a, 21 b. The claw portion 24a is locked to an appropriate locking hole 21c of the locking holes 21c at a position where the cover 20 surrounds the eccentric weight 8c of the electric motor 8, and the electric motor 8 and the cover 24 are accommodated together in a space in the boss portion 7a in this locked state.

A covering portion 7e is formed on the mouthpiece 7, and is connected to the protruding portion 7a to air-tightly cover the outer periphery of the one side connector 22, and the other side connector 23 (for example, a female connector) is detachably connected to the connector 22 in the covering portion 7e from the outside in the vertical direction. When the other side connector 23 is connected to the one side connector 22, the other side connector 23 is also covered by the covering portion 7e in an airtight state. The other side connector is connected to a power supply line 9, and the power supply line 9 is drawn out from the connector 23 to the outside in an airtight state and then drawn out from between the lips to the outside of the mouth.

The power supply line 9 of the electric motor 8 shown in fig. 13 (a) and 13 (B) is also drawn to the outside in an airtight state from the through hole 7f formed in the boss portion 7a of the outer member 7B. Since the mouthpiece 7 as a whole is to be washed with water, it is preferable that the pulled-out portion is completely waterproof. Fig. 15 shows an example of the structure adopted for this purpose.

The tube 25 shown in fig. 15 (a) is used in this configuration. The tube 25 has an insertion hole 25a at its center portion for inserting the power supply line 9, and a flange 25b is formed at the tip of the tube 25. As a material of the tube 25, EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer) which is the same as that of the mouthpiece 7 is preferably used. With this EVA, good bonding can be achieved. The length of the tube 25 is preferably such that it is pulled out from between the lips sufficiently out of the mouth.

The power supply line 9 is inserted into the insertion hole 25a from the flange portion 25b side, and the flange portion 25b is pressed against the side surface of the boss portion 7a to be closely attached as shown in fig. 15 (b). In this close contact state, the outer surface of the boss 7a and the outer surface of the pipe 25 are covered with the heat insulating materials 26A and 26B. Then, in a state where only the vicinity of the flange portion 25b is exposed, as shown in fig. 15 (c), the flange portion 25b is welded to the side surface of the boss portion 7a in an airtight state. The welding may be performed by the thermal welding, ultrasonic welding, or the like.

With the structure thus obtained, the waterproofing of the portion of the power supply line 9 drawn out is improved and the complete waterproofing is achieved, as compared with the case where only the power supply line 9 is drawn out from the through hole 7f of the boss portion 7a of the outer member 7B. Further, since the power supply line 9 is covered with the EVA tube 25 to prevent contact between the power supply line 9 and the oral cavity, safety in terms of hygiene can be ensured even if the power supply line 9 includes, for example, ethylene chloride. Moreover, the appearance is also beautiful.

The power supply line 9 of the other side connector 23 shown in fig. 14 (a) and 14 (b) is also pulled out from the connector 23 to the outside in a state where air-tightness is maintained. Since the entire mouthpiece 7 is to be cleaned with water, it is preferred that the pulled-out portion is also completely waterproof. Fig. 16 shows an example of a structure used for this purpose.

In this configuration, the tube 25 shown in fig. 16 (a) is used. The tube 25 also has an insertion hole 25a for inserting the power supply line 9 into the center thereof, and a cylindrical portion 25c is formed at the tip of the tube 25. The cylindrical portion 25c covers the outer periphery of the other side connector 23 and projects forward. As the material of the tube 25, EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer) which is the same as the material of the mouthpiece 7 is preferably used. The length of the tube 25 is preferably such that it is pulled out from between the lips sufficiently out of the mouth.

The covering portion 7e connected to the boss portion 7a has a cylindrical shape, and can be fitted inside the cylindrical portion 25c of the tube 25 in an airtight state. In this fitted state, the other side connector 23 is detachably connected to the connector 22 in the covering section 7e from the outside in the vertical direction.

This configuration improves the waterproofing of the drawn-out portion of the power supply line 9, as compared with the case where only the power supply line 9 is drawn out from the other side connector 23 to the outside, achieving complete waterproofing. Further, since the power supply line 9 is covered with the EVA tube 25 to prevent the power supply line 9 from contacting the oral cavity, safety in terms of hygiene can be ensured even if the power supply line 9 includes, for example, ethylene chloride. In addition, the appearance can be beautiful.

An embodiment using a flexible substrate will be described in more detail later as a twentieth embodiment.

As shown in the second embodiment of fig. 6, the mouthpiece 7 may have a shape to be attached to a part of the dentition 3 (teeth 3f to 3h to be corrected in the example of fig. 6). The mouthpiece 7 having this shape is small in size, and reduces the burden on the user when it is attached.

The mouthpiece 7 is also generally fitted over the alveolar part of the dental cast 1. However, the portion corresponding to the tooth groove portion may be cut out so as to apply mechanical vibration only to the tooth row 3. This cutting off makes the weight of the mouthpiece 7 light, facilitates the transmission of vibrations, and makes the mouthpiece 7 compact.

The mouthpiece 7 of the embodiment includes an inner member 7A directly covering the teeth 3 and an outer member 7B covering the outer side of the inner member 7A in order to be mounted on the entire teeth 3. However, as shown in fig. 7 (a) and 7 (b) of the third embodiment, the inner layer 7A may have a quadrangular shape. The quadrangular-plate-shaped inner member 7A is joined and integrated in an airtight state to the inside of the outer member 7B in which the motor 8 is housed in the boss portion 7A, so as to cover the opening of the boss portion 7A. In this device, the outer member 7B directly covers the tooth row 3, and the inner member 7A functions only as a simple seal member airtightly engaging with the outer member 7B.

Conversely, a recess for accommodating the vibration element may be formed in a part of the inner member 7A attached to the teeth 3, and the outer member 7B may be joined to a part of the inner member 7A so as to cover the vibration element fitted in the recess from the outside.

The mouthpiece 7 having the inner and outer double-layered structure may contain a driving power source, a control device, and the like together with the electric motor 8 as a vibration generating device. By accommodating these components, it is not necessary to pull the power supply line from the mouthpiece 7 from between the lips to the outside of the mouth, and to connect it to an external device (battery or control unit, etc.).

For example, in the device of the fourth embodiment shown in fig. 9 (a) and 9 (b), a small button cell battery 11' is used as a power source of the electric motor 8. On the outer member 7B, not only a boss 7a for accommodating the electric motor 8 but also a boss 7d for accommodating the button cell 11' is formed in the vicinity thereof. The electric motor 8 and the button cell 11' are directly connected by means of electric supply lines or the like, inside the bosses 7a, 7 d. The power supply line may be provided with a switch 13 that is opened and closed by a push-and-push operation from the outer surface of the outer member 7B.

The electric motor (vibrating element) 8, button cell 11', and switch 13, etc. housed in the mouthpiece 7 are preferably insulated from each other. For this insulation, a general insulation treatment may be applied, and the insulation of the material itself constituting the mouthpiece 7 may be used. That is, a part of the mouthpiece 7 may be used as an insulating wall.

Inside the mouthpiece 7, a flexible substrate constituting a control unit may also be accommodated. By incorporating circuit elements such as a vibration generating element, a driving power source thereof, and a control element into the flexible substrate, the mouthpiece 7 can be easily incorporated with the circuit elements. By the above assembly, the wiring or connection part with the outside can be omitted, and the appearance of the device can be changed into a mouthpiece, thereby preventing the power supply line 9 from contacting the inside of the oral cavity and ensuring high electrical safety. In addition, the mounting feeling can be improved. In addition, the device is convenient to carry, and the practical value of the device is improved.

In the embodiment, the convex portion 7a is formed only at one position of the outer member 7B of the mouthpiece 7 (the position corresponding to the teeth 3g, 3h to be corrected). However, it is also possible to form the projections 7a at a plurality of positions of the outer member 7B of the mouthpiece 7 (for example, as shown in the fifth embodiment in fig. 10, portions corresponding to the teeth 3g and 3h to be corrected and portions corresponding to the teeth 3c and 3d to be corrected), and to accommodate the electric motors 8 in the projections 7 a.

In the above embodiment, the projections 7a are formed outward at the parts of the teeth 3g and 3h to be corrected on the outer surface side of the outer member 7B, and the electric motor 8 is accommodated in the projections 7a in a state of being laid across. However, as shown in fig. 10, an inward protrusion 7a 'may be formed in a portion of the teeth 3l to be corrected on the back surface side of the outer member 7B, and the electric motor 8 may be accommodated in the protrusion 7 a' in a standing state.

The mouthpiece 7 of the above embodiment has a two-layer structure composed of the inner layer 7A and the outer layer 7B, but the mouthpiece of the present invention may have a multilayer structure such as three layers or four layers.

The vibration generating element of the present invention is not limited to the electric motor 8. The vibration generating element may be a linear motor having a movable member that vibrates reciprocally. In addition, a solenoid (solenoid), a voice coil motor (voice coil motor), or the like may be used.

In addition, as the sixth embodiment, the excitation element may be a permanent magnet 15 as shown in fig. 11 (a). In the device shown in the figure, projections 7a are formed on the outer member 7B at positions corresponding to the teeth 3f and 3i to be corrected, respectively, and permanent magnets 15 are accommodated in the respective projections 7 a.

The permanent magnet 15 can generate mechanical vibration by a magnetic field generated by a magnetic field generating mechanism outside the mouthpiece 7. The magnetic field generating means includes, for example, a ring-shaped magnetic field generating coil (magnetic field generating means) 16 separated from the mouthpiece 7 as shown in fig. 11 (b) and 11 (c). The magnetic field generating coil 16 is disposed around the head of the user who is wearing the mouthpiece 7 in a state of being separated from the user, and forms a magnetic field necessary for generating mechanical vibration of the permanent magnet 15.

In this device, only the permanent magnet 15 may be incorporated in the mouthpiece 7. This makes the mouthpiece 7 small and reduces the burden on the user when installing it. In addition, the tooth socket 7 can be conveniently carried, and the practical value is improved.

In the apparatus of each of the above embodiments, depending on the built-in position of the vibration generating element (the electric motor 8 or the permanent magnet 15), the mechanical vibration may be transmitted not only to the teeth to be aligned at the housing position portion of the vibration generating element but also to all the teeth 3a to 3n in the dentition 3. Thus, all the teeth 3a to 3n in the dentition 3 can be treated.

The mouthpiece 7 according to each of the above embodiments applies a fixed corrective force to the vibration force by the teeth 3 attached to the upper thread 5. However, the mouthpiece 7 may be attached to the element row 3 to which the thread 5 is not attached, and only the vibration force from the electric motor 8 may be transmitted to the element row 3.

The mouthpiece 7 may have a shape that applies a predetermined force (correction force) to the teeth 3g and 3h to be corrected. Specifically, a shell having a target dentition shape (a shell having a different shape from the current dentition shape) is attached to the current dentition while being elastically deformed, and the elastic restoring force of the shell acts on the dentition as a correction force. In the case where the mouthpiece is made of a soft material having a high elasticity, the mouthpiece can be elastically deformed largely at a time. On the contrary, in the case where the mouthpiece is made of a hard material having low elasticity, it is not possible to ensure that large elastic deformation is generated at one time. That is, a mouthpiece having a tooth row shape greatly different from the current one cannot be used. However, such a hard mouthpiece can reproduce the shape with high accuracy, and can apply a highly accurate correction force to the dentition.

Thus, the mouthpiece having a shape conforming to the shape of the target dentition may be utilized, or the mouthpiece having a shape intermediate to the current dentition and the ideal dentition may be utilized.

In addition, an appropriate corrective shape may be additionally provided to the mouthpiece body. For example, in the mouthpiece 7 shown in fig. 8 (a), a hard convex portion 7b is formed on the inner surface of the inner material 7A, and a predetermined force (correction force) is applied to the portions of the teeth 3g and 3h to be corrected by the pressing force of the convex portion 7 b. As shown in fig. 8 (b), by joining a hard convex piece 7c to the inner surface of the inner layer 7A, a predetermined force (correction force) can be applied to the parts of the teeth 3g and 3h to be corrected by the pressing force of the convex portion 7 c. The positions of the projections 7b and the projecting pieces 7c are naturally different depending on the teeth 3g and 3h to be corrected.

As shown in fig. 7 (a) and 7 (B), in the device in which the outer member 7B is directly covered on the tooth row 3, a hard protrusion may be integrally formed on the inner surface of the outer member 7B, or the hard protrusion may be joined to the inner surface. In the case where the inner layer 7A itself having a quadrangular prism shape shown in the figure is hard, a predetermined force (correction force) may be applied to the portions of the teeth 3g and 3h to be corrected by the pressing force of the inner layer 7A. This structure can apply a predetermined correction force and vibration force to the portions of the teeth 3g and 3h to be corrected without attaching the wire 5 to the dentition 3, and therefore, the practical value of the apparatus can be improved.

Fig. 18 is a perspective view showing a manufacturing apparatus 111 which is an example of an apparatus for manufacturing the mouthpiece 7. The manufacturing apparatus 111 includes: a main body 114; a plurality of support posts 118 standing on the main body 114; a pair of sheet holders 116, 117 supported by the support column 118 so as to be able to be raised and lowered along the support column 118, and sandwiching the EVA sheet 115 from above and below the EVA sheet 115; and an electric heater 119 mounted on the support 118. The main body 114 has a table 112 on which the dental cast 1 can be mounted, and a pump, which is not shown, for pumping air from a plurality of air pumping holes 113 formed on the table 112 is built therein.

Fig. 19 is a diagram showing a first example of a mouthpiece manufacturing method by the manufacturing apparatus 111. Here, it should be noted that the mouthpiece 7 is manufactured in a state where the inner material 7A and the outer material 7B are mounted on the dental cast 1. The dental cast 1 is loaded on the table 112 of the manufacturing apparatus 111 in step S3. On the other hand, the EVA sheet 115 is handled while being sandwiched between the sheet holders 116, 117. Specifically, the sheet holders 116 and 117 are raised along the support 118 to a position near the electric heater 119, and the EVA sheet 115 is heated and softened at this position. After the EVA sheet 115 is softened, the dental cast 1 is gradually covered by the sheet holders 116, 117 being lowered.

At this time, air is drawn from the air-drawing hole 113, thereby forming an air flow for bringing the EVA sheet 115 into close contact with the dental cast 1. In order to enable air extraction, a notch 1a is formed in the dental cast 1. By this air suction, the mold can be accurately taken. A principle mode of such suction forming is shown in fig. 21 (a). The electric heater 119 may be lowered as the sheet holders 116 and 117 are lowered. The heater 119 is lowered to continuously perform heating. Alternatively, as shown in fig. 21 (b), the mouthpiece may be formed by pressurizing the air around the EVA sheet 115. This pressurization and said evacuation can also be used simultaneously.

The inner layer 7A is completed by the above molding. The steps before step S3 are the same as those of the conventional mouthpiece manufacturing method. FIG. 19 is a view taken from the general location of "not limited to braces! Fig. 2-11 show pages 15 of the handbook of applications of formers (prey, mata, quintess press).

Next, it should be noted that in the manufacturing method of the first example, in step S4, the vibration generating element such as the electric motor 8 may be attached to the inner member 7A while the inner member 7A is hot. The material of the mouthpiece 7, in particular the EVA, shows high viscosity when hot, and is applicable to the main raw material of so-called hot melt adhesives. Therefore, as described above, the inner layer 7A having a high temperature immediately after the molding in the semi-molten state in step S3 exhibits a high viscosity before cooling. The adhesive force exerted by the inner layer 7A due to the residual heat of the inner layer 7A can be applied to the attachment of the vibration generating element. Specifically, when the inner member 7A is at a high temperature, the vibration generating element such as the electric motor 8 may be pressed against the inner member 7A. Thus, the vibration element can be temporarily fixed without using a special fixing means such as an adhesive.

When the adhesive strength of the inner layer 7A is insufficient, the shortage may be compensated. For example, a protrusion or the like may be provided on a vibration generating element such as the electric motor 8, and a portion into which the protrusion is inserted may be formed on the inner layer 7A, or heated EVA may be injected as an auxiliary adhesive into a fixing portion.

Note that, in step S5 shown in fig. 19, the vibration generating element such as the electric motor 8 may be sealed in an airtight state inside the inner member 7A and the outer member 7B. Specifically, the heated EVA sheet 115 is placed on the inner sheet 7A on which the vibration generating element is mounted in the above-described manner, and the actuator (activator) is evacuated, as in step S3. Thereby, the outer member 7B is produced, and the excitation element is sealed between the outer member 7B and the inner member 7A.

The softening temperature of the EVA sheet 115, which is a material of the inner sheet 7A and the outer sheet 7B, is set to be lower than the heat resistance temperature of the vibration generating element. For example, when the electric motor 8 having a heat resistant temperature of 100 ℃ is used as the vibration-generating element, the EVA sheet 115 having a softening point of 60 to 70 ℃ is selected. With such an EVA sheet, the outer material 7B can be melt-molded by directly covering the vibration element with the EVA sheet while reliably preventing a failure due to excessive temperature rise of the vibration element. As such an EVA sheet having a low softening point, there is, for example, "bioplast" (product name).

In the case where the heat-resistant temperature of the vibration element is higher, a material having a higher softening point may be used instead of the EVA-based material. Specifically, a polyolefin-based material having a softening point of about 100 ℃, such as "MG-21" (product name), or a PET-G material having a softening point of one hundred and several tens ℃, such as "DULAN" (product name) may be used.

After the mouthpiece 7 is produced in this manner, in step S6 shown in fig. 19, EVA is peeled off from the outer member 7B at a portion corresponding to the lead wire 8w of the electric motor 8, and the power supply line 9 is connected to the lead wire 8 w. Then, in step S7, the end portion of the EVA tube 110 covered on the power supply line 9 is locally heated by a blower or the like, and the portion connected to the outer member 7B is hermetically sealed, thereby completing the mouthpiece 7.

In the first example of the method for manufacturing the dental mouthpiece 7, the dental mouthpiece 7 can be manufactured by taking a mold once, and therefore, the number of steps can be reduced. For example, in the method shown in fig. 12, the modulus needs to be taken twice. Specifically, after the inner layer 7A is completed, the inner layer 7A is loaded with the electric motor 8 or the dummy, and then a second impression taking is performed with the impression material to manufacture a plaster mold. After the outer member 7B is produced by covering the plaster mold with the EVA sheet 115, the inner member 7A on which the electric motor 8 to be actually used is mounted and the outer member 7B are welded.

In addition, according to the first example of the method for manufacturing the mouthpiece 7, a high quality mouthpiece having high airtightness can be manufactured. Specifically, the EVA sheet for the inner sheet 7A and the EVA sheet for the outer sheet 7B, which are uniformly heated and softened as a whole including the inner sheet 7A, are naturally integrated in a semi-molten state by the heat of the EVA sheet for the outer sheet 7B to be covered, and therefore, for example, the airtightness can be improved as compared with a case where the solidified inner sheet 7A and outer sheet 7B are bonded. Further, a high-quality mouthpiece can be manufactured without causing a problem that occurs when a model is taken out by a dummy, for example, a gap is generated between the inner material 7A and the outer material 7B, or the inner material 7A cannot be fitted into the outer material 7B.

FIG. 20 is a view for explaining a second example of the mouthpiece manufacturing method. Since this manufacturing method is similar to the first example of the manufacturing method shown in fig. 19, the same step numbers are assigned to elements common to both examples, and the description thereof will be omitted.

In the second example of the manufacturing method, it should be noted that the manufacturing step of the outer sheet 7B of the step S5 shown in fig. 19 is changed to the step S5' shown in fig. 20. In step S5', the inner layer 7A having the vibration generating element such as the electric motor 8 mounted thereon is set on the dental cast 1, and then the dental cast 1 is set on the table 112 shown in fig. 18 in an inclined state. This inclination is for preventing the electric motor 8 from interrupting the air flow to the tooth row 3. This inclination is given by sandwiching the mount 121 shown in fig. 20 between the back surface of the portion of the dental cast 1 where the electric motor 8 is mounted.

The material of the inner member 7A and the outer member 7B may be any material that has a softening point lower than the heat-resistant temperature of the vibration generating element such as the electric motor 8 and is harmless to the human body. The material is arbitrarily selected within a range that satisfies this condition, depending on the hardness required for each of the pieces 7A and 7B after molding. However, a soft resin is preferably used as the material. The soft resin has the following advantages: the vibration-inducing element can reduce the stimulation to the teeth or the gum, reduce the load to the teeth or the gum, reduce the uncomfortable feeling such as pain, and improve the mounting feeling compared with a hard mouthpiece.

On the other hand, the use of a hard resin as the material has the following advantages: the mouthpiece can be formed with high accuracy, and deformation of the mouthpiece due to the storage environment is reduced, that is, the quality of the mouthpiece is easily maintained. Therefore, when these advantages are emphasized, a hard resin may be used.

Further, the material of the inner member 7A may be different from the material of the outer member 7B. For example, in a mouthpiece having a two-layer structure comprising an inner material 7A made of a soft resin and an outer material 7B made of a hard resin, the inner material 7A effectively alleviates the impact of the vibrating element to reduce the load on the teeth or gums to be corrected, while the outer material 7B made of a hard resin is less likely to be deformed by the environment and is therefore easy to store. On the other hand, in the dental mouthpiece including the inner layer 7A made of a hard resin and the outer layer 7B made of a soft resin, the outer layer 7B made of a hard resin absorbs an impact from the outside during exercise or daily life, and effectively suppresses damage to the dental mouthpiece or teeth to which the dental mouthpiece is attached due to the impact, while the inner layer 7A made of a hard resin realizes the production of a dental mouthpiece having a highly accurate inner surface shape. Further, the mouthpiece is easier to hold in shape than a mouthpiece made of a soft resin as a whole.

In addition, in the mouthpiece which is not of the double-layer structure as described above but is constituted by a single piece, a soft portion, i.e., a portion which transmits a stimulus weakly to the dentition 3, and a hard portion, i.e., a portion which transmits a stimulus strongly to the dentition 3 may be mixed.

The resin constituting the mouthpiece may be EVA → polyolefin → polyester in order of softness. Even though the same material is used, the composition ratio and hardness of the material are different according to the product, but most of the EVA is a soft material having a Shore hardness (Shore hardness) of about 80 to 90, and is widely used as a material for a soft mouthpiece. On the contrary, most of the polyester is hard material, and is widely used as material of hard tooth socket. The polyolefin is generally utilized as a material having hardness between the EVA and the polyester, in which a soft polyolefin and a hard polyolefin are present according to the composition ratio thereof.

Next, the mouthpiece according to the ninth to fifteenth embodiments will be described with reference to fig. 22 to 28. The mouthpiece of these embodiments has a dividing section for dividing a specific portion other than the portion corresponding to the teeth 3g and 3h to be corrected. The dividing section suppresses the mechanical vibration generated by the vibration generating element so that the mechanical vibration acts on the teeth 3g and 3h to be corrected in a limited manner. In fig. 22 to 28, the electric motor 8 is shown as the oscillation element, but the oscillation element may be another actuator such as a permanent magnet.

FIG. 22 shows a dental mouthpiece 7-1 of the ninth embodiment. The divided portion of the mouthpiece 7-1 is a notch portion 7 p. The cut portion 7p is a portion where a crown portion of the mouthpiece 7-1 except for a portion corresponding to the teeth 3g and 3h to be corrected is cut out, and in the figure, the crown portions of the teeth 3c to 3e and the teeth 3j to 3l are cut into, for example, elliptical shapes. The tooth base portion 7q remaining in the mouthpiece 7-1 other than the notch portion 7p integrally connects a portion on the front side and a portion on the rear side of the notch portion 7 p.

Figure 23 shows a mouthpiece 7-2 of a tenth embodiment. The divided portion of the mouthpiece 7-2 is also the notch portion 7 p. The cutout portion 7p is a portion obtained by cutting the root of the tooth of the mouthpiece 7-2 except for the portion corresponding to the teeth 3g and 3h to be corrected, and in the figure, the root of the teeth 3c to 3e and the teeth 3j to 3l is cut into, for example, an oval shape. The crown portion 7r remaining in the mouthpiece 7-2 other than the notch portion 7p integrally connects a portion on the front side and a portion on the rear side of the notch portion 7 p.

The braces 7-1 and 7-2 accommodate the electric motor 8 for generating mechanical vibration in portions corresponding to the teeth 3g and 3h to be corrected, and have a cutout portion (divided portion) 7p for suppressing transmission of mechanical vibration in portions other than the teeth 3g and 3h to be corrected. This enables local and accurate vibration application to the teeth 3g and 3h to be corrected.

The notch portion 7p is formed by post-processing, i.e., cutting off a crown portion or a root portion of the mouthpiece 7 shown in fig. 1, for example, with a knife or the like. Therefore, the dental braces 7-1, 7-2 having the notch 7p can be easily manufactured. For example, the mouthpiece having the notch portion 7p can be easily manufactured by the post-processing from the mouthpiece currently attached by the user.

The root portion 7q or the crown portion 7r remaining in the caps 7-1, 7-2 connects the front and rear portions of the cutout portion 7p, thereby maintaining the shape of the caps 7-1, 7-2 that can be attached to the entire tooth row 3. This shape facilitates the operation of attaching the braces 7-1, 7-2 to the dentition 3, and allows the electric motor 8 to be accurately positioned at the portions corresponding to the teeth 3g, 3h to be corrected in the attached state.

Figure 24 shows an eleventh embodiment of a mouthpiece 7-3. The divided portion of the mouthpiece 7-3 is a slit portion 7s formed in a portion of the mouthpiece 7-3 other than the portion corresponding to the teeth 3g and 3h to be corrected. In the figure, slit portions 7s are formed in the portions between the teeth 3f and 3g and the portions between the teeth 3h and 3i, respectively, and the front and rear portions of each slit portion 7s are integrally connected to each other. The slit portion 7s on the right side in fig. 24 is directed from the tooth root side toward the tooth crown side, and the slit portion 7s on the left side is directed from the tooth crown side toward the tooth root side. In the present invention, the direction of the slit portion is not limited.

The mouthpiece 7-3 of this eleventh embodiment can also have the same effects as the said mouthpieces 7-1, 7-2.

Figure 25 shows a mouthpiece 7-4 of a twelfth embodiment. The split portion of the mouthpiece 7-4 is a cutting portion 7t that cuts a portion other than the portion corresponding to the teeth 3g and 3h to be corrected. In the figure, the cutting portions 7t are formed by cutting the teeth 3f and 3g and the teeth 3h and 3i, respectively, and the front and rear portions of each cutting portion 7t are integrally connected by another member such as a wire 21 insert-molded (insert molding) into the mouthpiece 7-4.

The mouthpiece 7-4 of this twelfth embodiment can also have the same operational effects as the mouthpieces 7-1, 7-2, and 7-3.

Figure 26 shows a dental mouthpiece 7-5 of the thirteenth embodiment. The divided portion of the mouthpiece 7-5 is a soft portion 7u formed of a soft material. In the mouthpiece 7-5, the portions corresponding to the teeth 3g and 3h to be corrected are formed of a general mouthpiece material, and the other portions (portions indicated by oblique lines in fig. 26) are formed of a soft material that does not transmit mechanical vibration easily, and the soft portion 7u is configured.

The mouthpiece 7-5 of this thirteenth embodiment may also have the same functional effects as the said mouthpieces 7-1, 7-2, 7-3, and 7-4. Further, the mouthpiece 7-5 has an advantage that there is no gap such as the above-described notch portion 7p or slit portion 7 s.

Figure 27 shows a mouthpiece 7-6 of a fourteenth embodiment. The divided portion of the mouthpiece 7-6 is a cut-out portion 7v shown by a two-dot broken line. The cut-out portion 7v is formed by cutting out a portion of the mouthpiece 7-4 except for a portion corresponding to at least the teeth 3g and 3h to be corrected (in the figure, the teeth 3f and 3i in the vicinity thereof are included in addition to the teeth 3g and 3h to be corrected). Therefore, the braces 7 to 6 are attached only to the teeth 3g and 3h to be corrected (or the teeth 3g and 3h to be corrected and the teeth 3f and 3i in the vicinity thereof).

The mouthpiece 7-6 of this fourteenth embodiment may also have the same effects as the said mouthpieces 7-1, 7-2, 7-3, 7-4, and 7-5.

The teeth to which the mouthpiece 7-6 is attached may also be a single tooth. For example, the mouthpiece 7 to 6 may have a configuration to be attached to only one orthodontic subject tooth 3g or orthodontic subject tooth 3 h.

When all the teeth 3a to 3n are teeth to be corrected, the braces 7 to 6 may be attached individually to each of the teeth 3a to 3 n. In this case, one of the sockets 7-6 corresponding to the teeth on which the treatment has been completed may be sequentially removed. Alternatively, the dental braces 7-6 can be attached and detached sequentially. For example, the mouthpiece 7-6 is initially attached to the teeth on the molar side and treated, and after the treatment is completed, the mouthpiece 7-6 is removed, and then the mouthpiece 7-6 is attached to the teeth on the anterior side closer to the molar side and treated. In this way, the dental braces 7-6 can be attached/detached in sequence from the molar side toward the anterior side.

Figure 28 shows a fifteenth embodiment of a mouthpiece 7-7. The divided portion of the mouthpiece 7-7 is a cut-out portion 7v (see two-dot chain line) in which the portion of the mouthpiece 7-7 corresponding to the teeth 3c and 3d to be corrected, the portion corresponding to the teeth 3g and 3h to be corrected, and the portion other than the portion corresponding to the teeth 3k and 3l to be corrected are cut out. Therefore, the braces 7 to 7 are attached only to the teeth 3c and 3d to be corrected, the teeth 3g and 3h to be corrected, and the teeth 3k and 3l to be corrected.

The mouthpiece 7-7 of this fifteenth embodiment may also have the same functional effects as the mouthpieces 7-1, 7-2, 7-3, 7-4, 7-5, and 7-6.

The mouthpiece 7-7 is divided into a plurality of (three in this example) segments (segments) independent of each other by the cut-out portion (dividing portion) 7 v. In this structure, the direction and intensity of the vibration applied to each stage can be changed, and thus various tooth rows and meshing states can be adapted. In addition, one or more vibration generating elements (electric motor 8 or permanent magnet 15) can be accommodated in each section. When a plurality of vibration generating elements are accommodated, the types of the vibration generating elements (for example, electric motors or permanent magnets), the directions of vibrations, the strengths, and the like may be different from each other.

In the dental mouthpiece 7-1 to 7-4 according to the ninth to twelfth embodiments, the front and rear portions of the divided portion are regarded as independent segments since the divided portion is integrally connected to the front and rear portions, and thus the entire dental mouthpiece is constituted by one segment. Therefore, in the structure in which the vibration generating elements such as the electric motor 8 are housed in the front and rear stages of the divided portion as in the braces 7 to 7 of the fifteenth embodiment, the direction and intensity of the vibration applied to each stage can be changed, and thus, it is possible to adapt to various tooth rows and various states of engagement. Furthermore, one or more oscillation elements can also be accommodated in each section.

In the dental mouthpiece 7-1 to 7-4 according to the ninth to twelfth embodiments, the divided portions are the notch portion 7p, the slit portion 7s, and the cut portion 7t, and therefore, even when the vibration generating elements are accommodated in the front and rear segments of the divided portions, the segments that do not require treatment according to the treatment plan or the segments that have completed treatment can be partially removed by cutting the divided portions. Preferably, the cutting portion has a structure capable of being recombined at a position where the cutting portion is cut. This structure can be realized by, for example, previously attaching metal parts that can be engaged with and disengaged from each other, magnetic bodies that attract each other, and a viscous material to the cutting position.

The mouthpiece 7-1 to 7-7 of the above embodiment is not limited to the inner and outer double-layered structure having the inner member 7A and the outer member 7B. In short, it is sufficient to accommodate the vibration element in a portion corresponding to the tooth of the orthodontic subject. For example, a case that accommodates the electric motor 8, the button cell battery 11', and the permanent magnet 15 may be joined to a mouthpiece main body having a general single-layer structure at a position near the teeth to be corrected.

Fig. 29 is a perspective view showing a state in which the mouthpiece 7 according to the sixteenth embodiment of the present invention is attached to the mandible of the user; fig. 30 is a cross-sectional view as seen from section line 30-30 of fig. 29.

The gist of the mouthpiece 7 of the present embodiment lies in the shape of the housing space of the oscillation element housing portion. This receiving space has a shape which provides the vibrating element with a play which makes the vibrating element itself movable within the receiving space.

In fig. 29, in an outer member 7B constituting the mouthpiece 7, a boss portion 7a is formed as in the first embodiment, and an electric motor 8 as a vibration generating element is accommodated in the boss portion 7 a. The electric motor 8 is cylindrical and is accommodated in the boss portion 7a in a posture in which the central axis direction thereof is along the horizontal direction (left-right direction) of the tooth row 3.

On the other hand, the housing space 7b formed in the boss portion 7a, i.e., the space for housing the electric motor 8, has a cylindrical shape with a horizontally long cross section perpendicular to the axis. Therefore, the shape of the housing space 7b is larger than the outer shape of the electric motor 8, and a clearance, i.e., a play, is generated in the horizontal direction (the direction of the inside and outside of the oral cavity) in the housing space 7 b.

The housing space 7a of the present embodiment does not completely constrain the electric motor 8, but allows the electric motor 8 to be displaced in the horizontal direction (the inside and outside directions of the oral cavity). That is, a play is provided to the electric motor 8. Therefore, the vibration load generated by the electric motor 8 as a vibration generating element vibrates the electric motor 8 itself in the direction of the gap (horizontal direction), and collides with the wall surface forming the housing space 7 b. This collision load increases the vibration applied to the dentition 3 of the user wearing the mouthpiece 7, and further improves the correction effect.

FIG. 32 is a graph showing the results of the experiment of the present invention. Fig. 32 (a) shows, as a reference example, the mouthpiece 7 having the same shape of the housing space 7b as the outer shape of the electric motor 8, that is, the mouthpiece 7 that completely constrains the electric motor 8 in the housing space 7b, and the magnitude of the vibration applied to the teeth 3g and 3h to be corrected; fig. 32 (b) shows the magnitude of vibration in the case where the accommodation space 7b has play as shown in fig. 29.

Fig. 32 (a) shows that, in the case where the electric motor 8 is completely constrained in the housing space 7b, regular vibration of about 200Hz is applied by the eccentric weight of the electric motor 8 with a vibration load of about 30 g. On the other hand, fig. 32 (b) shows that, in the case where there is the play, the vibration becomes irregular, but the vibration load increases to about 60g (doubles).

In the present embodiment, the direction of the play (the direction of the gap) and the direction corresponding to the orthodontic direction of the teeth 3g and 3h to be aligned are aligned in the housing space 7 b. This contributes greatly to improving the corrective effect.

For example, in the case of pulling back a tooth protruding forward, and in the case of pulling forward an inward tooth, it is sufficient to make the direction of the gap coincide with the front-rear direction. In the case of aligning twisted teeth, the direction of the gap may be aligned with a direction in which the teeth should be twisted and which is substantially orthogonal to the tooth surface. In the example shown in fig. 33, the gap direction is set so that the tooth surface of the right half of the tooth 3g to be corrected, which should be twisted counterclockwise when viewed from above, is substantially perpendicular to the tooth surface of the right half.

By utilizing the vibration effect of such a gap, a vibration load with high directivity can be applied to the tooth rows. For example, even when a vibration generating element such as the electric motor 8 having high directivity of vibration cannot be used from the viewpoint of cost and size, and an inexpensive and small rotary motor, vibration motor or the like must be used, a vibration load having high directivity can be applied to the teeth to be corrected, a stimulus sufficient to enhance the correcting effect can be applied, and a load in a predetermined direction which becomes the correcting force itself can be applied.

A seventeenth embodiment of the present invention is explained with reference to fig. 34. Fig. 34 is a perspective view showing a state in which the mouthpiece 7' according to the embodiment of the present invention is attached to the dental cast 1 of the user. The mouthpiece 7' of the present embodiment includes: a lower side piece 71 corresponding to the lower jaw cast 1A; an upper side member 72 corresponding to the maxillary dental cast 1B; connecting members 251, 252 for connecting the two pieces 71, 72 at positions away from the teeth to be corrected; and an electric motor 8, which is an example of a vibration generating element. The upper member 71 is mountable to the upper array of teeth and the lower member 72 is mountable to the lower array of teeth.

The lower member 71 and the upper member 72 of the mouthpiece 7' are manufactured by the same manufacturing method as shown in fig. 19 using the same manufacturing apparatus 111 shown in fig. 18. Then, the coupling members 251, 252 are formed as follows.

First, the lower member 71 and the upper member 72 manufactured by the above-described method are attached to the corresponding dental casts 1A and 1B of the dental casts 1 whose occlusion has been adjusted. Next, with the two dental casts 1A, 1B open, the EVA column is erected at a predetermined position on the lower member 71 with both ends heated and melted, and then the dental casts 1A, 1B are closed to a predetermined angle. Thereby, the other end of the EVA column contacts the upper member 72. When the cooling is performed in this state, the EVA columns become the coupling members 251 and 252 coupling the two pieces 71 and 72, and the upper and lower pair of mouthpiece 7' is completed.

The coupling members 251, 252 are provided between the upper member 72 and the lower member 71 at positions spaced apart from the teeth of the orthodontic subject. For example, as shown in fig. 34, when the teeth to be corrected are left and right molar teeth (for example, teeth 3a to 3d and teeth 3k to 3n in the dentition shown in fig. 1), and the vibration generating element such as the electric motor 8 is incorporated in the mouthpiece 7' at a position near the teeth, the coupling members 251 and 252 may be formed at positions near the anterior teeth (incisors) 3g and 3h as shown in the figure. As shown in the mouthpiece 7 ″ shown in fig. 35 as the eighteenth embodiment, only a single connecting member 250 may be formed. On the other hand, when the teeth to be corrected are the anterior teeth (lateral incisors) 3f and 3i and the anterior teeth (canine teeth) 3e and 3j shown in fig. 1 and the vibration generating elements such as the electric motors 8 are incorporated in the positions shown in fig. 2, the coupling members may be formed at the left and right molar teeth or at positions in the vicinity thereof (for example, at the teeth 3c and 3d and the teeth 3k and 3l in fig. 1 or positions in the vicinity thereof).

As a nineteenth embodiment, a mouthpiece 7' ″ shown in fig. 36 is configured such that left and right connecting members (only the left connecting member 251 is shown in fig. 36) are provided at positions behind molar teeth. The coupling member provided at such a position can prevent a load due to occlusion from being applied to any of the anterior teeth (incisors) 3g and 3h, anterior teeth (lateral incisors) 3f and 3i, anterior teeth (canine teeth) 3e and 3j, and molar teeth 3a to 3d and 3k to 3 n. That is, the opened state can be maintained. Such a mouthpiece is suitable for use in the case of performing correction of the entire dentition.

The mouthpiece having the coupling members can hold and fix the biting state (biting force or biting surface) of the upper member 72 and the lower member 71 at the position where the vibration generating element such as the electric motor 8 is provided. This prevents the user from unintentionally biting into the vicinity of the electric motor 8 to cause a change in the manner of transmission of vibrations. That is, since the user does not have to try to keep the open state, a desired vibration can be continuously applied to the teeth to be corrected while reducing the burden on the user, and a good effect can be obtained.

The shape of the inner surface of the mouthpiece of the present invention preferably conforms to the shape of the dental cast 1 of the user to whom the braces such as the thread 5 or the brackets 4 are attached. The mouthpiece reflecting the shape of the appliance can be attached to the dentition so as to be superposed on the appliance, and can be used in combination with the appliance.

Fig. 37 is a view illustrating a method of manufacturing such a mouthpiece. It should be noted here that the dental cast 1 is completed by taking the dental cast 1 with the bracket 4 or the wire 5 attached thereto (step S1) (step S2). Then, in step S11, the dental wax 260 is filled into the gap between the bracket 4 portion or the wire 5 portion of the dental cast 1, thereby removing the unevenness. As the dental wax agent, there can be used a wax agent generally called "paraffin" or the like. This material is solid at normal temperature and is used in a state of being melted into liquid by heating with an alcohol lamp or the like.

This method reduces the burden on the user compared to a method of using a wax agent when taking out a mold in step S1, that is, a method of taking out a mold after filling a gap between the holder 4 or the thread 5 with a water-washable non-toxic wax agent in a state where the user has attached the holder 4 or the thread 5.

In step S12, the inner surface shape of the impression material 6 formed using silicon has a shape corresponding to the envelope of the outer shape of the orthosis formed by the bracket 4 and the wire 5. This shape is a shape that can avoid interference between the irregularities of the aligner and the inner surface of the formed shell, and ensure a gap between the inner surface of the impression material and the outer surface of the dentition 3. Then, in step S13, the plaster is poured into the impression material 6, and the plaster is taken out after curing, thereby completing the dental cast 1' actually used for the production of the mouthpiece 7. Steps after step S13 are the same as the method shown in fig. 19.

The inner surface of the inner layer 7A of the mouthpiece 7 thus produced has a shape conforming to the dental cast 1 of the user who is fitted with the braces such as the brackets 4 and the thread 5. That is, since the shape of the braces is reflected on the inner surfaces of the braces 7, the braces 7 can be attached from the braces, which makes it possible to use the braces 7 and the braces at the same time.

Further, since the inner surface shape of the inner layer 7A corresponds to a shape in which the irregularities of the orthosis constituted by the wire 5 or the bracket 4 are reduced and the irregularities are reflected as voids, the interference of the sharp wire 5 or the bracket 4 with the inner layer 7A can be reduced. This prevents the appliance from shifting or falling off and the mouthpiece 7 from being damaged when it is attached and detached.

Fig. 38 is a perspective view showing a state in which the mouthpiece 7 according to the twentieth embodiment of the present invention is attached to the user's mandible; fig. 39 is a perspective view of the dental cast 1 of the user's lower jaw; fig. 40 is a cross-sectional view as seen from section line 40-40 of fig. 38.

The tooth alignment device of the present embodiment includes the flexible substrate 2 on which the electric motor 8 as a vibration generator is mounted, and the electric motor 8 and the flexible substrate 2 are both incorporated in the mouthpiece 7.

Fig. 41 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the electric motor 8 and the flexible substrate 2; figure 42 is a cross-sectional view of the mouthpiece 7 in which these are built.

The electric motor 8 includes a motor main body 8a, a rotating shaft 8b, and an eccentric weight 8c attached to the rotating shaft 8b, and the rotation of the rotating shaft 8b and the eccentric weight 8c generates mechanical vibration. The electric motor 8 is a non-packaged electric motor in which an eccentric weight 8c is exposed to the outside. Therefore, when the electric motor 8 is directly built into the mouthpiece 7 together with the flexible substrate 2, the eccentric weight 8c contacts an inner surface of the mouthpiece 7 (for example, an inner surface of a boss portion 7a for accommodating a vibration generating element shown in fig. 38) or the like, which may prevent the rotation of the eccentric weight 8 c.

In order to prevent this, a cover member 8d is provided on the flexible substrate 2. The cover member 8d is formed in a half-cylindrical shape having a top by metal or the like, and covers the eccentric weight 8c to secure a space necessary for the rotation of the eccentric weight 8c in the boss portion 7 a.

As shown in fig. 38, the flexible substrate 2 has a belt shape extending in the direction of the teeth 3, and has a circuit for supplying electric power to the motor main body 8 a. Specifically, the flexible substrate 2 is formed with a pair of wiring patterns 2a and 2b extending in the longitudinal direction thereof, and seats 2c for soldering terminals 8e provided on the motor main body 8a are formed at a plurality of positions of the wiring patterns 2a and 2b, respectively.

The flexible substrate 2 can be used in common for a plurality of users whose teeth to be corrected are different from each other even if it is formed into a predetermined shape. That is, even when the teeth to be corrected are different depending on the user, the flexible board 2 can be used by selecting the seat 2c at the position corresponding to the teeth to be corrected (for example, the teeth 3g and 3h shown in fig. 38) as the seat to which the terminal 8e of the motor main body 8a is to be welded. Further, a plurality of electric motors 8 may be mounted on one flexible substrate and driven at the same time.

By enlarging the seat 2c of the flexible substrate 2, the soldering of the terminal 8e to the seat 2c can be made strong. The power supply path formed by this welding has a far lower probability of disconnection than a power supply path formed by a wire directly drawn from the electric motor 8, that is, a power supply path with high reliability is formed. In addition, with the flexible substrate 2, the mouthpiece 7 can be prevented from being damaged or injuring the oral cavity.

The electric motor 8 may be either a Direct Current (DC) motor or an Alternating Current (AC) motor. In the former case, the vibration intensity and period can be adjusted by supplying power from a battery (battery) through a switch and a variable resistor. The number of rotations of the motor main body 8a, i.e., the vibration frequency (number of vibrations) is preferably about several Hz to several hundreds Hz.

In order to attach the cover member 8d, a plurality of locking holes 2d aligned in the longitudinal direction of the flexible substrate 2 are formed in the edges of both ends of the flexible substrate 2. On the other hand, a protrusion 8f is formed on the bottom of the cover member 8d, and the protrusion 8f can be fitted into any of the locking holes 2 d. By changing the locking hole 2d into which the protrusion 8f is fitted, the position of the cover member 8d on the flexible substrate 2 can be changed. Therefore, the motor main body 8a can be temporarily fixed to a position where the cover member 8d can cover the eccentric weight 8c by selecting an appropriate locking hole 2d into which the protrusion 8f of the cover member 8d is fitted, regardless of which seat the motor main body 8a is welded. When the mounting position of the motor main body 8a on the flexible board 2 is fixed, the seat 2c and the locking hole 2d may be provided at only one position.

The flexible substrate 2 having the electric motor 8 and the cover member 8d mounted thereon is sealed between the inner member 7A and the outer member 7B of the mouthpiece 7 by the same method as described above, and the cover member 8d is fixed to the flexible substrate 2. Therefore, even when the non-package type electric motor 8 is used, the normal operation thereof can be ensured.

A board side connector 6a for connecting the flexible board 2 and an external circuit of the mouthpiece 7 is provided at one end of the flexible board 2 in the longitudinal direction. As the board-side connector 6a, for example, a two-terminal connector manufactured by japan press-on terminal manufacturing co. The terminals of the board-side connector 6a are soldered to a socket 2e formed at one end of the wiring patterns 2a and 2 b. The flexible substrate 2 may be provided with a control circuit, a power supply, and the like, in addition to the electric motor 8. In the case of mounting a control circuit, the board-side connector 6a may include a connector for transmitting a control signal. Further, in the case of mounting a power supply, the connector 6a may be used for ON/OFF (ON/OFF) or strength control.

On the other hand, a wire-side connector 6b is provided at the terminal of the power supply line (wire) 9 for pulling out, and the wire-side connector 6b is fitted to the board-side connector 6 a. These lead-side connector 6b and board-side connector 6a constitute a connector 6 for electrically connecting the flexible board 2 and the power supply line 9.

By using this connector 6, wiring work between the flexible substrate 2 and an external circuit is facilitated. Specifically, as will be described later in detail, the connector 6a portion on the flexible substrate 2 side which is once sealed is peeled off, the lead-wire side connector 6b is fitted to the peeled portion, and the peeled portion is sealed, whereby the wiring work to the outside can be performed. This method greatly simplifies the wiring work as compared with a method including a step of peeling off the wiring patterns 2a and 2b of the flexible substrate 2 once sealed and a step of sealing the peeled-off portion again at the feed line 9 for solder pull-out.

The direction in which the feeder wires 9 of the connector 6 are pulled out is a direction perpendicular to the flexible substrate 2, that is, a direction perpendicular to the tooth surface, which is preferable in terms of mounting feeling and connection work of the connectors 6a and 6 b. In general, the position of the connector 6 is set to a position corresponding to the front teeth 3g, 3h in consideration of the lead wire being pulled out of the oral cavity. When the teeth to be corrected are the front teeth 3g and 3h, the position of the connector 6 needs to be changed to a position near the front teeth 3g and 3h (for example, a position corresponding to the tooth 3i in fig. 38), and this change is achieved by shifting the position of the flexible substrate 2 incorporated in the mouthpiece 7. The unnecessary portion of the flexible substrate 2 may be incorporated in the mouthpiece 7 in a folded state or may be cut out.

The power supply line 9 is covered by an EVA tube 280 made of the same material as the mouthpiece 7. By using this EVA tube 280, the portion of the power supply line 9 drawn to the outside is also sealed in an airtight state. Specifically, as described above, the sealing of the portion of the power supply line 9 drawn to the outside of the mouthpiece 7 in an airtight state is achieved by a method including the step of peeling off the portion of the flexible substrate-side connector 6a that is once sealed, the step of fitting the wire-side connector 6b to the connector 6a, and the step of melting the end portion 282 of the EVA tube 280 and integrating the melted portion with the peeled portion for fitting the two connectors 6a and 6 b.

The connector 6 may be omitted in case it is not necessary to connect the flexible substrate 2 and an electric circuit outside the mouthpiece 7. As such a case, there can be cited a case where: the control by the external circuit for controlling the intensity of the vibration is not necessary, and the power supply or even the control circuit is mounted ON the flexible substrate 2 as described above, and the ON/OFF state of the electric motor 8 can be switched by operating the switch by pressing and then pressing the thin portion of the outer member 7B.

When the flexible substrate 2 is built into the mouthpiece 7, the device is only the mouthpiece 7 in appearance. In this device, since the power supply line does not contact the inside of the oral cavity, electrical safety can be ensured, and the feeling of attachment can be expected to be improved. In addition, the device is small and portable, and the practical value is high.

Fig. 43 is a diagram for explaining a method of manufacturing the mouthpiece 7 according to the present embodiment. The method until the inner layer 7A is completed (step S3) is the same as the above-described method for manufacturing the mouthpiece shown in fig. 19.

After the inner layer 7A is completed, in step S14, the flexible board 2 on which the electric motor 8 or the connector 6a is mounted is attached to the inner layer 7A while it is still hot. The material of the mouthpiece 7, in particular the EVA, shows a high viscosity when melted, and can also be applied to the main raw material of the so-called hot melt adhesive. Therefore, the inner layer 7A immediately after formation of EVA in a semi-molten state in step S3 is still hot and exhibits high viscosity until cooling. The flexible substrate 2 can be temporarily fixed by using the adhesive force exerted by the material of the inner layer 7A due to the residual heat of the inner layer 7A, by pressing the flexible substrate 2 without using a fixing means such as a special adhesive.

In step S15, the heated EVA sheet is covered on the inner layer 7A on which the flexible substrate 2 is mounted by the above-described method, and the outer layer 7B is produced by evacuation, similarly to step S3. At this time, the flexible substrate 2, the electric motor 8, and the connector 6a are hermetically sealed between the inner member 7A and the outer member 7B.

In step S16, the EVA of the outer material 7B is peeled off at a portion corresponding to the board-side connector 6a, and the wire-side connector 6B is fitted to the connector 6 a. Then, in step S17, the end part 282 of the EVA tube 280 covered on the power supply line 9 is locally heated by a blower or the like to be connected to an appropriate part of the outer member 7B, and the connected part is sealed in an airtight state. Thereby, the mouthpiece 7 is completed.

In order to facilitate insertion of the feeder line 9 into the EVA tube 280, as shown in fig. 41 and 42, the insertion-side end 282 of the EVA tube 280 is enlarged in diameter in advance. This expanding process is realized, for example, by a method including the steps of: a step of covering a cylinder having heat insulation properties on the EVA tube 280 and pulling out only the end part 282 from the cylinder; and a step of locally heating and softening the drawn end part 282 by a blower or the like, and inserting a cone into the inside of the end part 282 so that the shape of the end part 282 is changed to a shape corresponding to the outer peripheral surface of the cone. In the state where the cylindrical body is covered, the power supply line 9 of the wire-side connector 6b may be inserted and attached in the step S16. Thereby, the portion of the power supply line 9 pulled out from the mouthpiece 7 can be also completely waterproofed.

Fig. 44 is a plan view of a flexible substrate 2' used in an orthodontic device according to a twenty-first embodiment of the invention. The flexible substrate 2' is similar to the flexible substrate 2, and the same portions of the flexible substrate 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

Note that, in the flexible board 2 ', the board-side connector 6a is attached to an intermediate position in the longitudinal direction of the flexible board 2 ', and the flexible board 2 ' extends to both sides in the direction along the teeth 3 with the connector 6a as a center. Therefore, the flexible board 2' is suitable for correction of both side molars because the board-side connector 6a is attached to a position corresponding to the anterior teeth in the original shape.

The flexible substrate 2 'is characterized in that a sewing line 2f for easily cutting the flexible substrate 2' is provided at a position on one side of the connector 6 a. The flexible board 2' cut by the sewing thread 2f is provided with the board-side connector 6a at an end in the longitudinal direction thereof. Thus, as with the flexible board 2, the position where the power supply line 9 is drawn out from the board-side connector 6a can be positioned on the molar (inner) side, and the flexible board 2' can be used for correction of anterior teeth.

The both ends of the flexible substrate 2' may be cut as appropriate according to the size of the mouth of the user. Thus, the common flexible substrate 2' can be used regardless of the size of the teeth to be corrected or the mouth of the user.

In the present invention, the vibration generating element (for example, the electric motor 8) is fixed to the mount of the flexible substrate as described above, but is not limited thereto. For example, the vibration generating element may be slidably mounted on the flexible substrate. This sliding enables the position of the vibration generating element on the flexible substrate to be changed.

As described above, the present invention provides an orthodontic device for aligning the dentition including the teeth of the orthodontic subject, comprising: a vibration generating element that generates mechanical vibration and applies the mechanical vibration to the teeth to be corrected; and a mouthpiece in which the oscillation generating element is built and which is attached to the teeth row in the built-in state. In this apparatus, since the vibration generating element that generates mechanical vibration (mechanical stimulation) is incorporated in the mouthpiece attached to the dentition, the vibration generating element can efficiently apply vibration to the teeth to be corrected. Furthermore, since the mouthpiece houses the vibrating element, treatment can be continued simply and safely at any time without having to go to a dental hospital, for example, at home.

Preferably, the following steps: the mouthpiece has an inner member and an outer member superposed on the outer side of the inner member, and between these inner member and outer member, a vibration-starting-element accommodating portion for accommodating the vibration starting element is formed. With this configuration, the vibrating element can be easily accommodated in the shell. Since the mechanical vibration of the vibration generating element is transmitted to the portion of the teeth to be aligned via the overlapping portion of the double shell, the transmission of the mechanical vibration can be mitigated as compared with the case where the mechanical vibration is directly transmitted to the teeth to be aligned. In addition, the vibrating element is arranged in the tooth socket in a sealed state, so that the tooth socket can be cleaned by water, and the tooth socket is sanitary.

Specifically, it is preferable that: the outer member has a projection projecting outward, and the vibration generating element is accommodated between an inner side surface of the projection and an outer side surface of the inner member. With this configuration, the vibration generating element can be accommodated in the mouthpiece without enlarging the entire mouthpiece.

Preferably, the following steps: the vibration generating element receiving portion is formed in a portion of the mouthpiece corresponding to the teeth of the orthodontic subject.

Preferably, the vibration generating element is a motor. In order to reduce the cost of the vibration generating element, it is preferable that the motor has an eccentric rotating portion that rotates about a predetermined axis and has a center of gravity at a position offset from the axis. The eccentric rotation portion preferably includes, for example: a rotating shaft; and an eccentric weight attached to the rotating shaft in a state where a center of gravity thereof is deviated from a center of the rotating shaft, and generating mechanical vibration by rotating together with the rotating shaft.

The vibration generating element may be a linear motor having a movable member that vibrates reciprocally.

The orthodontic device of the invention may further include a battery constituting a direct-current power supply, and in the case where the motor is a DC motor driven by the direct-current power supply and electrically connected to the battery, the treatment may be performed outdoors or the like.

In addition, in the case where the battery is built in the mouthpiece together with the motor, since the cable does not come out of the oral cavity, the mounting feeling is good and the device is convenient to carry.

Preferably, the following steps: the motor is incorporated in the mouthpiece in a posture in which a direction of vibration generated by the motor is substantially perpendicular to the tooth row. This can improve the vibration transmission efficiency.

The vibration generating element may be a permanent magnet, and the mechanical vibration may be generated by a magnetic field generating mechanism outside the mouthpiece. The permanent magnet makes the whole device compact.

The mouthpiece may have a shape that can be fitted over an aligner that is fitted over the teeth rows to align the teeth of the orthodontic subject, or a shape that imparts a corrective force to portions of the teeth of the orthodontic subject.

As the former mouthpiece, it is preferable that the inner surface shape thereof conforms to the dental cast of the user wearing the orthodontic appliance. The shell may be installed from the shell because the shape of the inner surface of the shell reflects the shape of the shell. This enables the use of both braces and braces.

The shape of the inner surface of the mouthpiece is preferably a shape corresponding to an envelope of the outer shape of the appliance, for example, and is a shape that can prevent the irregularities of the appliance from interfering with the inner surface of the mouthpiece. This shape has the following advantages:

easing the stimulation of the dentition from the vibration-inducing element and preventing the gum from being injured by the stimulation;

the mounting feeling is improved;

ease of manufacturing of the mouthpiece;

prevent the edges of the mouthpiece etc. from damaging the gums.

The mouthpiece may have a shape to be attached to the entire tooth row, or may have a shape to be attached to a part of the tooth row. The latter shape allows the mouthpiece to be made smaller.

Further, it is preferable that: the mouthpiece has a dividing section that divides a portion of the mouthpiece other than a portion corresponding to the teeth to be corrected, and the dividing section suppresses transmission of mechanical vibration so that the mechanical vibration generated by the vibration generating element acts on the portion including the teeth to be corrected in a limited manner.

With this configuration, vibration can be applied to the teeth to be corrected in a limited manner.

The mouthpiece having the divided portion preferably has any one of the following structures, for example, from the viewpoint of facilitating the production.

a) The divided portion of the mouthpiece is a cut-out portion having a shape in which any one of a root portion and a crown portion of the mouthpiece other than the teeth to be corrected is cut out, and the other portion integrally connects a portion on the front side and a portion on the rear side of the cut-out portion.

b) The split portion of the mouthpiece is a slit portion formed in a portion of the mouthpiece other than the teeth to be corrected, and is connected to a portion anterior to and posterior to the slit portion.

c) The divided portion of the mouthpiece is a cut portion formed by cutting a portion of the mouthpiece other than the teeth to be corrected, and the portion on the front side and the portion on the rear side of the cut portion are connected by a member different from the member constituting the cut portion.

d) The split portion of the mouthpiece is a cut-out portion formed by cutting out a portion of the mouthpiece other than the teeth to be corrected, and the cut-out portion is formed at a position where the mouthpiece has a shape to be fitted only to the teeth to be corrected.

e) The split portion of the mouthpiece is a cut-out portion formed by cutting out one of a root portion and a crown portion of the mouthpiece other than the teeth to be corrected, and the other portion left in the mouthpiece integrally connects front and rear portions of the cut-out portion.

Preferably, the following steps: the mouthpiece has in its interior a receiving space for receiving the vibrating element, the receiving space having a shape that provides the vibrating element with play that allows the vibrating element itself to be movable within the receiving space.

The play allows the oscillation element to move within the accommodation space by the oscillation load generated by the oscillation element itself. The vibrating element allowed to move impacts an inner surface of a mouthpiece surrounding the receiving space. The load caused by the collision may cause the vibration imparted to the dentition of the user wearing the mouthpiece to become greater. Thus, even when a small-sized, lightweight vibration generating element with a small vibration load is used, a stimulus sufficient for enhancing the orthodontic effect can be applied to the teeth to be aligned.

The receiving space is preferably shaped to form a gap in a direction corresponding to the orthodontic direction of the teeth to be aligned in the receiving space. This shape improves the directivity of the vibration imparted to the teeth to be corrected. For example, even when only a vibration generating element having low directivity of vibration (for example, an inexpensive and small rotary motor or vibration motor) can be used from the viewpoint of cost and size, a vibration load having high directivity can be applied to the tooth rows.

Preferably, the following steps: the mouthpiece includes an upper member to be attached to an upper dentition and a lower member to be attached to a lower dentition, the oscillation generating element is incorporated in at least one of the upper member and the lower member, and the mouthpiece includes a coupling member for coupling the upper member and the lower member at a position separated from the teeth to be corrected.

The coupling member holds and fixes the biting state (biting force or biting surface) of the upper member and the lower member at a position where the vibration generating element is built in, thereby preventing a user from unintentionally biting the vicinity of the vibration generating mechanism and the biting from changing the transmission mode of the vibration. As a result, the user can obtain the desired orthodontic effect by continuously applying the desired vibration to the teeth to be aligned while reducing the burden on the user without making a effort to maintain the open state.

The position of the connecting member is not particularly limited. For example, a shell provided with the coupling member at a position corresponding to the front teeth can prevent a load caused by occlusion from being applied to a portion corresponding to the molar teeth, and a certain occlusion state can be secured at the portion, and therefore, the shell is suitable for correction of the molar teeth. Further, the mouthpiece in which the coupling member is provided at a position corresponding to a molar tooth can prevent a load due to occlusion from being applied to a portion corresponding to an anterior tooth, and a certain occlusion state can be secured at the portion, and therefore, is suitable for correction of the anterior tooth. Further, the mouthpiece in which the coupling member is provided at a position deeper than the molar teeth can prevent the load due to occlusion from being applied to the portions corresponding to the front teeth and the molar teeth, and can secure the open state, and is therefore suitable for correction of the entire dentition.

Preferably, the following steps: the orthodontic device of the invention further comprises a flexible substrate on which the oscillation element is mounted, the flexible substrate including a circuit for leading electric power to the oscillation element, the flexible substrate being built in the mouthpiece together with the oscillation element.

The flexible substrate forms a power supply path for leading electric power to a vibration element mounted on the flexible substrate. The power supply path has a lower probability of disconnection than, for example, a power supply path formed by drawing a wire from the oscillation element. In addition, the flexible substrate does not damage the mouthpiece or injure the oral cavity. In addition, a control circuit, a power supply, and the like may be mounted on the flexible substrate in addition to the oscillation element.

Further, a substrate side connector is mounted on the flexible substrate to easily connect the flexible substrate and an electric circuit outside the mouthpiece. This wiring work is performed by, for example, a method including the steps of: peeling off a portion of the mouthpiece once sealing the flexible substrate, the portion corresponding to the substrate-side connector; a step of fitting a wire-side connector attached to the lead wire for drawing in the stripped substrate-side connector; and a step of resealing the peeled portion. Compared with the method comprising the following steps, the method greatly simplifies the wiring operation, namely: peeling a wiring pattern of a flexible substrate from a mouthpiece in which the flexible substrate is once sealed; a step of soldering a lead wire for drawing on the wiring pattern; and a step of resealing the peeled portion.

Further, the orthodontic device includes: a lead wire pulled out from a substrate-side connector attached to the flexible substrate; and a tube made of the same material as the mouthpiece and covering the lead. The device may also utilize the tube to seal the portion of the lead that is pulled outside of the mouthpiece. Specifically, a portion corresponding to the board-side connector is peeled from a mouthpiece in which a flexible board is once sealed, a wire-side connector attached to a lead wire for drawing is fitted to the board-side connector, and then an end portion of a tube is melted to integrate the end portion and the peeled portion for connecting the connector, thereby sealing the drawn portion in an airtight state.

Preferably, the following steps: the flexible substrate is placed in the mouthpiece in a state of extending in the direction of the teeth row, a wiring pattern extending in the longitudinal direction of the flexible substrate is formed on the flexible substrate, and a plurality of seats for soldering the vibrating element are formed at a plurality of positions of the wiring pattern.

Even if the flexible substrate is formed in a predetermined shape, the vibration element can be arranged at an optimum position by selecting a seat to which the vibration element is to be soldered from among seats provided in the flexible substrate. Thus, even when the teeth to be aligned are different depending on the user, the vibration generating element can be mounted on the flexible board at a position optimum for the teeth to be aligned, and as a result, the versatility of the flexible board is improved, and the cost of the apparatus can be reduced. In addition, a plurality of oscillation elements may be mounted on one flexible substrate and driven at the same time.

Preferably, the following steps: the vibration generating element includes a motor having an output shaft, and an eccentric weight mounted on the output shaft of the motor, and a cover member covering the eccentric weight is fixed on the flexible substrate to secure a space required for rotation of the eccentric weight. The cover member effectively suppresses interference with good rotation of the eccentric weight itself due to the contact of the eccentric weight with the inner surface of the socket.

In addition, the present invention provides a method of manufacturing an orthodontic device, the method being used for manufacturing the orthodontic device, the orthodontic device comprising: a vibration generating element that generates mechanical vibration to be applied to teeth to be corrected of a user; and a mouthpiece which houses the vibration generating element therein and is attached to the dentition of the user including the teeth to be aligned in the built-in state to transmit the mechanical vibration to the teeth to be aligned to promote the alignment of the dentition, wherein the method comprises: a first step of heating a sheet having thermal softening properties, loading the sheet in a softened state on a dental model of the user, and bonding the sheet to the dental model to produce an inner material constituting an inner portion of the mouthpiece; a second step of mounting the vibration generating element on the inner member; and a third step of placing the inner material on which the vibration generating element is mounted on the dental cast of the user, heating a sheet member having thermal softening property, mounting the sheet member on the inner material in a softened state, and closely contacting the softened sheet member with the inner material to produce an outer material constituting an outer portion of the mouthpiece, and sealing the vibration generating element in an airtight state between the outer material and the inner material.

By this method, a mouthpiece having an inner side member and an outer side member can be efficiently manufactured. Specifically, the mold removal required for manufacturing the outer member is performed only once, and thus the number of steps can be reduced. In this method, the solidified inner material and outer material are not reheated and bonded to each other, but the sheet body of the inner material and the sheet body of the outer material that are in a semi-molten state are naturally integrated by the heat of the covered outer material and the heat transmitted from the outer material to the inner material, so that a mouthpiece having high airtightness and high quality can be manufactured.

In the second step, the vibrating element may be attached to the inner layer by using a viscous force exerted by a material of the inner layer due to residual heat of the inner layer. In this way, the vibrating element can be temporarily fixed to the inner layer in a simple manner without requiring any other fixing means such as an adhesive or with a reduced amount of use.

Further, it is preferable that: in the first step, the sheet member for forming the inner layer is made of a resin having a softening temperature lower than a heat-resistant temperature of the vibration generating element.

With this configuration, the sheet member for forming the inner layer can be superposed on the upper surface of the vibrating element while avoiding the failure of the vibrating element due to high heat.

Claims (32)

1. An orthodontic device for straightening an dentition including teeth of a subject to be straightened, comprising:

a vibration generating element for generating mechanical vibration and imparting the vibration to the teeth of the orthodontic subject; and a mouthpiece having the vibration generating element built therein and attached to the teeth row in the built-in state,

the mouthpiece has an inner part and an outer part overlapping the outer side of the inner part,

between these inner and outer members, a vibration element accommodation portion for accommodating the vibration element is formed.

2. The orthodontic device of claim 1, wherein the outer member has an outwardly convex bulge, the vibration inducing element being received between a medial side of the bulge and a lateral side of the inner member.

3. The orthodontic device of claim 1, wherein the vibration element receiving portion is formed in a portion of the mouthpiece corresponding to the tooth of the orthodontic subject.

4. The orthodontic apparatus of claim 1 wherein the vibrating element is a motor.

5. The orthodontic device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the motor has an eccentric rotating portion that rotates about a prescribed axis and has a center of gravity at a position offset from the axis.

6. The orthodontic device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the eccentric rotating portion has:

a rotating shaft; and

and an eccentric weight attached to the rotating shaft in a state where a center of gravity thereof is deviated from a center of the rotating shaft, and generating mechanical vibration by rotating together with the rotating shaft.

7. The orthodontic device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the vibrating member is a linear motor having a movable member that vibrates reciprocally.

8. The orthodontic device of claim 4, wherein the orthodontic device includes a battery constituting a DC power source,

the motor is a dc motor driven by a dc power supply and is electrically connected to the battery.

9. The orthodontic device of claim 8 wherein the battery is built into the mouthpiece with the motor.

10. The orthodontic device of claim 4, wherein the motor is incorporated in the mouthpiece in a posture in which a direction of vibration generated by the motor is substantially perpendicular to the dentition.

11. The orthodontic device of claim 1, wherein the vibration-inducing member is a permanent magnet, and the mechanical vibration is generated by a magnetic field generating mechanism outside the mouthpiece.

12. The orthodontic device of claim 1, wherein the mouthpiece has a shape that can be fitted over an appliance fitted over the dentition to straighten the teeth of the orthodontic subject.

13. The orthodontic apparatus of claim 12 wherein the mouthpiece has an inner surface shape that conforms to a dental cast of a user wearing the appliance.

14. The orthodontic device of claim 13, wherein the shape of the inner surface of the shell is a shape corresponding to an envelope curve of the outer shape of the appliance and is a shape that avoids interference between the irregularities of the appliance and the inner surface of the shell.

15. The orthodontic device of claim 1, wherein the shell has a shape that fits over the entirety of the dentition.

16. The orthodontic device of claim 1, wherein the mouthpiece has a shape to fit over a portion of the dentition.

17. The orthodontic device according to claim 1, wherein the mouthpiece has a split portion in which a portion of the mouthpiece other than a portion corresponding to the tooth to be aligned is split, and the split portion suppresses transmission of the mechanical vibration so that the mechanical vibration generated by the vibration generating element acts on a portion including the tooth to be aligned in a limited manner.

18. The orthodontic device according to claim 17, wherein the split portion of the mouthpiece is a notched portion having a shape in which one of a root portion and a crown portion of the mouthpiece other than the teeth to be aligned is cut off, and the other portion integrally connects a portion anterior to the notched portion and a portion posterior to the notched portion.

19. The orthodontic device according to claim 17, wherein the split portion of the mouthpiece is a slit portion formed in a portion of the mouthpiece other than the teeth to be aligned, and the slit portion is connected to a portion anterior to and a portion posterior to the slit portion.

20. The orthodontic device according to claim 17, wherein the split portion of the mouthpiece is a cut portion formed by cutting a portion of the mouthpiece other than the teeth to be aligned, and a portion on a front side and a portion on a rear side of the cut portion are connected by a member different from a member constituting the cut portion.

21. The orthodontic device according to claim 17, wherein the split portion of the mouthpiece is a cut-out portion formed by cutting out a portion of the mouthpiece other than the teeth to be aligned, and the cut-out portion is formed at a position where the mouthpiece is shaped to be fitted only to the teeth to be aligned.

22. The orthodontic device as defined in claim 1, wherein the shell has a receiving space therein for receiving the vibrating element, the receiving space having a shape that provides the vibrating element with a play that allows the vibrating element itself to be movable in the receiving space.

23. The orthodontic device of claim 22, wherein the accommodating space has a shape that forms a gap in a direction that is adapted to the orthodontic direction of the teeth of the orthodontic subject in the accommodating space.

24. The orthodontic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mouthpiece includes an upper member to be attached to the upper dentition and a lower member to be attached to the lower dentition, the vibration generating element is incorporated in at least one of the upper member and the lower member, and the mouthpiece includes a coupling member for coupling the upper member and the lower member at a position separated from the teeth to be aligned.

25. The orthodontic device of claim 1, comprising a flexible substrate mounting the vibrating element,

the flexible substrate includes circuitry for directing electrical power to the vibration inducing element, and is disposed with the vibration inducing element within the mouthpiece.

26. The orthodontic device of claim 25, wherein a substrate-side connector is mounted on said flexible substrate for connecting said flexible substrate to an electric circuit external to the mouthpiece.

27. The orthodontic device of claim 26, comprising:

a lead wire pulled out from a substrate-side connector attached to the flexible substrate; and

and the tube is made of the same material as the tooth socket and covers the lead.

28. The orthodontic device of claim 25,

the flexible substrate is placed in the mouthpiece in a state of extending in the dentition direction,

a wiring pattern extending in the longitudinal direction of the flexible substrate is formed on the flexible substrate, and a plurality of pads for soldering the oscillator element are formed at a plurality of positions on the wiring pattern.

29. The orthodontic device of claim 25,

the vibration starting element comprises a motor with an output shaft and an eccentric hammer arranged on the output shaft of the motor,

a cover member covering the eccentric weight is fixed on the flexible substrate to secure a space required for the rotation of the eccentric weight.

30. A method of making an orthodontic device, the orthodontic device comprising: a vibration generating element that generates mechanical vibration to be applied to teeth to be corrected of a user; and a mouthpiece which incorporates the vibration generating element and is attached to the dentition of the user including the teeth to be corrected in the incorporated state, and transmits the mechanical vibration to the teeth to be corrected to promote the correction of the dentition,

the method comprises the following steps:

a first step of heating a sheet having thermal softening properties, loading the sheet in a softened state on a dental model of the user, and bonding the sheet to the dental model to produce an inner material constituting an inner portion of the mouthpiece;

a second step of mounting the vibration generating element on the inner member; and

a third step of placing the inner layer on which the vibration generating element is mounted on the dental cast of the user, heating a sheet member having thermal softening property, mounting the sheet member on the inner layer in a softened state, and closely contacting the softened sheet member with the inner layer to produce an outer layer constituting an outer portion of the mouthpiece, and sealing the vibration generating element in an airtight state between the outer layer and the inner layer.

31. The method of manufacturing an orthodontic device according to claim 30, wherein in the second step, the vibrating element is attached to the inner layer by utilizing a viscous force exerted by a material of the inner layer due to residual heat of the inner layer.

32. The method of manufacturing the orthodontic device of claim 30 or 31, wherein in the first step, as the sheet body for forming the inner member, a resin having a softening temperature lower than a heat-resistant temperature of the vibration generating element is used.