Cast orthodontic retainer system
A cast orthodontic retainer system for reducing discomfort and improving durability. The cast orthodontic retainer system generally includes a palatal portion for positioning against the palate of a patient's mouth and a retention portion for extending across an anterior portion of the patient's teeth. The palatal portion of the present invention is fabricated of a cast metallic material, thus allowing for the palatal portion to be substantially thinner than the palatal portions of retainers in the prior art. In a preferred embodiment, the palatal portion of the present invention will be fabricated of a combination of cobalt, chromium and molybdenum (generally marketed under the trademark VITALLIUM). The palatal portion of the orthodontic retainer is preferably cast from the metallic material utilizing the “lost wax” technique of casting.
Not applicable to this application.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTNot applicable to this application.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an orthodontic retainer and more specifically it relates to a cast orthodontic retainer system which includes a thin palatal portion cast from a metallic material for improving the comfort of a patient utilizing an orthodontic retainer.
2. Description of the Related Art
Any discussion of the related art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such related art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.
Orthodontic retainers have been in use for years in the orthodontic field for providing orthodontic retention after completion of an active phase of orthodontic treatment. The most commonly utilized orthodontic retainer appears to be the Hawley-type retainer design, which is generally comprised of a palatal portion and an arch wire attached at both ends to the palatal portion. The palatal portion is generally positioned against the palate of a patient and the arch wire generally extends around the anterior surface of the frontal teeth of a patient.
The palatal portion of previously-used orthodontic retainers is generally comprised of a plastic or acrylic material. However, the use of such materials for the palatal portion of orthodontic retainers generally suffers from a number of shortcomings. The palatal portion is generally bulky. The acrylic and plastic materials utilized for such palatal portions will generally require a minimum thickness of 1.5 millimeters or more to provide the requisite structural strength, thus resulting in discomfort for a patient who must wear such a retainer for hours each day. Further, the acrylic or plastic material utilized for the palatal portion of previously-existing retainers often breaks easily, requiring costly repairs or replacement of the orthodontic retainer.
Because of the inherent problems with the related art, there is a need for a new and improved cast orthodontic retainer system which includes a thin palatal portion cast from a metallic material for improving the comfort of a patient utilizing an orthodontic retainer.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe invention generally relates to an orthodontic retainer which includes a thin palatal portion cast from a metallic material and a method for fabricating the same. The retainer is generally comprised of a palatal portion for positioning against the palate of a patient's mouth and a retention portion for extending across an anterior portion of the patient's teeth. The palatal portion of the present invention is comprised of a cast metallic material, thus allowing for the palatal portion to be substantially thinner than the palatal portions of retainers in the prior art. In a preferred embodiment, the palatal portion of the present invention will be comprised of a metal alloy comprised of carbon, silicon, manganese, cobalt, chromium and molybdenum (generally marketed under the trademark VITALLIUM by Howmedica, Inc.). The palatal portion of the orthodontic retainer is preferably cast from the metallic material utilizing the “lost wax” technique of casting.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, some of the features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction or to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.
Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:
A. Overview.
Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views,
B. Palatal Portion.
As shown in
The front edge 22 of the palatal portion 20 of the cast orthodontic retainer system 10 will generally be positionable adjacent the lingual surfaces of a patient's anterior teeth 12. The palatal portion 20 will generally extend rearwardly along the lingual surfaces of at least a portion of the patient's posterior teeth as shown in
As shown in
The palatal portion 20 of the present invention will generally be cast from a metallic material using a process such as but not limited to lost-wax casting. The palatal portion 20 is preferably comprised of a thickness no greater than 0.30 millimeters. While various types of metallic materials may be utilized for the palatal portion 20, the metallic material is preferably comprised of a metal alloy. VITALLIUM is a brand of metal alloy that is suitable for use within the present invention. VITALLIUM is believed to be comprised of carbon, silicon, manganese, cobalt, chromium and molybdenum. However, it should be appreciated that various other types of metals and/or metal alloys may be utilized in fabricating the palatal portion 20 of the present invention so long as the material used provides the requisite durability and strength at thicknesses of less than 0.30 millimeters.
C. Retention Portion.
As shown in
The retention portion 30 of the present invention is preferably comprised of a labial wire 32 which is attached at both ends to the palatal portion 20 of the cast orthodontic retainer system 10. The labial wire 32 will generally be welded to the palatal portion 20 in a manner which retains the teeth 12 of a patient between the labial wire 32 and the front edge 22 of the palatal portion 20. The labial wire 32 generally extends outwardly from rear points on the front edge 22 of the palatal portion 20 through spaces between molars and cuspids and extends around the cuspids to extend tightly around the anterior portion of the patient's front teeth 12 or incisors. The labial wire 32 will also generally include at least one arch wire 34 portion extending upwardly as shown in
As shown in
As shown in
D. Preferred Method of Fabrication of the Present Invention.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
After duplication of the patient's palate into a palatal impression and the inclusion of post dams and finishing lines, lost wax casting may be applied to the palatal impression to fabricate the finished palatal portion of the cast orthodontic retainer system 10.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described above. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law and regulations. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Any headings utilized within the description are for convenience only and have no legal or limiting effect.
Claims
1. A method of fabricating a palatal portion of an orthodontic retainer, comprising:
- providing a blocked out duplicate of a patient's palate and upper teeth;
- providing a sheet of malleable material;
- warming up said sheet of malleable material;
- creating a palatal impression by pressing said warmed up sheet of malleable material against said blocked out duplicate of a patient's palate;
- placing said palatal impression on a sprue tree;
- enclosing said sprue tree and said palatal impression in a container;
- creating a mold by pouring investment material around said sprue tree and said palatal impression within said container and allowing said investment material to dry;
- creating a negative impression of said palatal impression within said mold by heating a hardened shell within a heating device to melt said palatal impression;
- heating a metal material until said metal material is molten, wherein said metal material is comprised of cobalt, chromium and molybdenum;
- inserting said molten metal material into said negative impression of said palatal impression within said mold;
- cooling said mold to form a palatal portion formed from said metal material; and
- removing said palatal portion from said hardened shell, wherein said palatal portion is comprised of a thickness between 0.20 millimeters and 0.30 millimeters.
2. The method of fabricating a palatal portion of an orthodontic retainer of claim 1, wherein said sheet of malleable material is comprised of a sheet of wax.
3. The method of fabricating a palatal portion of an orthodontic retainer of claim 1, wherein said metal material is comprised of a metal alloy.
4. A method of fabricating a palatal portion of an orthodontic retainer, comprising:
- casting a plate-like U-shaped member that consists of a metal alloy of cobalt, chromium, and molybdenum, wherein the plate-like U-shaped member is positionable against a palate of a patient's mouth;
- wherein the plate-like U-shaped member is cast so as to have a front edge and a curved rear edge, the front edge is positionable adjacent lingual surfaces of a patient's teeth, and the front edge includes a plurality of indentations and projections, the indentations are sized and shaped to receive the lingual surfaces of the patient's teeth;
- the plate-like U-shaped member is cast to have a thickness between 0.20 millimeters and 0.30 millimeters.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Jul 5, 2016
Date of Patent: Mar 31, 2020
Assignee: DEAN ULTRATHIN RETAINER COMPANY (Fosston, MN)
Inventor: Todd W. Sandwick (Fosston, MN)
Primary Examiner: William C Doerrler
Application Number: 15/201,944
International Classification: A61C 3/00 (20060101); A61C 7/00 (20060101);