Lingual orthodontic appliance with removable section

摘要

An aesthetic, partially removable orthodontic appliance is described, including a polymeric body that conforms to the lingual soft tissue and at least one wire member extending from the polymeric body. Each wire member releasably engages with a respective anchor that is, in turn, connected to the lingual surface of a respective tooth when the polymeric body is moved in a generally gingival direction into abutting relationship with the lingual soft tissue. Other features of the appliance include self-guiding magnetic couplings and couplings based on interlocking mechanical structures that provide releasable engagement between the removable section and the anchors, as well as related methods for making and using the same.

主权项

1. An orthodontic appliance comprising:
a removable section including a polymeric body and one or more wire members extending outwardly from the body, the polymeric body including a posterior area and an anterior area, wherein each wire member of the one or more wire members includes an outer end portion including a first coupling, wherein the body includes an outer surface with a configuration that generally matches the configuration of a patient's lingual soft tissue, and wherein at least one wire member extends from the anterior area of the body to the first coupling in a generally mesial direction towards the position of the patient's central, lateral, or cuspid teeth; and one or more anchors, each anchor having a base for connecting the anchor to the lingual surface of a tooth, at least one anchor configured to connect to the lingual surface of the patient's central, lateral, or cuspid teeth, wherein the outer end portion of each wire member is releasably connectable to a respective anchor when each anchor is connected to a respective tooth of a dental patient and the removable section is moved in a generally gingival direction into abutting relationship with the patient's lingual soft tissue; wherein the respective anchor includes a second coupling adapted for releasable connection to the first coupling; and wherein the first and second couplings comprise magnetic couplings.