US3574941A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for straightening teeth and method of making same
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-08-19
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Granted: 1971-04-13
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Expires: 1989-08-19
Abstract
Abstract An orthodontic device for straightening teeth includes a plate which partially surrounds the patient''s teeth and has embedded therein an internally threaded nut or housing adjacent the tooth to be straightened. The housing provides an anchoring point for a capless pressure screw which may be solid or hollow. The hollowtype of screw contains a spring normally urging a piston against the tooth to be straightened to provide a constant pressure on the tooth to move it into proper position in relation to other teeth in the patient''s mouth. The degree of pressure applied to the tooth may be adjusted from time to time by appropriate rotation of the screw. An orthodontic device of the aforementioned nature may be made by a flasking method which includes baking, or by a spray on cold cure method. Both methods utilize a plaster model of the patient''s teeth to which a wax or resin is applied to form the plate.
Inventors
- 👤 Theo Ritter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 21:20
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C7/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
In a method of making a dental appliance for straightening teeth, said method including the steps of: taking an impression of the patient''s teeth with an impression compound; casting the impression obtained with plaster to obtain a plaster model of the teeth; removing the impression compound from the plaster model when the latter has hardened, the improvement comprising: supporting a screw threadedly engaged in a threaded nut against a tooth to be straightened on the plaster model; applying a resinous material to the plaster model so as to partially surround the teeth and embed the nut in said material; curing the resinous material; removing the screw from the nut embedded in the cured material; separating the thus formed appliance from the plaster model; and threading a capless pressuRe screw into said nut for movement towards and away from the tooth to be straightened when the appliance is placed in position in the patient''s mouth.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
In a method of making a dental appliance for straightening teeth, said method including the steps of: taking an impression of the patient''s teeth with an impression compound; casting the impression obtained with plaster to obtain a plaster model of the teeth; removing the impression compound from the plaster model when the latter has hardened, the improvement comprising: supporting a screw threadedly engaged in a threaded nut against a tooth to be straightened on the plaster model; applying a resinous material to the plaster model so as to partially surround the teeth and embed the nut in said material; curing the resinous material; removing the screw from the nut embedded in the cured material; separating the thus formed appliance from the plaster model; and threading a capless pressuRe screw into said nut for movement towards and away from the tooth to be straightened when the appliance is placed in position in the patient''s mouth.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
139 words
A dental appliance for straightening teeth comprising a member adapted to be retained in the mouth of the patient, said member including at least one threaded nut embedded therein and angularly positioned relative to the tooth to be straightened, a screw threaded into the nut so that the inner end of the screw will engage the proper area of the tooth to be straightened to exert the desired pressure thereon, the outer end of the screw being disposed so that it does not project beyond the inner surface of said member to obviate contact between the outer end of the said screw and the patient''s tongue, whereby pressure can be selectively applied to a tooth by said screw by turning the screw relative to the nut to move the screw towards and away from a tooth to be straightened.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
139 words
A dental appliance for straightening teeth comprising a member adapted to be retained in the mouth of the patient, said member including at least one threaded nut embedded therein and angularly positioned relative to the tooth to be straightened, a screw threaded into the nut so that the inner end of the screw will engage the proper area of the tooth to be straightened to exert the desired pressure thereon, the outer end of the screw being disposed so that it does not project beyond the inner surface of said member to obviate contact between the outer end of the said screw and the patient''s tongue, whereby pressure can be selectively applied to a tooth by said screw by turning the screw relative to the nut to move the screw towards and away from a tooth to be straightened.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A dental appliance according to claim 2, wherein said nut has a tip of truncated-shape.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A dental appliance according to claim 3, wherein the outer surface of the nut is knurled.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
A dental appliance according to claim 2, wherein said screw is capless.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A dental appliance according to claim 3, wherein the outer surface of the nut is smooth.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
62 words
A dental appliance according to claim 5, wherein said capless screw includes a central recess having a narrowed opening at one end, a coil spring within said recess, a piston including a collar slidable within said recess, said collar being of greater diameter than said narrowed opening to prevent said piston from being ejected from said recess under tension of said spring.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
A dental appliance according to claim 2, wherein said member is a plate of resinous material and includes a spring wire member one portion of which is embedded in said resinous material, another portion of which is disposed adjacent a tooth to be moved, said last mentioned portion supporting a nut having a smooth outer surface.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-04-12 | 1974-10-12 | 1975-04-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-04-12 | 1978-10-12 | 1979-04-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-04-12 | 1982-10-12 | 1983-04-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |