Linked connection for orthodontic class III correction
The present disclosure provides intraoral devices for repositioning the relationship between upper and lower dental arches, particular those in a Class III relation. The devices are attached to appliances on molar teeth of each arch and can be reactivated without removal or replacement of substantial components of the device.
1. An intraoral force module configured for moving the relative positions of upper and lower dental arches, the force module comprising: an upper module including a first member having a first outer end portion, wherein the first member is a rod, the rod including a distal segment and a mesial segment, with the mesial segment having a length extending in a generally mesial direction when installed on the upper arch;
a lower module including a second member pivotally connected to the first member at a link mesial to the second member and coupled to a helical compression spring coaxial with at least a portion of said second member, the second member pivotally movable relative to the first member in directions along a first facial-lingual reference axis, a portion of the second member extending distally in the direction of the distal segment of the upper module to a second outer end portion along a portion of the length of the first member, wherein the second member is rotatable in an arc about a single fixed second axis generally parallel to the reference axis when the second member is coupled at the second outer end portion to an appliance on the arch,
wherein the mesial segment includes a coupling portion of the rod bending downward towards the lower arch when the force module is installed, the coupling portion extending towards the lower arch at an angle of 70 degrees to 110 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the mesial segment when viewed in directions parallel to the occlusal reference plane,
wherein the link is a central pivot link, the pivot link including a first segment including a first passage receiving the coupling portion of the first member, and a second segment including a second passage receiving the second member, and a hinge coupling, and configured to enable pivotal movement of, the first and second segments, the module configured such that the second passage is disposed between the helical spring and the coupling portion when the force module is installed, and the upper and lower arches are closed.
2. An intraoral force module of claim 1 , wherein the distal segment extends at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the mesial segment when viewed in directions perpendicular to an occlusal reference plane.
3. The intraoral force module of claim 2 , wherein the coupling portion extending at an angle of 90 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the mesial segment when viewed in directions parallel to the occlusal reference plane.
4. The intraoral force module of claim 1 , wherein the first segment is offset from the first member and the second passage on a facial-lingual axis.
5. The intraoral force module of claim 4 , wherein, when the force module is installed and the upper and lower arches are closed, the first passage includes a longitudinal axis extending in a generally occlusal gingival direction, and wherein the second passage includes a longitudinal axis extending in a generally mesiodistal direction and is located nearer the upper arch than the first passage.
6. The intraoral force module of claim 1 , wherein the central pivot link is generally L-shaped and configured to be located in a mesial direction from the lower module and the distal segment of the rod, and wherein, when the force module is installed and the upper and lower arches are closed, the first passage extends along a generally occlusal gingival axis, and wherein the second passage extends along a generally mesiodistal axis and is located nearer the upper arch than the first passage and is offset from the first passage on a facial-lingual axis.
7. The intraoral force module of claim 4 , wherein the central pivot link is generally L-shaped.
8. The intraoral force module of claim 4 , wherein, when the force module is installed and the upper and lower arches are closed, the first passage extends along a generally occlusal gingival axis, and wherein the second passage extends along a generally mesiodistal axis and is located nearer the upper arch than the first passage.
9. The intraoral force module of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first member and the second member is a cylindrical rod.
10. The intraoral force module of claim 1 , wherein the coupling portion remains fixed in the first passage after installation of the module.