April 15, 1969
3,438,132
J. M. RUBIN
ORTHODONTIC METHOD AND APPARATUS
Filed May 2, 1966
F/6./
Sheet
1
of 2
FIG. 2
INVENTOR.
JAMES M. RUBIN
April 15, 1969
J. M. RUBIN
3,438,132
ORTHODONTIC METHOD AND APPARATUS
of 2
Sheet
Filed May 2, 1966
F/G.9
N
w.
VREUmm
United States Patent O ice
3,438,132
Patented Apr. 15, 1969
2
1
‘applied through an arch-wire whose position generally
3,438,132
remains constant throughout treatment and whose con
ORTHODONTIC METHOD AND APPARATUS
James M. Rubin, 141 W. 17th St.,
New York, N.Y. 10011
Filed May 2, 1966, Ser. No. 546,690
Int. Cl. A61c 7/00
U.S. Cl. 32—14
7 Claims
nection to the tooth is varied at desired intervals to con
stantly provide the desired straightening force to
tooth. Suitable apparatus is provided for controlling
cooperation of the arch-Wire with the tooth whereby
desired forces are controlled by suitable selection of
the
the
the
ap
propriate apparatus rather than by physical deformation
of the arch-wire.
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
10
An orthodontic apparatus for use with an arch-Wire
which includes a clip for attachment to a tooth band and
a plurality of blocks which may be selectively mounted
The invention accordingly comprises the feature-s of
construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement
of parts which will be exempli?ed in the constructions
hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will
be indicated in the claims.
For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference
is had to the following description taken in connection
in the clip with each block having a surface differently
located with respect to the surface of each other block so
that the proper block may be selected for cooperation
with the arch-wire when received in the clip to apply the
with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a set of teeth with arch-Wire
desired force to a tooth.
and brackets attached;
20
This invention ‘relates generally to an orthodontic
method and apparatus and is more speci?cally concerned
with a novel and improved method for straightening mal
posed teeth, and apparatus for accomplishing same.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a tooth having ‘appa
ratus of the instant invention mounted thereon;
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view, ‘at an enlarged
scale, of the clip and block of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another block forming
‘of a block set;
In orthodontics, the most common method of straight 25 part
FIG. 5 is a plan view of a block and chip engaged
ening malposed teeth is by the use of an arch-wire which
with an arch-wire;
applies a force to a tooth to be straightened by cooperation
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another block in the set;
with a bracket secured to the tooth through a tooth band.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another form of ap
The arch-wire is anchored to other teeth through suitable
brackets and is deflected so as to apply a light force to 30 paratus mounted on a tooth;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a block constructed in
accordance with a modi?ed embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 9 is a plan view of the block of FIG. 8 in engage
ment with an arch-wire; and
until straightening is completed. Such procedure requires
FIG. 10 is a sectional, elevational view taken along
that the arch-wires be physically deformed from its gen
line
10——10 of FIG. 8.
erally smooth curvature in order to be in a position to en
Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a representation of
gage the bracket attached to the malposed tooth. The
a set of teeth with the six middle teeth being the anterior
amount of force applied will depend on the degree of dis
tortion of the arch-wire and since the bending of the arch 40 teeth, the next two on each side ‘being the bicuspids and
the last one on each side being molars. The teeth, desig
wire is manually accomplished by the orthodontist, it
nated as 11, are shown to indicate the environment of the
becomes most di?icult to accurately control or evaluate
invention and thus no attempt has been made to accurately
the forces being applied.
the tooth to be straightened. As the tooth straightens, the
arch-wire is bent to ditferent positions in order to con
tinue the application of a straightening force to the tooth
In the straightening of teeth, it is preferred to apply
depict the con?guration of each tooth. One of the anterior
to evaluate the forces applied make it substantially im
of the malposed tooth. A straightening force will be ap
plied to the malposed tooth through the bracket and band
by the arch-wire. Since a reactive force will likewise be
applied to each of the other teeth, plural anchors are de
only a light force to avoid root absorbt-ion and injury to 45 teeth is malposed and it is the malposed tooth 12 which
requires straightening. Each tooth is surrounded by a
bone and tissue. As the tooth moves under the light force,
band
13 having an arch-wire bracket 14 secured thereto
adjustments are made during monthly visits and the tooth
for receiving an arch-Wire 15. The arch-wire forms a
is slowly brought to the proper position. It is known that
smooth are along the outside of the teeth and the correct
excessive force should be avoided, but the delicate opera
tion to be performed in a patient’s mouth and the inability 50 ly located teeth acts as anchors for correcting the position
possible to control the forces and maintain them at a
minimum.
Accordingly, it is the object of the instant invention to
provide a method for straightening teeth wherein the 55 sirable to minimize the forces applied to each of the
anchor teeth 'whereby repositioning of the anchor teeth
force applied to a malposed tooth may be controlled with
will
be negligible. It is important to note that the arch
reasonable accuracy.
wire of FIG. 1 follows a smooth arc and is not de?ected
Another object of the invention is to provide a method
inwardly proximate to the malposed tooth. This is con
for straightening a malposed tooth wherein greater uni~
formity of operation will result.
trary to generally accepted orthodontic procedures and is
for straightening a malposed tooth in which the increase
in the force applied to a malposed tooth during periodic
checkups may be accurately controlled within limits, re
gardless of the skill of the orthodontist.
65
Still another object of the invention is to provide im
vention hereafter described.
Referring to FIG. 2, tooth 12 has band 13 secured
60 basic to the substantial advantages derived from the in
A further object of the invention is to provide a method
proved apparatus for the straightening of malposed teeth.
Still ‘other objects and advantages of the invention
will in part be obvious and will in part be apparent from
therearound in a manner well known in the art. Arch
wire bracket 14 consists of a clip 16 and a block 17
which will be hereafter described in greater detail. Re
ceived through block 17 is the arch-wire 15.
Referring to FIG. 3, clip 16 is channel-shaped with the
legs of the channel being perpendicular to the base thereof.
Base 18 is formed with an inwardly extending tongue
the speci?cation.
70
19 substantially centrally of the base and parallel to the
Generally speaking, in accordance with the invention,
longitudinal axis of the channel-shaped clip. One leg 21
a malposed tooth is straightened as the result of forces
3
3,433,132
4
is also formed with an inwardly extending longitudinal
for the block with the deeper slot. Thus the tooth would
again be placed under a small corrective forse so that
further straightening may occur. As the tooth is straight
ened over a period of time, the block is continually
tongue 22 and a detent button 23.
Block 17 preferably has a square cross section and is
formed with a detent slot 24 in one face adapted to re
ceive tongue 22 and a cup shaped depression 25 adapted
to receive detent button 23. A slot 26 is provided in block
changed for a block having a slot of smaller depth so
that a light pressure is maintained until the tooth has been
brought to the proper position.
It is important to note that a‘ deformation from its
smooth arch was not imparted to the arch-wire and thus
17 for receiving arch-wire l5 and is positioned to receive
tongue 19.
Referring to FIG. 2 and 3, clip 16 is permanently af
?xed to band 13 such as by Welding. When inserting the
arch-wire into the patient’s mouth, it is given a smooth
the arch-wire was not manipulated throughout the cor
rective cycle. Each block caused a slight de?ection of the
curvature by the orthodontist and located generally with
in each of the clips. Block 17 is then set in place with the,
arch-wire in slot 26 and the block is resiliently held in the
resilient arch-wire so as to apply a small force to the tooth.
Each time the block is changed, the force applied to the
tooth will be proportional to the decrease in slot depth
clip by cooperation between the tongue and slots and
button 23 and depression 25.
At this point, it is appropriate to consider the relative
sizes of the various components in order to understand
the method to be hereafter described in connection with
such miniature apparatus. The dimensions are given by 20
way of example and are by no means limiting. The
length of block 17 is .110" with its height and width .060"
each. Clip 16 has inside dimensions such as to closely
embrace the block and the leg of the clip may be bent
slightly inwardly toward one another in order to provide
for good frictional engagement with the block when the
legs are de?ected on assembly. Note that all such elements
are normally fabricated of stainless steel or other suitable
material.
The outside diameter of tongues 19 and 22 are each
.016” and project as semi-circles. Detent slot 24 is formed
as a semi-circle of the same diameter. The width of slot
26 is also .016" with the base of the slot formed as a
semi-circle. The diameter of the arch-wire used in this
and thus will be substantially predetermined so that cor
rective forces can ‘be applied while controlling the amount
of such forces.
This is in contradistinction to current practice wherein
the amount of force applied depends substantially on the
“feel” of the orthodontist. While he knows that small
forces are desirabe, prior to the instant method, there
was no way to accurately determine that the forces will
remain small but of su?icient magnitude to effect move
ment of the malposed tooth.
In other words, with applicant’s method and apparatus,
the forces applied to a malposed tooth may be accurately
controlled. As the tooth moves under a force in the direc
tion of application of the force and the force thereby
decreases, the force can be subsequently slightly increased
by merely removing a block and substituting another
block therefor. Thus once the arch-wire is in place, it
need not be constantly remanipulated since it is the re
manipulation of the arch-wire which introduces the pos
sibility for human errors and inaccuracies. Thus in prior
example would be .016", this being the diameter of the 35 techniques, error and inaccuracy in developing corrective
commonly used wire in the “light wire” technique. The
forces was introduced on each visit wherein a change of
minimum depth of slot 26 would be .032" in order for it
corrective action took place. With applicant’s method,
to receive the arch-wire as well as a .016" diameter
manipulation of the arch-wire could conceivably be
tongue. Blocks will be provided with slots of greater depth.
limited to the single instance of commencement of treat
Slot 26 may have a depth as great as .048" or greater 40 ment. Thereafter, the forces are changed by substitu
and blocks having slots of varying depths would be pro
tion of blocks and the initial forces can also be controlled
vided for carrying out the invention as will hereafter be
by suitable selection of the original block. The ortho
come apparent. By way of example, the block shown
in FIG. 4 has a slot 26 with a minimum depth of .032".
The orthodontic method of the instant invention and
the apparatus used in conjunction therewith may now be
dontist would be supplied with a set of blocks having
~ slots of varying depths. In the example cited, the smallest
understood. Referring again to FIG. 1, malposed tooth
12 requires repositioning in the labial or buccal direction
at increments of .004". Note that tongue 19 could be
omitted, or replaced by a central dimple which may be
as indicated by the arrow. Each of the other teeth act
as anchors and a tooth ‘band 13 and clip 16 is a?ixed
to each as well as to the malposed tooth. Arch-wire 15 is
smoothly formed and a block 17 is selected for each
of the anchored teeth. The blocks selected for the an
chored teeth have slots 26 with a .032” depth. This is
proper since the anchor teeth are correctly aligned and
thus a space of .016" will be provided for the arch-wire
of same diameter when the block is assembled in the
clip with tongue 19 in the slot. In this manner, the
arch-wire will smoothly follow the arch of the teeth and be
anchored at a plurality of points without exerting forces
as between the anchored teeth.
The block provided for cooperation with the clip
slot would be .032" deep and the deepest slot .048" deep
with intermediate blocks having slots which vary in depth
of semi-spherical con?guration having an outside diameter
of about .005" to increase the range of slot depth. With
the dimple, the arch-wire when engaged with the clip,
would establish a point contact therewith.
A tooth requiring rotation on its vertical axis for
straightening would also be accomplished with blocks
having horizontally oriented slots. As shown in FIG. 5,
arch-wire 15 extends through slot 26. With the tooth
rotated on its vertical axis the arch-wire would make con
tact with the ‘base of the slot at one end of the block and
with tongue 19 at the other end of the slot to thereby
apply a rotative force to the tooth as indicated by the
arrow in ‘FIG. 5. As correction of the tooth position
tages place, blocks having shallower slots would be sub
stituted for those with deeper slots in accordance with the
of minimum depth since the assembly of such block
method described above.
through the clip would cause an excessive labial force to 65
If the tooth requires uprighting or tipping, the block
be applied to the malposed tooth. As is known in the art,
would be oriented to place slot 26 in a generally vertical
mounted on the malposed tooth should not have a slot
a light force should be applied in order that the tooth
is caused to move slowly over a period of time. If the
tooth is malposed by .052" for example, a block having
plane wherein the arch-wire would engage the base of the
slot at one end of the block and tongue 22 at the other
end of the block as shown in FIG. 6. In this manner a
a .048” slot would be assembled to the clip of the mal 70 rotating force would be applied to the tooth in a vertical
plane in the same manner that a rotating force in the
tooth. As the tooth moves labially over a period of time,
horizontal plane is applied by the arrangement shown in
posed tooth so as to apply a small corrective force to the
the force applied to it by the block having the deep slot
becomes less and, at the next visit, a block having a slot
of smaller depth, .044" for example, would be substituted
‘FIG. 5. Again, as straightening takes place, the blocks
would be changed to control the corrected forces applied
to the malposed tooth.
3,433,132
6
5
In certain malposition situations, torquing of the tooth
is required. A malposed tooth requiring torquing would
ameter of .016”. If the tooth is slightly malposed the inter
secting diameter might be .018” or .020" while for a badly
have its longitudinal axis inclined from the vertical in a
malposed tooth the intersecting diameter might be .0136”.
labial-lingual direction, for example. Torqing is accom
This embodiment could also be used with a clip having
plished by use of an edge-wise arch-wire having a rec
a dimple as heretofore described. In any event the inter
tangular cross section. As shown in FIG. 7, the malposed
tooth 12 surrounded by a band 13 having a clip 16 at
tached thereto is adapted to receive a block 31 having a
vertically directed slot 32 therein. The slot receives a
ameters of the semi-cones in order that a bearing sur
face 44 would occur as an edge in a plane. Thus, in ac
secting diameter would always be less than the base di
cordance with the instant technique, as the position of
rectangular arch-wire 33 whereby the cooperation be 10 the tooth is corrected, a block having a larger intersecting
tween the walls of the rectangular arch-wire and the walls
of the slot provide a torquing force to upright the tooth.
In accordance with the instant invention, a set of blocks
31 would be provided, having slots of various widths.
For example, with rectangular arch-wire having a width
of .016", a typical set of blocks would include a block
having a slot width of .016", and block having a slot
width of .018”, a block having a slot width of .020” and
diameter would be replaced by one of smaller intersect
ing diameter and the replacement procedure would con
tinue until the tooth is completely straightened.
It should also be understood that the aforesaid inven
tion can be used in conjunction with other orthodontic
techniques and apparatus, the proper selection being well
within the skill of those in the art.
What is claimed is:
1. Orthodontic apparatus for use with an arch-wire
a block having a slot of .022”. When the tooth is badly
malposed, the block having the largest “width slot would 20 comprising a clip having a base'for attachment to a tooth
band and a plurality of blocks, each of said blocks adapted
be utilized to avoid the application of excessive torquing
for cooperation with said clip for retention thereby, each
forces to the tooth. As the tooth moves, blocks having
of said blocks being provided with a slot de?ning a sur
narrower width slots would be substituted in the same
face for engagement by the arch-wire, said slot opening
In certain orthodontic applications, it is desirable to 25 inwardly and being closed by said base, the location of
the surface of each block being at variant with the loca
have “point” contact between the arch-wire and the engag
tion of the surface on all other blocks.
ing bracket. The instant invention is capable of providing
2. Orthodontic apparatus as claimed in claim 1 where
true “point” contact utilizing apparatus such as shown in
in said surface is formed as a slot extending longitu
FIGS. 8 through 10. A block 41 is provided with a longi
dinally of said block from one side thereof, the depth of
tudinal aperture or slot having a substantially knife edge
the slot in each block being different than the depth of
bearing surface whereby, when engaged with an arch
the slots in all other blocks.
wire of circular cross section, the engagement area sub
manner as heretofore described.
stantially approaches a single point as shown in FIG. 9.
3. Orthodontic apparatus as claimed in claim 2 where
The longitudinal aperture in this embodiment is formed
in the width of each slot is substantially equal to the
as a pair of intersecting semi-cones. The outer ends 43
width of the arch-wire to be received therein.
v4. Orthodontic apparatus as claimed in claim 1 Where
in said surface is formed as a slot extending longitudinally
of said block from one side thereof, the width of the slot
of the aperture are located in opposed block ends and
appear, in plan view, as semi-circles opening tangentially
outwardly through a side of the block as best seen in
FIG. 10. The longitudinal axis of each of the semi-cones
is not perpendicular to its respective base and thus the
axes intersect at an angle. The bearing edge thus occurs
in a plane parallel to the block ends and passing through
the intersection of the axes as indicated at 44 in FIGS.
8 through 10. In section (FIG. 10) the bearing surface
is semi-circular and opens tangentally outwardly through
one side of the block. The intersecting semi~cones there
by form a slot for receiving the arch-wire with the hear
ing surface at the intersection being closest to the side
of the block through which the slot extends.
The “point” contact method also utilizes blocks of r
varying apertures. If, for example, a .016" arch-wire is
to be used, the diameter of each semi-circular cutout in a
block end would be .048". The point on the semi-circle
furthest from the block side through which the slot ex
tends would also be .048". These representative dimen
sions Would be identical for all blocks in a set.
The diameter and location of the bearing surface at the
intersection would vary from block to block. In each
case, the diameter of the semi-circle and the distance from
the block side through which the slot extends to the fur
thest point on the semi-circle would be equal. In this
embodiment a clip 16 would be used which preferably
omitted tongue 19 and thus the block in the set used for
a normally placed tooth would have an intersecting di
in each block being dilferent than the width of the slots
in all other blocks.
5. Orthodontic apparatus as claimed in claim 4 Where
in the slots in all blocks are of substantially equal depth.
6. Orthodontic apparatus as claimed in claim 1 where
in said surface is formed at the intersection of two par
tially cone-shaped apertures having their base ends at
opposite ends of said block and their intersecting ends
centrally of said block, said cone-shaped apertures open
ing outwardly through one side of said block along the
length thereof to de?ne a longitudinally extending slot,
the depth of the slot at the intersection in each block be
ing diiferent than the depth in all other blocks.
7. Orthodontic apparatus as claimed in claim 1 where
in said clip is formed as a channel-shaped member, said
channel-shaped member being formed with a tongue, and
each of said blocks being formed with a detent slot
adapted for cooperation with said tongue when said block
is assembled with said clip.
References Cited
UNITED STATES PATENTS
2,908,974
10/1959
Stifter _____________ __ 32—14
ROBERT PESHOCK, Primary Examiner.