Technical Field

The invention relates to an upper jaw expansion structure.

In particular, the invention relates to the upper jaw expansion structure, which is used in the field of orthodontics in dentistry, which provides great comfort for the patient thanks to its self-rotating feature, and reduction of chair time and effective treatment for the physician.

Background of the Invention

In the field of Orthodontics in dentistry; Rapid maxillary expansion (RME) is a treatment method that has been used successfully in orthodontic clinics for more than 100 years. In this method, the midpalatal suture is separated by approximately 0.2-0.5 mm per day by applying heavy forces of 1 .5-4.5 kg intermittently in a short period of 1-3 weeks.

The Hyrax screw used in the current technique is prepared for the model as close as possible to the upper jaw dome, with the midline of the screw parallel to the sutura palatina media, and the screw arms following the brackets of the relevant teeth and making contact with the acrylic splint part, the palatal surface of the incisors, the premolars and the premolars. It covers the occlusal surfaces of the molar teeth and extends towards the vestibule sulcus up to the level of the teeth. Or, it is designed in a more hygienic way by being supported by the premolar and molar teeth from its banded shape and soldered to the yrax screw.

After the laboratory procedures are completed, after the intraoral compatibility of the expansion appliance is checked, it is bonded with glass ionomer cement (Voco GmbH, Cuxhaven, Germany). After the appliances are applied, the patient and his family are informed about how to open the screw, how to provide oral hygiene and nutrition. This appliance has a special key to turn the screw. It is very difficult for the patient's family to find the screw hole of the device that is attached in the mouth, adapt the key to it, turn it in a small area and activate it. During activation, it poses serious risks such as hand tremor of the person who applies it, inability to find the screw hole, the patient's memory reflex or swallowing, stinging and cutting that can be caused by sharp objects or swallowing the screw.

Studies show that the rate of failure to activate the screw is much higher than the previously stated rates.

The keyless HU G appliance, designed by Kele§ in 2008 and developed to improve the clinical difficulties of traditional HU G protocols, is a safe, fast and effective expansion appliance that requires minimal patient cooperation and allows patients to activate easily because it does not require a key.

A toothed wheel is placed inside this appliance, which is designed without a key, and an activation lever is designed that allows this wheel to rotate. When the patient activates the activation lever with his finger towards the back of the palate, the activation lever automatically springs back thanks to the nickel titanium spring mechanism. The wheel housing consists of 3 circular recesses and houses a pin that actively rotates the screw in one direction and passively retracts it.

The patient rotates the activation lever back once a day, which applies a 0.3mm widening per day. Advantages of the appliance over traditional expansion appliances; It eliminates the risk of possible mucosal injuries, gag reflex during turning, and aspiration of the key by the patient. Another advantage is that, depending on the screw design, it is not possible to loosen the screw after the activation is completed.

However, the disadvantage of this appliance is that the power of the self-rotating arm is not enough to turn the gear wheels. Because the gear wheel is a rigid mechanical system. In any extreme case, the screw is not reversed. Unfortunately, the appliance is canceled in case of a possible malfunction.

The conventional expansion screw needs to be activated by the patient himself or his guardian with the help of a key. This situation causes disruption of the turning protocol due to the small activation hole of the screw or the inability of the patient to use the key in the routine.

In the literature, the patent application numbered US2008171300 states, “The invention relates to an orthodontic expansion screw having two bodies whose distance from each other can be changed by means of a spindle that engages both bodies, whereby the spindle comprises an actuation part by means of which a torque can be effected for readjusting the spindle, and having straight-line guiding means that engage both bodies and guide them along two guide axes that are parallel to each other while preventing a relative rotation of the bodies when their distance from each other is being changed. The invention provides a friction brake that presses onto the actuation part of the spindle and thus generates a frictional force that renders a rotation of the spindle in both directions of rotation more difficult in order to prevent inadvertent readjustment of the spindle.” statements are included.

An orthodontic expansion screw is included in the mentioned application.

Again in the literature, in PCT application numbered WO2019102507, Self-activated orthodontic expander comprising a left frame and a right frame, wherein said left frame and right frame comprise respectively a left body and a right body, each having anchoring means for anchoring them to the teeth of a dental arch. The bodies have through holes oriented in a predetermined expansion direction, wherein said frames are slidably mounted along said expansion direction by means of guides inserted into said holes of the bodies. Elastic means are arranged and acting between said frames. The guides are further constrained with each other by a bridge oriented orthogonally to the same guides and adapted to prevent the reciprocal movement of the guides.” statements are included.

A self-activating orthodontic expansion screw is included in the aforementioned patent application.

Again in the literature, in the US patent application numbered US2017079747, regarding the subject, “An orthodontic apparatus is designed with at least one orthodontically effective element and at least one holding element to hold the apparatus on the jaw, so the apparatus is designed as a single piece. In a method of manufacturing an orthodontic apparatus, an electronic data set is produced for a three- dimensional model of a jaw to which the apparatus must be attached. In addition, virtual positioning of one or more orthodontic elements of the apparatus on the jaw model takes place. An electronic dataset of the three-dimensional model of the apparatus is then generated. The apparatus is then fabricated with an additive and/or removal fabrication method according to the dataset of the apparatus model.” statements are included.

In the mentioned patent application, there is an orthodontic apparatus and a method of producing orthodontic apparatus.

Due to the above-mentioned reasons, the need to introduce a new upper jaw expansion structure has arisen.

Disclosure of the Invention

Based on this position of the technique, the aim of the invention is to present a new maxillary expansion structure that eliminates the existing disadvantages.

Another aim of the invention is to provide a structure that provides great comfort for the patient, allows the treatment to continue without interruption, to reduce the physician visit sessions and to reduce the chair time for the physician.

Another aim of the invention is to present a structure in which the wrench of the screw goes into the patient's throat and the danger of swallowing is eliminated.

Another aim of the invention is to present a structure that facilitates the orthodontic work in dentistry.

Another aim of the invention is to present a structure capable of working spontaneously without the need for the help of a second person. Explanation of Figures

Figure-1 Representative view of the upper jaw expansion structure, which is the subject of the invention.

Reference Numbers

A- The Upper Jaw Expansion Structure

1 . Main Body

2. Shaft

3. Handle

4. Motorized Drive Element

Detailed Description of the Invention

In this detailed explanation, the innovation, which is the subject of the invention, is explained only with examples that will not have any limiting effect for a better understanding of the subject.

The invention an upper jaw expansion structure (A) is used in the field of orthodontics in dentistry, which provides great comfort for the patient thanks to its self-rotating feature, and provides a reduction in chair time and effective treatment for the physician, that includes at least one shaft (2) formed on the main body (1 ) and two handles (3) on the right and left sides in connection with the main body (1 ) to enable the said jaw to be expanded, characterized in that; comprises the motorized drive element (4) that enables the said handle (3) to open automatically to the right and left without the need for an extra mechanical force.

In Figure-1 , a representative view of the upper jaw expansion structure (A), which is the subject of the invention, is illustrated.

The upper jaw expansion structure (A) according to invention, consists main part of; the shaft (2) formed on at least one main body (1 ), two handles (3), on the right and left, in connection with the main body (1) to ensure the expansion of the said jaw, an extra mechanical arm of the said handle (3), motorized drive element (4) that provides automatic right and left opening without the need for a force.

Orthodontic Stainless steel upper jaw expansion configuration (A), mesiodistal width 3.3 mm, height 5 mm and length 15.4 mm. The maximum expansion amount to be provided with the aforementioned steel upper jaw expansion configuration (A) is 11 mm and 0.25 mm for each quarter turn.

They recommended that the screw should be rotated 1/4 turn twice in the morning, noon and evening in the treatments to be performed with rapid maxillary expansion screws. In their study with an Instron universal testing machine at a constant temperature of 37 degrees, with the activation of the screw 6 times a day, a constant weight of 1 ,225-1 ,425 kg. stated that it exerts a force and that this is sufficient force to open the suture. As a result of their own clinical observations, they said that 6 rounds of activation per day can also be done 2 times a day in the form of 3 quarter rounds.

In the upper jaw expansion configuration (A), which is the subject of the invention, the motorized drive element (4) automatically opens the right and left handles (3) of the self-motorized or battery-operated appliance without the need for a mechanical force.

Said motorized drive element (4) may be a battery or an orthopedic motorized distraction apparatus.