Mid-month, FreshPatents.com announced that Oscar Olavarria Landa has patented a "system and process for three dimensional teeth movements using a spring retained device attached to an orthodontic micro implant." So what does that mean for orthodontists, GPs who do orthodontics, and patients?
First, I’ll describe the device. It consists of what is called Orthodontic Micro Implant, a small implant that has an octagonal head with a middle channel. This acts as the anchor for the component that generates force for movement. The second part has a c-clasp base that fits the octagonal implant, plus one of many styles of finger springs. Nine designs are included in the patent.
The function is described as follows: "There is provided a device and process for use to move teeth three dimensionally. To achieve intrusion of teeth, eruption of impacted or retained teeth into the jawbone, shortening the amount of time it usually takes; distal or mesial movements of teeth, and also labial or lingual movements of teeth. All of them getting anchorage in bone."
Benefits include no interference with anchoring teeth, because there are none; the implant is the anchor. Also, treatment time is reduced and comfort increased. The patent claims that the product is safe, effective, and reliable for three-dimensional movement of teeth.
Read the step-by-step clinical procedures here.