Dental system for symmetry of jaw, palate, and teeth

Abstract

Dental apparatus, systems, and methods for providing anterior, lateral, and vertical movement, an apparatus including a posterior portion to be affixed to and supported by a posterior dental structure of a patient; and an anterior portion connected to and separable from the posterior portion, the anterior portion operable to provide anterior movement, lateral movement, and vertical movement to an anterior dental structure of the patient.

That claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dental device for providing anterior and vertical movement, the device comprising:
 a posterior portion to be affixed to and supported by a posterior dental structure of a patient; and   an anterior portion connected to and separable from the posterior portion, the anterior portion operable to provide anterior movement and vertical movement to an anterior dental structure of the patient.   
     
     
         2 . The dental device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device is further configured to provide anterior-lateral movement to the anterior dental structure of the patient. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the posterior and anterior portion are connected by a wire, the wire operable to move in an anterior direction. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 3 , wherein the posterior and anterior portions have a hinge disposed therebetween to allow rotation of the anterior portion such that vertical movement and pressure are applied against an anterior dental structure of the patient. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 4 , wherein the hinge is adjustable and lockable. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 4 , wherein the hinge comprises an anterior joint and a posterior joint pivoting about the wire. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 1 , where the posterior portion comprises a first posterior portion and a second posterior portion, and where the anterior portion comprises a first anterior portion and a second anterior portion. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 7 , where a wire connects the first posterior portion, the first anterior portion, the second anterior portion, and the second posterior portion, and where the wire is adjustable between the first anterior portion and second anterior portion to provide outward lateral movement of the first anterior portion and second anterior portion toward an anterior dental structure of the patient. 
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 8 , where the device comprises a first hinge between the first posterior portion and the first anterior portion, and where the device further comprises a second hinge between the second anterior portion and the second posterior portion, the first and second hinges operable to rotate the first and second anterior portions to provide vertical movement toward and pressure on an anterior dental structure of the patient. 
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the posterior dental structure of the patient is selected from the group consisting of teeth, a jawline, and a palate. 
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 10 , wherein the device provides symmetry to at least one anterior dental structure to provide facial symmetry to the patient in addition to lip support. 
     
     
         12 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device further comprises a screw base and a screw, the screw operable to allow for rotation in and out of the screw base such that the rotation provides movement and pressure to the anterior dental structure. 
     
     
         13 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device further comprises an attachable pad, the attachable pad positioned on the anterior portion, wherein the attachable pad is operable to provide movement and pressure to the anterior dental structure. 
     
     
         14 . A method for providing pressure to an anterior dental structure of a patient, the method comprising the steps of:
 determining a suitable level of facial symmetry for a patient and necessary movement of teeth, a palate, and/or jawline to achieve the suitable level of facial symmetry along with lip support; and   providing anterior, vertical, and/or anterior-lateral movement to the teeth, a palate, and/or jawline to achieve the suitable level of facial symmetry.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the step of providing anterior, vertical, and/or anterior-lateral movement comprises the use of the device of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the step of providing anterior, vertical, and/or anterior-lateral movement further comprises the step of bending the wire of the device of  claim 3 . 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the step of providing anterior, vertical, and/or anterior-lateral movement further comprises the step of adjusting the hinge of the device of  claim 4 . 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the step of providing anterior, vertical, and/or anterior-lateral movement further comprises the step of turning the screw of the device of  claim 12 . 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the step of providing anterior, vertical, and/or anterior-lateral movement further comprises the step of adding an attachable pad to the device of  claim 1 , wherein the attachable pad is positioned on the anterior portion such that the attachable pad is operable to provide movement and pressure to the anterior dental structure. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the step of determining a suitable level of facial symmetry for a patient and necessary movement of teeth, a palate, and/or jawline to achieve the suitable level of facial symmetry along with lip support comprises the use of a computer generated evaluation. 
     
     
         21 . A method of manufacturing a dental device, the method comprising the steps of:
 determining a suitable level of facial symmetry for a patient and necessary movement of teeth, a palate, and/or jawline to achieve the suitable level of facial symmetry along with lip support;   taking a dental impression of the patient;   generating the dental device of  claim 1  using the dental impression such that anterior, vertical, and/or anterior-lateral movement to the teeth, a palate, and/or jawline is provided to achieve the suitable level of facial symmetry.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising the step of installing a hinge in the dental device, such that the hinge can generate the proper amount of anterior, vertical, and/or anterior-lateral movement.