Dental occlusion and tension band ties, systems and methods

Abstract

Embodiments relate to devices, systems, kits and methods for achieving maxillo-mandibular fixation (MMF). In an embodiment, a system comprises a plurality of dental occlusion ties and/or tension band ties (referred to herein as “DO ties” and “TB ties,” respectively). In another embodiment, a system or kit can comprise a plurality of one or both of DO ties and/or TB ties as well as a trimming tool, comfort caps or material, a lip/cheek retractor, and/or an instruction sheet. DO ties and TB ties can simplify the management of mandible fractures and maxilla fractures by helping re-establish precise dental occlusion for MMF.

1 . A device configured to counteract expected forces encountered in healing of jaw fractures, the device comprising:
 a clasp and a partially hollow housing configured to hold the clasp in the partially hollow portion thereof;   a polymeric elongate body having a rounded cross-section and extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the polymeric elongate body coupled to the clasp at the proximal end; and   a metallic needle configured to traverse an interdental space, wherein the metallic needle is coupled to the polymeric elongate body at the distal end.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the rounded cross-section is circular. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the polymeric elongate body comprises markings along a length between the proximal end and the distal end. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the markings comprise a plurality of color bands. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the metallic needle and the polymeric elongate body are integrally formed with one another, and wherein the polymeric elongate body is configured to engage with the clasp to secure the device in a closed configuration. 
     
     
         6 . A kit for achieving reinforced dental occlusion, the kit comprising:
 a container configured to maintain a sterile environment therewithin;   a plurality of devices housed within the sterile environment of the container, each of the plurality of devices configured for achieving at least one of dental fixation or dental occlusion, and each of the plurality of devices including:
 a clasp and a partially hollow housing configured to hold the clasp in the hollow portion thereof, 
 a polymeric elongate body having a rounded cross-section and extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the polymeric elongate body coupled to the clasp at the proximal end; and 
 a metallic needle configured to traverse an interdental space, wherein the metallic needle is coupled to the polymeric elongate body at the distal end. 
   
     
     
         7 . The kit of  claim 6 , further comprising at least one of a cutting device, a sanding device, a clamping device, an apical embrasure dilation device, a lip retraction device, a tie organizer device, a training device, or a sizing device. 
     
     
         8 . The kit of  claim 6 , wherein the rounded cross-section of each of the plurality of devices is circular. 
     
     
         9 . The kit of  claim 6 , wherein the polymeric elongate body of each of the plurality of devices comprises markings along a length between the proximal end and the distal end. 
     
     
         10 . The kit of  claim 9 , wherein the markings are color codes corresponding to a size of each device. 
     
     
         11 . The kit of  claim 6 , wherein the metallic needle and the polymeric elongate body are integrally formed with one another, and wherein the polymeric elongate body of each of the plurality of devices is configured to engage with the clasp of that device to secure the device in a closed configuration. 
     
     
         12 . A method comprising:
 providing a container configured to maintain a sterile environment therewithin;   providing a device within the sterile environment, the device configured to counteract the expected forces encountered in the healing of jaw fractures, the device including:
 a clasp and a partially hollow housing configured to hold the clasp, 
 a polymeric elongate body having a rounded cross-section and extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the polymeric elongate body coupled to the clasp at the proximal end, and 
 a metallic needle configured to traverse an interdental space, wherein the metallic needle is coupled to the polymeric elongate body at the distal end. 
   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising providing a plurality of the devices, and wherein the rounded cross-section of each of the plurality of devices is circular. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the polymeric elongate body of each of the plurality of devices comprises markings along a length between the proximal end and the distal end. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the markings are color-coded corresponding to a size of each device. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising coupling the polymeric elongate body with the clasp to achieve reinforced dental occlusion. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein coupling the polymeric elongate body with the clasp comprises inserting the metallic needle into the clasp. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising securing an upper and a lower dentition relative to one another by maintaining the plurality of devices in the interdental spaces. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein providing the device further comprises forming the device. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising coupling at least two of the plurality of devices to each other in parallel.