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US 2003/0194675 A1Published application
Orthodontic appliance
AssigneeNone recorded
InventorMichael O. Williams
Life of this patent
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AssigneeNone recorded
InventorMichael O. Williams
Estimating the term…
A mandibular and maxillary arch expansion apparatus having a first and second forward orthodontic bands and first and second rear orthodontic bands. The respective forward and rear orthodontic bands are interconnected by an expansion sheath element. The two forward bands are connected by a substantially straight, solid rod. The expansion sheaths exert lengthening forces while the solid rod resists lateral or widening forces. Also provided is a maxillary apparatus connected to a mandibular apparatus by a telescoping contraction connector. The device is positioned to exert adjustable contracting pressure for the correction of Class II malocclusions or overbite. Also provided is an arch expansion apparatus with a centrally disposed expansion element having two forward connector wires extending outwardly therefrom and two rearward connector wires extending outwardly. Each connector wire has an orthodontic band on the terminal end. The expansion element can be actuated so as to elongate the expansion element so as to exert arch expansion pressure.
An orthodontic expansion device, comprising:
A mandibular arch expander comprising:
An orthodontic arch expander device, comprising:
An orthodontic arch expansion apparatus for expanding the maxillary comprising:
An orthodontic device for the correction of overbites in a subject having a Class II overbite comprising:
An orthodontic expansion device, comprising:
An orthodontic expansion device, comprising;
The orthodontic expansion device for use for either maxillary or mandibular expansion, comprising:
The orthodontic expansion device for use for either maxillary or mandibular expansion, comprising:
An orthodontic expansion device for use for either maxillary or mandibular expansion, comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
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Orthodontics, i.e. obtaining or maintaining the desired position of teeth, e.g. by straightening, evening, regulating, separating, or by…: devices…
Orthodontics, i.e. obtaining or maintaining the desired position of teeth, e.g. by straightening, evening, regulating, separating, or by…: devices…
Dentistry
Term end not estimated
Not Applicable.
This invention relates generally to orthodontic devices and, in particular, to improved devices for expanding maxillary and mandibular arches and devices for treating an overbite and related malocclusions.
One aspect of the invention provides for a maxillary arch expander that provides lengthening forces but resists lateral expansion;
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an orthodontic appliance of the present invention attached to a mold of the maxillary arch:
FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the orthodontic appliance of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an orthodontic appliance of the present invention attached to a mold of the mandibular arch;
Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a maxillary arch expansion appliance, indicated generally by reference numeral 20 attached to a maxillary mold M. Appliance 20 includes a pair of spaced apart forward orthodontic bands 22 and 24 including bosses 26 and 28 integrally formed thereon. The bosses are positioned on the lingual side of the bands. There is a connecting rod 30 between the forward bands, generally attached to the bosses. The rod can be a separate element or integrally formed with the bosses and bands. In any event, rod 30 is a substantially straight, rigid element that maintains a desired distance between the forward bands and the length of rod 30 is dictated by the width of the maxillary arch. The rod 30 can have a generally centrally positioned piece of acrylic or nance button 32 that is molded to conform to the contour of the subject's maxillary arch A1.
There is a first hollow tube 34 extending from boss 26 and a second hollow tube 36 extending from boss 28. The angles at which the respective tubes extend from the bosses depend upon the morphology of the arch A1. Apparatus 20 also includes a pair of spaced apart rear orthodontic bands 38 and 40. The rear bands include respective bosses 42 and 44. A rod 46 is integrally connected to boss 42 and a rod 48 is integrally connected to boss 44. Rods 46 and 48 are sized and dimensioned to seat in hollow tubes 34 and 36, respectively, in a sliding relationship. There is a coil spring 50 around rod 46 and a coil spring 52 around rod 48. The springs are sized to abut the hollow tubes that are integral with the forward bands. It will be noted that in device 20, intended for use in the maxillary arch, the recited springs are positioned around rods integral with the rear orthodontic bands and the springs are thus adjacent and abut the rear bands. The recited springs urge the forward bands away from the rear bands and have a predetermined force to be delivered between the teeth to distalize the maxillary molars while rod 30 resists and lateral or widening effect.
FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a mandibular arch expansion device indicated generally by reference numeral 52 Appliance 52 includes a pair of spaced apart forward orthodontic bands 54 and 56 having integral bosses 58 and 60, respectively. A first rod 62 extends from boss 58 and a second rod 64 extends from boss 60. The angles at which the rods extend outwardly from the bosses depend upon the morphology of the mandibular arch A2. There is a first coil spring 66 around rod 62 and a second coil spring 68 around rod 64. The forward bands are interconnected by a substantially straight and relatively rigid rod 70. The rod can be embedded in an acrylic button, as at 72.