A multi-axis orthodontic apparatus for lateral expansion and distalization or mesialization of teeth in a dental arch of a mouth, comprising:
- (a) a multi-axis dental arch adjustment-drive actuator assembly, comprising:
- a first drive contingent, a first controller, a second drive contingent, a second controller, and a track-channel assembly,
- wherein the first drive contingent is configured to be adjacent to palatal bone when the apparatus is placed in a mouth of a patient, and the second drive contingent is configured to be positioned below the first drive contingent such that the first drive contingent is positioned between the second drive contingent and the patient's palatal bone,
- the first drive contingent comprising a first central spine connected with a first anterior-posterior (AP) guide and a second anterior-posterior (AP) guide via a first lateral guide that allows the first AP guide and the second AP guide to move with respect to the first central spine, wherein the first AP guide comprises a first body having or coupled to a first eyelet hole at a portion of the first body and the second AP guide comprises a second body having or coupled to a second eyelet hole at a portion of the second body, where each of the first eyelet hole and the second eyelet hole is configured to receive a first temporary anchorage device (TAD) and a second TAD, respectively, to secure the first drive contingent in a fixed position relative to the palatal bone when the apparatus is placed in the mouth of the patient, wherein the first lateral guide constrains motion of the first AP guide and the second AP guide to be lateral motion in relation to the first central spine,
- the second drive contingent comprising a second central spine connected with a first tooth mounting block and a second tooth mounting block via a second lateral guide that allows the first tooth mounting block and the second tooth mounting block to move with respect to the second central spine, wherein the second lateral guide constrains motion of the first tooth mounting block and the second tooth mounting block to be lateral motion in relation to the second central spine,
- the track-channel assembly comprising (i) at least one protrusion track on one of the first drive contingent or the second drive contingent and (ii) at least one corresponding channel on the other one of the first drive contingent or the second drive contingent, wherein the track-channel assembly moveably couples the first central spine to the second central spine, moveably couples the first AP guide to the first tooth mounting block, and moveably couples the second AP guide to the second tooth mounting block, and wherein the track-channel assembly is configured to constrain movement of the first drive contingent relative to the second drive contingent in an anterior-posterior (AP) direction,
- the first controller comprising a distalization-mesialization dial and a threaded rod disposed in a first channel to engage the first central spine and the second central spine, wherein the threaded rod is engaged with the distalization-mesialization dial having adjustment holes or nubs positioned radially with respect to the axis of the threaded rod, such that actuation of the distalization-mesialization dial creates a separation distance between the first drive contingent and the second drive contingent to transfer a first force onto molar teeth to induce distalization or mesialization of the patient's dental arch, and
- the second controller comprising an expansion dial and a threaded rod disposed in a second channel to engage the first tooth mounting block and the second tooth mounting block, wherein the threaded rod is engaged with the expansion dial having adjustment holes or nubs positioned radially with respect to the axis of the threaded rod, such that actuation of the expansion dial creates a separation distance between the first tooth mounting block and the second tooth mounting block to transfer a second force to induce lateral expansion of the patient's dental arch;
- (b) a set of posterior arms coupled to the multi-axis dental arch adjustment-drive actuator assembly and attachable to the molar teeth in the dental arch, the set of posterior arms comprising (i) a first rigid arm that spans from the first tooth mounting block to a first molar tooth and (ii) a second rigid arm that spans from the second tooth mounting block to a second molar tooth;
- and
- (c) a set of anterior arms coupled to the multi-axis dental arch adjustment-drive actuator assembly and attachable to non-molar teeth in the dental arch, the set of anterior arms comprising (i) a third rigid arm that spans from the first tooth mounting block to a first non-molar tooth and (ii) a fourth rigid arm that spans from the second tooth mounting block to a second non-molar tooth.