Direct bonded arch bar for maxillo-mandibular injuries

An arch bar for direct bonding to the teeth of a patient for the management of maxillo-mandibular injuries, comprising:

• (a) an elongated arch bar forming a facial surface a back surface and gingival and occlusal edges and being capable of conforming to the configuration of a desired portion of the buccal and facial surfaces of the teeth of an alveolar arch of the patient and further adapted for contact with a plurality of said teeth, said arch bar forming a plurality of spaced apertures along the length thereof for admission of light therethrough;
• (b) a plurality of ligature hook elements formed integrally with and extending from said occlusal edge of said arch bar and projecting toward said occlusal edge and in spaced relation with said gacial surface and defining a plurality of ligature slots opening toward the gingival;
• and
• (c) a substantially continuous strip of mesh material being adhered to said back surface of said arch bar and extending substantially along the entire length of said back surface and functioning as a bonding base for bonded fixation of said such bar to the teeth of the patient.