Orthodontic device for expansion of arches with imbedded wire

An orthodontic appliance, comprising:

• (a) a tooth positioner, the tooth positioner being generally U-shaped in plan and H-shaped in cross-section, the tooth positioner having upper and lower troughs sized and shaped to receive upper and lower rows of teeth arranged in arches, the troughs being defined by lingual and labial-buccal flanges joined together by an isthmus, the positioner including a plurality of ribs that generally follow the outline of the junctures of the teeth and gingival tissue to provide means for holding the positioner in place in a patient's mouth without the need for auxiliary fastening devices, the positioner including a plurality of sockets in which the teeth are snugly embraced;
• and
• at least one wire embedded in the lingual flange, said at least one wire operatively serving to deform at least one of the arches defined by the rows of teeth, said at least one wire also including means for pressuring an individual tooth to move distally as the arch is deformed said at least one wire being made of metal, the wire being bendable after the appliance is made to provide additional force beyond that which originally is available and which has been made for a given arch width, said at least one wire including at least one sharp and jutting bend which engages between ends of preselected teeth to place the pressure on the individual tooth which is to move distally as the arch is deformed.

An orthodontic appliance comprising:

• (a) a molded plastic tooth positioner being generally U-shaped in plan and H-shaped in cross-section, the tooth positioner having upper and lower troughs sized and shaped to receive upper and lower rows of teeth arranged in arches, the troughs being defined by lingual and labial-buccal flanges joined together by an isthmus, the positioner including a plurality of ribs that generally follow the outline of the junctures of the teeth and gingival tissue to provide means for holding the positioner in place in a patient's mouth without the need for auxiliary fastening devices, the positioner including a plurality of sockets in which the teeth are snugly embraced;
• and
• at least one metal wire embedded in the lingual flange, the wire operatively serving to deform at least one of the arches by altering a width of the arch at a preselected position, said at least one wire also including means for pressuring an individual tooth to move distally as the arch is deformed, said at least one wire being bendable after the appliance is made to provide additional force beyond that which originally is available and which has been made for a given arch width, said at least one wire including at least one sharp and jutting bend which engages between ends of preselected teeth to place pressure on the individual tooth which is to move distally as the arch is deformed.