Orthodontic device for correcting overbite and underbite

Abstract

An orthodontic device is worn in the mouth of a patient and is attached between an upper attachment means secured to the maxillary teeth and a lower attachment means secured to the mandibular teeth such that the device is proximal a cheek of the patient. The device is formed from a flexible resilient spring element having a generally curved body portion configured to be inserted in the patient's mouth so as to lie in a plane defined by the cheek of the patient. The spring element has first and second oppositely disposed end portions where the first end portion is configured to be directly attached to corresponding upper or lower attachment means so as to preclude relative movement between the first end portion and the attachment means. The second end portion is configured to be directly attached to the other of the corresponding attachment means. The spring element is operative to produce a pushing force between the upper and lower attachment means when attached thereto where the body portion is configured to be shaped so as to vary the effective length of the spring element to vary the pushing force directed to the maxillary and mandibular teeth so as to displace the maxillary teeth relative to the mandibular teeth. The second end portion terminates in a loop portion configured to attach to the other of the corresponding attachment means.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.