Orthodontic device for retraction/extension of teeth

An orthodontic device for reducing the distance between a first tooth and a second tooth located in a single quadrant of a mouth, comprising:

• an outer tube having a first end, an open second end, a hollow interior, and a first longitudinal axis extending along the hollow interior between the first end and the second end, the first end adapted to be mounted to the first tooth;
• an inner tube having an open third end, a fourth end, a hollow interior, and a second longitudinal axis extending between the third end and the fourth end, the third end-slidably received within the second end of the outer tube so that the hollow interiors of the outer tube and the second tube form an enclosed space, and the fourth end adapted to be mounted to the inner tooth;
• a spring positioned in the enclosed space, one end of the spring being attached to the first end of the outer tube and a second end of the spring being attached to the fourth end of the inner tube so the spring is expanded therebetween, the spring biasing the inner tube toward the outer tube in a direction substantially parallel to the first and the second longitudinal axes, the device actuatable between a locked condition in which the inner tube cannot slidingly move a significant distance relative to the outer tube and a released condition in which a biasing force is applied between the first tooth and the second tooth when mounted thereto;
• and
• an activation structure which is adapted to hold the inner tube and the outer tube in the locked condition until the activation structure is disengaged to provide the released condition.

An orthodontic device for increasing the distance between a first tooth and a second tooth located in a single quadrant of a mouth, comprising:

• a guide tube having a first end, an open second end, a hollow interior, and a first longitudinal axis extending along the hollow interior between the first end and the second end, the first end adapted to be mounted to the first tooth;
• a pin having a third end, a fourth end, and a second longitudinal axis extending between the third end and the fourth end, the pin having an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the guide tube, the third end slidably received within second end of the guide tube to form an enclosed space, and the fourth end adapted to be mounted to the second tooth;
• a spring positioned in the enclosed space, the spring biasing the pin relative to the guide tube in a direction substantially parallel to the first and the second longitudinal axes, the device actuatable between a locked condition in which the pin cannot slidingly move a significant distance relative to the guide tube and a released condition in which a biasing force is applied between the first tooth and the second tooth when mounted thereto;
• and
• an activation structure which is adapted to hold the pin and the guide tube in the locked condition until the activation structure is removed to provide the released condition.

An orthodontic device for adjusting the distance between a first tooth and a second tooth located in a single quadrant of a mouth, comprising:

• an outer tube having a first end and an open second end, the first end adapted to be mounted to the first tooth;
• an inner tube having a third end and a fourth end, the third end slidably received within the second end of the outer tube to form an enclosed space and the fourth end adapted to be mounted to the second tooth;
• and
• a spring positioned in the enclosed space, the spring biasing the inner tube toward the first end of the outer tube, wherein said spring adjusts the distance between the first tooth and the second tooth located in the single quadrant when said orthodontic device is mounted thereto.

An orthodontic device for reducing the distance between a first tooth and a second tooth located in a single quadrant of a mouth, comprising:

• an outer tube adapted to be mounted to the first tooth;
• an inner tube adapted to be mounted to the second tooth, the inner tube slidably received within the outer tube to form an enclosed space and movable relative to the outer tube in a telescoping relationship;
• a spring positioned in the enclosed space, the spring applying a biasing force capable of moving the inner tube relative to the outer tube, wherein said spring reduces the distance between the first tooth and the second tooth located in the single quadrant when said orthodontic device is mounted thereto;
• and
• an activation structure attached to the inner tube for preventing relative movement of the inner tube relative to the outer tube, the activation structure being removable from the inner tube for permitting the biasing force applied by the spring to move the inner tube relative to the outer tube.

An orthodontic device for increasing the distance between a first tooth and a second tooth located in a single quadrant of a mouth, comprising:

• a guide tube adapted to be mounted to the first tooth;
• a pin adapted to be mounted to the second tooth, the pin slidably received within the guide tube to form an enclosed space and movable relative to the guide tube in a telescoping relationship;
• a spring positioned in the enclosed space, the spring applying a biasing force capable of moving the pin relative to the guide tube, wherein said spring increases the distance between the first tooth and the second tooth located in the single quadrant when said orthodontic device is mounted thereto;
• and
• an activation structure preventing relative movement of the pin relative to the guide tube, the activation structure being removable for permitting the biasing force applied by the spring to move the pin relative to the guide tube.