The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 25, 1995
Filed:
Feb. 15, 1994
William Vogt, Bangor, PA (US);
Other;
Abstract
An orthodontic appliance having improved devices for interconnecting the braces associated with a patient's upper and lower teeth. Each connecting device generally takes the form of a unitary, thin band of material that can be connected between the braces associated with the patient's upper and lower teeth to achieve the forces that are desired for a particular treatment. The connecting device has a body that is substantially flat and rectangular, with bent end portions that are preferably rounded for purposes of comfort. Each end portion includes an aperture for attachment to the braces associated with the patient's teeth. Preferably, at least one of the apertures of each connecting device is keyed so that upon its attachment to the braces, swivelling of the connecting device is effectively precluded without compromising desired movements of the connecting device relative to the orthodontic appliance and the patient's mouth. As a result, interaction between the connecting devices and the patient's jaws, lips and cheeks is minimized, and breakage is effectively precluded. The connecting device is capable of being formed of a material that can produce forces, upon use of the connecting device, that are sufficiently small to produce desired movements of the teeth without producing undesired movements of the patient's jaws.