摘要 |
An orthodontic retainer which has an upper portion and a lower portion, with the upper defining an upper labial arch filament (20) positioned around anterior surfaces of a patient's teeth attached on each end to a pair of upper clasps (22). The clasps surround upper midregion teeth and are embedded into an upper lingual resilient thermoplastic bridge (32) that include a U-shaped posterior bridge integral with a palatal bridge leaving an open area (38) therebetween. The lower portion of the retainer utilizes a similar filament (40) and clasps (42) with the lower bridge (44) in horseshoe shape. The combined rigid clasps and resilient thermoplastic memory characteristics of the filament and bridges maintain a patient's tooth location and attitude. A second and third embodiment add resilient wire (46) at appropriate locations within the thermoplastic bridges (32) and (44) magnifying the memory characteristics of the retainer.
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