Orthodontic device and method for correcting overbite and underbite

摘要

An orthodontic device is worn in a mouth of a patient and is attached between an upper attachment portion secured to the maxillary teeth and a lower attachment portion secured to the mandibular teeth such that the device is proximal a cheek of the patient. The device is formed from a single flexible resilient spring element having a generally curved body portion where the body portion is defined to lie in a plane relative to 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 directly attach to the upper attachment portion. The second end portion is configured to directly attach to the lower attachment portion. The spring element produces an applied force between the upper and lower attachment operative to displace the maxillary teeth relative to the mandibular teeth. The first end portion includes a primary bend that is disposed substantially within the plane of the body portion and operative to vary the effective length of the spring element where the variation in the effective length of the spring element varies the applied force directed to the maxillary and mandibular teeth. The second end portion terminates in a loop configured to attach to the lower attachment portion.