| abstract |
This invention describes a thin, substantially clear removable expansion appliance used in the field of orthodontics and dentistry. The removable expansion appliance comprises a polymeric tray with tooth receiving cavities intended to receive a patient's dentition and an expansion mechanism attached to the tray capable of producing forces perpendicular to the patient's palatal suture. Preferably, the tray has at least two lingually positioned protrusions. Each protrusion comprises a hole intended to receive a prong located at the end of a leg of the expansion mechanism. Alternatively, the prongs of the expansion mechanism are bonded to the tray with acrylic. The expansion mechanism either produces the desired expansion forces by compression of a length of wire when the appliance is placed on the patient's dentition, or by utilizing a screw for rigidly expanding the patient's arch. |