Methods for designing and fabrication of a series of apparatuses for expanding a patient's palate (“palatal expanders”). In particular, described herein are methods and apparatuses for forming palatal expanders, including rapid palatal expanders, as well as series of palatal expanders formed as described herein and apparatuses for designing and fabricating them.

Methods for designing and fabrication of a series of apparatuses for expanding a patient's palate (“palatal expanders”). In particular, described herein are methods and apparatuses for forming palatal expanders, including rapid palatal expanders, as well as series of palatal expanders formed as described herein and apparatuses for designing and fabricating them.

Systems, methods, and devices for producing appliances for expansion of the arch of a patient are provided. An arch expanding appliance comprises a force generating portion to apply an arch expansion force and a retention portion to hold the force generating portion on the teeth. The retention portion comprises a flexible portion and a stiff portion. The force generating portion applies a force to move teeth associated with the flexible portion, while the stiff portion resists movement of its associated teeth. The orthodontic appliances can be designed according to the specifications provided herein and manufactured using direct fabrication methods.

Systems, methods, and devices for producing appliances for expansion of the arch of a patient are provided. An arch expanding appliance comprises a force generating portion to apply an arch expansion force and a retention portion to hold the force generating portion on the teeth. The retention portion comprises a flexible portion and a stiff portion. The force generating portion applies a force to move teeth associated with the flexible portion, while the stiff portion resists movement of its associated teeth. The orthodontic appliances can be designed according to the specifications provided herein and manufactured using direct fabrication methods.

A preformed dentition appliance to adjust an alignment of a person's teeth. The preformed dentition appliance includes a body having a front portion and a rear portion extending from the front portion. The body defines a central longitudinal axis extending from the front portion to the rear portion and includes a trough disposed between an outer shield spaced from an inner shield. The outer shield and the inner shield are each inclined with respect to the trough. A first protrusion extends laterally along a distal surface of the outer shield directed toward a second protrusion that extends laterally along a mesial surface of the inner shield. The first and second protrusions include one or more terminating ends located toward a distal side of a lateral incisor tooth and a mesial side of a canine tooth to adjust the alignment thereof to accommodate anterior crowding of upper and/or lower teeth.

Expansion screw for orthodontics, comprising at least one stem (1) with at least a threaded portion (10) extending along the longitudinal extension of the stem (1), at least one receiving body (3) adapted for receiving said threaded portion (10) and provided with a complementarily threaded hole allowing said threaded portion (10) to be screwed therein, guide means (2) allowing said at least one receiving body (3) to be moved, actuation means (11, 12) for actuating said stem (1). The hole (31) of said at least one receiving body (3) has a longitudinal extension substantially corresponding to that of the threaded portion (10) of said at least one stem (1). The receiving body (3) is a technopolymer receiving body and the stem (1) is embedded in the technopolymer of the receiving body when the expansion screw (100) is made.

Expansion screw for orthodontics, comprising at least one stem (1) with at least a threaded portion (10) extending along the longitudinal extension of the stem (1), at least one receiving body (3) adapted for receiving said threaded portion (10) and provided with a complementarily threaded hole allowing said threaded portion (10) to be screwed therein, guide means (2) allowing said at least one receiving body (3) to be moved, actuation means (11, 12) for actuating said stem (1). The hole (31) of said at least one receiving body (3) has a longitudinal extension substantially corresponding to that of the threaded portion (10) of said at least one stem (1). The receiving body (3) is a technopolymer receiving body and the stem (1) is embedded in the technopolymer of the receiving body when the expansion screw (100) is made.

Expansion screw for orthodontic appliances, comprising at least one stem (1) with at least a threaded portion (10) extending along the longitudinal extension of said stem (1), at least one receiving body (3) for receiving said threaded portion (10) provided with a receiving hole complementarily shaped with respect to said threaded portion (10) so as to allow its screwing, guide means (2) for guiding said at least one receiving body (3), driving means (11, 12) for driving said stem (1), and comprising a positioning tab (6) composed of multiple parts (60, 61) associated with each other to support the expansion screw (100) when the orthodontic appliance is made, the tab (6) being provided with at least an appendix (62) that can be stably inserted into a cavity (12) exhibited by the expansion screw (100).

Expansion screw for orthodontic appliances, comprising at least one stem (1) with at least a threaded portion (10) extending along the longitudinal extension of said stem (1), at least one receiving body (3) for receiving said threaded portion (10) provided with a receiving hole complementarily shaped with respect to said threaded portion (10) so as to allow its screwing, guide means (2) for guiding said at least one receiving body (3), driving means (11, 12) for driving said stem (1), and comprising a positioning tab (6) composed of multiple parts (60, 61) associated with each other to support the expansion screw (100) when the orthodontic appliance is made, the tab (6) being provided with at least an appendix (62) that can be stably inserted into a cavity (12) exhibited by the expansion screw (100).

The invention relates to a plate (1) for insertion into the palate, the plate (1) having wings (4) on both sides of an imaginary center plane (9) running perpendicular to the plate (1), the wings being designed such that they bear against the palate at least in regions. The two webs (3) run on both sides of the central plane (9), so that a free space (6) running between the webs (3) is formed for receiving the vomer (13).