Elastomeric orthodontic device

Claim 2

An orthodontic device for applying elastic forces within a person''s mouth in performing orthodontic treatment, said device comprising a molded ring-sHaped body of elastomeric material having a uniform cross section throughout, said cross section defined by radially arranged inner and outer sides, the inner side being symmetrically V-shaped with the base of the V-shaped side being innermost, and a thin web across the V-shaped side closing the center of the body, said web having an axial thickness substantially less than the axial thickness of the body.

Claim 3

The device of claim 1, and a diametrically extending slit in said web of a width less than that of the archwire to thereby frictionally hold the device on the archwire before final placement.

Claim 4

An orthodontic device for use with orthodontic apparatus in a person''s mouth to apply elastic tooth moving forces between a plurality of points, said device comprising a plurality of molded annular bodies of elastomeric material connected together in coplanar chain form relationship so the outer circumferences of connected bodies overlap, each body having a uniform cross section throughout, said cross section being defined by radially inward and outward facing sides, and the radially inward facing side including a pair of annular faces converging radially inwardly to a line edge, wherein the device when connected between two points in the mouth exerts tooth moving forces.

Claim 5

An orthodontic device for use with orthodontic apparatus in a person''s mouth to apply elastic tooth moving forces between a plurality of points, said device comprising a plurality of molded annular bodies of elastomeric material connected together in coplanar chain form relationship so the outer circumferences of connected bodies overlap, each body having a uniform cross section throughout, said cross section being defined by radially inward and outward facing sides, and the radially inward facing side including a pair of annular faces converging radially inwardly to a line edge, wherein the device when connected between two points in the mouth exerts tooth moving forces.

Claim 6

An orthodontic device for use with orthodontic apparatus in a person''s mouth to apply elastic tooth moving forces between a plurality of points, said device comprising a plurality of molded ring-shaped bodies of elastomeric material connected together in coplanar relationship so the outer circumferences of connected bodies overlap and the centers thereof are aligned along a straight line, each body having a uniform cross section throughout except at the connection with another body, said cross section defined by radially arranged inner and outer sides, and the inner side being V-shaped with the base of the V-shaped side being innermost, wherein the device when connected between two points in the mouth exerts tooth moving forces.

Claim 7

An orthodontic device for use with orthodontic apparatus in a person''s mouth to apply elastic tooth moving forces between a plurality of points, said device comprising a plurality of molded ring-shaped bodies of elastomeric material connected together in coplanar relationship so the outer circumferences of connected bodies overlap and the centers thereof are aligned along a straight line, each body having a uniform cross section throughout except at the connection with another body, said cross section defined by radially arranged inner and outer sides, and the inner side being V-shaped with the base of the V-shaped side being innermost, wherein the device when connected between two points in the mouth exerts tooth moving forces.

Claim 8

The device of claim 2, wherein the outer side is flat and extends perpendicular to the radial plane of the body.

Claim 9

The device of claim 3, wherein radially extending end faces extend between the sides.

Claim 10

The device of claim 4, where the bodies define central openings therethrough.