US3514860A - Orthodontic headstraps - Google Patents

Description

June 970 J. J. STIFTER 3,

ORTHODONT I C HEADSTRAPS Filed Aug. 29, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 l L1 1 M [Emi 44 V w v j W T 40 1T 7 Z6 4/. H. 54 000/1 ATTORNEY June 2, 1970 J- J STIFTER ORTHODONTIC HEADSTRAPS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 29. 1968 CQcp-oo United States Patent "ice 3,514,860 ORTHODONTIC HEADSTRAPS John J. Stifter, 33084 Lake Road, Avon Lake, Ohio 44012 Filed Aug. 29, 1968, Ser. No. 756,219

Int. Cl. A61c 7/00 US. Cl. 32-14 22 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE There is disclosed herein an orthodontic device comprising resilient strap means disposed around the back of the neck and across the top of the head of the wearer for engaging the rearwardly directed ends and intermediate portions, respectively, of a face bow, said strap means being provided with spaced apertures for attaching the same to the face bow, and the distance between adjacent of said apertures respresenting a predetermined increment of traction. There is further disclosed a headstrap having auxiliary strap means for applying traction to an arch wire of an orthodontic appliance.

This invention relates to orthodontic devices and particularly to a headstrap and means for applying traction to an orthodontic arch. The present invention represents further developments of the orthodontic devices disclosed in my copending application, Ser. No. 662,438 filed Aug. 22, 1967, and US. Letters Patent No. 3,337,948, issued Aug. 29, 1967.

In known orthodontic devices, headgear and straps are provided which are adjustable to afford varied tension upon the orthodontic arch. Means for effecting limited change in the angle of pull are also sometimes provided. The present inventor has found such known devices to be more or less unsatisfactory, due to the need for the operator of the device to rely upon his experience to determine the proper tension and angle to be applied. Since this type of device is often put on and manipulated by the patient himself, it is difiicult for the orthodontist to be certain that the patient is using the device properly and can be relied upon to apply the optimum traction at the correct angle as prescribed.

The present invention comprises, in general, a headstrap having resilient straps disposed around the back of the neck and transversely across the top of the head whereby they generally converge at the sides of the face of the wearer for engaging a face bow. The resilient straps are provided with uniformly spaced apertures, the distance between any two adjacent apertures representing an increment of tension known to the prescribing orthodontist. By cutting the free ends of the straps just beyond the apertures which will apply the desired tension and instructing the patientto use the endmost holes, the doctor can be certain that the correct traction and the correct angle will be applied to the orthodontic arch each time the patient uses the device, no further supervision being necessary until the orthodontist determines that a change should be made. The present invention further comprises a uniquely formed face bow which enables the orthodontist to torque and intrude the molar teeth and to change or control both the occlusal plane and the mandibular plane.

In view of the foregoing, the primary object of the invention is to provide an orthodontic device adaptable for use by the patient, said device having means for applying traction to a maxillary or mandibular arch at a constant tension and angle as determined by the orthodontist.

Patented June 2, 1970 Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the type referred to wherein both vertical and horizontal components of force can be applied to Ob the desired angle and amount of traction.

Still another object is to provide an orthodontic device as set forth above wherein the vertically acting strap means on either side of the face of the wearer can be independently adjusted forwardly and rearwardly to lie at the otpimum and most comfortable position.

Yet another object is to provide an orthodontic device as set forth above, wherein the resilient strap portions can lie comfortably against the wearers cheeks without additional padding.

A still further object is to provide an orthodontic device which enables the orthodontist to intrude molar teeth.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an orthodontic device which enables the orthodontist to torque molar teeth in any direction.

Another object of the invention is to provide an orthodontic device which enables the operator to change and control the occlusal and mandibular planes thereby adjusting the position of the mandible in the closed position.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a face bow for use with a headstrap having means for applying both vertical upward and horizontal rearward traction forces.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an orthodontic headstrap which is simple and uncomplicated in construction and can be readily fabricated by the orthodontist by means of simple tools.

Other objects of the invention and the invention itself will be readily understood from the following description of the invention and the accompanying drawings in which said drawings:

'FIG. 1 is a right-hand side view of a patients head showing the manner in which the orthodontic device of this invention is worn;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a headstrap and face bow connected thereto, as generally viewed from the front and left side thereof;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the face bow shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 showing the same connected to the upper teeth of apatient;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of one-half of the symmetrical face bow as seen from the line 4-4 of FIG. 3 showing the same connected to the upper teeth of a patient;

FIG. 5 is a side plan view of a modified form of face bow;

FIG. 6 in a view similar to FIG. 1 showing a modified headstrap used with the modified face bow of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the modified headstrap as generally viewed from the front and left side thereof;

FIG. 8 is a side plan view of the first embodiment of the face bow showing the manner in which the same is used to torque molar teeth;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the modified face bow of FIG. 5 showing the manner in which the same is used to torque molar teeth; and

FIG. 10 is an enlarged detail of a portion of the strap material used in the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings in all of which like parts are designated by like reference characters, in the first embodiment an orthodontic headstrap is generally indicated at 10 in FIGS. 1 and 2. The headstrap comprises an elastic cervical strap 12, an occipital strap 14 which may be either elastic or nonelastic, and an elastic overhead strap 16. The lower end of the occipital strap 14 is secured to the central portion of the cervical strap 12 in any suitable manner, such as by means of a rivet 18. The upper end of said occipital strap terminates generally on top of the head of the wearer and is connected to. the upper ends of a pair of strap sections 17 of the strap 16 by means of a rivet 20. The connection at the rivet 20 is disposed in such'position that the ends of the strap sections 17 lie vertically down the sides of the wearers face over the first molar teeth.

As herein illustrated, the cervical strap 12 and the overhead strap 16 are made of resilient strap material of the same size and resilience and are provided with a plurality of spaced apertures 22 and 24, respectively. The ends of the straps 12 and 16 are adapted to be attached to a face bow made of -wirelike material and generally indicated at 26. Said face bow 26 comprises an outer bar 28 and an inner bar 30 of arched form connected at their medial portion by a solid connector 32. The ends of the inner bar 30 are adapted to project into the mouth of the wearer where they are inserted into outer sockets 34 of molar teeth bands 36. The bands 36 also have inner sockets 38 for receiving an arch wire 40, said bands 36 being typically mounted upon a pair of upper first molar teeth of the patient as herein illustrated.

The outer bar 28 comprises rearwardly curved arms 28a and 28b intermediately bent to form downwardly directed offsets or steps 42 and provided at their distal ends with connector means at either side of the face in the form of backwardly turned hooks 44. The steps 42 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 and in the full line showing of FIG. 3 are disposed approximately in lateral alignment with the patients upper first molar teeth, indicated by the letter M, and the downwardly directed ends of the strap sections 17 of the overhead strap 16 are connected to the arms 28a and 28b by having said arms projected through the lowermost apertures 24 and positioning the lowermost ends of said overhead strap at the steps 42 and just over the molar teeth M. The hooks 44 of the arms 28a and 28b are connected to endmost apertures 22 of the cervical strap 12.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, it will be noted that as herein illustrated the inner bar 30 is secured to the bands 36 of the first molars M, the remaining teeth being connected to the arch wire by bands 46 having sockets 48 rigidly mounted to the outer surfaces thereof. The connection between the outer bar 28 and the inner bar 30 and the connection between said inner bar and the arch wire 40 is such that all of the members tend to assume the same plane whereby tilting of said outer bar will cause a similar tilting of the inner bar and the arch wire. Since the inner bar 30 is connected to the first molars M, said first molars thereby become pivot points for tilting the entire occlusal plane through the arch wire 40.

FIG. 3 illustrates the manner in which additional pressure may be applied either forwardly of the first molars M or rearwardly of said first molars. If the steps 42 in the arms 28a and 28b are provided forwardly of the first molars M as indicated at 42a in broken line, the orthodontic arch will tend to rotate in a counterclockwise direction about the molars M, thereby tending to intrude the incisors and premolars, if they are connected to the arch wire as herein illustrated, to tilt the occlusal plane upwardly at the front of the mouth. By placing the step 42 rearwardly of the molars M as indicated at 42b in broken line, the upward pressure of the overhead Strap 16 will tend to rotate the orthodontic arch in a clockwise direction as shown in FIG. 3, thereby intruding the molar teeth to tilt the occlusal plane in the opposite direction. I

Tilting of the orthodontic arch is also effected by the direction of pull of the cervical strap 12 with respect to the pivot at the molars M. This is illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 with regard to the face how 26 (FIG. 8) and a modified face bow 50 (FIGS. 5 and 9). The modified face bow 50 issubstantially similar to the first embodiment, the modification thereof comprising offsets in the 41 form of inverted V-shaped' gable bends 52 inplace of the steps 42. a

'In FIG. 8, the rearward 'pull of the cervical strap 12, indicated by the arrow A is disposed below the plane of the inner bar 30 and below the pivot at the molars M. This creates a clockwise torque effect at the molars M thereby tending to intrude the molars and tilt the occlusal plane upwardly at the rear of the upper jaw. FIG. 9 illustrates the situation in which the pull of the cervical strap is disposed above the plane of the inner bar 30 and above the pivot at the molars M whereby a counterclockwise torque effect is created at said molars to tilt the occlusal plane in the opposite direction. The gable bend 52 prevents the strap sections 17 of the overhead strap 16 from slipping rearwardly along the arms 28a and 28b. From the foregoing it will be readily seen that the orthodontist is provided with means for varying the upward and rearward traction on the dental arch and that by positioning the step 42 or gable bend 52 at the correct location in relation to the cervical strap 12 he can torque the molar teeth and regulate the occlusal plane.

Referring now to the second embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the same comprises a headstrap generally indicated at 55 comprising an elastic cervical strap 57, a nonelastic occipital strap 59, a first overhead strap 61 comprising both elastic and nonelastic sections, and a second overhead strap 63 made of elastic material. A cervical pad 65 is provided intermediate the ends of the cervical strap 12, said pad being provided with loops 67 at the outside thereof through which cervical strap is threaded. The lower end of the occipital strap 59 as herein illustrated is secured to the outside of the cervical pad 65 but may be secured to the cervical strap itself. Any suitable means of securing may be provided, such as sewing, stapling, or riveting. The upper end of the occipital strap 59 terminates generally on top of the head of the wearer, the first overhead strap 61 being secured thereto at such position-as to allow said first overhead strap to drop vertically downwardly in the direction of the first molar teeth. Two nonelastic strap sections 69 which comprise a part of the overhead strap 61 are connected to each other and to the said occipital strap by means of a rivet 71 in such manner that said nonelastic sections can be independently freely pivoted with respect to said occipital strap and with respect to each other. The lower ends of the nonelastic straps-ections 69 are connected by rivets 73 to the upper ends of a pair of elastic strap sections 75 which complete the component parts of the overhead strap 61. It will be noted that the rivet 71 is positioned a short distance from the upper end of the occipital strap 59, and the second overhead strap 63 comprises elastic strap sections 77 connected to each other and to the end of the occipital strap by means of a rivet 79.

As herein illustrated, the cervical strap 57, the elastic strap sections 75, and the elastic strap sections 77 are all of the same size and resilience and are provided with a plurality of uniformly spaced apertures 81, 83 and 85, respectively. The modified headstrap 55 is shown in FIG. 6 in connection with a modified face how 50 havingits gable bends 52 disposed through lowermost apertures 83 in the strap sections 75 of'the first overhead strap 61. The hooks 44 at the distal end-portions ofthe outer bar 28 are inserted through endmost apertures 81 in the cervical strap 57. The second overhead strap 63 comprises an auxiliary strap having elongatedconnectors 87 connected to the lowermost apertures 85-by means of downturned hooks 89. The opposite or downwardly directed ends of the connectors 87 are connected in anyvsuitable manner (not. herein illustrated) to an arch wire .40 disposed within the patients mouth.

It will be understood that the modified headstrap 55 may be used with either the face how 26 or the face how 50. It will be further understood thatsaid modified face bow can be used for regulating and controlling the occlusal plane in exactly the same manner as that described in connection with the first embodiment of the invention and illustrated in FIG. 3, and that, in addition thereto, auxiliary traction may be applied in an upward direction to the orthodontic arch by means of the second overhead strap which can supplement the upward pull at the front of the patients mouth.

FIGS. 1 and 6 illustrate the manner in which the improved headstrap of this invention is worn by the patient. The cervical strap engages the back of the patients neck generally at such location that a rearward pull is effected upon the face bow in the general horizontal plane of the patients dental arch. The overhead strap 16 of the first embodiment and the first overhead strap 61 of the second embodiment are disposed generally transversely across the top of the head and extend downwardly along the sides of the face and cheeks substantially in alignment with the first molar teeth. The pivot afforded by the rivet 20 in the first embodiment and the rivet 71 in the second embodiment afford angular adjustment of the strap sections on either side of the face independently of each other, whereby said overhead straps can be brought downwardly at either side of the face at the optimum and most comfortable position and still remain flat and unwrinkled across the top of the patients head.

The cervical straps 12 and 57, the elastic strap sections of the overhead straps 16 and 61, and the sections of the second overhead strap 63 of the second embodiment are preferably made of rubber, or other suitable resilient material, which is adapted to apply a predetermined amount of traction for a given amount of elongation of the strap. Increments of elongation and, therefore, increments of applied traction are provided by the spaced apertures 22, 24, 81, 83, and 85. Each aperture is spaced from an adjacent aperture the correct distance to provide a predetermined increment of traction when the strap is stretched the distance X between any two adjacent holes (see FIG. 4). The orthodontist knows what the increments of traction are for any given elastic strap and can, therefore, determine the pressure to be applied by cutting the strap just beyond the aperture to be engaged. By simply instructing the patient to always engage the endmost aperture of the cervical strap to the hooks 44 of the face bow and the endmost apertures of the overhead strap 16 or the first overhead strap 61 to either the steps 42 or gable bends 52, the doctor can be certain that the proper and prescribed traction is applied and that the desired torquing is effected where needed even when the headstrap is manipulated by the patient himself. No further adjustment is needed and the doctor is assured that the proper traction and torque is being used at all times.

Although the present invention has been illustrated as applied to a maxillary orthodontic appliance, it will be readily understood that either embodiment affords means for providing tension to the face bow of either a maxillary or mandibular orthodontic appliance at any angle relative to the patients teeth. Furthermore, although the inner bar of the face bow is shown attached to the first molars, the same may obviously be attached to any of the molars or premolars. By shortening the elastic strap sections of the overhead strap 16 or first overhead strap 61, the orthodontist can provide an upper component of force in addition to the rearward force effected by. the cervical straps. Thus, not only the proper traction is applied but said traction is provided at the optimum angle as determined by the doctor to torque the molar teeth and change the occlusal plane. It will be evident that a headstrap according to either embodiment can be readily assembled by the orthodontist in his ofiice by the use of simple tools and may be fashioned to the exact needs of the patient at a particular stage of his orthodontic correction. The elastic strap sections of the overhead straps may vary in length with respect to each other and may have greater or lesser resilience with respect to each other or with respect to the cervical straps. Thus the headstrap of the present invention provides complete flexibility and adaptability for applying tension of any preferred amount and at any desired angle to the orthodontic appliance worn by the patient.

The orthodontic headstraps of the present invention have many additional advantages. For example, the flexibility and softness of the resilient strap material make it possible for the straps to be worn next to the cheeks and face without additional padding. Applicant. has found that the use of apertures and hooks rather than conventional buckles or the like add to the comfort of the patient and afford a simple adjustment which greatly facilitates the placement of the strap on the patient. The use of apertures also allow the patient some latitude of adjustment within optimal force levels prescribed by the doctor. For example, the doctor may prescribe the use of either the first or second aperture at the end of an elastic strap portion where a range of optimal force levels may be applied. The patient may be told to use the second apertures unless the force created thereby causes undue discomfort in which case he may optionally use only the first apertures. Applicant has also found that the hook and aperture construction is less likely to disengage from the face bow due to the friction of the rubber engaging the hooked end portions. Pure rubber is preferred as an elastic strap material as it generally outlasts elastic fabric and the like, although other resilient materials may be used. Rubber strapping has the advantage that it can be washed without affecting its resilient quality.

From the orthodontic standpoint, the present invention enables the doctor to intrude and torque molar teeth. The invention also provides the orthodontist with means for changing or controlling both the occlusal plane and the mandibular plane. The inventor has found that controlling and changing these two planes aids substantially in bringing the mandible forward which is frequently necessary in orthodontic correction.

I claim:

1. An orthodontic headstrap for engaging a face bow having a pair of arms adapted to extend rearwardly alongside the face of the wearer, said headstrap comprising a cervical strap for engaging the back of the neck having elastic end portions projecting forwardly along the sides of the face; a transverse overhead strap having elastic distal end portions extending forwardly along the sides of the face; means connecting said cervical and overhead straps; each of said elastic end portions having means for separately engaging a face bow arm at the side of the face adjacent thereto; there being a plurality of arm engaging means disposed at spaced intervals along said end portions, the distance between adjacent of said arm engaging means representing a predetermined increment of traction when the elastic strap portions are stretched said distance whereby an orthodontist can prescribe a known, predetermined traction at a predetermined angle to an orthodontic appliance by prescribing the use of selected of said arm engaging means.

2. An orthodontic headstrap comprising a cervical strap for engaging the back of the neck having elastic end portions projecting forwardly along the sides of the face; a transverse overhead strap having elastic distal end portions extending downwardly along the sides of the face; means connecting said cervical and overhead straps; a face bow having a pair of arms adapted to extend generally along the sides of the face; means defining a plurality of apertures uniformly spaced along said end portion, each said arm having a hook shaped end for engaging an aperture of the cervical strap and an offset provided forwardly of the hook for engaging an aperture of said overhead strap; the distance between adjacent of said apertures representing a predetermined increment of traction when said elastic end portions are stretched said distance, whereby an orthodontist can prescribe a known predetermined traction at a predetermined angle to an orthodontic appliance by prescribing the use of a selected of said apertures.

3. An orthodontic headstrap as set forth in claim 2: said means connecting said cervical and overhead straps comprising an occipital strap extending upwardly from the central portion of said cervical strap over the back of the head and fastened to a medial portion of said overhead strap; said overhead strap comprising at least two strap sections pivotally connected at their upper ends to the upper end of said occipital strap.

4. An orthodontic head strap as set forth in claim 2; said means connecting said cervical and overhead straps comprising an occipital strap extending upwardly from the central portion of said cervical strap over the 'back of the head and fastened to a medial portion of said overhead strap; said occipital strap comprising nonelastic material; said overhead strap comprising two nonelastic strap sections pivotally connected at their upper ends to the upper end of said occipital strap and two elastic strap sections connected to the lower ends of said nonelastic strap sections.

5. An orthodontic headstrap as set forth in claim 2; said means connecting said cervical and overhead straps comprising an occipital strap extending upwardly from the central portion of said cervical strap over the back of the head and fastened to a medial portion of said overhead strap; said occipital strap having a portion extending forwardly beyond said overhead strap; a second overhead strap connected to said occipital strap forwardly of said first mentioned strap, said second overhead strap having elastic portions extending downwardly toward the front of the teeth, said elastic portions having connectors for attaching to the front portion of an orthodontic appliance.

6. An orthodontic headstrap for applying traction to a face bow having arms projecting rearwardly at the sides of the face and means associated with the distal ends and intermediate portions of the arms for engaging apertures, said headstrap comprising means for engaging the head of the wearer above and back of the wearers mouth, said headstrap including first elastic strap portions extending forwardly along the sides of the face for connecting to the distal ends of the face bow arms; second elastic strap portions extending downwardly along the sides of the face for engaging the face bow arms forwardly of said first mentioned straps; means defining apertures spaced along said strap portions for engaging the face bow arms, the distance between adjacent of said apertures representing a predetermined increment of traction when said elastic end portions are stretched said distance whereby an orthodontist can prescribe a fixed, predetermined traction to an orthodontic appliance at a predetermined angle by cutting said end portions adjacent to apertures representing the prescribed traction and angle and instructing the patient to use the endmost aperture of each end portion for attaching said connector means.

7. An orthodontic headstrap comprising means for engaging the head of the wearer above and back of the wearers mouth, said headstrap including first elastic strap portions extending forwardly along the sides of the face; second elastic strap portions extending downwardly along the sides of the face; means defining apertures spaced along said strap portions; orthodontic appliance connector means comprising a face bow having means engaging apertures of said elastic strap portions; the distance between adjacent of said apertures representing a predetermined increment of traction when said elastic end portions are stretched said distance whereby an orthodontist can prescribe a fixed, predetermined traction to an orthodontic appliance at a predetermined angle by cutting said end portions adjacent to apertures repre senting the prescribed traction and angle and instructing the patient to use the endmost aperture of each end portion for attaching said connector means; third elastic strap portions extending downwardly along the sides of the face in front of said second elastic strap portions; said third elastic strap portions having apertures spaced therealong for engaging other connector means at the front of an orthodontic appliance.

8. An orthodontic headstrap comprising means for engaging the head of the wearer above and back of the wearers mouth, said headstrap including first elastic strap portions extending forwardly along the sides of the face; second elastic strap portions extending downwardly along the sides of the face; means defining apertures spaced along said strap portions; orthodontic appliance connector means having means engaging apertures of said elastic strap portions; the distance between adjacent of said apertures representing a predetermined increment of traction when said elastic end portions are stretched said distance whereby an orthodontist can prescribe a fixed, predetermined traction to an orthodontic appliance at a predetermined angle by cutting said end portions adjacent to apertures representing the prescribed traction and angle and instructing the patient to use the endmost aperture of each end portion for attaching said connector means; said orthodontic appliance connector means comprising an outer bar of a face bow; said outer bar having a pair of arms extending rearwardly alongside the face; the rearwardly directed end portions of said bar having hooks for engaging apertures of said first elastic strap portions; said arms projecting through apertures of said second elastic strap portions and having offsets formed therein to engage said second elastic strap portions in front of said hooks.

9. An orthodontic headstrap comprising means for engaging the head of the wearer above and back of the wearers mouth, said headstrap including first elastic strap portions extending forwardly along the sides of the face; second elastic strap portions extending downwardly along the sides of the face; means defining apertures spaced along said strap portions; a face bow having an outer bar of arched form engaging apertures of said elastic strap portions adjacent to the ends of said outer bar; the distance between adjacent of said apertures representing a predetermined increment of traction when said elastic end portions are stretched said distance whereby an orthodontist can prescribe a fixed, predetermined traction to an orthodontic appliance at a predetermined angle by cutting said end portions adjacent to apertures representing the prescribed traction and angle and instructing the patient to use the endmost aperture of each end portion for attaching said end portion to said face bow; said face bow having an inner bar adapted to be connected to selected molar teeth; said offsets being disposed substantially in alignment with the selected molar teeth whereby the upward traction of said second elastic strap portions will intrude the selected molar teeth.

10. An orthodontic headstrap as set forth in claim 9: said offsets comprising downwardly stepped bends in said arms, the distal ends of said arms being disposed in a plane above the points of connection of said inner bar to said selected molar teeth whereby said face bow tends to pivot upwardly at the front around said points of connection to torque said selected molar teeth.

11. An orthodontic headstrap as set forth in claim 9: said oifsets comprising inverted V-shaped bends in said arms, the distal ends of said arms being disposed in a plane below the points of connection of said inner bar to said selected molar teeth whereby said face bow tends to pivot downwardly at the front around said points of connection to torque said selected molar teeth.

12. An orthodontic face bow comprising an outer arched bar having arms adapted to project rearwardly alongside the face and jaws; an inner arched bar having arms adapted to project rearwardly alongside the dental arch for connection to opposite molar teeth; means rigidly connecting said bars to each other adjacent to the front of the dental arch; the distal ends of said arms of said outer bar having connector means for engaging rearwardly pulling traction means effective substantially in the horizontal plane of the dental arch; said arms having other means disposed forwardly of said connector means for engaging upwardly pulling traction means effective substantially at right angles to said horizontal plane of the dental arch.

13. An orthodontic face bow as set forth in claim 12: said outer bar being of wirelike material; said connector means comprising hooks formed at the distal end portions of said arms of said outer bar; said other means comprising portions of said arms which are offset in a direction perpendicular to the plane of said dental arch.

14. An orthodontic face bow asset forth in claim 13: said ofi'sets comprising angled steps formed in said arms.

15. An orthodontic face bow as set form in claim 13: said olfsets comprising inverted V-shaped gable bends in said arms.

16. An orthodontic device comprising a headstrap for engaging the head of the wearer above and back of the wearers mouth; said headstrap including first resilient traction means extending forwardly at either side of the head adjacent to the mandible and second resilient traction means extending downwardly at either side of the face; a face bow comprising an outer arched bar having a pair of arms projecting rearwardly at the sides of the wearers mandible; said first resilient traction means adapted to be connected adjacent to the rearwardly directed ends of said arms for applying traction rearwardly generally in the plane of said face bow; said second resilient traction means adapted to be connected to said arms forwardly of the rearwardly directed ends of said arms for applying traction upwardly generally perpendicular to the plane of said face bow.

17. An orthodontic device as set forth in claim 16: said headstrap including third resilient traction means extending downwardly toward the front of the wearers teeth and adapted to be connected to the front portion of an orthodontic appliance.

18. An orthodontic device as set forth in claim 16: said face bow having an inner arched bar having arms adapted to project rearwardly alongside the dental arch and be connected to selected molar teeth; means rigidly connecting said bars to each other; said second resilient traction means being connected to said arms of said outer bar in substantial alignment with the selected molar teeth in use thereof whereby the upward traction of said second resilient traction means willintrude the selected molar teeth.

19. An orthodontic device as set forth in claim 18: distal end portions of said arms of said outer bar being disposed in a plane which is offset from the plane of said inner bar whereby the pull of said first resilient traction means applies a torque to said selected molar teeth.

'20. An orthodontic device as set forth in claim 19: an arch wire adapted to be connected to the wearers teeth; said inner arched bar and said arch wire being rigidly connected together whereby when said selected molar teeth are torqued, the entire occlusal plane of the wearer is tilted.

21. An orthodontic device as set forth in claim 16: said face bow having an inner arched bar having arms adapted to project rearwardly alongside the dental arch; means rigidly connecting said inner and outer bars to each other; an arch wire adapted to be connected to the wearers teeth; said arms of said inner arched bar being rigidly connected to said arch wire at selected molar teeth; said second resilient traction means being connected to said arms of said outer bar forwardly of said selected molar teeth whereby said inner bar and said arch wire are biased to pivot about pivot points disposed at the selected molar teeth and tilt upwardly at the front of the mouth to tilt the occlusal plane in that direction.

22. An orthodontic device as set forth in claim 16; said face bow having an inner arched bar having arms adapted to project rearwardly alongside the dental arch; means rigidly connecting said inner and outer bars to each other; an arch wire adapted to be connected to the wearers teeth; said arms of said inner arched bar being rigidly connected to said arch wire at selected molar teeth; said second resilient traction means being connected to said arms of said outer bar rearwardly of said selected molar teeth whereby said inner bar and said arch wire are biased to pivot about pivot points disposed at the selected molar teeth and tilt upwardly at the back of the mouth to tilt the occlusal plane in that direction.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 862,881 8/1907 Case 3214 2,968,097 1/1961 De WOS'klIl 3214 3,203,099 8/1965 Interlandi 32-14 3,337,958 8/1967 Stifter 32-14 ROBERT PESHOCK, Primary Examiner Patent NO. Dated June Inventorht) John J. Stifter It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 6, line 49, delete "forwardly" and insert --downwardly--.

Column 7, line 40, before "means" insert --connector--.

Column 8, line 43, after the semicolon insert --said outer bar having a pair of arms extending rearwardly alongside the face; the rearwardly directed and portions of said bar having hooks for engaging apertures of said first elastic strap portions; said arms projecting through apertures of said second elastic strap portions and having offsets formed therein to engage said second elastic strap portions in front of said hooks;--,- line 61, delete "above" and insert -below-; line 63, delete "upwardly" and insert --downwardly--; line 68, delete "below" and insert -above-=-; line 70, delete "downwardly" and insert --upwardly--.

SIGNED AND REALED Mumbm 'r. offim I. m a.

' Oomissiom of ratznte FORM P0-1050 (IO-69! USCOMM oc 5037a ee

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