Orthodontic method and device

TLDR: In this article, the orthodontic appliances are adjusted as needed to move the teeth toward the positions desired by applying orthopedic force between the anterior and posterior teeth in an edentulous area.

Abstract: Teeth within a patient's mouth are moved by an orthodontic method of treatment in which orthodontic appliances are installed at a desired time during the treatment on the teeth to be moved. Cortical bone adjacent the roots of the teeth to be moved is partially decorticated. Bone grafting material is installed between the partially decorticated cortical bone and the mucoperiosteum. The orthondontic appliances are adjusted thereafter as needed to move the teeth toward the positions desired. One orthodontic appliance which can be used for applying orthopedic force between a patient's anterior teeth on one side of an edentulous area and a patient's posterior teeth on the other side includes a front body, a back body and a screw member operatively connected between them. The screw member is adjustable to cause the front body and the back body to move away from one another and to move toward one another while transmitting an orthopedic force between them. At least one slide rod extends between the front body and the back body and is slidable through at least one of these as they move toward and away from one another. The front body is coupled to at least one anterior tooth and the back body is coupled to at least one posterior tooth so as to transmit the orthopedic force between these teeth as the screw member is adjusted.