Abstract:
A bite-correcting orthodontic appliance attaches directly to the elements of braces (i.e., brackets and archwires); flexes in its distal 25-45% to stay away from the food bolus; has a smooth rectangular profile for patient comfort; and introduces gentle force vectors to the patient&#39;s upper and lower teeth that sweep in an arch to lift up on the front of the molar and down on the lower front teeth as the appliance tries to return to its preinstalled (passive) state, resulting in rapid, yet gentle changes unseen in the orthodontic industry. A lock-and-key attachment member is disclosed allowing for ease of installment in the patient&#39;s mouth.

Description:
[0001]    This application is a Continuation In Part of pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/875,932 filed May 2, 2013 and under 35 U.S.C. §120 claims the benefit thereof. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The incorrect positioning of teeth or the misalignment of teeth between the upper dental arch and lower dental arch are known as malocclusions. Malocclusions are categorized by dental health professionals in three classifications: Class I—the jaw relationship is normal but individual teeth (whether located on the upper or lower dental arch) have problems such as spacing, crowding, etc., and do not achieve a good fit with the corresponding teeth on the opposite arch. Class II—commonly referred to as an overbite, the upper jaw is not in proper position, and an increased projection of the upper teeth in front of the lower teeth results. This lack of contact between the front teeth allows them to keep erupting or extruding, from the gum line into the mouth until they contact something, usually the palate. This over-extrusion, especially of the lower front teeth, requires the orthodontist to place intrusive forces on these teeth during treatment. Finally, Class III—wherein the upper dental arch rests behind the lower dental arch when the mouth is closed, commonly referred to as an underbite. 
         [0003]    The orthodontic treatment of the aforementioned malocclusions often employs the use of the ubiquitous braces. Unfortunately, braces (that is the combination of brackets, placed on individual teeth, and an archwire connecting each bracket to guide the movement of teeth) do not correct the relationship of the upper and lower dental arches (Class II and Class III malocclusions). Additional orthodontic appliances, that provide either a pulling or pushing force must be used in order to restrict or encourage (by pulling or pushing) the jaw into its proper bite position, actually forcing the jawbones and muscles to physically adapt or “learn” the correct bite positioning. 
         [0004]    Several bite-correcting appliances are used, often concurrently (if possible) with braces to limit the length of time of orthodontic treatment. Discussed in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 4,708,646, incorporated by reference herein, bite-correcting appliances include patient-removable appliances such as rubber bands, headgear, and molded mouthpieces. The downfall of all patient-removable appliances is that they are removable by the patient. The patient simply forgets to replace the appliance after eating, for example, thereby creating unpredictably in both the length of time of treatment, and even the treatment results, since a non-compliant patient can undo the gains of earlier treatment or produce no results. 
         [0005]    Non-removable bite-correcting appliances are also employed. One of the most common is the “Herbst” device, developed in the early 1900&#39;s by Dr. Herbst. The Herbst device and Herbst-like devices are comprised of a rigid bar, in which each end of the bar is affixed to the lower and upper dental arches, forcing the lower dental arch forward into the desired occlusion position. The bar exerts excessive forces at its attachment points, transmitting the entire biting force of the teeth (100 pounds) to the attachment points. As a result, stainless steel crowns have to be cemented to the anchoring (attachment) teeth; the brackets of braces simply cannot handle the force. In addition to being difficult to install and generating excessive forces, another drawback, to the Herbst and Herbst-like devices is that their rigidity and placement makes both the chewing of food and hygiene incredibly difficult for the patient, as the devices cross through the area where the food is chewed. 
         [0006]    The device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,708,646, often referred to as the “Jasper Jumper” alleviated many of the Herbst shortcomings. The rigid bar was replaced by a coiled spring, encased in a rubber sheath with attachment flanges at each end. One attachment flange would be secured to the bracket located on an upper molar tube of the patient&#39;s braces, while the second flange was secured on the archwire of the patient&#39;s braces located on the lower jaw. The Jumper generated a flexible pushing force, light enough (4-8 ounces) to be connected to braces, and generating a corrective force along the normal growth line of the face, allowing minimal discomfort for the patient. The flex-point of the spring was located in the middle of the spring, allowing the patient to better chew food and clean his/her teeth. The Jumper design, however, was prone to failure, simply breaking in the patient&#39;s mouth. 
         [0007]    Additionally, the Jumper, the Herbst, and the Herbst clones all cross directly through the food chewing zone, when people eat. The food bolus (ball) is processed on the front side of the first molars and the second premolars as a half-inch ball. All of the aforementioned appliances, whether rigid or flexible, cross directly in the path of the food bolus making chewing and brushing cumbersome and uncomfortable. 
         [0008]    To date, the bite-correcting appliances have been inadequate from both the physician&#39;s and patient&#39;s view, requiring improvement in durability, ease of installation/replacement, wearability, and first and foremost, function; by removing the extrusive force vectors that the prior art appliances place on the jaws/teeth; so as to obtain the desired bite correction in a short timeframe. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    At the heart of the present invention is the discovery as to why the Jumper, the Herbst, and the Herbst clones were prone to failure. The Jumper&#39;s combination of the rubber coating and its ability to flex at its midpoint allowed the patient to chew on the device, typically resulting in breakage. The Jumper would push upward on distal side of the upper molars, making the roots of the molars tip forward, in a clockwise rotation, towards the front (opening) of the mouth. While the roots of the molars tip forward, the crown of the molar tips back, because the molars are connected to the front teeth via the archwire, tipping the back of the molars up, places extrusive (downward) pressure on the upper incisors (front teeth). As disclosed in the background, the front teeth of a Class II patient are already over erupted, so it is always contraindicated to place extrusive vectors on the front teeth. The Herbst and its clones also function in this way—pushing upward on the distal side of the upper molars resulting in the crown of the molars tipping back. The Jumper, the Herbst, and the Herbst clones, all deliver their forces straight along the axis of the appliance, and since they all attach to the distal of the upper molars, often with what amounts to be a small lever arm (i.e. the connection mechanism between the appliance and molar), the tipping force was magnified. 
         [0010]    In accordance with the invention then, a bite-correcting orthodontic appliance is provided that attaches directly to the elements of braces (i.e., brackets and archwires); flexes in its distal 25-45% of the overall appliance length, to stay away from the food bolus; has a reduced profile for patient comfort; introduce unique attachment member for both easy install on the practitioner side and ease of uninstall on the patient side (should a breakage occur); and introduces gentle intrusive force vectors to the patient&#39;s upper and lower teeth that are not along the appliance&#39;s axis but instead sweep in an arch to lift up on the front of the upper molar and down on the lower front teeth as the appliance tries to return to its preinstalled (passive) state, resulting in rapid, yet gentle changes unseen in the orthodontic industry, unexpectedly reducing treatment times significantly. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a left-side perspective view of the orthodontic appliance of the present invention installed on a dental model, with the dental model in a closed position; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a left-side perspective view of the orthodontic appliance of the present invention installed on a dental model, with the dental model in a partially open position; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  a top view of the orthodontic appliance of the present invention installed on a dental model, with the dental model in a closed position; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the orthodontic appliance of the present invention installed on a dental model, with the dental model in a closed position; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a left-side view of the orthodontic appliance of the present invention installed on a dental model, with the dental model in a closed position; also illustrated is the food bolus region, indicated with a dashed line; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a left-side view of the orthodontic appliance of the present invention in its flexed state; the curved rays illustrate the path required for the appliance to return to its passive (unflexed) state; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a left-side view of the orthodontic appliance of the present invention installed on a dental model, with the dental model in a partially open position; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a front view of the orthodontic appliance of the present invention installed on a dental model, with the dental model in a partially open position; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a front view of the orthodontic appliance of the present invention installed on the right-side and on the left-side of the dental model, with the dental model in a partially open position. 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a top view of the orthodontic appliance of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a left-side perspective view of the orthodontic appliance of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is a right-side view of the orthodontic appliance of the present invention; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  is an enlarged cross-section taken along line A-A show on  FIG. 12 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 14  is an enlarged left-side perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the rigid member and mounting link of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 15  is a left-side perspective view of a second alternate embodiment orthodontic appliance of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 16  is a top view of a second alternate embodiment orthodontic appliance of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 17  is a partial right-side perspective view of the attachment head of a second alternate embodiment orthodontic appliance of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 18  is a right-side view of a second alternate embodiment orthodontic appliance of the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 19  is a front view of a second alternate embodiment orthodontic appliance of the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 20A  illustrates the first step for installing second alternate embodiment orthodontic appliance on a section of archwire from a top view (just the attachment member is shown for visual clarity); 
           [0031]      FIG. 20B  illustrates the second step for installing second alternate embodiment orthodontic appliance on a section of archwire from a top view (just the attachment member is shown for visual clarity); 
           [0032]      FIG. 20C  illustrates the third step for installing second alternate embodiment orthodontic appliance on a section of archwire from a top view (just the attachment member is shown for visual clarity); 
           [0033]      FIG. 21A  illustrates the first step for installing second alternate embodiment orthodontic appliance on a section of archwire from a front perspective view (just the attachment member is shown for visual clarity); 
           [0034]      FIG. 21B  illustrates the second step for installing second alternate embodiment orthodontic appliance on a section of archwire from a front perspective view (just the attachment member is shown for visual clarity); 
           [0035]      FIG. 21C  illustrates the third step for installing second alternate embodiment orthodontic appliance on a section of archwire from a front perspective view (just the attachment member is shown for visual clarity); 
           [0036]      FIG. 22  is a left-side perspective view of a third alternate embodiment of the orthodontic appliance of the present invention installed on a dental model, with the dental model in a closed position; 
           [0037]      FIG. 23  is a left-side perspective view of a third alternate embodiment of the orthodontic appliance of the present invention installed on a dental model, with the dental model in an open position; 
           [0038]      FIG. 24  is a partial left-side perspective view of a third alternate embodiment of the orthodontic appliance of the present invention installed on a dental model, with the dental model in a closed position; 
           [0039]      FIG. 25  is a back left-side perspective view of a third alternate embodiment orthodontic appliance of the present invention; 
           [0040]      FIG. 26  is a right-side perspective view of a fourth alternate embodiment orthodontic appliance of the present invention; 
           [0041]      FIG. 27  is a back right-side perspective view of a fifth alternate embodiment orthodontic appliance of the present invention; 
           [0042]      FIG. 28  is a back right-side perspective view of a fifth alternate embodiment orthodontic appliance of the present invention with a pin-loop installed; 
           [0043]      FIG. 29  is a front view of the pin-loop; 
           [0044]      FIG. 30A  illustrates the first step in installing the third alternate embodiment orthodontic appliance of the present invention on a section of archwire; 
           [0045]      FIG. 30B  illustrates the second step in installing the third alternate embodiment orthodontic appliance of the present invention on an section of archwire; 
           [0046]      FIG. 30C  illustrates the third alternate embodiment orthodontic appliance of the present invention installed on a section of archwire; 
           [0047]      FIG. 31  is a left-side perspective view of the fourth alternate embodiment orthodontic appliance of the present invention installed on a dental model, with the dental model in a closed position; 
           [0048]      FIG. 32  is a left-side perspective view of the fourth alternate embodiment orthodontic appliance of the present invention installed on a dental model, with the dental model in a partially open position; 
           [0049]      FIG. 33  is a partial left-side perspective view of a fourth alternate embodiment of the orthodontic appliance of the present invention installed on a dental model, with the dental model in a closed position; 
           [0050]      FIG. 34  is a top view of the fourth alternate embodiment orthodontic appliance of the present invention; 
           [0051]      FIG. 35  is a right-side perspective view of the fourth alternate embodiment orthodontic appliance of the present invention; 
           [0052]      FIG. 36  is a front view of the fourth alternate embodiment orthodontic appliance of the present invention; 
           [0053]      FIG. 37  is a right-side view of the fourth alternate embodiment orthodontic appliance of the present invention; 
           [0054]      FIG. 38  is a top view of the keyway; 
           [0055]      FIG. 39  is a right-side perspective view of the keyway; 
           [0056]      FIG. 40  is a right-side view of the keyway; 
           [0057]      FIG. 41  is a rear view of the keyway; 
           [0058]      FIG. 42  illustrates the first step for installing fourth alternate embodiment orthodontic appliance from a rear perspective view (the archwire and teeth are omitted for visual clarity); 
           [0059]      FIG. 43  is a rear perspective view of the fourth alternate embodiment orthodontic installed locked (installed) within the keyway (the archwire and teeth are omitted for visual clarity); 
           [0060]      FIG. 44  is a left-side perspective view of the fifth alternate embodiment orthodontic appliance of the present invention installed on a dental model, with the dental model in a closed position; and 
           [0061]      FIG. 45  is a left-side perspective view of the fifth alternate embodiment orthodontic appliance of the present invention installed on a dental model, with the dental model in a partially open position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0062]    Referring generally to  FIGS. 1-8  an orthodontic appliance  10  according to the present invention is connected to both the upper dental arch  12  (maxillary jaw) and the lower dental arch  14  (mandibular jaw). As installed in  FIGS. 1-8 , appliance  10  will reposition the upper dental arch  12  by placing forces on the upper molars (maxillary), causing their root tips (not illustrated) to move backwards (that is towards the back of the throat) first, putting intrusive forces on the front upper and lower incisors, and over a period of months correcting even the most severe overbites (Class II malocclusions). 
         [0063]    Turning to  FIGS. 10-12 , appliance  10  is shown in its passive state and is comprised of a rigid member  16 , a force generating vector control module  18 , a rear attachment wire  20 , and attachment member  22 . Preferably, rigid member  16  is made of 3/32 (0.093 inch) stainless steel and is elliptical in shape. Shown in enlarged cross-section, the elliptical shape is clearly visible in  FIG. 13 . It should be noted that rigid member  16  can be made of different rigid materials including steel or plastic, and can have other cross sections including circular, square, rectangular, and flat. While illustrated as a tube (hollow) in  FIG. 13 , rigid member  16  could also be solid in construction. 
         [0064]    Vector control module  18 , is an elliptical or circular shaped torsion spring, preferably coiled from a rectangular, or round wire, which is an alloy of stainless steel containing Cobalt, Chromium, and Nickel, that is able to be formed in its soft state and then heat treated to create spring steel. However, any variety of metals can be used to fabricate the coil, including Nickel Titanium. Durability and the ability to deliver the forces in the range of 4 to 8 ounces are the main factors for choosing the appropriate material from which to form the vector control module  18 . Specifically, and preferably, 0.025 inch stainless steel, round wire has produced the desired forces of 4 to 8 ounces under experimental conditions. 
         [0065]    The elliptical shape of both the rigid member  16  and vector control module  18  increases patient comfort, since the elliptical shape allows the minor axis of rigid member  16 /vector control module  18  to reside in the horizontal plane between the patient&#39;s gum line and cheek, while providing increased strength, since the major axis resides generally perpendicular to the gum line. The elliptical shape provides the perfect combination of comfort, food flow, and strength. Variations of the structure of the rigid member  16  and vector control module  18  can accomplish the desired results provided that the end of rigid member  16  that is affixed to vector control module  18  is matingly configured to accept the end of the vector control module  18 . For example, a rectangular solid linear member with an elliptical mounting-end (or circular mounting-end for a cylindrical coil) would meet the necessary structural requirements. In an alternate embodiment, illustrated as  FIG. 14 , a circular mounting end  19  is formed on an elliptical rigid member  16  as a connection point to a cylindrical vector control module  18 . Vector control module  18  is then soldered, welded, or glued to rigid member  16 , such that vector control module  18  comprises approximately 33% of the length of appliance  10 . To give an idea of size, rigid member  16  is approximately 24 mm long, while the vector control module is approximately 12 mm long. These lengths are simply an approximation as appliance  10  will be made in different lengths (small, medium, and large) to accommodate different sized mouths. However, the vector control module will still comprise approximately 33% of the length of appliance  10 , keeping the flex point (midpoint) of the vector control module  18  to the distal 25-45% of appliance  10 . 
         [0066]    Continuing with  FIGS. 10-12 , rear attachment wire  20  is an unwound extension of the wire comprising the vector control module  18 . It extends normally from the linear axis of the vector control module  18 . Attachment member  22  is for adjustable connection with archwire  24  located on the braces assembly of the lower dental arch  14 . For quick yet secure attachment with archwire  24 , attachment member  22  has a flat portion  26 , which resides at an orientation of approximately 90° from the longitudinal axis of appliance  10 . Portion  26  contains an orifice  28  formed therethrough and receiving slot  30  that runs from the central orifice  28  to the peripheral edge of the portion  26 . Slot  30  allows the appliance to be removed or installed without removing the archwire  24  as was previously required with prior art appliances. Attachment member  22  is soldered, welded, or glued to rigid member  16 , and can be made of stainless steel, or any rigid, durable material including steel or plastic. Turning again to an alternate embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 14 , it can be seen that circular mounting end  19 , rigid member  16 , and attachment member  22  are cast as a single unit (one piece). 
         [0067]    Returning to  FIGS. 1-9 , it can be seen that appliance  10  is secured within a patient&#39;s mouth via standard braces. Specifically, referring to  FIG. 2  it can be seen that archwire  24  is contained within orifice  28  of flat portion  26 . The orthodontist simply connects appliance  10  to archwire  24  via receiving slot  30 , and then bends the slot closed, allowing for quick installation and/or removal if there is breakage of appliance  10 . Next, the orthodontist secures rear attachment wire  20  to the patient&#39;s upper dental arch  12  via headgear tube  32  which resides on standard molar bands  34 , as is visible in  FIGS. 1 &amp; 5 , by simply inserting rear attachment wire  20  through the distal end of headgear tube  32 , and then bends wire  20  back towards the distal end of headgear tube  32 , such that when properly secured to the upper dental arch  12 , wire  20  forms a c-shaped hook through tube  32  as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0068]    Moving the flex point of appliance  10 —that is the midpoint of the vector control module  18 , to the distal 25-40% of the appliance  10 &#39;s length accomplishes three things: 1) it cannot bend between the teeth to be chewed on and broken, 2) it causes rigid member  16  to reside below the food bolus area  13  (See  FIG. 5 ) to make eating more comfortable, and 3) the intrusive force vectors generated by the installed orthodontic appliance  10  result in correction of the most severe overbites/underbites, as further described below. Prior art appliances flexing at the midpoint of the appliance, place axial vectors on the upper and lower jaws, rather than the sweeping vectors of the present invention. 
         [0069]    An enormous improvement over prior art appliances, appliance  10  does not deliver its force straight along its axis to the distal side of the molars. Attachment wire  20  is connected directly to the vector control module  18  without a hinge, allowing appliance  10 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , to return to its passive, pre-installed state ( FIG. 11 ) in a sweeping motion  15 , lifting up on the front (closest to the mouth opening) of the molar tube  32 , while ray  17  illustrates the sweeping force placed on the mandible  14 . This is best illustrated in  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 6  shows appliance  10  in its installed shape—that is, the same shape that can be seen in  FIG. 5 . The rays,  15  and  17 , indicate the direction appliance  10  moves in order to return to its pre-installed/passive state. While  FIG. 6  is not a free body diagram, it is not hard to imagine while looking at  FIG. 6  in conjunction with  FIG. 5 , how appliance  10  lifts up on the front of the molar tube  32  causing the roots (not illustrated) of the upper molars to tip toward the back of the mouth prior to the whole tooth moving distal. Since the molars are connected to the front teeth via the archwire  24 , intrusive and backward vectors are placed on the upper incisors. The mandubular front teeth receive an equal and opposite force, shown in  FIG. 6  as ray  17  illustrates pushing downwards and forward on these teeth, intruding them to compensate for their over-erupted condition at the start of treatment mentioned in the Background. 
         [0070]    It should be understood that while this disclosure focuses on Class II malocclusions, appliance  10  is suitable for use in correcting Class III malocclusions as well. For Class III applications, appliance  10  is placed in the mouth upside down—that is rear attachment wire is connected to lower molar bands (mandibular) and attachment member  22  slides onto the upper archwire (as opposed to the lower) via receiving slot  30 . Once installed, appliance  10  will push the mandible  14  backwards, and provide pushing vectors on the upper front teeth, resulting in the repositioning of the maxilla to the desired position. 
         [0071]      FIGS. 15-19  illustrate a second embodiment orthodontic appliance  50  of the present invention, in which a twin-tab attachment member  52  is employed. Rigid member  16 , force generating vector control module  18 , and rear attachment wire  20 , are all identical in construction and function as the previously discussed embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 10-12 . Twin-tab attachment member  52  is comprised of mirror image twin-tabs  54 ,  56  each containing an attachment orifice  58  therethrough and an attachment slot  55  that runs from the attachment orifice  58  to the peripheral edge of each twin-tab. Attachment slots  55  allows the appliance to be removed or installed without removing the archwire  24  as was previously required with prior art appliances. Twin-tabs  54 ,  56  are separated by installation gap  57 , best illustrated in  FIG. 18 . 
         [0072]      FIGS. 20A-20C  and  21 A- 21 C illustrate how second embodiment orthodontic appliance  50  is installed on an archwire  24 . For visual clarity twin-tab attachment member  52  is only illustrated.  FIGS. 21A-21C  simply illustrate the same installation series reflected in  FIGS. 20A-20C  from an inside of the mouth view. The orthodontist (or other dental practitioner) first positions the attachment member  52  (oriented vertically) around the archwire  24 , such that the archwire resides between twin-tabs  54 ,  56  and along installation gap  57  (See  FIGS. 20A and 21A ). The practitioner then simply rotates attachment member  52  (appliance  50 ) until attachment member  52  resides parallel to archwire  24 , as illustrated in  FIG. 20C  and  FIG. 21C .  FIG. 20B  illustrates an approximate 45° rotation from  FIG. 20A , and  FIG. 20C  illustrates an approximate, additional 45° rotation of attachment member from  FIG. 20B . Attachment member  52  rotates approximately 90° degrees from its position in  FIG. 20A  (or  FIG. 21A ) to  FIG. 20C  (or  FIG. 21C ).  FIGS. 20C and 21C  illustrate attachment member  52  locked onto archwire  24 . Should appliance  50  break in a patient&#39;s mouth, the twin-tab construction of attachment member  52 , allow the patient to remove the appliance (breakage typically occurs on vector control module  18 ) from his/her mouth until he/she can see his/her orthodontist. It should be noted that while the twin-tab attachment member  52  is illustrated with a generally rectangular body, it could smoothly transition into rigid member  16 , possibly even being cast as one solid piece. 
         [0073]      FIGS. 22-24  illustrate third embodiment orthodontic appliance  60  installed on a dental model.  FIGS. 22-24  illustrate orthodontic appliance  60  installed in an arrangement common in the art, wherein the appliance in coupled to a wire  62  that runs in a side-by-side, or generally parallel configuration to the archwire  24 . Wire  62  is contained at a first end within a molar tube  32  and is connected at a second end to the archwire  24 , as is well known in the art. Connecting third embodiment orthodontic appliance  60  (or second embodiment orthodontic appliance  50 , or orthodontic appliance  10 ) to wire  62  allows the appliance  60  to be installed without removal of the bicuspid brackets, by the practitioner. To restrict the movement of the appliance  60  along wire  62  by an arch—nut  64  (commonly available in the art). 
         [0074]    Third embodiment orthodontic appliance  60  is clearly illustrated in  FIG. 25 . Again, rigid member  16 , force generating vector control module  18 , and rear attachment wire  20 , are all identical in construction and function as the previously discussed embodiments; however, pigtail attachment member  66  is a looped attachment, having a full 360° loop of wire, and is easily attached to an archwire as is illustrated in  FIG. 30A-30C . Beginning with  FIG. 30A , appliance  60  is positioned generally perpendicular to archwire  24 , such that pigtail attachment  66  reside above archwire  24 . Next, looking at  FIG. 30B , appliance  60  is moved around archwire  24  (or wire  62 ), purposely trying to capture archwire  24  (or wire  62 ) within in it, finishing such that appliance  60  resides generally parallel to archwire  24  (or wire  62 ), when installed as illustrated in  FIG. 30C . The installation process can simply be described as winding the pigtail attachment member around archwire  24  (or wire  62 ). Should appliance  60  break within in patient&#39;s mouth, the breakage will occur along the vector control module  18 , and in a breakage scenario, pigtail attachment member  66  is advantageous because a patient can easily uninstall the pigtail attachment member  66  from the archwire  24  (or wire  62 ). The patient simply unwinds pigtail attachment member  66  from the archwire  24  (or wire  62 ), allowing the pigtail attachment member  66 , rigid member  16 , and a portion of broken vector control module  18  (the portion attached to rigid member  16 ) to be removed from his/her mouth. 
         [0075]      FIG. 26  and  FIG. 27  illustrate possible variations to the rear attachment wire over previous embodiments. Looking at  FIG. 26  fourth embodiment orthodontic appliance  70  is illustrated. Appliance  70  employs a pigtail attachment member  66 , a rigid member  16 , and a vector control module  18 . However, while in previous embodiments rear attachment member  20  simply extended normally from the linear axis of the vector control module  18 , looped rear attachment member  72 , while still extending normally from vector control module  18 , also comprised a looped portion  74 . Looped rear attachment member  72  increases the life of the vector control module  18 , creating an additional flex-point. Finally, illustrated in  FIG. 27 , fifth embodiment orthodontic appliance  80  completely omits either rear attachment member  20  or looped rear attachment member  72 . Orthodontic appliance  80  instead employs an adjustable bracket  82  illustrated in  FIG. 29  and shown on orthodontic appliance  80  in  FIG. 28 . Pin-loop  82  has two distinct portions, a circular portion  84 , and a straight portion  86 , extending normally from the circular portion  84 . Circular portion  84  is designed to wind onto the terminal end  88  of vector control module  18  and simply spin through the spring to reach a desired location as illustrated in  FIG. 28 . Once the practitioner has spun circular portion  84  though the loops of vector control module  18  to reach his/her desired location, straight portion  86  is inserted into molar tube/head gear tube  32 , for secure attachment to the patient&#39;s upper jaw, and allowing for ease of removal should a breakage unfortunately occur. The patient simply unwinds the vector control module  18  out of pin-loop  82 , leaving only pin-loop  82  in the patient&#39;s mouth until he/she can see can visit an orthodontist, since pigtail attachment member  66 , rigid member  16  and the portion of the vector control module attached to rigid member  16  are easily removed via unwinding of pigtail attachment member  66  from archwire  24  (or wire  62 ) as previously discussed. 
         [0076]    Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a wide variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations calculated to achieve the same purposes may be substituted for the specific embodiment shown and described without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, it would simple and desirable to incorporate pin-loop  82  with twin-tab attachment member  52 . 
         [0077]    Fourth embodiment orthodontic appliance  90  is illustrated in  FIGS. 31-33 . As with the previous embodiments, orthodontic appliance  90  comprises a rigid member  16 , force generating vector control module  18 , and rear attachment wire  20 . However, appliance  90  also comprises a sliding member  92  for slidable engagement with rigid member  16 . Sliding member  92  allows patients with larger mouths to open their mouths as wide as possible. The attachment (connection member  91 ) of vector control module  18  has been moved to the cheek-side of rigid member  16  via connection member  91  (best illustrated in  FIGS. 33 &amp; 34 ) allowing a portion of sliding member  92  of appliance  90  to reside outside of rigid member  16 , when the patient&#39;s mouth is closed, i.e. sliding member  92  is longer than rigid member  16 . See  FIG. 33 . Connection member  91  is matingly configured to accept the end of the vector control module  18  When the patient opens his/her mouth, sliding member  92  slides within rigid member  16 . 
         [0078]    Previous discussed embodiments slide along archwire  24 , and this movement combined with the flexible nature of the vector control module  18 , can allow first, second, and third orthodontic appliances  10 ,  50 ,  60  to rotate outward (towards the cheek), or inward, hitting the patient&#39;s gums. The non-round sliding member  92  and non-round rigid member  16  prevent rotation of appliance  90  (making appliance  90  non-rotatable), which is why sliding member  92  and rigid member  16  of fourth embodiment orthodontic appliance  90  are rectangular in cross-section. It should be noted that any non-round combination of rigid member  16  and sliding member  92  prevents appliance  90  rotating inward or outward within the patient&#39;s mouth, and accordingly any non-round geometric configuration that does not allow sliding member  92  to rotate within rigid member  16  would be acceptable, e.g., square, rectangular, triangular, or elliptical. 
         [0079]    Turning to  FIGS. 34-37 , the structure of fourth embodiment orthodontic appliance  90  is illustrated. In addition to the rigid member  16 , vector control module  18 , connection member  91 , and sliding member  92 , appliance  90  further comprises a connection key  94 . Connection key  94  is a T-shaped member that extends normally at the proximate end of the teeth-side face of sliding member  92 . Connection key  94  is designed to matingly engage and lock with keyway  96 . Keyway  96  is a plate with a lip  97  and orifice  98  extending therethrough. Lip  97  is designed to be soldered or welded to archwire  24  and is sized to fit in between brackets  100  (best illustrated in  FIG. 33 ), allowing fourth embodiment orthodontic appliance  90  to be installed in a patient&#39;s mouth without removing any brackets  100 , saving both the orthodontist and the patient valuable time. 
         [0080]      FIGS. 42 and 43  illustrate the installation of appliance  90  within a patient&#39;s mouth. Connection key  94  is inserted through orifice  98  of keyway  96 . Due to the sizing of both the connection key  94  and orifice  98 , connection key  94  can only pass through orifice  98  when appliance  90  resides vertically to archwire  24 . Once inserted through orifice  98 , the orthodontist simply rotates appliance  90 , approximately 90°, toward the back of the patient&#39;s mouth such that rear attachment wire  20  can be inserted into molar tube  32 . Appliance  90  now resides generally parallel to archwire  24 , as illustrated in  FIG. 43 . 
         [0081]    Should appliance  90  break within in patient&#39;s mouth, the breakage will occur along the vector control module  18 , and in a breakage scenario, the connection key  94  is advantageous because a patient can easily uninstall the majority of the appliance  90  from his/her mouth by simply rotating the appliance  90 , approximately 90°, so that appliance  90  is vertical to archwire  24  and then sliding connection key  94  out of keyway  96 . The portion of the vector control module  18  connected to rear attachment wire  20  will remain in the patient&#39;s mouth until a dental health professional can remove it; however, quickly and easily uninstalling the majority of appliance  90  after a breakage has occurred is a huge relief to patients. 
         [0082]    Connection member  91 , sliding member  92 , connection key  94 , and keyway  96  are all preferably constructed from stainless steel. 
         [0083]    Finally,  FIGS. 44 &amp; 45  illustrate a fifth embodiment orthodontic appliance  110 . With appliance  110  the vector control module  18  is affixed to the distal end of rigid member  16 . The distal end of rigid member  16  is matingly configured to accept the end of the vector control module  18 .