Abstract:
An orthodontic correction system is disclosed for correcting Class II malocclusions, Class III malocclusions, dental asymmetries and/or dental related skeletal anomalies wherein the patient&#39;s dentition is permanent or near permanent. The correction system attaches to a patient&#39;s dentition via a novel orthodontic appliance that is affixed to, e.g., pre-installed upper and lower archwires. The correction system includes one or more adjustable length assemblies each of whose ends pivotally attach to a patient&#39;s preinstalled maxillary and mandibular archwires.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is a continuation in part application of application Ser. No. 13/240,850, filed on Sep. 22, 2011, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/385,212, filed Sep. 22, 2010, the disclosure of which is incorporated fully herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present disclosure is directed to an orthodontic system and method for correcting Class II and Class III malocclusions as well as dental asymmetries, wherein a variable length assembly is provided for attaching to both maxillary and mandibular installed archwires. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Prior Art orthodontic correction devices/systems for Class II malocclusions, Class III malocclusions, and/or dental asymmetries can be useful for mixed dentitions (e.g., a mixture of permanent and deciduous dentition). However at least some such correction devices/systems are patient removable orthodontic appliances. 
         [0004]    It would be advantageous to have an orthodontic correction system that can be effective for correcting Class II malocclusions, Class III malocclusions, dental asymmetries and/or dental related skeletal anomalies wherein the patient&#39;s dentition is permanent or near permanent. In particular, it would be advantageous to have such an orthodontic correction system that can be fitted to a patient&#39;s currently fitted orthodontic appliances (e.g., brackets and archwires) which are non-removable by the patient. Moreover, it is desirable to utilize such an orthodontic correction system without having to perform an extraction of a patient&#39;s dentition. The advantages recited hereinabove are meet by the orthodontic correction system disclosed hereinbelow. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    An orthodontic correction system is disclosed for correcting Class II malocclusions, Class III malocclusions, dental asymmetries and/or dental related skeletal anomalies wherein the patient&#39;s dentition is permanent or near permanent. The correction system attaches to a patient&#39;s dentition via a novel orthodontic appliance that is affixed to, e.g., pre-installed upper and lower archwires. 
         [0000]    Accordingly, the orthodontic correction system disclosed herein is particularly useful for those patients that already have fixed appliances installed, and are currently undergoing orthodontic care. However, the present orthodontic correction system may also be provided as part of a planned orthodontic treatment prior to the start of such treatment in order to help correct the malocclusions and/or create space for impacted teeth. Moreover, the present orthodontic correction system may be particularly useful for patients that are uncooperative or unreliable in utilizing other orthodontic appliances (e.g., patient removable appliances) for correcting Class II, Class III, dental asymmetries and/or dental related skeletal anomalies. 
         [0006]    In at some installations and orthodontic treatments with the correction system disclosed herein, maxillary teeth can be moved mesially, while mandibular teeth are moved distally so that a Class I classification of a patient&#39;s dentition results as one skilled in the art will understand. 
         [0007]    Further description of the advantages, benefits and patentable aspects of the present disclosure will become evident from the description hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings. All novel aspects of the disclosure, whether mentioned explicitly in this Summary section or otherwise (e.g., hereinbelow), are considered subject matter for patent protection either singly or in combination with other aspects of this disclosure. Accordingly, such novel aspects disclosed hereinbelow and/or in the drawings that may be omitted from, or less than fully described in, this Summary section are fully incorporated herein by reference into this Summary. In particular, all claims of the Claims section hereinbelow are fully incorporated herein by reference into this Summary section. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  shows a cross sectional view of the archwire attachment  30  (for better clarity, the cross section is not cross hatched). 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  shows a first embodiment of the alignment assembly  18  attached to archwires  26  that are secured to a patient&#39;s dentition. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  shows a second embodiment of the alignment assembly  18  attached to archwires  26  that are secured to a patient&#39;s dentition. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  shows a third embodiment of the alignment assembly  18  attached to archwires  26  that are secured to a patient&#39;s dentition. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  shows a cross sectional view of the archwire attachment  30  (for better clarity, the cross section is not cross hatched), how the alignment assembly  18  attaches thereto, and how the archwire attachment  30  fixedly attaches to an archwire  26 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  shows a cross sectional view of a second embodiment of the archwire attachment ( 30   a ) (for better clarity, the cross section is not cross hatched), how the alignment assembly  18  attaches thereto, and how the archwire attachment  30   a  fixedly attaches to an archwire  26 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  shows a cross sectional view of a third embodiment of the archwire attachment ( 30   b ) (for better clarity, the cross section is not cross hatched), how the alignment assembly  18  attaches thereto, and how the archwire attachment  30   b  fixedly is attaches to an archwire  26 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  shows a cross sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the archwire attachment ( 30   c ) (for better clarity, the cross section is not cross hatched). 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  shows a cross sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the archwire attachment ( 30   d ) (for better clarity, the cross section is not cross hatched). A solid pin with a head is used to secure the archwire. 
           [0017]      FIGS. 10A and 10B  each show an alternative component for securing an archwire attachment ( 30   d ). 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  shows a fourth embodiment of the alignment assembly  18  attached to archwires  26  that are secured to a patient&#39;s dentition for Class III correction. 
           [0019]      FIG. 12  shows an embodiment where teeth are brought into various alignment through use of the alignment assembly  18 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 13  shows one embodiment of a screw having a ball hinge at its end to pivotally attach to the alignment assembly  18 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 14  shows one embodiment where a keyhole slot accepts a male piston assembly&#39;s spherical head. 
           [0022]      FIG. 15A  is a side view of a ball/socket screw embodiment with a clip style eyelet attachment  58   a  attaching the piston assembly  18  to the attachment screw. 
           [0023]      FIG. 15B  is a top view of one embodiment of a clip style eyelet attachment  58   a  showing arms  75  that spread apart in order to slip around shaft  51 , and then close to securely attach the assembly to the screw. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    As provided hereinbelow, the term “set screw,” “set screw/shaft” are intended to be broadly interpreted as any mechanism that can secure a first component in a fixed position relative to a second component. 
         [0025]      FIGS. 2-4  and  9  show various embodiments of the novel orthodontic correction system  10  of the present disclosure. In particular, the correction system  10  includes at least one correction assembly  14  having a variable length alignment assembly  18  useful in providing corrective orthodontic forces to a patient&#39;s dentition and/or jaw via hinges  22  that is attach the alignment assembly between maxillary and mandibular archwires  26 . In particular, the alignment assembly  18  can have its length varied along the axis  28  by an orthodontic clinician. More particularly, such an alignment assembly  18  may have one its hinges  22  connected each of the alignment assembly&#39;s ends so that, e.g., one hinge  22  connects the alignment assembly to a desired position along a maxillary positioned archwire  26 , and a second hinge  22  connects the alignment assembly to a desired position along a mandibular positioned archwire  26  as shown in  FIGS. 2-4  and  9 . Accordingly, the combination of the hinges  22  and the attached alignment assembly  18  allow patient jaw movement (e.g., jaw and mouth opening and closing), while also providing desired orthodontic corrective forces on the patient&#39;s dentition and/or jaw. Embodiments of the hinges  22  include an archwire attachment  30  ( FIGS. 1-5 ) that can be directly affixed to the archwires  26  in a desired position along the length of each of the archwires. In particular, referring to  FIG. 5 , each archwire attachment  30  includes: (a) an archwire slot  34  therethrough for providing a corresponding archwire  26  therein, (b) a set screw/shaft (hex head)  38 , (c) a threaded bore  42  for mating with the set screw/shaft  38  for securing the archwire attachment  30  along the length of the corresponding archwire  26 , the bore extending into the archwire slot  34  at, e.g., a 90 degree angle to the side of the slot being pierced by the bore, and (d) a threaded bore  46  for mating with, e.g., a threaded screw/shaft  50  (having a head  52 ) for pivotally securing the alignment assembly  18  thereto. Thus, each archwire attachment  30  provides both a connection point for connecting a dentition fixed archwire  26  to its corresponding alignment assembly  18  in a manner that allows for pivoting movement about the screw/shaft  50 . 
         [0026]    The hinges  22  may be made of an acceptable orthodontic metal alloy (e.g., stainless steel), a ceramic or a plastic as one skilled in the will understand. The archwire slot  34  (and other corresponding embodiments thereof described hereinbelow) may be effective for receiving an archwire  26  having cross sectional dimensions of, e.g., 0.022×0.025 inches, io and/or 0.018×0.025 inches. The alignment assembly  18  includes a piston assembly  54  and two pivot eyelets  58 . The piston assembly  54  is attached to each of the maxillary and mandibular archwires  26  via, e.g., a corresponding one of the two pivot eyelets  58  (best shown in  FIG. 5 ) which attaches to each terminal end of the piston assembly. In particular, each eyelet  58  receives a corresponding screw/shaft  50  therethrough such that the eyelet pivotally attaches the alignment assembly  18  to a corresponding one of the archwire attachments  30 . More particularly, the head  52  of such a corresponding screw/shaft  50  prevents the eyelet  58  from disengaging from the shaft of the corresponding screw/shaft  50 . Note that each piston assembly  54  includes at least a male piston (or shaft)  62  and a female piston (or piston sleeve)  66 , wherein the male piston is capable of snuggly sliding within a sleeve interior cylinder  67  accessed via an open end  68  of the piston sleeve such that a free end of the shaft  69  remains within sleeve interior cylinder during operation of the alignment assembly  18  in a patient&#39;s mouth. 
         [0027]    Corrective orthodontic forces are induced on a patient&#39;s dentition and/or jaw by fixing the length of the piston assembly  54  in a manner that induces an orthodontic corrective force(s) between the maxillary and mandibular archwires  26 . More specifically, for a each installed alignment assembly  18 , the length thereof (when its piston  62  is fully retracted within its sleeve  66 ) induces forces along the corresponding axis  28  when, e.g., the patient has his/her maxillary and mandibular dentition are “closed”, i.e., together (or as together as such maxillary and mandibular dentition can be obtained depending on the configuration and orientation of the installed one or more alignment assemblies  18 ). In particular, when the patient&#39;s dentition is closed, such induced forces are transferred to the attached archwires  26  and then to the patient&#39;s teeth for inducing corrective forces on the teeth and/or the patient&#39;s maxillary-mandibular relative alignment. Moreover, since the extent with which the piston  62  is able to slide within its sleeve  66  can varied by an orthodontic clinician, these induced forces can be varied in magnitude, and since the archwire alignments  30  can be varied along the archwires  26  (e.g., by the orthodontic clinician), the direction of such induced forces can also be varied. Accordingly, an orthodontic clinician may periodically change the length(s) of the one or more installed piston assemblies  54  as the patient&#39;s dentition and/or jaw responds to the force(s) exerted thereon by the piston assemblies  54 . More particularly, the correction system  10  may io include a plurality of correction assemblies  14  (e.g., one on each of the right and left sides of the patient&#39;s dentition) for exerting desired forces on each of the left and right sides of the patient&#39;s face and/or dentition. 
         [0028]    For a Class II malocclusion, one of the correction assemblies  14  may be fixed (between maxillary and mandibular archwires  26 ) on each of the left and right sides of the patient&#39;s dentition so that the corresponding induced orthodontic forces, applied to each of the left and right side of the patient&#39;s jaw, are substantially the same for urging the patient&#39;s lower jaw and/or dentition to develop/move uniformly forward and thereby correct the Class II malocclusion. Alternatively, in the case of an orthodontic asymmetry, there may be one or more of the alignment assemblies  18  used for moving the patient&#39;s teeth so that, e.g., the maxillary midline and the mandibular midline are urged to coincide or align with one another. Moreover, for an orthodontic asymmetry, more than one of the alignment assemblies  14  may be used, wherein their respective piston assemblies  54  may be set at different lengths to induce corrective orthodontic forces in substantially different directions. For example, since asymmetric dentition may be accompanied by a Class I malocclusion on one side of the patient&#39;s dentition, and a Class II malocclusion on the other side such that the upper and lower midlines do not coincide with each other or with the facial midline, a plurality of the correction assemblies  14  may be used wherein at least two such assemblies induce forces that purposefully differ in magnitudes, and/or their directions along their respective axes  28 . In particular, for treating such an asymmetry, one or more correction assemblies  14  may be installed on each side of the patient&#39;s dentition, wherein the correction assemblies on one side of the patient&#39;s dentition are: (i) longer than those on the other side of the patient&#39;s dentition, and (ii) oriented at an angle more traverse to the axes of the patient&#39;s teeth. 
         [0029]    Additionally, for treating a Class III malocclusion, one of the correction assemblies  14  may be fixed (between maxillary and mandibular archwires  26 ) on each of the left and right sides of the patient&#39;s dentition so that orthodontic forces applied to each of the left and right side of the patient&#39;s jaw are substantially the same for inducing the mandibular dentition to move uniformly backward and the upper dentition to move uniformly forward, thereby correcting the Class III malocclusion (see  FIG. 9 , wherein the front of the patient&#39;s dentition is on the right). In one embodiment, one or more shims  70  may be inserted onto (and surrounding) the shaft  62  ( FIG. 2 ) in a manner that prevents the piston sleeve  66  from receiving a portion of the length of the shaft  62  adjacent the eyelet  58  to which the shaft  62  attaches, and thus by varying the thickness of the shims on the shaft  62 , the shortest length of the alignment assembly  54  can be varied by an orthodontic clinician. Each of the shims  70  may be cylindrical in shape with a center opening (not shown) extending through the shim along a center axis of symmetry for insertion of a shaft  62  therethrough in order to attach the shim to the shaft. Thus, the thickness of the shim  70  (along the axis  28  when the shim is provided on the shaft  62  corresponding with this axis) increases the shortest length that the alignment assembly  18  having the shim attached thereto, and in particular, increases this shortest length by the thickness of the shim. In one embodiment, such shims  70  may be composed of hard rubber to act as a cushioning material that does not permanently deform under a patient&#39;s bite pressure. However, other materials can be used for the shims  70  such as a dental approved plastic or silicon with acceptable elastomeric and hardness properties so that the shims  70  cannot permanently deform or compress under typical bite pressures. For example, such acceptable elastomeric and hardness properties may include: a Shore hardness in a range of 60 to 90, more preferably in a range of 70 to 80 (on the ASTM D2240 type A scale). However, other ranges are also acceptable, e.g., depending on the patient (child or adult, etc.). Note that such a cushioning material that does not permanently deform under a patient&#39;s bite pressure may be particularly advantageous in treatments for correcting Class III malocclusions. 
         [0030]    Note that since the shims  70  have an outer extent traverse to the axis  28  that cannot fit within the piston sleeve  66 , and since the one or more shims fit tightly around the shaft  62  and do not readily substantially deform (even under jaw pressure), the shims are prevented from slipping over the eyelet  58  to which the shaft is attached. Accordingly, when the shim(s)  70  are provided on the shaft  62  (e.g., by an orthodontic clinician), the shim(s) remain sandwiched between the piston sleeve  66  and the eyelet  58  formed at the end of the shaft until the orthodontic clinician removes them. Further note that insertion and/or removal of the one or more shims  70  may be readily performed by the orthodontic clinician removing the alignment assembly  18  from the archwires  26  and then disassembling the piston assembly  54 . More particularly, upon removal of the alignment assembly  18  from a patient&#39;s dentition, a clinician may retract the shaft  62  from the piston sleeve  66 , insert the shaft through the center opening of each of the one or more shims  70  of the desired thickness (i.e., along the length of the shaft), and then reinsert the free end of the shaft back into the piston sleeve  66 . Accordingly, the shortest length of the resulting alignment assembly  18  is increased by the thickness of the shim(s) inserted on the shaft  62 . In some embodiments, a lip  72  (shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 4 ) may be provided between the shaft  62  and the shaft&#39;s eyelet but the lip has an increased outer extent relative to the shaft, and wherein the lip provides, e.g., a planar surface orthogonal to the length of the shaft that the shims  70  can abut against. The lip  72  may be included in a part that is both attachable and detachable from the shaft  62  so that a shim(s)  70  may be more easily provided on the shaft. For example, the lip  72  and the adjacent eyelet  58  may be provided as a part that is separable from their shaft  62 , wherein this part may be threaded over the end of the shaft that is operably immediately adjacent to the lip (i.e., not the free end  69  of the shaft). In such an embodiment, the result of connecting this part to the shaft may result in an expanded diameter or extent traverse to the axis  28 . Accordingly, the sleeve interior cylinder  67  at its open end  68  may require a corresponding expanded diameter or extent so that the expanded portion of the part and the shaft  62  can fit therein. 
         [0031]    In one embodiment, alignment assembly  18  may be provided with a single shim  70  on the shaft  62 , wherein this shim has a set screw (not shown) threaded within a side of the shim so that the orthodontic clinician can fix the position of the shim along its shaft by tightening this set screw so that the shim is fixedly attached to the shaft  62  and cannot slide along a length of the shaft. 
         [0032]    In another embodiment, the length of the piston assembly  54  (and correspondingly the length of the alignment assembly  18 ) may be modified by a collar  74  ( FIG. 3 ) that surrounds both a portion of the shaft  62  and at least the open end  68  of the piston sleeve  66 . The collar  74  may be substantially cylindrical wherein the end  78  thereof includes an opening  82  through which the shaft  62  extends such that the shaft and the collar can slide relative to one another through this opening. The collar  74  may be threadably attached to the piston sleeve  66  so that by rotating the collar in one direction about the axis  28  of the piston assembly  54  length, internal threads  83  to the collar  74  mate with at least a portion of corresponding threads  84  on the external surface of the piston sleeve  66 . extends the length of the piston sleeve and collar combination. Alternatively, if the collar  74  is rotated in the opposite direction about the axis  28 , the collar  74  internal threads unscrew from the mating threads on the external surface of the piston sleeve  66 . Accordingly, the collar  74  reduces the length of the piston sleeve  66  and collar combination. Thus, by varying the extent to which the collar  74  internal threads mate with the exterior threats of the sleeve  66 , the length of the alignment assembly  18  may be varied. In particular, when the mating threads overlap more, the alignment assembly  18  shortens, and when the mating threads overlap less, the alignment assembly lengthens. Note that, as above, a lip  72  (shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 4 ) may be provided between the shaft  62  and the shaft&#39;s eyelet such that the lip is integral with the shaft but the lip has an increased outer extent relative to the shaft, and wherein the lip provides, e.g., a planar surface orthogonal to the length of the shaft that the end  78  can abut against. 
         [0033]    In one embodiment, instead of, or in addition to, the collar  74  being threaded for operation in varying the length of the alignment assembly  18  as described above, the collar  74  may have a set screw (not shown) threaded therein for tightly contacting the piston shaft  62  thereby securing the collar in position. 
         [0034]    In another embodiment, the length of the piston assembly  54  may be modified by threads internal to a rotatable spacer  86  ( FIG. 4 ) that mates with threads on the exterior surface of at least a portion of the shaft  62  for varying the length of the alignment assembly  18 . Thus, by rotating the spacer  86  in one direction about the axis  28 , the sleeve  66  internal threads  90  unscrew from at least a portion of the mating threads  92  on the external surface of the shaft  62 . Accordingly, the length of the alignment assembly  18  extends. Alternatively, if the portion  86  is rotated in the opposite direction about the axis  28 , the spacer  86  internal threads  90  screw further onto the mating threads  92  on the external surface of the shaft  62 . Accordingly, the length of the alignment assembly  18  is reduced. Note that, as above, the lip  72  may be provided between the shaft  62  and the shaft&#39;s eyelet s such that the lip has an increased outer extent relative to the shaft, and wherein the lip provides, e.g., a planar surface orthogonal to the axis  28  that the spacer  86  can abut against. As with previous embodiments, a set screw or other securing mechanism may be user to fix the spacer  86  in place upon the threaded portion of the shaft  62 . However, as with all previous embodiments, a set screw or other such securing mechanism may be unnecessary; in particular, when the mating threats are tightly fitting and formed of a hard elastomeric plastic such as polyoxymethylene (manufactured under the trade name of Delrin®), or polyurethane. 
         [0035]    An alternative embodiment of the archwire attachment ( 30   a ) is shown in  FIG. 6 , wherein instead of having a fully enclosed slot  34  (requiring the archwire  26  to be inserted therethrough), a slot  34   a  is provided which is open on the side of the archwire attachment  30   a  facing the patient&#39;s teeth. Accordingly, the archwire attachment  30   a  can be easily attached to an archwire  26  already in place in on a patient&#39;s dentition. In particular, once a desired position along the length of the archwire  26  is determined, the archwire  26  (e.g., at the desired position or approximately so) can be slid into the open ended slot  34   a  until the archwire contacts the interior slot side  93 . Then a set screw  94  (or other securing mechanism) can be provided within a threaded bore  98  extending adjacent to the archwire retaining portion  100  in the slot  34   a.  Accordingly, if the top of the threads on the surface of the set screw  94  extend into the retaining portion  100  having the archwire  26 , then when the set screw  94  is threaded through the bore  98 , the threads of the set screw will bite into the archwire for fixing the archwire attachment  30   a  in place along the archwire  26 . 
         [0036]    Additionally/alternatively, the archwire attachment  30   a  may be composed of a material that is bendable when the set screw  94  is threaded through the threaded bore  98 , wherein upon tightening the set screw within the bore, the slot  34   a  crimps onto the archwire  26  thereby fixing the archwire attachment  30   a  in place along the archwire. Note that alternative techniques for fixing the archwire attachment  30   a  along an archwire  26  are also within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, an insert (not shown) may be provided in the slot  34   a  wherein this insert wraps around the three sides of the archwire  26  that face slot sides, and on the archwire&#39;s side that faces the set screw  94 , an extended portion of the insert covers the entry of the bore  98  into the slot  34   a.  Thus, when the set screw  94  contacts the extended portion, the set screw  94  forces this extended portion to tightly wrap around at least a part of the side of the archwire  26  that faces the patient&#39;s teeth and thereby fix the position of the archwire attachment  30   a  along the archwire. 
         [0037]    A further alternative embodiment of the archwire attachment ( 30   b ) is shown in  FIG. 7  which is similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 6  with the following exceptions: the threaded bore  98  (identified in  FIG. 7  as  98   b ) has different threaded bore diameters on the sides of the slot  34   a,  and the set screw  94  (identified in  FIG. 7  as  94   b ) has two corresponding threaded mating diameters for threading with respective portions of the threaded bore  98   b.  The set screw  98   b  further includes a tapered conical midportion  102  such that as the set screw/shaft  98   b  is threaded into the smaller bored portion, this tapered midportion enters the slot  34   a  adjacent to but, e.g., not contacting the archwire  26 . However, as the set screw  94   b  is threaded further into the slot  34   a,  the diameter of the tapered midportion  102  becomes larger and commences to contact a larger and larger area of the archwire  26  thereby deforming the archwire into the inverse of the shape of the tapered conical midportion  102  for securing the archwire attachment  30   b  in place along the archwire. 
         [0038]    A further alternative embodiment of the archwire attachment ( 30   c ) is shown in  FIG. 8 , which is similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 5  with the following exception: the threaded bore  46   c  for mating with, e.g., a threaded screw/shaft  50  (for pivotally securing an eyelet  58  thereto), is provided on the same side of the attachment  30   c  as the threaded bore  42  is located. 
         [0039]    An additional embodiment of the archwire attachment ( 30   d ) is shown in  FIG. 9 , wherein instead of the set screw  94  and threaded bore  98  as in  FIG. 6 , the archwire attachment  30   d  has a solid pin  106  (having a head  107  and a shaft  108 ) which smoothly slides into a hole  110  which, e.g., drilled (and not tapped). Accordingly, to use the archwire attachment  30   d,  a clinician provides the archwire  26  into the slot  34   a  in the same manner as for  FIG. 6 , and then slides the pin  106  into the hole  110 . Subsequently, to secure the pin  106  within the hole  110 , an excess length  114  of the pin that protrudes out of the exit end  118  of the hole may be bent by the clinician sufficiently to prevent inadvertent dislodging from the hole. 
         [0040]    Instead of bending the pin  106  to secure it in the hole  110 , the excess length  114  thereof may be threaded (not shown) so that a bolt may be threaded thereon for securing the pin in the hole. Alternatively, the pin  106  may be replaced by wire formed as in  FIG. 10A  wherein a single length of wire  122  is formed in a manner to provide a head  126  (functionally corresponding to the head  107 ), and a shaft  130  (functionally corresponding to the shaft  108 ). Alternatively, the pin  106  may be replaced by bend rod  134  as in  FIG. 10B  wherein the bent rod portion  138  is formed to functionally correspond to the head  107 , and the remainder  142  of the rod is used to functionally correspond to the shaft  108 . 
         [0041]    In operation, a clinician may perform the following steps in utilizing the correction system  10 . 
         [0042]    Step  1 . 1 . Determine the type(s) of orthodontic abnormalities to treat with the correction system  10 . 
         [0043]    Step  1 . 2 . If the abnormality is a Class II malocclusion, then one of the correction assemblies  14  may be fixed (between maxillary and mandibular archwires  26 ) on each of the left and right sides of the patient&#39;s dentition so that the corresponding induced orthodontic forces, applied to each of the left and right side of the patient&#39;s jaw, are substantially the same for urging the patient&#39;s lower jaw and/or dentition to develop/move uniformly forward. 
         [0044]    Step  1 . 3 . If the abnormality is a Class III malocclusion, then one of the correction assemblies  14  may be fixed (between maxillary and mandibular archwires  26 ) on each of the left and right sides of the patient&#39;s dentition so that orthodontic forces applied to each of the left and right side of the patient&#39;s jaw are substantially the same for inducing the mandibular dentition to move uniformly backward and the upper dentition to move uniformly forward. 
         [0045]    Step  1 . 4 . If the abnormality is an asymmetry, then a plurality of the correction assemblies  14  may be used wherein at least two such assemblies induce forces that purposefully differ in magnitudes, and/or their directions along their respective axes  28 . In particular, for treating such an asymmetry, one or more correction assemblies  14  may be installed on each side of the patient&#39;s dentition, wherein the correction assemblies on one side of the patient&#39;s dentition are: (i) longer than those on the other side of the patient&#39;s dentition, and (ii) oriented at an angle more traverse to the axes of the patient&#39;s teeth. 
         [0046]    For attaching a correction assembly  14  to a patient&#39;s dentition, a clinician may perform the following steps. 
         [0047]    Step  2 . 1 . Determine a position for attaching the correction assembly  14  to each of the maxillary archwire  26  and the mandibular archwire  26 . 
         [0048]    Step  2 . 2 . Position an archwire attachment ( 30 ,  30   a - 30   d ) of the correction assembly  14  in its position on the maxillary archwire, and secure this archwire attachment with its corresponding screw, rod, or rod shaped wire as described herein. 
         [0049]    Step  2 . 3 . Position an archwire attachment ( 30 ,  30   a - 30   d ) of the correction assembly  14  in its position on the mandibular archwire, and secure this archwire attachment with its corresponding screw, rod, or rod shaped wire as described herein. 
         [0050]    Step  2 . 4 . Lengthen or shorten the alignment assembly  18  as needed to provide the desired orthodontic pressures on patient&#39;s dentition or jaw adjacent the positions where the archwire attachments of Steps  2 . 2  and  2 . 3 . In particular, depending on the embodiment of the alignment assembly  18  used, provide shims  70  on the shaft  62  ( FIG. 2 ), rotate the collar  74  ( FIG. 3 ), rotate one of the spacer  86  or the threaded shaft  62  ( FIG. 4 ), or tighten a set screw into a threaded hole in the sleeve  66  so that this set screw tightly contacts the shaft  62  within the sleeve. 
         [0051]    Step  2 . 5 . For the archwire attachment of Step  2 . 2 , provide the shaft of the screw/shaft  50  within the eyelet  58  of the correction assembly  14 , and then thread this screw/shaft into the threaded bore  46  or  46   c  of the archwire attachment wherein this eyelet is sandwiched between a side of the archwire attachment and the head  52  of the screw/shaft  50 . 
         [0052]    Step  2 . 6 . For the archwire attachment of Step  2 . 3 , provide the shaft of the screw/shaft  50  within the eyelet  58  of the correction assembly  14 , and then thread this screw/shaft into the threaded bore  46  or  46   c  of the archwire attachment wherein this eyelet is sandwiched between a side of the archwire attachment and the head  52  of the screw/shaft  50 . 
         [0053]    Thus, by affixing one or more of the correction assemblies  14  to previously installed archwires  26 , as described above, substantially guarantees movement of the patient&#39;s teeth and/or jaw alignment. Moreover, the forces induced by an alignment assembly  18  on the orthodontic brackets that secure one of the archwires  26  to the patient&#39;s teeth, are: 
         [0054]    (i) only indirectly transmitted to such brackets (via the one archwire  26 ), 
         [0055]    (ii) distributed over two or more brackets secured to the one archwire  26  wherein (an embodiment of) the archwire attachment (for the alignment assembly) is attached between these brackets, and 
         [0056]    (iii) somewhat cushioned by the flexing of the archwire  26 . 
         [0000]    Accordingly, due to at least (i) through (iii) above, there is a reduction in unintentional detachment (e.g., debonding) of the orthodontic brackets, and there is a reduction in such brackets slipping or misaligning from their prescribed positions on the patient&#39;s teeth. Moreover, since the orthodontic forces induced by one or more installed alignment assemblies are directly applied to the archwires  26 , to the upper and lower dentitions, the clinician can have greater control in the treatment of malocclusions and dental asymmetries since, e.g., these conditions, in general, effect the aggregate configuration of a patient&#39;s dentition, instead of, e.g., a localized misalignment of one or two teeth. 
         [0057]    It is further noted that orthodontic correction system  10  can be used for orthodontic micro-adjustments by changing, e.g., the position of the archwire attachment(s)  30  (or  30   a ,  30   b  or  30   c ) on one or more of the archwires  26 . In particular, based upon the fixation position of the archwire attachment(s) on an archwire(s)  26 , the clinician can change the amount of the forces applied. Moreover, the orthodontic correction system  10  can control individual tooth movement in some circumstances, e.g., distallization of maxillary second molars. Further, in some installations of one or more of the alignment assemblies  18 , the longer the length of such installed assemblies  18 , the better the orthodontic control and leverage over the patient&#39;s dentition and teeth. 
         [0058]    In still other embodiments, an orthodontic system is set forth where the piston assembly attaches to the maxillary archwire attachment via a screw upon which a corresponding one of the eyelet pivots and to which one of the mandibular piston assemblies attaches to a temporary anchorage device (TAD). In one embodiment, the TAD is affixed to bone and a mandibular hinge is thereafter affixed to the TAD. A ball hinge  50 , comprised of a spherical head  52 , shaft  51  and eyelet  58  is provided such that the eyelet  58  pivotally attaches to the alignment assembly  18 . Various embodiments include an orthodontic system that can solely distalize the maxillary dentition (molars) and at the same time create orthopedic mandibular changes due to the employment of a ball hinge/joint pivot. 
         [0059]    In certain embodiments, a ball hinge/joint is associated with a temporary anchorage device for pure orthopedic changes when attached to upper and lower jaws. When attached to the mandible and on the maxillary archwire, distallization forces on the maxillary molars is achievable. A temporary anchorage device in a preferred embodiment has a threaded adaptor so as to accept a ball hinge/pivot with a screw-on collar. Thus, the piston assembly  54  is attached to each jaw via a corresponding one of two eyelets  58  (as shown, for example, on  FIG. 5 ) which attaches to each terminal end of the piston assembly. Each eyelet  58  receives a corresponding ball hinge/joint screw/shaft (see, e.g.,  50 ) comprised of a spherical head  52 , shaft  51  and eyelet  58  such that the eyelet  58  pivotally attaches the alignment assembly  18  to a corresponding one of the TAD attachments. 
         [0060]    As shown in  FIG. 10 , in one embodiment of the invention, a temporary anchorage device (TAD) with a spherical head/ball joint attachment is provided. The anchorage device is inserted into the jaw bone with the threaded portion being of any suitable configuration, but in particular a conical one wherein the threaded portion  46  of the spherical headed  52  screw forms approximately 50% of the device. A shoulder flange is provided above the threaded portion, followed by a stem and then a rounded or curved ball portion  52  to facilitate rotational movement around such structure. 
         [0061]    With respect to  FIG. 14 , one embodiment is shown where an archwire slot  34  is illustrated adjacent to a threaded bore  42  and wherein the structure includes a keyhole slot  71  to accept a male piston assemblies&#39; spherical head  52 . The keyhole slot  71  is of a pressure fit design in a preferred embodiment, such that the male piston head  52  snaps into place creating a ball and socket joint. The spherical head  52  on the male piston assembly is further illustrated in  FIG. 14 . 
         [0062]    With respect to  FIG. 15 , a unique clip style eyelet attachment  58   a  increases the ease of attachment of the piston assembly  18  to the attachment screw  52 . The cliphead arms  75  open up, e.g., spread apart, to slip around shaft  51 , and then close around the shaft to securely attach the assembly to the screw/shaft  50 . 
         [0063]    As one of ordinary skill in the art will understand and be guided by through an understanding of the present disclosure, a ball and socket assembly is provided in various embodiments of the present invention to permit freer degrees of movement of anchored ends of the orthodontic system as set forth herein. 
         [0064]    The foregoing disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. Further, the above disclosure is not intended to limit the claimed invention(s) to the form disclosed herein. Consequently, variation and modification commiserate with the above teachings, within the skill and knowledge of the relevant art, are within the scope of the present disclosure. The embodiment described hereinabove is further intended to explain the best mode presently known of practicing the claimed invention(s) and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the claimed invention as such, or in other embodiments, and with the various modifications required by their particular application or uses of the claimed invention(s).