Patent ID: 6908306

Claim:
An orthodontic apparatus for distalizing a first tooth of a dental arch, comprising: a force dissipating element configured to be located on a bony support of the dental arch; and at least one force generating element configured to be positioned intermediate the force dissipating element and the first tooth, wherein the at least one force generating element is configured to be positioned to apply a distalizing force on the first tooth in a direction substantially along a longitudinal axis of the dental arch and at a low level of the basal gingiva, and wherein the at least one force generating element is configured to prevent inadvertent disassembly thereof during installation, adjustment or conversion of the apparatus between an active and a passive state, and wherein the at least one force generating element includes an elongated guiding element along with a compression spring and a pair of spring stops slidably mounted thereon, the compression spring being captured between the spring stops.