Patent ID: 7806686

Claim:
Apparatus for anchoring orthodontic appliances in the mouth, comprising anchor screws of different constructions for installation in the bone in different areas of the mouth to insure adequate bone contact and retention, each of the anchor screws having a threaded portion with a longitudinal axis and a washer portion of non-threaded construction at the outer end of the threaded portion, said washer portion being of sufficient width to engage the adjacent exterior bone surface when the threaded portion is installed in the bone to provide lateral support for the threaded portion, wherein said washer portion has a smooth inner surface that is concave and comprises an outer uniform and continuous sharp peripheral edge to facilitate cutting through the adjacent gum tissue and engagement with the underlying adjacent exterior bone surface when the threaded portion is installed in the bone, said peripheral edge lying in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said threaded portion wherein each of the anchor screws has a neck portion adjacent the outer end of the washer portion, the neck portion having a lateral bore extending therethrough so that a ligature can be extended through the lateral bore to prevent the anchor screw from falling in the mouth.