Patent ID: 7351058

Claim:
An improved arch bar having a splint portion for shielding ligature wires for protecting the soft tissue of the mouth from the ligature wires consisting of: an upper arch bar and a lower arch bar being made of malleable material; said upper arch bar and said lower arch bar each formed into an arcuate shape having a convex side and a concave side; said upper arch bar and said lower arch bar each having a splint portion and a retainer portion; each said retainer portion disposed approximately normal to said splint portion on said convex side; each said splint portion having a teeth engageable surface on said concave side; a series of apertures through each said splint portion and each said retainer portion; each said aperture shaped as a window with four side walls with a side wall between adjacent apertures forming a post; each said splint portion and each said retainer portion terminating in a smooth continuous surface for engaging the inside of the mouth; wherein the arch bar is adapted to be secured to an individual by placing said splint portion against the teeth and wrapping ligature wires around at least two teeth, at least one post and passing through adjacent windows; said splint portion of said upper arch bar adapted to be attached to the upper teeth; said splint portion of said lower arch bar adapted to be attached to the lower teeth; said apertures of each of said upper retainer portion and said lower retainer portion in approximate registry; said apertures in each said retainer portion separated by posts; said improved arch bar further includes ligature wires that are threaded through one of each of said apertures in said upper retainer portion and said lower retainer portion and secured around one of each of the respective posts; and wherein said ligature wires are wrapped around adjacent posts for securement of said upper arch bar to said lower arch bar.