Patent ID: 8523564

Claim:
An orthodontic retainer system for use on teeth, comprising: a pair of retainer modules, said retainer modules separate from each other and movable with respect to one another, each said retainer module comprising: a cover member made of a biocompatible material and including an interproximal surface; a rare earth magnet disposed within said cover member and defining a substantially trapezoidal shape, said rare earth magnet comprising: a first interproximal surface, said first interproximal surface being substantially planar and having a generally semicircular shape; a second surface extending substantially perpendicularly from said first surface; a third surface extending between said first and second surfaces to form an acute angle with respect to each of said first and second surfaces; and a curved fourth surface extending between said first surface and said third surface, said curved fourth surface being curved around the entirety of the generally semicircular shape of said first interproximal surface, said first, second, third and fourth surfaces cooperating to define the substantially trapezoidal shape as viewed in a cross-section taken in a plane perpendicular to said first and second surfaces; wherein said system further comprises a delivery member including a strip of material disposed between said retainer modules, said retainer modules coupled to said strip by mutual magnetic attraction of said magnets.