Importance

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Abstract

An orthodontic appliance corrects a habit of inserting a habit instrument, such as a thumb, within a mouth. A wire frame of the appliance has two distal ends which are doubled over and each received within a respective lingual sheath carried on a maxillary molar. Two first portions of the wire member extend anteriorly from each distal end, and each has a U-shaped loop for adjusting the position of the appliance within the mouth. Two second portions each extend anteriorly from a respective first portion, and curve downwardly through a gap formed by an overjet condition between the upper and lower incisors. A guard portion is coupled to the two curved portions and has two circular loops formed within the wire member. The two circular loops are located anteriorly with respect to the lower incisors and posteriorly with respect to the labial vestibule when the mouth is closed, and deter the insertion of a thumb (or other habit instrument) upon opening and subsequent closure of the mouth.

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First Claim