Abstract: This invention describes a thin, substantially clear removable expansion appliance used in the field of orthodontics and dentistry. The removable expansion appliance comprises a polymeric tray with tooth receiving cavities intended to receive a patient's dentition and an expansion mechanism attached to the tray capable of producing forces perpendicular to the patient's palatal suture. Preferably, the tray has at least two lingually positioned protrusions. Each protrusion comprises a hole intended to receive a prong located at the end of a leg of the expansion mechanism. Alternatively, the prongs of the expansion mechanism are bonded to the tray with acrylic. The expansion mechanism either produces the desired expansion forces by compression of a length of wire when the appliance is placed on the patient's dentition, or by utilizing a screw for rigidly expanding the patient's arch.

Abstract: This invention describes a thin, aesthetically improved polymeric removable bite-positioning appliance comprising two members. A first member is constructed for a patient's maxillary dental set and a second member is constructed for a patient's mandibular dental set. Both members have tooth-receiving surfaces comprising a plurality of tooth receiving cavities intended to receive the patient's teeth. Preferably, wedges descend past the occlusal plane of the maxillary appliance and are formed on both the patient's left and right hand side. Protrusions or wedges that do not extend past the occlusal plane of the mandibular appliance are formed on the patient's left and right hand side. The abutment of the wedges maintains the patient's lower jaw mesially in a more corrected bite position and prevents the patient from closing their mouth in the original, uncorrected bite position.