Abstract: The present invention provides a tapered gear tooth apparatus and method. According to a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a generally annular internal gear having a plurality of internal gear teeth. The internal gear teeth define a generally tapered cross section. The apparatus further includes a generally annular external gear having a plurality of external gear teeth. The external gear teeth define a generally parallel cross section. The external gear teeth engage the internal gear teeth of the internal gear such that the external gear teeth are aligned with the internal gear teeth when a positive or negative input torque is applied.