Arch bars for use in maxillofacial surgery and orthodontics

Abstract

A dental arch bar system includes upper and lower dental arch bars having movable transverse arms and ligature connectors. Fasteners secure the transverse arms to a subject's maxilla and mandible. Ligatures are secured around upper and lower ligature connectors to achieve intermaxillary fixation. A method is also disclosed for using the arch bar system to achieve intermaxillary fixation by securing the arch bars against opposing dental arches with ligature connectors of the upper and lower arch bar generally aligned. In some embodiments, a single dental arch bar is utilized and one or more ligature connectors (such as screws) are fixed directly in the bone of the opposite jaw. Ligatures then are secured to arch bar ligature connectors and the opposing ligature connectors.

1 . A dental arch bar, comprising:
 a longitudinally extending member capable of conforming to a dental arch of a subject, the longitudinally extending member comprising a plurality of fastener openings and a plurality of ligature connectors, the fastener openings and ligature connectors being spaced apart from one another along a main axis of the longitudinally extending member,   wherein one or more fastener openings are configured to receive a fastener for securing the dental arch bar to a maxilla at a location between adjacent roots of the maxillary teeth or to a mandible at a location between adjacent roots of the mandibular teeth.   
     
     
         2 . The dental arch bar of  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinally extending member comprises at least four fastener openings. 
     
     
         3 . The dental arch bar of  claim 1 , wherein the ligature connectors comprise a plurality of hook members. 
     
     
         4 . The dental arch bar of  claim 1 , wherein the ligature connectors comprise a plurality of projections, and each projection comprises an aperture extending through a portion of the projection and sized to receive a ligature. 
     
     
         5 . The dental arch bar of  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinally extending member has a front surface and an inner surface, the longitudinally extending member further comprising one or more spacer members extending from the inner surface of the longitudinally extending member. 
     
     
         6 . The dental arch bar of  claim 5 , wherein the one or more spacer members extend from the inner surface at or adjacent to one or more fastener openings, the spacer members being configured to space the inner surface of the longitudinally extending member from mucosal tissue when the longitudinally extending member is secured to the maxilla or the mandible.