Contoured-body orthodontic expansion screw

Abstract

Disclosed is a palatal expander for widening a patient's upper jaw that includes portions that are anatomically contoured to the arched shape of a patient's palate. Specifically, the palatal expander includes expansion screws with movable bodies having anatomically contoured palatal surfaces that do not impinge palate tissue during jaw widening procedures. The expansion screws may further include features that allow for reduced hindrances to speech and eating during jaw widening procedures.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . An orthodontic expansion apparatus for widening the maxilla of a patient, the apparatus comprising:
 a spindle;   a left body coupled to the spindle, wherein the left body comprises a left palatal surface configured to face a palate of the patient, and wherein the left palatal surface is a substantially spherical convex surface; and   a right body coupled to the spindle, wherein the right body comprises a right palatal surface configured to face a palate of the patient, and wherein the right palatal surface is a substantially spherical convex surface;   wherein rotating the spindle causes the left body and the right body to translate in opposite directions along a longitudinal axis of the spindle between away from each other from an unspread configuration to a spread.