Abstract: Orthodontic appliances in accordance with the present invention are formed from amorphous alloys having a supercooling liquid region. The appliances have high corrosion resistance, high durability and high strength. The appliances are particularly useful when changes and adjustments in the orthodontic state become necessary in the course of orthodontic treatment. The present invention also provides improvements in the base surfaces of orthodontic appliances adapted to be bonded to tooth surfaces. The appliances can consequently be securely affixed to tooth surfaces.

Abstract: Orthodontic appliances formed of a titanium alloy which substantially avoids toxic or allergic reactions in patients containing a .beta.-stabilizing element including at least 12 wt % molybdenum to produce a stable .beta.-monophase at body temperature are disclosed. The yield strength of the titanium alloy is within the range 1150 to 1450 MPa. The tensile strength of the titanium alloy is within the range 1350 to 1950 MPa. The elongation of the titanium alloy is within the range 10 to 14%. The titanium alloy may also contain about 5 wt % zirconium as another .beta.-stabilizing element. It may also contain about 3 wt % aluminum to improve age hardenability by strengthening the .alpha.-phase.

Abstract: Orthodontic appliances in accordance with the present invention are formed from amorphous alloys having a supercooling liquid region. The appliances have high corrosion resistance, high durability and high strength. The appliances are particularly useful when changes and adjustments in the orthodontic state become necessary in the course of orthodontic treatment. The present invention also provides improvements in the base surfaces of orthodontic appliances adapted to be bonded to tooth surfaces. The appliances can consequently be securely affixed to tooth surfaces.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket is provided including a plastic bracket main member (1) having a wire slot (2) and tie-wings (3). A reinforcing member (11) having a retention groove (14) is embedded in the bracket main member (1) such that the wire slot (2) is reinforced by the retention groove (14) of reinforcing member (11). An orthodontic arch wire used in orthodontic treatment is retained by the retention groove (14) of the reinforcing member (11). The reinforcing member (11) also includes a groove (16) delineating a vertical slot for receiving auxiliary apparatuses such as uprighting springs and rotation springs such that orthodontic treatment requiring such apparatuses can be suitably performed using plastic brackets.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket is provided including a plastic bracket body and a metal reinforcement member partly embedded in the bracket body. The bracket body includes a slot extending substantially along a mesial-distal axis of the bracket body for receiving an arch wire. The reinforcement member includes a holding notch having a width that is smaller than that of the slot of the bracket body. The holding notch is positioned inside the slot and spaced-apart from the slot surfaces to form an arch wire holding mechanism for engaging the arch wire and to substantially avoid contact between the arch wire and the surfaces of the slot. The bracket body may further include removable markings on the lingual and/or labial surfaces to facilitate positioning of the bracket.

Abstract: A bracket container is provided for storing a plurality of orthodontic brackets having bases coated with a light curable adhesive. The container includes a housing and a tray slidably mounted in the housing. The tray includes an upper surface having a plurality of recesses, each for receiving one of the brackets. The tray is movable between a closed position in which the housing covers the recesses in the tray and an open position in which at least some of the recesses are not covered by the housing. The housing comprises substantially opaque material to limit exposure of the brackets to light when the tray is in the closed position. A method of bonding orthodontic brackets to a patient's teeth is also provided. In accordance with the method, a set of orthodontic brackets suitable for bonding on the patient's teeth is first selected. Then, a light curable cement is applied on a rear bonding surface of the base of each bracket to prepare the bracket for bonding at a predetermined later time.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket is provided including a plastic bracket body and a metal reinforcement member partly embedded in the bracket body. The bracket body includes a slot extending substantially along a mesial-distal axis of the bracket body for receiving an arch wire. The reinforcement member includes a holding notch having a width that is smaller than that of the slot of the bracket body. The holding notch is positioned inside the slot and spaced-apart from the slot surfaces to form an arch wire holding mechanism for engaging the arch wire and to substantially avoid contact between the arch wire and the surfaces of the slot.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket is provided including a plastic bracket body and a metal reinforcement member partly embedded in the bracket body. The bracket body includes a slot extending substantially along a mesial-distal axis of the bracket body for receiving an arch wire. The reinforcement member includes a holding notch having a width that is smaller than that of the slot of the bracket body. The holding notch is positioned inside the slot and spaced-apart from the slot surfaces to form an arch wire holding mechanism for engaging the arch wire and to substantially avoid contact between the arch wire and the surfaces of the slot.

Abstract: An orthodontic coil spring assembly is provided for installment on orthodontic brackets bonded on a patient's teeth for applying interarch tension. The coil spring assembly includes a coil spring and two attachment plates. Each of the attachment plates includes a first end connected with one of the ends of the coil spring, and an opposite second end connectable with an orthodontic bracket. The distance between the first and second ends of each plate is about 6 mm. Each plate also includes a narrowed neck portion between the first and second ends to facilitate deformation of the plate during installation on the brackets. An expandable sheath may be provided for covering the coil spring to inhibit pinching of the patient's cheeks by the coil spring.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance has a tooth-abutting surface oriented at an acute angle relative to the base of an arch-wire slot. A lip bumper tube of the appliance is reverse offset relative to the base of the arch-wire slot to obtain more accurate manipulation of the force and torque vectors applied to the tooth. The angle of the base also reduces occlusal interference by gingivally inclining the lip bumper. Wedge-shaped occlusal tie wings further reduce occlusal interference. An auxiliary hook of the appliance is shaped so that its extension in the buccal direction is less than that of the lip bumper tube to reduce patient irritation and discomfort.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket is provided for use with an arch wire. The bracket includes a bracket main member having upper, middle and lower portions. The middle portion includes a slot formed therein for receiving the arch wire. Wings are formed on the upper and lower portions of the bracket main member for enabling a ligature to be tied therewith to secure the arch wire in place in the slot. Engaging portions are formed on the wings for enabling the ligature to be held in a tied state on the wings such that the ligature avoids pressured contact with the arch wire, thereby allowing the bracket to move smoothly along the arch wire during orthodontic treatment requiring such movement.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance having a pair of bases supported by guides so as to be capable of opening and closing. A memory alloy coil spring having superelastic properties is mounted between the pair of bases. The appliance is constructed so that the spring pressure of the superelastic memory alloy coil spring transmits to the tooth or the jaw bone as orthodontic force by means of the opening and closing of the pair of bases.

Abstract: A method of imparting a particular shape to a wire made of a shape memory alloy, such as a Ni-Ti alloy, which includes the steps of bending the wire inside a tubular body into the particular shape; heating the wire within the tubular body to a temperature sufficient to cause the wire to retain the particular shape; and removing the wire from the tubular body. The tubular body is made of a deformable metal, such as stainless steel or nickel-chrome alloy tubing, and includes a slit therethrough extending in its axial direction. The slit is provided to facilitate bending the tubular body and removing the wire from the tubular body.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance has a bracket portion with an archwire slot formed therein. The archwire slot extends in the mesial-distal direction of the appliance and is dimensioned to receive an archwire. The orthodontic appliance has at least one pair of tie-wings. Each tie-wing projects outwardly from the bracket portion on an opposite side of the archwire slot with respect to the other tie-wing. One pair of opposing shoulders are located on the mesial end of the bracket portion, and another pair of opposing shoulders are located on the distal end of the bracket portion. Each shoulder is located on an opposite side of the archwire slot relative to the other shoulder of the pair. Each shoulder is adapted to support a ligature thereon, and is dimensioned and located with respect to the archwire slot, so that the ligature is spaced above an archwire received therein. The orthodontic appliance is therefore permitted to move relative to the archwire during orthodontic treatment.

Abstract: A continuous-length orthodontic coil spring is made from a shape-memory alloy wire wound into a coil. The coil defines a plurality of open coil sections defining spaces between the turns thereof, and closed coil sections formed between the open coil sections. The closed coil sections are tightly wound with insubstantial spacing between the turns thereof. The coil spring is made of a Ni-Ti alloy wire, and is heat treated to impart a predetermined range of spring force within a superelastic zone of deflection. The continuous-length coil spring is cut through the closed coil sections to form several shorter-length coil springs therefrom. The closed coil sections on either end of the shorter-length coil springs are thus adapted to engage the orthodontic brackets mounted to a patient's teeth, to accurately impart the force of the spring to the brackets.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance has a base portion having formed on one side thereof a tooth-abutting surface and a bracket portion defining an archwire slot therein. Two tie-wings project outwardly from the bracket portion and extend along one side of the archwire slot. Two hooked tie-wings extend along the other side of the archwire slot and project outwardly therefrom. Each hooked tie-wing defines on an interior side thereof a hook-shaped surface. The hook-shaped surfaces are provided for mounting auxiliary force transmitting members thereto.

Abstract: An orthodontic shape-memory alloy archwire for ligating to orthodontic appliances is heat treated, so that different sections of the archwire each exhibit a predetermined modulus of elasticity, and therefore impart a predetermined range of force when deflected. The distal ends of the archwire are further heat treated, or are treated with a dopant, to exhibit substantially diminished superelastic properties in comparison to the other sections of the archwire. The distal ends can therefore be deformed into shapes when ligated to orthodontic appliances to secure them to the appliances, and thus prevent them from slipping therethrough.

Abstract: A ceramic orthodontic apparatus for attachment to a tooth has a base portion with a tooth abutting surface. The tooth abutting surface is shaped to fit generally the morphology of a tooth and defines a plurality of spaced, radially contoured indentations for receiving adhesive material for attaching the apparatus to a tooth.

Abstract: An orthodontic apparatus for attachment to a tooth has a base portion, a base plate attached to the base portion and a plurality of layers of mesh material superimposed on the outer surface of the base plate and attached thereto. The apparatus is attachable to the surface of a tooth by applying an adhesive material to the plurality of layers of mesh material and bonding the mesh material directly to the surface of the tooth.