Abstract: A direct-bonded fixed lingual orthodontic appliance system is provided which comprises a plurality of metal or plastic attachments which are designed to be cemented directly to the lingual surfaces of the teeth of a patient, of either the mandibular or maxillary arches, and an arch wire intercoupling the attachments extending around the lingual side of the teeth. The surface of the base of each of the attachments contacting the corresponding tooth is particularly configured so as to have intimate contact with the tooth. The attachments are shaped to provide maximum inter-bracket space, especially for the mandibular anterior teeth, so as to facilitate the insertion and securement of the arch wire. The wider the interbracket space the more expression of the arch wire can be achieved resulting in gentler pressures being applied at longer force moments. The thickness of each bracket combined with base thickness is designed to reduce the requirement for in-and-out bends in the arch wire.

Abstract: A tool in the form of specially constructed pliers for removing orthodontic brackets and tubes which have been adhesively bonded to the lingual surfaces of the anterior and/or posterior teeth for orthodontic treatment. The tool is equipped with a catch having a tip which fits under the edge of the bracket or tube to be removed, and a head which engages the top of the tooth on which the bracket or tube is bonded, and handles are provided respectively connected to the head and tip and which are pivotally coupled to a bracket to turn about respective spaced pivot axes, so that when the handles are squeezed together against a spring-bias the bonded bracket or tube is removed from the lingual surface of the tooth without any tendency to torque the tooth during the process.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket having a transverse slot for receiving a conventional orthodontic arch wire, and which is constructed so that a resilient tie ligature used to retain the arch wire in place in the slot is supported on the bracket in a doubled-over configuration. This permits the arch wire to be more firmly and positively held in the transverse slot of the bracket, and it permits a reduction in size of the bracket because it eliminates the need for the gingival portion of the peripheral groove around the bracket which is used in the prior art brackets to retain the ligature.

Abstract: A tool in the form of specially constructed pliers for removing orthodontic appliances which have been adhesively bonded to the lingual surfaces of the anterior and/or posterior teeth for orthodontic treatment. The tool is equipped with a spring-loaded pivoted catch having a tip which fits under the edge of the appliance to be removed, and a head having a depending post which is inserted between the base of the appliance and the surface of the tooth to which the appliance is bonded, and handles are provided respectively connected to the head and tip and which are pivotally coupled to a bracket to turn about respective spaced pivot axes, so that when the handles are squeezed together against a spring-bias the bonded appliance is stripped from the lingual surface of the tooth without any tendency to torque the tooth during the process.

Abstract: A plastic shield for preventing irritation to the inner tissue of the cheeks and lips of a patient when a labial orthodontic appliance is in place, and which prevents irritation to the tongue of a patient when a lingual appliance is in place. The shield of the appliance covering the orthodontic attachments to provide a smooth outer surface.

Abstract: A gnathologic orthodontic positioner which is split to provide an upper section for the maxillary arch and a separate lower section for the mandibular arch, the two sections being held together by elongated resilient members, such as elastics and/or by magnetic force. The upper and lower sections are attached to the teeth by mechanical clasps which may be assisted by suction cups.

Abstract: An orthodontic arch wire retaining elastic annular ligature and process is provided, the ligature being composed of thermo-plastic material which is initially heated to a softened condition, stretched, and allowed to cool while it is maintained in its stretched state. Heat is applied to the ligature after it has been attached to an orthodontic appliance on a tooth, which causes the ligature to shrink and firmly hold the arch wire in place.

Abstract: An orthodontic retainer is provided for maintaining a patient's teeth properly positioned after the teeth have been aligned by orthodontic treatment. The retainer consists of a first metallic member in the form of an arcuate band formed, for example, of silver-chromium alloy, which is configured to conform with the lingual surface of the teeth of the patient's arch, and which is cemented to the lingual side of the arch, this member serving to retain the teeth in their proper positions which were achieved through previous orthodontic treatment. The retainer also includes a transparent plastic member in the form of a second arcuate band formed, for example, of acrylic, which extends around the labial side of the arch and which conforms with the labial surfaces of the teeth. The transparent plastic member is removable, and it is held in place by elastics or other ligatures which are fitted on posts on the ends of the plastic member and on corresponding posts on the ends of the metallic member.

Abstract: A direct-bonded fixed lingual orthodontic appliance system for the mandibular arch is provided which comprises a plurality of metal or plastic attachments which are designed to be cemented directly to the lingual surfaces of the mandibular teeth, and an arch wire intercoupling the attachments extending aroumd the lingual side of the teeth. The surface of the base of each of the attachments contacting the corresponding tooth is particularly configured so as to have intimate contact with the tooth. The attachments are shaped to minimize trauma, and to provide for an arch wire configuration which does not require in-and-out bends, as the arch wire is inserted into the attachments. The attachments are also constructed to incorporate built-in angulation corrective properties for the corresponding teeth.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance is provided which applies a vibrational force to the tooth to be moved, rather than a continuous force as is the case with the usual prior art devices. The invention is predicated on the concept that when vibrational forces are applied to the tooth, there is little or no hyalinization and consequently more cellular activity giving rise to more oesteoclasts for bone resorption and more oesteoblasts for bone apposition. Moreover, the vibrational effect of the tooth on the adjacent periodontal membrane and bone tends to loosen their fibrous structure, and helps the tooth to find a path of least resistance through the bone. In the assembly of the present invention, the vibrational effect is produced by a radio and speaker mounted on an orthodontic appliance, or directly on the tooth, in response to radio waves transmitted by an adjacent radio transmitter.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance for treating the maxillary molars, and which includes a cervical extra oral headgear, is provided. The appliance applies a pulsating force to the molars being treated, rather than a continuous force as is the case with the prior art devices. The invention is predicated on the concept that the pulsational effect of the tooth on the adjacent periodontal membrane and bone tends to loosen their fibrous structure, and helps the tooth to find the path of least resistance through the bone. The pulsating force in the appliance of the present invention is provided by a resilient elastic pad which is mounted on the oclusal surface of one of the maxillary molars, and which forces a liquid into a reservoir mounted on the headgear so as to produce an intermittent pulsation in the pressure delivered by the headgear to the molars being treated.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance is provided which consists of a tooth positioner mouth piece which contains impressions of the upper and lower teeth of a patient in corrected positions, and an electric motor mounted on the extra oral bow of a usual orthodontic headgear, and mechanically coupled to the mouth piece for introducing vibrations into the mouth piece. In a second embodiment, the mouth piece is pulsed by an electrically energized hydraulic pump.

Abstract: A direct-bonded fixed lingual orthodontic appliance is provided which comprises a plurality of metal or plastic brackets and tubes, which are designed to be cemented directly to the lingual surfaces of the teeth of the maxillary arch, and an arch wire extending around the lingual side of the arch intercoupling the brackets and tubes. The brackets are made with smooth angles and low profile to prevent irritation to the tongue, and to assure that the action of the tongue will not be impeded in any way. The base of each bracket is shaped to adapt it to the normal lingual surface of the corresponding tooth so as to provide good retention. An edgewise transverse slot is provided in each bracket with the proper bucco-lingual depth, mesio-distal tips and occlusal root torques to provide an appliance which accepts a smooth curved arch wire with the only in-and-out bend requirement being between the bicuspids and first molars.

Abstract: An orthodontic instrument is provided to permit the application of arch wire retaining elastic annular ligatures to orthodontic brackets on the labial surface of the teeth of a patient. The instrument includes a disposable cartridge which is loaded with a stack of the annular elastic ligatures, and which serves as a dispenser member, a housing for receiving the cartridge, a spring-biased pusher member slidably mounted in the housing and engaging the rear ligature of the stack to push the stack toward the forward end of the cartridge, so that the forward ligature moves along an enlarged end portion of the cartridge, a plurality of push rods extending along the cartridge under the ligatures with the ends of the push rods engaging the forward ligature, and release means for moving the cartridge reciprocally with respect to the housing so that the forward ligature may be forced over the enlarged end of the cartridge by the push rods each time the instrument is operated.

Abstract: An orthodontic hand tool is provided for inserting elastic ligatures into arch wire support brackets and tubes which are positioned on the lingual side of a patient's teeth. The hand tool includes a tubular housing which has a U-shape, so that when the housing is inserted into the mouth of the patient, the end of the housing may be placed against the lingual surface of a patient's tooth.