Abstract: An orthodontic absorbing retractor and methods for retracting regions of a mouth of a patient with the orthodontic absorbing retractor. The orthodontic absorbing retractor includes a braided cotton roll having a cylindrical shape, and has a central axis, a first end and a second end. The orthodontic absorbing retractor further includes a shape retention wire coaxially located within the braided cotton roll between the first end and the second end. The orthodontic absorbing retractor further includes a flexible hydrophobic plastic thread wrapped around an exterior of the braided cotton roll from the first end to the second end. The flexible hydrophobic plastic thread prevents sticking of the orthodontic absorbing retractor to an interior surface of the mouth.

Abstract: Orthodontic braces comprising rotatable versatile brackets are provided. Each rotatable bracket has two different slot sizes, and rotation of the whole bracket before its bonding to the tooth brings one or the other of the slot sizes into horizontal alignment so that different archwires corresponding to the selected size can be accommodated.