Abstract: An orthodontic bracket (20) is taught configured in such a manner that an archwire (48) may be snapped into place retaining the bracket labially on a patients tooth. The bracket has a base plate (22) with a pair of inwardly facing upstanding integral angular legs (46) formed within the base plate transverse to its mesial-distal axis. The legs project the full width of the base plate flush with its sides and are spaced apart essentially the narrowest width of a conventional archwire. The top angular legs have a gap (50) therebetween to allow the archwire to enter. Together with the base plate and the inside surface of the legs, a cavity (52) is formed, dimensioned to receive and retain the archwire. The cavity bottom (56) is parallel with the labial-buccal surface (24) of the base plate and either the legs or the cavity include one or more indentations to assure a proper snap-in effect.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket (20) is taught configured in such a manner that an archwire (48) may be snapped into place retaining the bracket labially on a patients tooth. The bracket has a base plate (22) with a pair of inwardly facing upstanding integral angular legs (46) formed within the base plate transverse to its mesial-distal axis. The legs project the full width of the base plate flush with its sides and are spaced apart essentially the narrowest width of a conventional archwire. The top angular legs have a gap (50) therebetween to allow the archwire to enter. Together with the base plate and the inside surface of the legs, a cavity (52) is formed, dimensioned to receive and retain the archwire. The cavity bottom (56) is parallel with the labial-buccal surface (24) of the base plate and either the legs or the cavity include one or more indentations to assure a proper snap-in effect.

Abstract: An orthodontic retainer which has an upper portion and a lower portion, with the upper defining an upper labial arch filament (20) positioned around anterior surfaces of a patient's teeth attached on each end to a pair of upper clasps (22). The clasps surround upper midregion teeth and are embedded into an upper lingual resilient thermoplastic bridge (32) that include a U-shaped posterior bridge integral with a palatal bridge leaving an open area (38) therebetween. The lower portion of the retainer utilizes a similar filament (40) and clasps (42) with the lower bridge (44) in horseshoe shape. The combined rigid clasps and resilient thermoplastic memory characteristics of the filament and bridges maintain a patient's tooth location and attitude. A second and third embodiment add resilient wire (46) at appropriate locations within the thermoplastic bridges (32) and (44) magnifying the memory characteristics of the retainer.

Abstract: A removable orthodontic appliance which has a labial arch wire (20), continuous with a patient's anterior teeth surfaces, that is connected to a pair of clasps (32) seated over several midregion teeth. A pair of structural braces, either molded wings (36) or connecting sections (50), attach the clasps to a lingual arch wire (38) that is made of memory metal to optimize the force of the arch shape on the connected teeth. A bridge, formed by a radial loop (42), is connected between the braces and exerts persistent linear force to the teeth in the opposite direction of deformation. The loop is also preferably made of memory metal and has a constant tendency to return to its original shape, thus controllably effecting the desired tooth relocation. Another embodiment utilizes a number of radial arcs (56) between the molded wings that are placed angularly to not only move the teeth laterally, but retain an angular relationship with the roots of the teeth relative to the patient's basal bone structure.

Abstract: An oral appliance for tongue thrust correction includes a pair of thin wire filament loops pivotally coupled together for limited pivotal movement about an axis. One loop forms a palatal portion and the other loop forms a lingual portion which includes a bridge for spanning the dorsum of the tongue. A spring urges the bridge away from the palatal portion and against the dorsum whereby contact with the dorsum encourages the tongue to a position through the palate and lingual portions and to properly seat on the rugae for maintaining proper proprioceptive sense. The bridge includes means for dispensing a stimulant for increasing the swallowing frequency. The corrective habit established by use of the appliance inhibits snoring and brings about improvement in malocclusion, TMJ and related disorders. An embodiment of the appliance includes a pair of thin flexible filaments which couple the palatal and lingual portions together.

Abstract: An oral appliance for correcting tongue thrust or facial oral muscular dysfunction includes palatal and lingual portions arranged to encourage the tongue to contact the rugae for maintaining proper proprioceptive feel. The appliance may include a receptacle for dispensing a stimulant for increasing swallowing frequency.

Abstract: A removable orthodontic appliance is firmly seated on the teeth on each side at a midregion by clasps which provide a base for a label filament serving as a reference arch, and curved lingual spring filament which urges the teeth against the reference. The lingual filament provides a gentle but constant force over a substantial distance to cause repositioning of selected teeth without the need for frequent readjustments. The mountings for the filaments comprise open loops having filament receiving sleeves at each end by means of which the positions and angles of the filaments may be adjusted but the filaments may be coupled in solely by mechanical means. The lingual filament may comprise a memory alloy having a temperature transition below normal body temperature so that it may initially follow the irregular profile of the teeth and continue to exert pressure over a substantial distance as the teeth are repositioned.