Abstract: An orthodontic bracket is provided for correcting teeth alignment. The orthodontic bracket allows for not relying on how an operator is skilled in ligation and also for minimizing the friction. The orthodontic bracket includes a slot having an opening into which an orthodontic wire can be inserted, and a shutter that can slide to block or unblock the opening. The orthodontic wire is placed in the slot by causing the shutter to slide and unblock the opening, inserting the wire through the opening, and causing the shutter to slide and block the opening. The orthodontic wire will not disengage from the slot, whereby rotation control, tipping control, and torque control may be reliably performed. Further, it is not necessary to perform ligation that causes the wire to be securely pressed against the bottom of the slot. Since the ligation is not tight, the tooth in question can be smoothly shifted.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket is provided for correcting teeth alignment. The orthodontic bracket allows for not relying on how an operator is skilled in ligation and also for minimizing the friction. The orthodontic bracket includes a slot having an opening into which an orthodontic wire can be inserted, and a shutter that can slide to block or unblock the opening. The orthodontic wire is placed in the slot by causing the shutter to slide and unblock the opening, inserting the wire through the opening, and causing the shutter to slide and block the opening. The orthodontic wire will not disengage from the slot, whereby rotation control, tipping control, and torque control may be reliably performed. Further, it is not necessary to perform ligation that causes the wire to be securely pressed against the bottom of the slot. Since the ligation is not tight, the tooth in question can be smoothly shifted.

Abstract: When an orthodontic appliance is attached to the lingual side (back side) of teeth which is invisible from the outside, a large difference in level of the surface between adjacent teeth requires utilization of a wire bent in a complicated fashion. It has been found, however, that the difference in level between adjacent teeth is very small in a horizontal plane at a boundary between a crown and a root, thereby making it possible to draw a smooth envelope therealong. Based on this finding, with a view to placing a wire along such an envelope, a “lingual straight archwire” having a planar configuration comprising a simple curve and straight lines smoothly connected to ends of the curve and residing in a single horizontal plane and a bracket having a configuration suitable for the placement of the archwire are provided.