Abstract: The orthodontic bracket system includes a bracket having a base for attachment to a tooth surface, a stem above the base, tie wings extending from the stem for securing ligatures, and an archwire slot for receiving an archwire defined by the stem and tie wings. Distal and mesial side surfaces of the bracket base are perpendicular to the archwire slot to allow a rotational device to apply rotational force to a tooth perpendicular to the archwire with direct vector-line guidance. Occlusal and gingival edges of the bracket base between the tie wings are scooped-out or recessed to provide more space to receive a tool under an elastic ligature, and select corners of the tie wings are beveled enlarging space to facilitate entry of instruments for removing wire ligatures, to facilitate instrument access for removal and replacement of ligatures, while streamlining tooth rotation to make arch correction more efficient.

Abstract: The orthodontic bracket system includes a bracket having a base for attachment to a tooth surface, a stem above the base, tie wings extending from the stem for securing ligatures, and an archwire slot for receiving an archwire defined by the stem and tie wings. Distal and mesial side surfaces of the bracket base are perpendicular to the archwire slot to allow a rotational device to apply rotational force to a tooth perpendicular to the archwire with direct vector-line guidance. Occlusal and gingival edges of the bracket base between the tie wings are scooped-out or recessed to provide more space to receive a tool under an elastic ligature, and select corners of the tie wings are beveled enlarging space to facilitate entry of instruments for removing wire ligatures, to facilitate instrument access for removal and replacement of ligatures, while streamlining tooth rotation to make arch correction more efficient.

Abstract: A visible coding of components of an articulator apparatus that mount maxillary and mandible casts indicates the relative correspondence between post-treatment goals and the present locations of a person's teeth and jaws. From another aspect, the visible coding indicates at least a direction, and preferably, a direction and a distance, which a person's teeth and/or jaws must be moved to achieve the goals.

Abstract: A visible coding of components of an articulator apparatus that mount maxillary and mandible casts indicates the relative correspondence between post-treatment goals and the present locations of a person's teeth and jaws. From another aspect, the visible coding indicates at least a direction, and preferably, a direction and a distance, which a person's teeth and/or jaws must be moved to achieve the goals.

Abstract: A visible coding of components of an articulator apparatus that mount maxillary and mandible casts indicates the relative correspondence between post-treatment goals and the present locations of a person's teeth and jaws. From another aspect, the visible coding indicates at least a direction, and preferably, a direction and a distance, which a person's teeth and/or jaws must be moved to achieve the goals.

Abstract: A caddy is provided for either permanent or removable attachment to a dental articulator for retaining one or more bite registrations at or near the dental articulator.

Abstract: A dental impression article made of a dental imprint material is for use with a bite fork having one or more planar members, each planar member having one or more holes. The dental imprint article includes a pad of dental imprint material that may be molded when heated. The pad of dental imprint material is for engaging a surface of planar member of the bite fork and includes a stem of dental imprint material that engages the bite fork. The stem is received through a hole in the bite fork planar member, heat is applied, and the stem is deformed, spreading beyond the hole on another surface of the planar member. When the apparatus is cooled, the dental imprint article is retained on the bite fork for use.

Abstract: A characteristic of optimal facial harmony is a correlation of the A/P (Anterior/Posterior) position of the maxillary incisors with the forehead. When the forehead is canted about 7 degrees or less, the A/P position of the maxillary incisors should match that of the middle of the forehead. For every degree the forehead is canted more than 7 degrees, the A/P position of the maxillary incisors should be 0.6 millimeters more anterior than the middle of the forehead. The extent to which the A/P position of the maxillary incisors is forward or back of the forehead's midpoint can be judged in millimeters quite accurately by viewing a patient in profile with the patient's forehead and maxillary incisors fully bared. Once the linear decision is made then the A/P treatment goal position can be physically measured and recorded using a novel bite fork (58), an improved facebow (56), and a new piece of equipment called a verticalizer (60).

Abstract: A tooth crown marking device is comprised of markers at each end. The marker at one end is for marking a specified vertical landmark on the face of a tooth crown. The marker at the other end is for marking the horizontal center of a tooth crown. At that end, there is a pair of locating members adjustably mounted on either side of the horizontal marking arm in such a manner that the marking arm is maintained equidistant from the locating members. Pointers at the end of each locating member are adjusted to span the height of the crown. The horizontal center of a tooth crown is then marked by the marking arm which may be movably mounted on a support column along which the two locating members are mounted or mounted to the support column by a swivel arm.

Abstract: An improved orthodontic positioner provides a series of tiny suction devices on the tooth confronting walls of the positioner. These suction devices provide increased adherence of the positioner to the top, inner and outer tooth surfaces of the patient's teeth, and act to mechanically hold the teeth firmly together in their desired place within the positioner.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket assembly for bonding to the surface of a tooth is disclosed. The assembly includes a pad and an archwire bracket. A plurality of cavities are provided in the tooth abutting surface of the pad. The walls of the cavities are provided with an irregular surface texture to enhance the bonding between the tooth and the orthodontic bracket. In the preferred embodiment the bracket is cast. The external surface of the bracket is smoothed in a tumbling operation in which the particle size of the abrasive is chosen so that the cavity walls are not subjected to treatment but are left in their irregular, as-cast state. Also disclosed is a method for preparing the mold to produce the cavities in the tooth-abutting surface of the pad.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket assembly for bonding to the surface of a tooth is disclosed. The assembly includes a pad and an archwire bracket. A plurality of cavities are provided in the tooth abutting surface of the pad. The walls of the cavities are provided with an irregular surface texture to enhance the bonding between the tooth and the orthodontic bracket. In the preferred embodiment the bracket is cast. The external surface of the bracket is smoothed in a tumbling operation in which the particle size of the abrasive is chosen so that the cavity walls are not subjected to treatment but are left in their irregular, as-cast state. Also disclosed is a method for preparing the mold to produce the cavities in the tooth-abutting surface of the pad.

Abstract: An orthodontic rotation spring, geometrically shaped as a "U" or an "S", that terminates at one end in a tube for the passage and retention of a tie wire, and at the other end with a curved surface. The entire spring is dimensioned for compression between an arch wire attached to an orthodontic bracket and a tooth band. A force vector results which acts to rotate the tooth about its axis.

Abstract: An improved orthodontic face bow which facilitates the making of a secondary orthodontic correction in addition to the primary correction provided by a conventional face bow is disclosed. An armature projects vertically from the arch member of the face bow. The armature extends from a position proximate the exterior surface of the posterior teeth of one level, usually the upper teeth, to a position proximate the exterior surface of the posterior teeth of the other, usually lower level. An engaging surface is provided at the distal end of the armature. A tension member such as a rubber band is used to interconnect the engaging surface of the armature and the anterior teeth of said other level. The tension member provides a rearwardly directed force on the anterior teeth at the level of the engaging means to induce an orthodontic correction on the anterior teeth of said other level.

Abstract: An orthodontic arch wire having a generally U-shaped configuration including a pair of legs that are generally symmetrical about a mid-point of the arch wire. Each of the legs is composed of a plurality of circular segments of varying radius wherein the point of transition between contiguous segments lies on a common line tangential to both segments.

Abstract: A safety face bow having inner and outer wires, the outer wires adapted for coupling to a head cap and/or a neck pad and the inner wires adapted for terminating in an orthodontic buccal tube in which a blunt extension beyond the end of the inner wire is added for the prevention of impalement by the ends of the inner wire if the face bow assembly is pulled out of the patient's mouth. In one embodiment, the outer wire is also removably attached to the inner wire with the additional blunt edge forming a latch for retention of the inner wire should the outer wire be pulled while being worn within the patient's mouth.

Abstract: A spring-stressed orthodontic bracket in which the bracket consists of two complementary jaw members which define an archwire groove when brought together in slidable relationship on a base member. A spring-biasing wire extends around or through the periphery forcing them together. Suitable limit pins are utilized in conjunction with a base member for limiting the movement of each of the complementary jaw members. The spring wire can also supply a rotational force against an archwire when installed.

Abstract: A reinforced orthodontic bracket constructed of a translucent plastic for direct application to a patient's tooth as by an adhesive where the translucent bracket itself has a metallic reinforcement imbedded therein for added structural strength for the prevention of a displacement of the bracket because of forces applied by an arch wire attached thereto.