Abstract: The invention provides a bracket having horizontally extending tabs that allow the arch wire to be ligated in either an active or passive manner using a ligation device such as an elastomeric band, metal ligature tie or the like. For an active ligation the ligation device is wrapped behind the tabs to press the arch wire into the bracket groove, and for a passive ligation the ligation device is wrapped in front of the behind two tabs that are diagonally oriented across the bracket groove, without pressing the arch wire into the bracket groove, or pressing the arch wire into the groove with a reduced force compared to the active ligation.

Abstract: A variable extension spring with two anchoring ends. Each anchoring end connected to an anchoring mechanism having engagement mechanisms. Engagement mechanisms may be eyelets. Engagement of the engagement mechanisms to intraoral features at different engagement positions allows variability in the extension length of the spring. Such variability allows the user to adjust the force exerted by the spring on the intraoral features. As intraoral features move overtime due to the force exerted by the spring, the extension length of the spring may change. Adjustment of the spring extension length is accomplished by engaging a different engagement mechanism to provide an engagement position that will extend the spring the desired length. The user is able to reduce inventory by being able to use the same spring several times to provide a desired range of forces for adjusting orthodontia.

Abstract: A preadjusted orthodontic bracket system for applying torque force to a selected tooth. The system comprises an archwire of substantially rectangular cross-section having first and second side dimensions and a bracket configured to be attached to the selected tooth and including a substantially rectangular slot which edgewise receives the archwire, the slot having a predetermined width and being formed in the bracket at a built-in torque angle. The smaller of the first and second side dimensions of the archwire is less than full-size for the width of the bracket slot and the built-in torque angle of the slot is greater than a full expression of a target torque angle recommended for the tooth by a selected one of the Roth, Andrews, Alexander, Hilgers, Bench, Ricketts, Cetlin and other known preadjusted orthodontic techniques.

Abstract: A torqued archwire for use in an edgewise orthodontic bracket system. The archwire is substantially rectangular in cross-section, is made of titanium-based alloy and has a plurality of segments, including an anterior segment which is sized to cooperate with brackets attached to a person's central and lateral teeth. Torque is built into this anterior segment, being maximized at the centerpoint and adjacent the central teeth brackets and then decreasing continuously along the remaining length of the segment. Extending from the respective ends of the anterior segment are a pair of transition segments, in which the torque built into the archwire diminishes to zero. The lengths of the transition segments are such that these "zero" points occur, in use, between the corresponding adjacent lateral and cuspid brackets. Posterior segments of the archwire, which extend distally from the transition segments, generally include no built-in torque.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket system includes a plurality of rectangular wires having a plurality of different sizes and a plurality of brackets. The plurality of brackets include an upper bicuspid bracket, an upper cuspid bracket, an upper lateral bracket, an upper central bracket, a lower bicuspid bracket, a lower cuspid bracket, and a lower anterior bracket. Each of the plurality of brackets includes a 0.020 inch width slot aligned at a selected torque angle for receiving the rectangular wire therein. The upper central bracket applies any actual torque force to an upper central tooth in a range of actual torque forces from about 0.degree. to about +10.degree.. The upper lateral bracket applies any actual torque force to an upper lateral tooth in a range of actual torque forces from about 0.degree. to about +6.degree.. The upper cuspid bracket applies any actual torque force to an upper cuspid tooth in a range of actual torque forces from about 4.degree. to about +4.degree..