Abstract: A self-ligating bracket system comprising a body, an archwire slot receivable for an archwire, and a locking mechanism, the locking mechanism configured to allow a ligating sliding member to move between an open position, such that an archwire may be inserted into and/or removed from the archwire slot, and a closed position, such that an archwire is retained within the archwire slot.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein useful to orthodontic appliances. In some embodiments, an orthodontic appliance comprises a main body assembly comprising a base on a first side of the main body assembly configured to be bonded to a patient's tooth, a cavity forming at least a first portion of an archwire slot, and a first mating mechanism, a body subassembly comprising a facial surface that opposes the base, an archwire covering configured to cover at least a portion of the cavity, and a second mating mechanism, wherein the second mating mechanism mates with the first mating mechanism to prevent disassembly of the orthodontic appliance and allow the body subassembly to move from a first position to a second position relative to the main body assembly, wherein when in the second position the archwire covering covers the at least a portion of the archwire slot.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an orthodontic gripping device having a body made of a superelastic metal alloy, cold worked titanium beta III, or solution heat treated and aged titanium beta III. The body has first and second, spaced apart arm portions connected to each other. Each arm portion includes a jaw portion having an inner, arch wire-gripping, surface. The inner gripping surfaces are disposed opposite one another in spaced relation with a station defined therebetween for receiving the arch wire. At least a portion of the station is sized smaller than the arch wire. The arm portions are resiliently deflectable outwardly away from each other to admit the arch wire into the station. Once seated in the station, the arch wire is tightly held by inner gripping surfaces so as to resist displacement of the gripping device relative to the arch wire.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bracket for correcting the position of a tooth, comprising a bracket base of a bracket body, which bracket base can be fastened to a tooth, and which bracket body has a slot, extending in the mesiodistal direction, and also a fourth slot portion that narrows by a predetermined amount (?) in a predetermined region, so as preferably to form a snug fit for an inserted archwire, wherein the fourth slot portion is designed running in the longitudinal direction substantially parallel to the bracket base.

Abstract: A method, executable by a processor, of generating an augmented tooth 3D digital model of a given tooth is disclosed. The method includes obtaining a preliminary tooth 3D digital model of the given tooth, and then generating the augmented tooth 3D digital model therefrom by obtaining data of a longitudinal axis of the given tooth, and data indicative of a tooth gingiva segmentation contour between the crown and root portions; determining for each root vertex, a respective new position relative to the longitudinal axis in which the respective new position is defined by a shift distance value and a shift direction vector; moving each of the root vertices to their respective new position by applying their respective shift distance values along their respective shift direction vector to generate the augmented tooth 3D digital model; and storing the augmented tooth 3D digital model for determining an orthodontic treatment for the subject.

Abstract: A self-ligating bracket for orthodontics, includes: a groove for receiving an archwire; a slide which can be displaced between a closed position in which it bridges the groove and an open position in which the groove is open; and a locking element which can hold the slide both in its closed position and in its open position. In the gingival and/or in the occlusal wall, a recess is open towards the slide in which the locking element is inserted which is directed against the slide. The locking element is displaceably guided in the recess and has elastically or elastomerically bendable tines which, when the slide is pushed over the convex end of the locking element, are displaced deeper into the recess, thereby being elastically or elastomerically bent and thereby building up a restoring force.

Abstract: Disclosed is an orthodontic bracket including a bracket body having a slot into which an orthodontic wire is inserted, a bracket cover mounted on the bracket body and configured to open and close the slot, and a ligating member provided in the bracket cover and configured to selectively block the slot so as to confine the orthodontic wire in the slot. The orthodontic bracket may precisely and consistently transmit force, for example, torque, of the orthodontic wire to a tooth, and minimize or prevent factors contributing to failure, such as deformation of or damage to the ligating member due to opening and closing of the slot.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a self-ligating orthodontic bracket assembly. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket assembly includes: a body block including a base, a pair of guide walls, and a stopper wall in an integrated manner; a ligating block configured to be slidably coupled to the sliding portion so that the archwire slidably inserted and seated into the seating groove is selectively ligated and released in a seated state, and provided with a fitting depression formed by recessing the bottom of the ligating block upward and a guide depression formed through upward recessing to form a step at a location away from one end of the fitting depression; and a ligating means including a temporary assembly protrusion and a complete assembly protrusion successively formed on the sliding portion, and a retainer configured to selectively ligate and release the archwire in cooperation with the temporary assembly protrusion and the complete assembly protrusion.

Abstract: An orthodontic self-ligating bracket for orthodontic treatment of maloccluded teeth is provided that includes a bracket body and a bracket door including a coplanar spring. The bracket body has a base that is contoured to attach to a surface of a tooth, a archwire slot on the top side of the bracket body extending in a mesiodistal direction and configured to releasably retain an archwire, and a bracket groove on the top side of the bracket body extending in an occlusogingival direction towards the archwire slot. The coplanar spring includes a spring body and one or more legs that deflect in direction generally coplanar with a plane of motion of the bracket door. The one or more legs interact with one or more depressions in the bracket body to move and retain the bracket door on the bracket body.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket is provided, comprising a bracket body configured to couple to an arch member and a first bracket footing disposed adjacent the bracket body. The first bracket footing has at least one major surface that is configured to mate with a receptacle formed from a bracket base, and extends beyond a plane formed by a major surface of the bracket body. In an embodiment, the base can be configured as a polymeric shell portion that is part of a removable dental appliance, wherein the polymeric shell portion can have one or more cavities shaped to receive one or more teeth.

Abstract: Systems and methods of repositioning teeth, using one or more appliances for installing on a patient's teeth are described. The appliance includes an arch shaped member; a plurality of spring members coupled to or provided on the arch shaped member; and a plurality of securing members for securing to a corresponding plurality of the patient's teeth on a one-to-one basis, the securing members being supported by the arch shaped member. The arch shaped member and the plurality of springs, together, comprise a two dimensional structure having a length dimension and a width dimension with varying widths along the length dimension, that is bent into a three dimensional structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an orthodontic gripping device having a body made of a superelastic metal alloy, cold worked titanium beta III, or solution heat treated and aged titanium beta III. The body has first and second, spaced apart arm portions connected to each other. Each arm portion includes a jaw portion having an inner, arch wire-gripping, surface. The inner gripping surfaces are disposed opposite one another in spaced relation with a station defined therebetween for receiving the arch wire. At least a portion of the station is sized smaller than the arch wire. The arm portions are resiliently deflectable outwardly away from each other to admit the arch wire into the station. Once seated in the station, the arch wire is tightly held by inner gripping surfaces so as to resist displacement of the gripping device relative to the arch wire.

Abstract: An orthodontic post and pin system for secure attachment of a dental appliance to an alignment wire, which also facilitates quick and easy removal and replacement. The system described herein uses a “twist-lock” dental post that is rotated onto, and counter-rotated off of, an alignment wire. The dental post includes structural elements to facilitate the twist-lock functionality, as well as structures for accepting a fastener to secure the alignment wire in place and inhibit unintentional or undesired dislodging.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket includes a bracket body with a recess on a top surface of the bracket body and an archwire slot adapted to receive an orthodontic wire. The orthodontic bracket also includes a ligating member with a projection on its bottom surface. The ligating member is movably connected to the bracket body for retaining the orthodontic wire in the archwire slot when the ligating member is moved from an open position to a closed position. The orthodontic bracket also includes a discrete spring positioned in the recess on the bracket body such that a force is required to move the ligating member from the open position to the closed position.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket may include a housing portion having a first channel extending from a first end to a second end through the housing portion. The first channel is configured to slidably receive an archwire therethrough. The bracket also include a body portion configured to be received within the housing portion. The housing portion is configured to rotatably mount to the body portion about a first axis and a second axis. The first axis may be in an apico-coronal direction of the tooth. The second axis may be in a buccopalatal direction of the tooth. The bracket further includes a base portion configured to attach to a surface of the tooth. The body portion is configured to slidably mount on the base portion along the apico-coronal direction of the tooth.

Abstract: A self-locking orthodontic bracket includes a bracket body having a first surface and an arch-wire slot disposed on the first surface, a sliding cover matched with the bracket body and comprising a second surface towards the first surface, and a deformable locking element configured for locking the sliding cover on the bracket body. A positioning groove is disposed on the second surface. The first surface includes a guiding surface, and the second surface is slidably engaged with the guiding surface. A sinking groove is disposed on the guiding surface, and a bottom surface of the sinking groove is further provided with a locking groove. A lower part of the locking element is fixed in the locking groove, and an upper part of the locking element extends into the positioning groove, such that the sliding cover is slidably locked on the bracket body.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket having a bracket body configured to be mounted to a tooth includes an archwire slot having a base surface defining a base plane and a slide engagement track defining a translation plane. The translation plane is angled with respect to the base plane. A ligating slide is engaged with the slide engagement track of the bracket body and movable along the slide engagement track and parallel to the translation plane between an opened position, in which an archwire is insertable into the archwire slot, and a closed position, in which the archwire is retained within the archwire slot. The translation plane is angled with respect to the base plane so as to prevent the ligating slide from contacting the gingiva surrounding the tooth when the ligating slide is moved to the opened position.

Abstract: A self-ligating bracket includes a bracket body and a spring clip. The bracket body includes a mesial channel, a distal channel, a center channel, and an arch wire slot. The spring clip includes a distal arm, mesial arm, and a center arm which are moveably within the mesial channel, distal channel, and center channel between an open position and a closed position to occlude the arch wire slot.

Abstract: A dental apparatus for achieving molar distalization, comprising a bracket for mounting on opposing molar teeth of a dental arch, and a dental arch wire. One end of the arch wire passes through one of a first bracket and the other end of the arch wire passes through the other of a second bracket. A worm gear adjustably fixes the position of each end of the arch wire within the bracket.

Abstract: A device for attaching dental surgical guides without surgical attachment to the patient's internal skeletal structures, including gingival tissues and/or bone. The device attaches to the front surface of the upper or lower teeth, and the dental surgical guides can then attach to the device.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket for coupling an archwire with a tooth includes a bracket body that has an archwire slot adapted to receive the archwire. A movable member is engaged with the bracket body and is movable between an opened position and a closed position. The bracket body and movable member are made from a transparent or translucent ceramic for improved aesthetics. The bracket body may include one or more stop surfaces that limit movement of the moveable member in the gingival direction. The bracket body may include a support surface that is positioned lingually of a labial edge of the archwire slot. The moveable member may include a bracket-engaging portion having a first surface confronting the bracket body and a slot-covering portion having a second surface confronting the archwire slot, the first and second surfaces being offset from one another.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket for coupling an archwire with a tooth includes a bracket body that has an archwire slot adapted to receive the archwire. A movable member is engaged with the bracket body and is movable between an opened position and a closed position. The bracket body and movable member are made from a transparent or translucent ceramic for improved aesthetics. The bracket body may include one or more stop surfaces that limit movement of the moveable member in the gingival direction. The bracket body may include a support surface that is positioned lingually of a labial edge of the archwire slot. The moveable member may include a bracket-engaging portion having a first surface confronting the bracket body and a slot-covering portion having a second surface confronting the archwire slot, the first and second surfaces being offset from one another.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed, at least in part, to a self ligating orthodontic bracket having a rotatable member for securing an archwire within a slot of the bracket. Embodiments of the orthodontic bracket disclosed herein include a bracket body containing the archwire slot as well as tie wings for attaching various orthodontic devices (e.g., elastomeric bands) to the bracket. The rotatable member is rotatable in a first direction (e.g., counter clockwise) relative to a body of the bracket for securing or locking the archwire within the slot, and for rotating in an opposite direction (e.g., a clockwise direction) relative to the bracket body for unsecuring or unlocking the archwire so that it is substantially unrestrained from exiting the slot.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a passive self-ligating bracket, comprising a bracket body, wherein the middle part of the bracket body is sunken downwards to form an archwire slot; a locking piece in slide fit with the bracket body is arranged above the archwire slot; at least one locking position is provided on one of the bracket body and the locking piece; a fixing mechanism for fixing the locking piece at the locking position is arranged on one of the bracket body and the locking piece; the fixing mechanism comprises an elastic element located on one of the bracket body and the locking piece; the elastic element is provided with a bulge capable of being received at the locking position; when the locking piece is in a locked state, the bulge on the elastic element is received at the locking position; and when the locking piece is in an unlocked state, the end part of the bulge on the elastic element is in close abutment with one of the bracket body and the locking piece, and forces the elastic element to s

Abstract: Orthodontic articles such as brackets and methods for the manufacture of brackets having configurations which maintain position or resist movement or displacement during the production of or in the use of bracket placement or transfer apparatuses having a shape that matches the configuration of at least part of the patient's dental arch for use in indirect bonding techniques.

Abstract: The present invention employs a self-ligating orthodontic bracket comprising a body having a pair of laterally spaced gingival tie wings and a pair of laterally spaced occlusal tie wings, the gingival and occlusal tie wings projecting from a labial surface of the body; an arch wire slot extending mesially-distally across the body and between the gingival and occlusal tie wings to accommodate an arch wire; a free-sliding, controlled-locking, or pivoting clip wherein the clip allows placement and removal of the arch wire when in the open position and prevents the displacement of the arch wire from the bracket member when in the closed position.

Abstract: The invention relates to an orthodontic bracket system, wherein an orthodontic wire is held in an open channel or slot which receives an orthodontic wire without means of any type of applied ligature or any type of moving cover. Disclosed is a static self-ligating orthodontic bracket system for coupling a pre-tensioned arch wire with a tooth, wherein the bracket comprises a bracket body configured to be mounted to a tooth, an arch wire slot configured for receiving a pre-tensioned arch wire therein, the arch wire slot configured with a at least one protruding stop or protuberance on an interior wall surface thereof, the stops spaced apart from one another, and a slot opening for receiving the arch wire into the arch wire slot, the opening having a width less than a diameter of the arch wire slot, wherein the arch wire is configured with a non-spherical cross-section.

Abstract: A method for producing a one-piece orthodontic jig and brackets employs a computer-aided design (CAD) system to create a model of a patient's dental anatomy. A set of orthodontic brackets and their desired positions are also designed in the CAD model. An orthodontic jig for temporarily positioning the brackets during the bonding process is then designed that includes features for registering the jig to selected teeth, together with connecting members that detachably connect the brackets to the jig and hold the brackets in their desired position on the patient's teeth during the bonding process. The orthodontic jig and brackets is fabricated as a single piece by computer-controlled manufacturing (e.g., 3D printing) based on the CAD model.

Abstract: A series of appliances including a first shell and a second shell can be designed to incrementally implement a treatment plan. The first and second shells can have cavities designed to receive teeth of a jaw. The first shell can be designed to interface with a first surface of a plurality of surfaces of an attachment structure to provide a first engagement force specific to a first stage of the treatment plan. The second shell can be designed to interface with a second surface of the plurality of surfaces of the attachment structure attached to the at least one tooth of the first jaw to provide a second engagement force specific to a second stage of the treatment plan.

Abstract: A self-ligating bracket include a bracket body with an arch wire slot. A mesial recess is located at a mesial side of the bracket body and extends into the bracket body from the arch wire slot. A distal recess is located at a distal side of the bracket body and extends into the bracket body from the arch wire slot. A central ridge defines a ridge surface separated from the lateral ledges respectively by mesial and distal walls. A clip includes a first arm and a second arm connected by a U-shaped portion. The first arm terminates in a mesial arm, a distal arm, and a middle arm. The clip is moveable between an open position in which the arch wire slot is accessible and a closed position in which the arch wire slot is occluded.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket for attaching an archwire to a tooth including a body including a bonding base for attachment to the tooth, the body having an occlusal-gingivally extending opening, a lingual vertical slot, a pair of laterally spaced gingival tie wings and a pair of laterally spaced occlusal tie wings, the gingival and occlusal tie wings projecting from a labial surface of the body. An archwire slot is provided extending mesiodistally across the body and between the gingival and occlusal tie wings at opposed medial and distal sides of the body to accommodate the archwire. A locking shutter including at least one resilient arm member at one end and a retaining portion at another end is provided such that the locking shutter moveable between an open position in which placement and removal of the archwire is facilitated and a closed position in which placement and removal of the archwire is inhibited.

Abstract: An orthodontic self-locking bracket includes a bracket body having an arch wire bracket slot and a bracket cover matched with the bracket body. Two sides of the arch wire bracket slot are provided with work wings. A bracket opening is arranged at the intersection of the arch wire bracket slot on the bracket body, and the bracket cover is inserted into the bracket opening and is in sliding fit with the bracket body. Left side of the arch wire bracket slot is provided with a pin shaft penetrating through the bracket opening, and the pin shaft is in clamping fit with the lower part of the bracket cover, so that the arch wire bracket slot can be closed and opened by the bracket cover. The bracket is locked and unlocked only by sliding rather than overturning the bracket cover. Complex operation for ligaturing a steel wire is eliminated.

Abstract: An orthodontic self-ligating bracket for orthodontic treatment of maloccluded teeth. The bracket includes a bracket body, a bracket door, and a spring mechanism retained by the bracket door. The bracket body has a base on the bottom side of the bracket body that is contoured to attach to a surface of a tooth, a bracket slot on the top side of the bracket body extending in a mesiodistal direction and configured to releasably retain an archwire, and a bracket groove on the top side of the bracket body extending in an occlusogingival direction towards the bracket slot. The spring mechanism includes one or more springs that are configured to contact the bracket door and the bracket body. The bracket door can thus be retained by and slidably engage the bracket body between an open position and a closed position. One or more additional active spring members may also be provided.

Abstract: Appliances and related methods use a resilient retention member that is retained in a recess within a body that is optionally made from a suitably translucent ceramic material. The retention member, optionally in combination with one or more side walls of the recess, provides two or more regions for accommodating a protrusion. The protrusion, in turn, is part of a sliding door which can be opened or closed depending on the equilibrium position of the protrusion with respect to the two or more regions. Based on the engagement between the protrusion and the retention member, these appliances can provide discrete opened and closed door positions to facilitate archwire ligation.

Abstract: A method for producing a one-piece orthodontic jig and attachments employs a computer-aided design (CAD) system to create a model of a patient's dental anatomy. A set of orthodontic attachments and their desired positions are also designed in the CAD model. An orthodontic jig for temporarily positioning the attachments during the bonding process is then designed that includes features for registering the jig to selected teeth, together with connecting members that detachably connect the attachments to the jig and hold the attachments in their desired position on the patient's teeth during the bonding process. The orthodontic jig and attachments is fabricated as a single piece by computer-controlled manufacturing (e.g., 3D printing) based on the CAD model.

Abstract: Provided is an orthodontic self-ligating bracket in which the second wing formed on the bracket body is formed to be lower than the height of the first wing, and when pushing the wire to the slot to mount the wire to the slot by installing the wire coupling device on the top surface of the second wing, while the plate tip is pushed rearward by the force for pushing the wire, the slop inlet is open, and when the wire is mounted on the slot and the pushing force disappears, the plate tip closes the slot inlet, thereby remarkably shortening the wire mounting time and allowing very convenient wire mounting.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket includes a bracket body, a slide member, and a resilient member. The slide member is slidable relative to the archwire slot. The resilient member is coupled to and is slidable with the slide member. The resilient member is configured to engage a first portion of the bracket body in the opened position and a second portion of the bracket body in the closed position. The second portion is different from the first portion. The resilient member imposes a biasing force on the slide member in the direction of movement toward the archwire slot when the slide member is in the closed position. The resilient member may be configured to impose a biasing force on the slide member in the direction away from the archwire slot when the slide member is at a position intermediate the opened and closed positions.

Abstract: Orthodontic bracket assemblies with torque-adjusting drums. The drum defines at least a majority of the archwire slot of the corresponding bracket assembly, and the drum may be selectively rotated about its longitudinal axis to adjust the prescriptive force that is applied to a patient's tooth during orthodontic use of the bracket assembly. The bracket assembly includes a positioning assembly that selectively retains the drum in a selected orientation relative to the base of the bracket assembly, thereby defining a prescription to be imparted by the bracket assembly to a patient's tooth. In some embodiments, the bracket assembly includes a biasing mechanism that selectively urges the positioning assembly to a position in which the drum is, or is not, retained in a selected position. In some embodiments, the bracket includes a release mechanism that selectively disengages the positioning assembly to permit adjustment of the drum.

Abstract: A self-ligating orthodontic bracket includes a bracket body, a slide member, and a resilient member. The slide member is movable relative to the bracket body between an opened position, a first ligating position, and a second ligating position. In the first ligating position and in the second ligating position, a surface of the slide member bounds the archwire slot on a side generally opposite to the base surface to retain the archwire. The resilient member is configured to engage the other of the slide member and the bracket body and has a deformed state for biasing the slide member toward the base surface in at least one of the first and second ligating positions. In the first and second ligating positions, the base surface of the archwire slot and the surface of the slide member are separated by different distances.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket is described and which includes a base member defining an archwire slot having an opening, and at least one projection extending outwardly from the base member; a ligating slide moveable between a first position which is clear of the archwire slot, and second position where the ligating slide projects over the opening of the archwire slot; and a biasing member borne by the ligating slide, and resiliently cooperating with the projection, and wherein the biasing member has a first portion which receives the projection when the ligating slide is in the first position, and a second portion which receives the projection when the ligating slide is in the second position.

Abstract: Self-ligating bracket for orthodontics has a base, an occlusal wall extending from the base and occlusal ligature wing, a gingival wall extending from the base and gingival ligature wing, a slot, which separates the occlusal wall and the gingival wall from one another and extends continuously in the direction from mesial to distal, and a slide, which is held in a guide provided in the occlusal wall and/or in the gingival wall. The guide can be shifted in the gingival-occlusal direction, between a closed position, in which the slide bridges the slot, and an open position, in which the slot is open in labial direction. A structure holds the slide in its closed position as well as in its open position.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket is described and which includes a base member defining an archwire slot having an opening, and at least one projection extending outwardly from the base member; a ligating slide moveable between a first position which is clear of the archwire slot, and second position where the ligating slide projects over the opening of the archwire slot; and a biasing member borne by the ligating slide, and resiliently cooperating with the projection, and wherein the biasing member has a first portion which receives the projection when the ligating slide is in the first position, and a second portion which receives the projection when the ligating slide is in the second position.

Abstract: Appliances and related methods use a resilient retention member that is retained in a recess within a body that is optionally made from a suitably translucent ceramic material. The retention member, optionally in combination with one or more side walls of the recess, provides two or more regions for accommodating a protrusion. The protrusion, in turn, is part of a sliding door which can be opened or closed depending on the equilibrium position of the protrusion with respect to the two or more regions. Based on the engagement between the protrusion and the retention member, these appliances can provide discrete opened and closed door positions to facilitate archwire ligation.

Abstract: Adjustable-prescription orthodontic bracket assemblies are disclosed herein. The orthodontic bracket assemblies include a bracket body, an arcuate core, and a retention structure. The bracket body defines an arcuate receptacle that extends toward a base of the bracket body from a top of the bracket body. The arcuate core is received within the arcuate receptacle and defines an archwire slot. The arcuate receptacle is shaped to retain the arcuate core therein and to permit rotation of the arcuate core therein. The retention structure is configured to selectively retain the arcuate core at a selected rotational orientation with the bracket body. The retention structure is configured to selectively transition between a disengaged configuration, in which the retention structure permits rotation of the arcuate core relative to the bracket body, and an engaged configuration, in which the retention structure retains the arcuate core at the selected rotational orientation.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket for coupling an archwire with a tooth includes a bracket body, a hinge pin, and a latch. The bracket body includes a first surface configured to be mounted to the tooth and an archwire slot in a second surface. The hinge pin includes a first shaft portion coupled with the bracket body. The latch is coupled to the bracket body by a second shaft portion of the hinge pin. The latch is movable between an opened position and a closed position. A cross-sectional profile of the first shaft portion and/or the second shaft portion of the hinge pin is configured to elastically deform to impart a spring bias to the latch that opposes movement of the latch relative to the bracket body.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance includes features for reducing friction between an interior of an archwire slot portion of the appliance and an archwire to be placed within the archwire slot. Other embodiments include a rounded exterior occlusal surface. Embodiments further include one or more receptacles for receiving an installation tool.

Abstract: An aesthetic, partially removable orthodontic appliance is described, including a polymeric body that conforms to the lingual soft tissue and at least one wire member extending from the polymeric body. Each wire member releasably engages with a respective anchor that is, in turn, connected to the lingual surface of a respective tooth when the polymeric body is moved in a generally gingival direction into abutting relationship with the lingual soft tissue. Other features of the appliance include self-guiding magnetic couplings and couplings based on interlocking mechanical structures that provide releasable engagement between the removable section and the anchors, as well as related methods for making and using the same.

Abstract: A self-ligating orthodontic bracket includes a bracket body, a slide member, and a resilient member. The slide member is movable relative to the bracket body between an opened position, a first ligating position, and a second ligating position. In the first ligating position and in the second ligating position, a surface of the slide member bounds the archwire slot on a side generally opposite to the base surface to retain the archwire. The resilient member is configured to engage the other of the slide member and the bracket body and has a deformed state for biasing the slide member toward the base surface in at least one of the first and second ligating positions. In the first and second ligating positions, the base surface of the archwire slot and the surface of the slide member are separated by different distances.

Abstract: An aesthetic ceramic material is combined with a resilient metal to obtain an aesthetic self-ligating appliance with an easily operable latch mechanism. The appliance uses a door assembly that includes a ceramic ligating cover coupled to a resilient clip pivotable about a hinge mechanism. The clip functions as a latch to reversibly secure the clip and ligating cover to the appliance and retain an archwire in an archwire slot, and is capable of providing active ligation whereby the clip elastically deflects while directly or indirectly providing a continuous force to the archwire. Advantageously, the clip has a configuration that allows an orthodontic practitioner to pivot open the door assembly with minimal force while preventing the inadvertent opening of the door assembly as a result of normal forces applied by the archwire against the door assembly during the course of treatment.

Abstract: An orthodontic assembly for moving selected teeth of a patient includes a hollow aligner shell that fits over a set of selected teeth. The aligner shell supports a series of tooth moving elements, such as magnets or metal engagement plates that are fixed in place in alignment with the selected teeth. Metal plates or magnets are affixed to the selected teeth and when the aligner shell is fitted over the teeth, the magnets in the shell exert attraction or repulsion forces on the metal plates to move the selected teeth in accordance with a treatment protocol.