Abstract: Provided are orthodontic appliances including a bonding base, a body extending outwardly from the base and an elongated slot extending along the body in a generally mesial-distal direction, and first and second protrusions disposed on the body on opposite sides of the slot. A clip is slidably engaged to the body and movable between open and closed positions. When operating the clip, the first protrusion extends into the clip to retain the clip to the body in an interference fit while the second protrusion extends into the clip when in its closed position. Optionally, the clip comprises at least one deflectable portion aligned along a reference plane extending over the slot, where the deflectable portion resiliently bends out of the reference plane to traverse the second protrusion as the clip moves between open and closed positions.

Abstract: The invention provides a tube to be used in orthodontics wherein said tube replaces the use of brackets in an orthodontic treatment. The orthodontic tube of the present invention is surrounded by a resin and this resin also serves as a bond agent to affix the tube to a patient's tooth. The orthodontic tube serves as a conduit for an archwire in order to impose upon each tooth only the force required to reset the position of the tooth to a desired configuration relative to the other teeth in the patient's mouth.

Abstract: A self-ligating bracket for orthodontic treatment, which includes a closed housing on the bracket body for a sliding lock, which prevents the sliding lock from slipping from the bracket body when unlocking, and a system for fixing the sliding lock on the bracket using a straight groove on the bracket body which enables the opening of the sliding lock without turning a specific key, or an arc-shaped groove on the bracket body, which enables the opening of the sliding lock by turning a specific key.

Abstract: The cheek pouch anchor, formed of a resilient filament, fits within a user's cheek pouch. The anchor dynamically spans a user's inter-occlusal space and lip opening as a user's jaws open and close. The anchor can be formed of inter-connected, conversely-adjustable loops to enable user adjustment of its span. It can stabilize a work piece, such as an airway, in a user's mouth. The cheek path airway fits a path between a user's lips and through the user's cheek pouch and rear-jaw gap, avoiding the user's bite. It provides supplemental air to a user's rear-mouth cavity independently of a user's nasal airways while a user's lips remain closed. It can be used in combination with mandibular jaw-control and tongue-control devices whereby the combination mitigates breathing restrictions in a user's nasal and throat airways. It can be manufactured in-line and folded by a user to fit the user's cheek pathway.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket includes a bracket body and a ligating member. The ligating member retains an archwire in an archwire slot and includes archwire control structure including projecting portions spaced apart in a mesial-distal direction with a recessed area therebetween. The recessed area and the projecting portions overlie the archwire slot. The recessed area may include a flat or a curved surface in a mesial-distal direction. The recessed area and projecting portions may define a radius of curvature that is less than the radius of curvature of the archwire seated in the slot. The archwire contacts one or both of the projecting portions resulting in a larger moment arm and better rotational control of the bracket with the force applied by the archwire.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an orthodontic appliance may include molding a plurality of green bodies in plurality of molds and coupling the green bodies so as to form an intermediate green body. The orthodontic appliance may be an orthodontic bracket body. The plurality of green bodies may be molded so as to be devoid of any undercut formations. Coupling the plurality of green bodies may form the intermediate green body to include at least one undercut formation. An orthodontic bracket may include an undercut formation not capable of being formed in a single shot molding process and not formed through post-formation processes. The undercut formation may include a guiding track and/or a retaining recess configured to receive a portion of the ligating member. The ligating member may include a flexible ligating portion that overlies the archwire slot and a relatively rigid main body portion.

Abstract: A bracket system for orthodontic appliances including a bracket combinatorial library having a plurality of brackets each interchangeably fixedly mountable to each of a plurality of teeth within a dentition group in a dental arch, whereby the plurality of brackets can be configured to provide incremental variation in tipping force moments, in-out force moments, and torqueing force moments over the entire useful range of orthodontic mechanics, allowing an orthodontic practitioner to prescribe a combination of tipping force moments, in-out force moments, and torqueing force moments unique for each tooth in relation to the plurality of teeth of a patient.

Abstract: An orthodontic connector assembly 10 including a plurality of substantially identical connecting members, such as members 12, 14 which include a movable but biased portion 20 which is adapted to selectively and removably receive a pocket portion 44 which is deployed on at least one bracket, such as bracket 40. In an alternative embodiment, the members, such as member 12, 14 each include a ridge, such as ridge 212, which is selectively, removably, and frictionally placed within slot 236.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket is disclosed having three archwire retention channels in the mesial-distal directions, a central channel and two side channels. The two side channels each include a pair of spaced apart inverted archwire retaining regions having a recess that opens generally towards the bracket base. Each such recess is for grasping or holding an archwire therein. Other aspects are directed to a self ligating orthodontic bracket system that includes a rotatable member for securing an archwire within a slot of a bracket; embodiments that include an orthodontic appliance and method of producing and using the same, and preferably employed in a lingual orthodontic system, that includes friction reducing features between an interior of an archwire slot portion of the appliance and an archwire placed within the archwire slot.

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: An orthodontic bracket is described, and which includes a bracket base, which is releasably affixed to a patient's tooth; a bracket body borne on the bracket base, and which defines an arch wire slot, and wherein the arch wire slot has a selectively adjustable cross-sectional dimension; and an arch wire received within the arch wire slot and wherein the bracket body acting in combination with the arch wire is adjustable so as to provide a multiplicity of selective torque expressions, which act upon a patient's tooth.

Abstract: The orthodontic archwire bracket comprises a base body (10) having a base element (11) to be fixed to a tooth and a bracket body (20) having a socket element (25) surrounded by a perimetric wall (32) including two opposed slot portions (21a, 21b) forming a slot (21) to receive an archwire. The base and bracket bodies (10, 20) are connected by a ball and socket joint coupling. The perimetric wall (32) has a slit (33) providing a gap. A control element (60) mounted on the bracket body (20) is changeable between locking and unlocking positions to expand or constrict the bracket body (20) by increasing or reducing the gap. The ball and socket joint coupling is locked by friction when the control element (50) is in the locking position and the ball and socket joint coupling is unlocked enabling relative movement in three coordinate axes when the control element (50) is in the unlocking position.

Abstract: An orthodontic assembly includes a self-ligating attachment having a groove for receiving an orthodontic arch. An elastic clip can be reversibly moved between an open position and a closed position sealing the groove. A base including an external surface and an occlusal surface, said external surface of the base supporting the attachment and said occlusal surface of the base being intended to rest on one of the patient's teeth. The aforementioned clip can be moved in an at least partially rotational manner between the open position and the closed position. Moreover, the area of the above-mentioned base that supports the attachment comprises a depression at least partially in the form of a cup and the clip is inserted into the depression when in the closed position.

Abstract: A self-locking and positioning device for a dental brace, comprising: a brace main body, an elastic piece, and an upper cover. Wherein, on the brace main body is provided with a track and a fixing slot, while on the elastic piece is provided with a positioning piece and a slot. The positioning piece is provided with a barb, while the upper cover slides and fixes into the brace main body through the track. Then, the barb of the positioning piece on the elastic piece will act against a block portion on bottom of said upper cover, to restrict movement of the upper cover, to lock automatically the upper cover into position. The dental brace is simple in construction and easy to assemble, hereby raising production efficiency and yield.

Abstract: An orthodontic device (10) according to the invention having an orthodontic attachment (11) which includes an engaging portion (17) formed in a side portion of an archwire slot (16), and an orthodontic cap (13) mounted on the orthodontic attachment (11) while covering the whole of the archwire slot (16) and includes an engaging/receiving portion (22) extending in a direction perpendicular to a mesiodistal direction of the archwire (12) and engageable with the engaging portion (17). A method for mounting and removing an orthodontic cap which to facilitate the mounting and removing of the orthodontic cap with respect to the orthodontic attachment.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket for coupling an archwire with a tooth includes a bracket body configured to be mounted to the tooth and having an archwire slot adapted to receive the archwire therein. A rotatable closure member is movable relative to the bracket body between an opened position in which the archwire is insertable into the archwire slot, and at least one closed position in which the closure member retains the archwire in the archwire slot. The orthodontic bracket further includes a retention mechanism having a first element associated with the bracket body and a second element associated with the closure member, the first and second elements cooperating to rotatably secure the closure member to the bracket body and to provide at least one positive stop in the rotation of the closure member relative to the bracket body.

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: Orthodontic assemblies and related methods are provided where an adhesive coated orthodontic appliance is received in a container that includes a substrate and a lid having a retaining member. When the lid is closed, the retaining member is complemental to the shape of the appliance and engages with the appliance. By conforming to the shape of the appliance, the retaining member constrains the appliance from shifting in lateral and vertical directions within the container. When the lid is opened, the associated retaining member disengages from the appliance, thereby facilitating user access to the appliance.

Abstract: A self-ligating orthodontic bracket comprising a body and a locking shutter. A mesio-gingival reference plane is defined tangent to a lingual-most point of the archwire slot. The body further includes an occlusal-gingival opening that intersects the reference plane. The locking shutter includes a lingual end located in the opening at a closed lingual location when the locking shutter is in a closed position, and at an open lingual location when the locking shutter is in an open position. The locking shutter further includes a labial end located at a closed labial location when the locking shutter is in the closed position and at an open labial location when the locking shutter is in the open position. A first occlusal-gingival distance from the closed lingual location to the open lingual location is at least about 70% of a second occlusal-gingival distance from the closed labial location to the side surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an orthodontic accessory (1) having a fixing base (2), which has a support (3) with a slot (31) for an orthodontic wire (7), the slot (31) comprises a cover (4); and a clip (6) attached to the support (3), transversely to the slot (31).

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 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: A fixing device (1: 20) for orthodontic devices which includes a screw (2; 40) complete with an operating head (3; 42) with longitudinal slots (4; 45) for the insertion of orthodontic devices and a threaded shank (5) designed to be screwed inside the patient's oral cavity; apparatus for fixing orthodontic devices contained inside the operating head (3; 42). The fixing apparatus includes a shaped body (6) engaging inside a recess (7, 47) in the operating head (3; 42) and revolvable inside the recess (7; 47). The shaped body (6) has a through opening (8) for the insertion of the orthodontic device and opposing apparatus that anchor the orthodontic device to the operating head (3; 42) when the shaped body (6) is rotated inside the recess (7; 47) after the orthodontic device has been inserted in the through opening (8) and in the longitudinal slots (4; 45).

Abstract: A bracket is used in orthodontic treatment with a base fixed to the tooth with a constructive arrangement able to receive locks capable of providing infinite mechanical needs of orthodontic treatment, providing the efficient positioning of the traction wires in order to increase the versatility of the apparatus itself, resulting in an optimized and less painful treatment than the conventional brackets.

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: An orthodontic bracket is described and which includes a bracket base which is releasably affixed to a patient's tooth; a bracket body borne on the bracket base and which defines a transversely disposed arch wire slot; and an arch wire received within the arch wire slot, and wherein the orthodontic bracket, acting in combination with the arch wire, is adjustable while affixed to the patient's tooth, to provide a multiplicity of selective torque and/or rotation expressions which individually, forcibly act upon the patient's tooth.

Abstract: A self-ligating orthodontic bracket for captivating an archwire with a tooth. The bracket includes a bracket body mountable to a tooth and a self-ligating mechanism having an archwire slot and a ligating slide. The ligating slide is movable between an open position in which an archwire is insertable into the archwire slot and a closed position in which the archwire is retained in the archwire slot. The bracket body may be formed from a non-metallic material, such as a polymer, a filled polymer composite, or a ceramic, and the self-ligating mechanism may be formed from a metal. The bracket may include a resilient engagement member with a detent positioned to engage an aperture or throughhole extending through the ligating slide when the ligating slide is in the closed position.

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: 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: Disclosed is a bracket including a base plate on which two retaining wings are formed running parallel to one another and defining an intermediate space in which a wire arch may be held. The intermediate space has a trapezoidal structure such that the wire arch is always pushed upward under the elasticity of the bracket by the inclined retaining wings toward the retaining surfaces, such that the wire arch is held in the intermediate space in an aligned fashion without play. The cross sectional shape of the wire arch is selected such that no surface contact occurs in the intermediate space.

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: A self-ligating orthodontic bracket comprising a body and a locking shutter. A mesio-gingival reference plane is defined tangent to a lingual-most point of the archwire slot. The body further includes an occlusal-gingival opening that intersects the reference plane. The locking shutter includes a lingual end located in the opening at a closed lingual location when the locking shutter is in a closed position, and at an open lingual location when the locking shutter is in an open position. The locking shutter further includes a labial end located at a closed labial location when the locking shutter is in the closed position and at an open labial location when the locking shutter is in the open position. A first occlusal-gingival distance from the closed lingual location to the open lingual location is at least about 70% of a second occlusal-gingival distance from the closed labial location to the side surface.

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 a 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: A surface coating method for an orthodontic corrective bracket is provided, in which each orthodontic bracket formed of ceramic is covered with a titanium coating layer having a predetermined thickness so as to be able to minimize a frictional force and to increase surface hardness and durability while a wire fitted into slots of the brackets applies orthodontic tension to teeth. Accordingly, when the teeth are corrected using the ceramic orthodontic brackets on whose surfaces the titanium coating layer having a predetermined thickness is formed, the frictional force can be minimized while the wire fitted into the slots of the brackets is applying the orthodontic tension to the teeth, and thus it is possible to realize a tooth movement path desired by an orthodontist and to shorten a treatment period.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing an attachment intended to form part of an orthodontic appliance and comprising a recess for receiving an orthodontic arch. During a first step, an attachment blank is produced, comprising an attachment portion of standardized configuration and dimensions and a base portion. During a second step, the base portion is shaped in order to provide the attachment with a customized configuration developed in accordance with the configuration of the tooth on which the attachment is to be placed and the desired position of the recess after the attachment has been secured to the tooth. Once it has been manufactured, the attachment has an attachment portion and a base. The invention also relates to the resulting attachment blank and attachment and to an orthodontic appliance including said attachment.

Abstract: An orthodontic brace system includes brackets having a diamond-shaped tie-wing configuration that defines two parallel, horizontal slots, each of which is adapted to receive an archwire. Each slot is angled with respect to the base of the bracket to produce a specific, maximum torque value, and generally, the maximum torque value of the gingival slot is less than the maximum torque value of the incisal slot. The brackets provide multiple force vectors in different directions simultaneously, which decreases the amount of time required for a patient to wear braces, reduces the number of costly and time consuming visits to an orthodontist, and reduces time and effort required of an orthodontist for installation and adjustment of the braces on a per visit basis. A self-ligating bracket with a sliding door is disclosed in another embodiment.

Abstract: A system and method for translating teeth along an arch wire which utilizes brackets with larger dimensions and with variable dimensions so that larger lever arms are possible thereby reducing the need for excessive pressure and reducing occasions of excessive tooth rotation which is incidental to tooth translation.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed, at least in part, to a self ligating orthodontic bracket system that includes a rotatable member for securing an archwire within a slot of a bracket. Embodiments of the orthodontic bracket system 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: 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 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: A self-ligating orthodontic bracket for captivating an archwire with a tooth. The bracket includes a bracket body mountable to a tooth and a self-ligating mechanism having an archwire slot and a ligating slide. The ligating slide is movable between an open position in which an archwire is insertable into the archwire slot and a closed position in which the archwire is retained in the archwire slot. The bracket body may be formed from a non-metallic material, such as a polymer, a filled polymer composite, or a ceramic, and the self-ligating mechanism may be formed from a metal. The bracket may include a resilient engagement member with a detent positioned to engage an aperture or throughhole extending through the ligating slide when the ligating slide is in the closed position.

Abstract: A set of orthodontic brackets is provided in combination with an archwire extending over an arc when fitted to the set of orthodontic brackets. The archwire has at least one radius of curvature over the length of its arc, and each one of said brackets in the set has an archwire slot. Each slot has at least one surface supporting the archwire which is contoured to have a radius of curvature that matches the radius of curvature along the arc of the archwire at that point. A round archwire is preferred and the archwire slots may be formed as tubular channels to provide better torque action for the archwire.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance including a shell aligner having a portion accommodating movement of a patient's bracketed teeth between a first position and the second position as elicited by force from an orthodontic braces appliance worn by the patient, related systems and methods.

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: The present invention discloses a universal lingual bracket system, comprising No. 1-7 universal lingual brackets connected in series by an arch wire. The universal lingual bracket includes a base plate and a bracket body portion that are integrated as a whole. A mesh bottom is arranged on the base plate and the mesh bottom is integrally molded with the base plate. The mesh bottom, the base plate and the bracket body portion are integrally molded. In addition, the mesh bottom is in the structure of an interlaced woven wire mesh, so that the universal lingual brackets have strong capability to be against the teeth surfaces and they are unlikely to come off. Even if they come off, they will not damage the mesh bottom. The mesh bottom can be used again once it is treated by sandblasting. The universal lingual bracket system provided by the invention has the advantages that it can be securely and easily installed and has high durability; therefore it is applicable to various universal lingual appliances.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket is disclosed having three archwire retention channels in the mesial-distal directions, a central channel and two side channels. The two side channels each include a pair of spaced apart inverted archwire retaining regions having a recess that opens generally towards the bracket base. Each such recess is for grasping or holding an archwire therein. Each of the side channels has an archwire retaining ridge extending gingivally-occlusally along the adjacent side of the bracket base between the two retaining regions of the channel. For each channel, its retaining ridge exerts a force on a portion of an archwire facing away from the archwire portion residing in the recesses of the retaining regions of the channel. The force on the archwire is directed toward the interiors of the recesses of the retaining regions for assisting in seating the archwire in the recesses.

Abstract: A bracket body 3 is fixed to a base part 2, and a clip 4 is mounted on the bracket body 3 so as to move. An archwire slot 5 is provided on an upper face of the bracket body 3. A guide groove 9 for guiding a lower extended part 42 of the clip 4 is formed on a lower face of the bracket body 3, and provided at a position below the archwire slot 5. In a state where the slot is closed, an end 45 of the lower extended part 42 does not pass through the bracket body 3 up to a side face at an opposite side to a curved part of the bracket body 3. It is possible to provide an orthodontic bracket which has a lower height and has less possibility that a clip may be detached.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket for coupling an archwire with a tooth includes a bracket body having an archwire slot for receiving the archwire and a movable member engaged with the bracket body and movable between opened and closed positions. The movable member includes a leading edge having a non-uniform pushing element configured to guide the archwire into the archwire slot as the movable member is closed. An associated method includes providing a movable member for an orthodontic bracket and providing a non-uniform pushing element on a leading edge thereof. The pushing element may include a chamfer formed along the leading edge of the movable member.

Abstract: The cheek pocket anchor, formed of a resilient filament, fits within a user's cheek pouch. The anchor dynamically spans a user's inter-occlusal space and lip opening as a user's jaws open and close. The anchor can be formed of inter-connected, adjustable loops to enable user adjustment of its whole span. It can stabilize a work piece, such as an airway, in a user's mouth. The cheek path airway fits a path between a user's lips and through the user's cheek pouch and rear-jaw gap, avoiding the user's bite. It provides supplemental air to a user's rear-mouth cavity independently of a user's nasal airways while a user's lips remain closed. It can be used in combination with mandibular jaw-control and tongue-control devices whereby the combination mitigates breathing restrictions in a user's nasal and throat airways. It can be manufactured in-line and folded by a user to fit the user's cheek pathway.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a locking orthodontic bracket that contains a mechanism that rotationally locks an orthodontic archwire fully or partially within the bracket archwire slot. The orthodontic bracket has a body containing a slot to receive an orthodontic archwire, wings for tying ligature wires, a base that is attachable to an orthodontic band or directly to a tooth surface and a central recess in the front surface of the body that contains the rotating clip device. The rotating clip device is rotated to enclose an orthodontic archwire within the slot.