Abstract: An orthodontic anchoring screw including a threaded shank, extending prevalently along a longitudinal axis, and a head provided with a seat extending substantially along a housing direction perpendicular to the axis and intended to house a metallic wire for imposing a correction action on a tooth. The head has engagement mechanism for holding the wire in the seat, which includes two shaped appendages, each with a shaped shank having a widened head fixed on top. The heads define between them a slit for inserting the wire, extending prevalently along a transversal direction, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and inclined with respect to the housing direction of the seat. The shanks and the heads define together the seat, communicating with the slit to receive the wire.

Abstract: Dental implant placement may be facilitated using a guide and/or placement system. The guide may allow an appropriate position for a dental implant to be determined. The placement system may position the guide in a patient.

Abstract: An orthodontic space-closing appliance has an anterior component that can be secured to the anterior part of one of the patient's dental arches; a posterior component that is slidably connected to the anterior component and that can be secured to teeth in the patient's dental arch distal to the teeth to which the anterior component is secured; and an urging member acting on the posterior and anterior components to urge those components towards one another. The posterior component has a support block that is adapted to act against the underside of an attachment fixed to the lingual surface of the tooth to which the posterior component is attached. The support block applies force to resist tipping of the tooth as the tooth is displaced anteriorly.

Abstract: A customized orthodontic bracket system is provided. The system can include a bracket having a customized bracket bonding pad for bonding the bracket to a tooth of a patient and a bracket slot adapted to receive a customized archwire. The customized archwire is adapted to be positioned in the bracket slot to form a precise bracket slot-archwire interface. The bracket slot and the archwire when positioned in the bracket slot can be positioned substantially adjacent the tooth surface to reduce induced vertical error when the tooth is in a finished position and substantially parallel to the directly adjacent portion of the tooth surface to reduce bracket thickness. The bracket slot can also be configured to have a bracket slot width substantially matching a dimension of a cross-section of the archwire to reduce torque rotation around an axis of the archwire when positioned therein to further enhance end-of-treatment tooth positioning and reduce overall treatment time.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention consists of a non-rigid, epigenetic-pneumopedic appliance comprising a wire-type framework supporting bow, bands, brackets or a clasp. The appliance includes active elements adapted to provide brief doses of cyclic forces to induce sutural osteogenesis. The active elements are vibrational, ultrasonic or oscillatory components. The epigenetic-pneumopedic appliance cooperates with an actuator or other expansion mechanism, such as suture spring, that straddles the midline of the appliance. The appliance further includes tooth-contacting material having high-elasticity, such as pre-formed alloys that form 3-D axial springs, which adapt to the long axis of the palatal/lingual surfaces of the teeth. The appliance also includes a plurality of micro-screws 2 along with driving means preferably consisting of either an electrical, ultrasonic (vibrational) meso-motor, or, alternatively, a micro-motor. The epigenetic-pneumopedic appliance may be used with directional bite props.

Abstract: A wire used in the medical field for guiding purposes, as well as in other fields, such as in the field of orthodontics for teeth aligning purposes. The wire, when prepared for use in such applications, exhibits an innovative blend of advantageous properties, including enhanced kink resistance over stainless steel wires and enhanced stiffness over Nitinol wires, which enhance its use as a medical guidewire or stylet, and further, as an arch wire in orthodontia applications.

Abstract: An orthodontic arch wire has a generally parabolic shape and includes a curved anterior segment and a pair of posterior segments connected to and extending from respective ends of the curved anterior segment. The curved anterior segment has a circular cross-section and does not have substantially the same flexural rigidity as the pair of posterior segments, at least one of which has a non-circular cross-section. The three pieces are joined together to form the generally parabolic shape.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an arch wire that is used during orthodontic treatment.

Abstract: A robotic bending apparatus for bending archwires and other types of elongate, bendable medical devices into a desired configuration includes a first gripping tool and a moveable gripping tool. The first gripping tool can be either fixed with respect to a base or table for the robot or positioned at the end of robot am. The moveable gripping tool is mounted to the end of a moveable robot arm having a proximal portion also mounted to the base. The robot preferably comprises a six axis bending robot, in which the distal end of the moveable arm can move relative to the fixed gripping tool about three translational axes and three rotational axes. The robot bending system is able to form archwires with any required second and third order bends quickly and with high precision.

Abstract: A reverse curve archwire includes a generally smoothly curved U-shaped metal wire having a curved central anterior segment including a mesial center line of the U-shaped metal wire and a pair of posterior segments extending from ends of the anterior segment. Each posterior segment has a reverse Curve of Spee of a predetermined radius when relaxed. A pair of connecting members is attached to the archwire, each connecting member being provided on a respective side of the mesial center line.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced composite is formed using a shrinkable die. A composite of fiber and resin is placed in the die and is compressed by shrinking the die to form a desired transverse cross-section. Optionally, the die is bent along its lengthwise extent to shape the composite in the die. After shrinking and optional shaping, the composite is cured to form the fiber reinforced composite.

Abstract: An orthodontic retraction arch (10) includes an arch section (12) and two distal spring sections (14). Distal ends of spring sections (14) have eyelets (16) for ligation to orthodontic implants (18). An orthodontic retraction spring (20) has first and second spring segments (22, 24) and structures to engage an archwire (a crimpable archwire slot 28) and an orthodontic implant 18 (an eyelet 26). Retraction arch (10) and retraction spring (20) may also include recumbant loops (15, 23).

Abstract: This invention provides orthodontic archwires with more than one colors, which can be prepared by subjecting the orthodontic archwires to an anodizing treatment.

Abstract: A method, an orthodontic system, and orthodontic assembly (10), and a corrector assembly (8) with a telescopable portion (19), an attachable portion (18), and an engaging portion (20). The attachable portion (18) is attached to the telescopable portion (19) and is configured for coupling to a corrective device (14). The engaging portion (20) is attached to the telescopable portion (19) and is configured for coupling to an orthodontic implant (44). The telescopable portion (19) may be configured for pivotally coupling to the engaging portion (20). The attachable portion (18) may be configured for coupling to a corrective device (14), such as by crimping. The engaging portion (20) may be configured for rotatably coupling to an orthodontic implant (44). A process for attaching the corrector assembly (8) is provided by the method. By having a telescopable portion (19), an attachable portion (18), and an engaging portion (20), multiple modes of adjustability and direction of movement are possible.

Abstract: A crimping machine includes a platform having a substantially flat upper working surface and a first crimping jaw fixed on the platform. An arm is slidably attached to the platform, the arm having a second crimping jaw provided thereon, the arm being slidable at least between a first, crimping position in which the first and second jaws are opposed and adjacent one another and spaced apart by a first distance sufficient to crimp a workpiece between the first and second jaws, and a second, open position in which the first and second jaws are opposed and spaced apart by a second distance, the second distance being greater than the first distance and sufficient to insert an uncrimped workpiece therebetween. A resilient biasing element is provided for biasing the second jaw towards the first jaw. An actuator is provided for forcing the arm into the first, crimping position.

Abstract: A removable dental appliance having a base adapted for locating inside of an arch of teeth of a wearer and an arch wire coupled to the base, wherein an outer surface of the base is contoured for contact with inner surfaces of the teeth, and wherein when in use the arch wire extends around an outer periphery of a set of the wearer's teeth such that no interconnection between the arch wire and the base exists intermediate the set of teeth. A removable dental appliance having a base adapted for locating inside of an arch of teeth of a wearer and an arch wire coupled to the base, wherein an outer surface of the base is contoured for contact with inner surfaces of a set of teeth on one side of the wearer's jaw, and wherein when in use the arch wire extends around an outer periphery of the set of teeth such that no interconnection between the arch wire and the base exists intermediate the set of teeth.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a kit for correcting dental malocclusions. The inventive kit consists of at least one pre-formed arch for nitinol orthodontics and at least two perforated silver spherules which when introduced into the arch and deformed remain fixed to the arch, serving as a stop element. The inventive method consists in: positioning the necessary elements; aligning the teeth with the application of the preformed nitinol dental arch, having stop elements abutting thereagainst; closing the spaces; performing a leveling step; and applying a pretorque and a torque.

Abstract: A robotic bending apparatus for bending archwires and other types of elongate, bendable medical devices into a desired configuration includes a first gripping tool and a moveable gripping tool. The first gripping tool can be either fixed with respect to a base or table for the robot or positioned at the end of robot am. The moveable gripping tool is mounted to the end of a moveable robot arm having a proximal portion also mounted to the base. The robot preferably comprises a six axis bending robot, in which the distal end of the moveable arm can move relative to the fixed gripping tool about three translational axes and three rotational axes. The gripping tools preferably incorporate force sensors which are used to determine overbends needed to get the desired final shape of the archwire. The robot may also include a resistive heating system in which current flows through the wire while the wire is held in a bent condition to heat the wire and thereby retain the bent shape of the wire.

Abstract: A metal orthodontic appliance with a polymer coating that becomes slippery when wetted, and a method of making the appliance which comprises cleaning and treating the metal surface of the appliance and coating the appliance with a hydrophilic polymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an orthodontic wire and a manufacturing method thereof, and more particularly, to an orthodontic wire, which is not harmful to the human body and is capable of continuously holding the color of teeth, and a manufacturing method of the orthodontic wire. According to the present invention, there is provided an orthodontic wire, comprising a metal wire formed of a shape memory alloy material; a silver (Ag) film applied to a surface of the metal wire; and a polymer compound film applied to a surface of the silver (Ag) film to prevent the silver (Ag) film from being discolored.

Abstract: An orthodontic arch wire having an oval or elliptical cross section. The orthodontic arch wire is configured such that the major axis of the orthodontic arch wire is orientated generally perpendicularly to the face of the tooth.

Abstract: An archwire is disclosed for use in an orthodontic appliance of the type that includes brackets attached to a surface of at least one tooth. The archwire includes an anterior portion for engaging at least one bracket of at least one anteriorly disposed tooth in a patient's mouth. The anterior portion includes a relatively larger cross sectional area, a first end portion and a second end portion. A first posterior portion is provided for engaging at least one bracket of at least one posteriorly disposed tooth in a patient's mouth. The first posterior portion includes a proximal end portion fixedly coupled to the first end portion of the anterior portion, and a second end. A second posterior portion is provided for engaging at least one bracket of at least one posteriorly disposed tooth in a patient's mouth. The second posterior portion includes a proximal end portion fixedly coupled to the second end portion of the anterior portion of the second end.

Abstract: An orthodontic device includes a bracket having a body and the body includes external surfaces. An archwire passageway is formed in the body. An aperture extends from one of the external surfaces of the body to the passageway. A pawl is attached to the body and includes stop and cam surfaces which extend into the aperture. An extendable archwire includes an adjustment portion having a locking surface and a loop-spring therein and the adjustment portion is inserted into and through the passageway. The pawl and the locking surface form a ratchet. The cam surface of the pawl interengages the extendable archwire as the extendable archwire is extended through the bracket under the application of force to the extendable archwire. The stop surface of the pawl interengages the locking surface of the adjustment portion of the extendable archwire preventing retraction of the extendable archwire upon discontinuation of the application of force.

Abstract: A brace for an orthodontic patient includes a polymeric arch member that is removably connected to a series of appliances that are affixed to the patient's teeth. The arch member is preferably made of an aesthetic polymeric material that transmits light and has shape memory properties. Optionally, a sequential set of arch members may be provided to move the teeth in incremental steps toward desired final positions.

Abstract: A robotic bending apparatus for bending archwires and other types of elongate, bendable medical devices into a desired configuration includes a first gripping tool and a moveable gripping tool. The first gripping tool can be either fixed with respect to a base or table for the robot or positioned at the end of robot am. The moveable gripping tool is mounted to the end of a moveable robot arm having a proximal portion also mounted to the base. The robot preferably comprises a six axis bending robot, in which the distal end of the moveable arm can move relative to the fixed gripping tool about three translational axes and three rotational axes. The gripping tools preferably incorporate force sensors which are used to determine overbends needed to get the desired final shape of the archwire. The robot may also include a resistive heating system in which current flows through the wire while the wire is held in a bent condition to heat the wire and thereby retain the bent shape of the wire.

Abstract: A length of tubular material of unitary construction is formed into the approximate shape of a human dental arch for use as an orthodontic arch wire. The tubular material is composed of a super-elastic nickel titanium alloy which may also have shape memory. The cross-sectional shape of the arch wire tube can be round, oval, square, or rectangular. The preferred thickness of the tube is preferably 20 percent of its outside diameter and the tube may be perforated to alter its performance.

Abstract: This invention takes advantages of color characteristics of medical devices for the cosmetic and indication purposes. For example, the appearances of the metallic brackets used in orthodontics are improved with colors other than the original metallic color by surface treatment using plasma techniques. For example, orthodontic brackets are made with piezochromic materials. When the archwire's torsion and bending forces are fading due to the movement of the teeth, the color of the pressure sensitive brackets will be changed, and the need of archwire's readjustment to have proper torsion and bending forces is signalized. For example, rehabilitation equipments are made with piezochromic materials. When the pressures exerting on the rehabilitation equipments are different, different colors of the equipments are displayed, and the therapists can then act accordingly.

Abstract: Anchor-based fixed retainers are generally discussed herein with particular discussions extended anchor-based fixed retainers for maintaining teeth alignment having a plurality of anchors each with a bore and adapted to directly bond to a tooth. Aspects of the present invention include utilizing a plurality of anchors along with a metal wire to form a fixed retainer with each anchor comprising a bore passing through a body and subjacent a top surface.

Abstract: A brace for an orthodontic patient includes a set of appliances fixed to the patient's teeth and an arch member connected to the appliances. The arch member has a series of notches presenting narrowed sections, and the narrowed sections are received in slots of corresponding appliances. As such, the sections of the arch member in regions between adjacent notches are not constrained by the shape of the slots of the appliances. Preferably, the arch member is comprised of an aesthetic polymeric material such as a stain-resistant transparent or translucent material.

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. Positive torque is built into this anterior segment, with substantially the same positive torque being used across the entire 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 is approximately zero. Posterior segments of the archwire, which extend distally from the transition segments, each have a negative built-in torque, with substantially the same negative torque being used across the entire lengths of these segments. For ease of reference by an orthodontist, the “active” anterior segment of the archwire is laser etched or colored with non-toxic ink.

Abstract: Systems for moving teeth of a patient's dental arch from a first tooth arrangement to a second tooth arrangement include a plurality of resilient appliances such as positioning trays or elongated arch members that are used in sequence. Each appliance of the systems includes a row of spaced apart couplings for connection to respective teeth of the dental arch. The appliances have certain geometric characteristics that match the geometric characteristics of other appliances of the system, and at least one appliance has a stiffness that is greater than the stiffness of at least one other appliance.

Abstract: The posterior segment 20 of the orthodontic archwire of the present invention has the connector 30 provided in advance on the free end 23 of a loop 22 formed by bending one end of the segment. The archwire 1 where the main wire portion 10 of the anterior segment 10 is connected to the main wire portion 21 of the posterior segment 20 on the same axial center can be obtained by inserting and securing the connection end 12 formed by bending each opposite end of the said anterior segment 10 into the said connector 30.

Abstract: An orthodontic arch wire has a generally parabolic shape. The arch wire includes a curved anterior segment and a pair of posterior segments connected to and extending from respective ends of the curved anterior segment. The curved anterior segment and the pair of posterior segments comprise three discrete pieces having substantially the same flexural rigidity. The three pieces are joined together to form the generally parabolic shape.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for arch wire receptacle (e.g., brackets, bands, headgear tubes, etc.) optimization includes processing that begins by obtaining a digital model of an orthodontic structure of an orthodontic patient. The processing then continues by retrieving a digital model of an initial arch wire receptacle that was selected from a plurality of digital models of arch wire receptacles. The processing then continues by digitally placing the digital model of the initial arch wire receptacle on a given tooth of the digital model of the orthodontic structure to provide a digital arch wire receptacle placement. The process then proceeds by retrieving a digital model of an arch wire. For the given tooth, the processing continues by digitally modeling a force system on the tooth based on the digital model of the initial arch wire receptacle, the digital arch wire receptacle placement, and the digital model of the arch wire.

Abstract: An orthodontic apparatus having a tube shaped attachment. A wire is threaded through the attachment, the wire having a shape whereby it can generate torsional forces on the attachment. The attachment may be secured to either a primary bracket which is secured to a tooth or to a primary wire. Either the primary arch wire can be used in conjunction with the attachment or a secondary wire can be used in addition to a primary wire. By way of this arrangement, forces can be generated along and around all three major axes.

Abstract: An orthodontic arch wire composed of stainless steel or other bendable alloy formed into an arc is provided with lines permanently etched, or otherwise permanently marked, across its long dimension, and/or outward-facing surfaces at intervals approximating the midpoint at which adjacent teeth contact each other when normally aligned. When the arch wire is removed from the patient's mouth for periodic adjustments, the etch marks provide accurate, stable, and permanent landmarks for placement of adjustment bends for three-dimensional movements of individual teeth. In order to accommodate a range of tooth and dental arch sizes, the arch wires are of small, medium, and large sizes for both upper and lower arch forms with the markings proportioned for small, medium, and large tooth sizes.

Abstract: The use of a prepreg containing at least one fiber and a matrix to be cured during application, for the production of a fiber-reinforced composite, for active orthodontic therapy. An active orthodontic appliance is disclosed which includes an arch wire in at least one part, directly contactable with teeth and including a fiber-reinforced composite containing at least one fiber and a matrix, the arch wire including a loop directly contactable with a tooth or teeth to be moved by the appliance. A process for manufacturing an active orthodontic appliance and to an active orthodontic method of treatment are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to selection of individual patient archwires by examining the patients inner arch rather than the patients teeth. In particular, a method of archwire selection comprises (a) obtaining a representation of a patient's inner arch curve (a “PIAC”); (b) selecting an archwire shape based at least partially on the PIAC representation; (c) making an initial selection of an archwire size based at least partially on the PIAC representation; (d) selecting a final archwire size after considering something other than the PIAC representation; and (e) selecting an archwire to be used based on the selected archwire shape and selected final archwire size. Using the PIAC rather than the occlusal or labial and buccal surfaces of the teeth for archwire shape selection promotes shaping the teeth to the shape of the jaw bone and gives consistent facial esthetics plus better retention of the treatment correction.

Abstract: A lingual archwire forming appliance for adapting a wire to the lingual surfaces of a patient's teeth during the construction of a bonded lingual archwire retainer. The appliance is composed of a handle attached to an arch-formed wire. The combination of the handle and curved archwire are useful in fitting a bonded lingual archwire directly in a patient's mouth.

Abstract: A mass-customization method is described for the computer-based design and production of complex 3-dimensional wireforms for fabricating orthodontic appliances. The method comprises of: 1) digitizing a patient's dentition into a computer, 2) designing 3-dimensional polylines on the dental models using a computer, 3) translating the mathematical representation of the wires into algorithms for commanding wire bending machines, and 4) using wire bending machines to produce near net-shape wires. In this way, wires for retainers, Herbst appliances, palatal expanders, and other orthodontic appliances are readily designed and produced. Near net-shaped wires are produced by having the bending algorithms consider wire diameter, springback of the metal, and the mechanics of the bending head.

Abstract: An orthodontic arch wire has a generally parabolic shape. The arch wire includes a curved anterior segment and a pair of posterior segments connected to and extending from respective ends of the curved anterior segment. The curved anterior segment and the pair of posterior segments comprise three discrete pieces having substantially the same flexural rigidity. The three pieces are joined together to form the generally parabolic shape.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to selection of individual patient archwires by examining the patients inner arch rather than the patients teeth. In particular, a method of archwire selection comprises (a) obtaining a representation of a patient's inner arch curve (a “PIAC”); (b) selecting an archwire shape based at least partially on the PIAC representation; (c) making an initial selection of an archwire size based at least partially on the PIAC representation; (d) selecting a final archwire size after considering something other than the PIAC representation; and (e) selecting an archwire to be used based on the selected archwire shape and selected final archwire size. Using the PIAC rather than the occlusal or labial and buccal surfaces of the teeth for archwire shape selection promotes shaping the teeth to the shape of the jaw bone and gives consistent facial esthetics plus better retention of the treatment correction.

Abstract: A generally horseshoe shaped clear flexible resilient plastic wire-imbedded orthodontic appliance is made with a plastic portion with contours on the lingual side and on the labial side, wherein the contours snugly cover the patient's teeth so that the appliance remains in place. One or more flexible wires are imbedded within the lingual side of the plastic portion from the left molar area to the right molar area of the plastic portion, whereby the wires apply force on the lingual side of the patient's bite.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems of repositioning teeth for use in orthodontic treatment, with particular applicability to removable elastic repositioning appliances. Such appliances may be challenged by traditional tooth movements which intrude the crown of the tooth or present tooth positions which reduce available points of purchase. These challenges may be overcome with a series of tooth movements in which a tooth is translated in a “root-first” position. The movements may take advantage of the inherent characteristics of elastic repositioning appliances in translating a tooth from a first position to a desired position along a gingival plane.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a prepreg comprising at least one fiber and a matix to be cured during application, for the production of a fiber-reinforced composite, for active orthodontic therapy. The invention further relates to an active orthodontic appliance consisting essentially of an arch wire in at least one part, directly contactable with teeth and consisting essentially of a fiber-reinforced composite comprising at least one fiber and a matrix, said arch wire comprising a loop directly contactable with a tooth or teeth to be moved by the appliance. The invention still relates to a process for manufacturing an active orthodontic appliance and to an active orthodontic method of treatment.

Abstract: A lingual archwire forming appliance for adapting a wire to the lingual surfaces of a patient's teeth during the construction of a bonded lingual archwire retainer. The appliance is composed of a handle attached to an arch-formed wire. The combination of the handle and curved archwire are useful in fitting a bonded lingual archwire directly in a patient's mouth.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to selection of individual patient archwires by examining the patients inner arch rather than the patients teeth. In particular, a method of archwire selection comprises (a) obtaining a representation of a patient's inner arch curve (a “PIAC”); (b) selecting an archwire shape based at least partially on the PIAC representation; (c) making an initial selection of an archwire size based at least partially on the PIAC representation; (d) selecting a final archwire size after considering something other than the PIAC representation; and (e) selecting an archwire to be used based on the selected archwire shape and selected final archwire size. Using the PIAC rather than the occlusal or labial and buccal surfaces of the teeth for archwire shape selection promotes shaping the teeth to the shape of the jaw bone and gives consistent facial esthetics plus better retention of the treatment correction.

Abstract: The posterior segment 20 of the orthodontic archwire of the present invention has the connector 30 provided in advance on the free end 23 of a loop 22 formed by bending one end of the segment. The archwire 1 where the main wire portion 10 of the anterior segment 10 is connected to the main wire portion 21 of the posterior segment 20 on the same axial center can be obtained by inserting and securing the connection end 12 formed by bending each opposite end of the said anterior segment 10 into the said connector 30.

Abstract: An orthodontic arch wire composed of stainless steel or other bendable alloy formed into an arc is provided with lines permanently etched, or otherwise permanently marked, across its long dimension, and/or outward-facing surfaces at intervals approximating the midpoint at which adjacent teeth contact each other when normally aligned. When the arch wire is removed from the patient's mouth for periodic adjustments, the etch marks provide accurate, stable, and permanent landmarks for placement of adjustment bends for three-dimensional movements of individual teeth. In order to accommodate a range of tooth and dental arch sizes, the arch wires are of small, medium, and large sizes for both upper and lower arch forms with the markings proportioned for small, medium, and large tooth sizes.

Abstract: An inventive orthodontic archwire and method of use is described. The inventive archwire includes a central curved portion and first and second end portions extending from opposing ends of the central curved portion. The central curved portion includes a middle section that arcuately projects one of upwardly and downwardly relative to a reference plane. The central curved portion further includes first and second intermediate sections extending from opposing ends of the middle section, each of said first and second intermediate sections arcuately projecting in an orientation opposite to that of the arcuate middle section. The orthodontic archwire may preferably exhibit a relatively high ultimate tensile strength of between about 275 KSI and 330 KSI. The first and second end portions may extend from the central curved portion so as to lie substantially parallel to or coplanar with the reference plane of the orthodontic archwire and/or substantially non-convergently.