Abstract: An orthodontic spring assembly including an arch wire, a bracket mounted on the arch wire, an orthodontic spring mounted in the bracket and resiliently deformed so as to apply a force to the tooth so as to correct axial inclination thereof.

Abstract: A continuous force control arch expander for use in orthodontics is provided comprising a set of anchor bands with expansion wires rigidly and tangentially attached to said anchor bands.

Abstract: A modular orthodontics appliance in the form of either an arch wire or a sectional is provided which makes it possible to provide the whole spectrum of three dimensional appliance functions which are geometrically predictable, have positive directional or vector control, and are specifically designed to control the counter-movements in treatment. These modules are designed to be used as coordinates with light wire, edge wire, straight wire and twin wire appliances. Also, they may be used singly or in combination.

Abstract: Lock pin for a bracket having a body with an occlusogingivally extending opening, attaching flanges on the lingual side of the body for attaching the bracket to a tooth, and an archwire slot at the gingivolingual corner of the body for receiving one or more archwires, wherein the lock pin includes a tail or shank extending lingual of an archwire or archwires in the archwire slot and with a part having a mesiodistal width that fits snugly between the attaching flanges to prevent relative rotation between the pin and the bracket and a head fitting in the archwire slot having an archwire engaging face of a length at least equal to half the mesiodistal width of the bracket such that a part of the head extends beyond one side of the bracket body so that precise mesiodistal control between the bracket and the archwire can be achieved. In an alternate form the tail is disposed buccal to the head and the archwire.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses a novel spring construction and a method of application of the spring in the field of orthodontics. A tension spring member is at least partially surrounded by a tension releasable component of larger diameter. The tension spring will normally be a coil spring adapted to be placed under tension between two points. The tension releasable component will normally comprise either a closed coil spring or an open coil spring. In either case, the tension releasable portion comprises an integral extension of the tension spring member and is designed to deform in response to a predetermined force thereby releasing the device from its tension exerting position. The orthodontic method of the invention comprises anchoring one end of the novel tensioning device to a tooth to be moved and the other end to an anchor point. The device is then placed under tension and the tension releasable means is used to hold one end of the device.

Abstract: A tooth uprighting or separating appliance for cooperating with a pair of adjacent teeth having opposed and closely spaced side surfaces comprises a first member adapted to be interposed into a space between the pair of teeth for bearing against one of the opposed side surfaces of one of the pair of teeth, a second member adapted to be interposed into the space between the pair of teeth for bearing against the side surface of the other of the pair of teeth, and spring means interconnecting the first and second members for biassing the first and second members away from each other and toward the respective opposed side surfaces of the pair of teeth to thereby separate the teeth from each other. Preferably, the first and second members are adapted to pierce gum tissue which is located between the pair of teeth to facilitate installation. The spring means may comprise an elongated wire member or a coil spring portion from which the first and second means extend.

Abstract: The invention relates to a retractor for the correction of dental misplacement comprising two wire members overlapping each other and displaceable relative to each other in a longitudinal direction against the action of a helical pressure spring, the first of said wire members carrying said pressure spring between the end overlapping the second wire member and a guiding member comprising an opening to hold said guiding member displaceably on said first wire member, and said second wire member being displaceably guided along said first wire member by means of said guiding member which is in the form of a tube.

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

Abstract: An intra-oral orthodontic spring appliance is provided which consists of a metallic coil spring having an enlarged tension releasable means at one end which engages fixed spring mounting means in the mouth and a tail at the other end which engages suitable means on a tooth to be repositioned. Preferably, the enlarged tension releasable means is an open coil spring formed over a portion of a closed coil spring. When the closed coil spring is passed through a fixed spring mounting means, e.g., a buccal tube, and attached to a tooth to be repositioned, the retractive force is provided by compression of the open coil spring and expansion of the closed coil spring.

Abstract: An improved utility arch utilized in straightening teeth having bendable posts attachable to the buccal bridge section of the arch.