Tool Patents (Class 433/3)
  • Patent number: 5261813
    Abstract: An orthodontic's hand instrument for installing a lingual bar on the lower arch of a patient's teeth. The hand instrument includes a handle having a first end and a second end with a clamp connected to the second end of the handle. A portion of the clamp extends a distance downwardly from the handle and another portion of the clamp extends a distance back toward the first end of the handle terminating with a clamp end. The clamp is movable to an opened position whereby a portion of the clamp near the clamp end is insertable over a portion of the lingual bar and the clamp is movable to a closed position whereby a portion of the clamp near the clamp end is clampingly closed over a portion of the lingual bar for clampingly holding the lingual bar. The clamp holding the lingual bar is movable into the patient's mouth and lowerable to position the lingual bar near the lingual side of the patient's lower teeth for connecting opposite ends of the lingual bar to the patient's lower teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Inventor: Melvin B. Baker
  • Patent number: 5184631
    Abstract: A device for cleaning teeth of orthodontic patients wearing orthodontic braces having a wire element extending between the braces includes an elongated member having an end portion formed with a filament support, a filament carried by the filament support, and a hook formed on the member and operable to be hooked onto the wire while the elongated member is manually manipulated to cause the filament to clean the teeth of the orthodontic patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1993
    Inventor: Noriko Ikeda
  • Patent number: 5133659
    Abstract: The hand-held adjustment tool includes an elongated handle having an operative end in which an expander-engaging pin is pivotally or rotably mounted. In order to use the adjustment tool, the tool-receiving portion of the palatal expander mounted in the wearer's mouth is sighted, the handle is grasped by the wearer or an assistant, the straight end portion of the pin is inserted in one of the bores of the tool-receiving portion of the palatal expander, the handle is pushed in a direction which causes the pin to pivot on the handle and rotate the tool-receiving portion and associated shaft, thereby exerting a slight laterally outwardly directed force on the palatine bones of the wearer, via the various components of the palatal expander. This pressure is increased by repeating the foregoing steps under the direction of the orthodontist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1992
    Inventor: Douglas J. Shilliday
  • Patent number: 5125830
    Abstract: An apparatus for correcting misalignments in human teeth comprises a rod-like member which has a grip holder for fixing a ligature wire to a brace and to brackets applied to teeth. The grip holder is connected to a rod-like tubular torsion bar arranged in the interior of a hand tube and an end tube. On the outer circumference of the torsion bar are formed threads, which cooperate via a ball cage with the threads formed on the hand tube. A rotary movement is imparted to the torsion bar and thereby the grip holder by an axial movement of the hand tube or the end tube. As a result of this rotary movement, the ends of a ligature wire inserted in the grip holder are twisted for fixing a brace guided in the bracket, and consequently the brace is fixed to the bracket for transferring the force of the brace to the teeth. Therefore fixing is sped up and simplified as compared with other fixing methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Inventors: Peter Reinhard, Ulrich Hubers
  • Patent number: 5114339
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of applying an orthodontic aid to at least one tooth in a row of teeth. A cast of the row of teeth is made by means of molding and counter-molding. The aid is temporarily secured to the cast in the desired position. A deformable layer of material is applied to the cast with aid, and this layer is deformed to conform to the shape of the cast with aid and thus a mold is formed. The mold with aid is positioned on the row of teeth and the bonding agent applied for securing the aid is allowed to harden in a controlled manner. Then the mold is removed, and the aid remains behind, secured to the row of teeth by means of the bonding agent. According to the invention prior to placing the mold with the aid on the row of teeth, an adhesive layer is applied to at least a part of the surface of the mold, that is brought into contact with the row of teeth. This adhesive layer has weaker adhesive strength than the bonding agent for securing the aid to the row of teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Assignee: Orthodontie Research B.V.
    Inventor: Marinus B. Guis
  • Patent number: 5106302
    Abstract: Method for fracturing the interface between dental structures that have been secured together. The device comprises an ultrasonic tool for providing bi-directional movement of a preferred amplitude and frequency. The tool is applied against one of the dental structures at an acute angle with respect to a plane in which the interface between the dental structures lies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: Ormco Corporation
    Inventors: Farrokh Farzin-Nia, Rohit C. L. Sachdeva, Howard M. Alliger
  • Patent number: 5064369
    Abstract: An orthodontic device comprises a bracket formed of a sintered polycrystal of alumina exhibiting light transmittance of 70 to 80% and an auxilliary bonding member formed of a soft, transparent or translucent, thin, synthetic resin plate having a mounting aperture formed therein for mounting the bracket therein and a plurality of graduations drawn thereon for indicating the depth from a reference point on the free end of a tooth being subjected to orthodontic treatment to the center of the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1991
    Assignee: Tomy, Inc.
    Inventor: Kozo Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 5062793
    Abstract: An instrument for debonding orthodontic brackets from teeth has a pair of arms with pulling sections adapted to engage the bracket behind occlusal and gingival tie wings. The arms are connected to a lever, and movement of the lever enables the arms to simultaneously exert a pulling force on both of the wings along substantially their entire mesial-distal width in order to lift the bracket from the tooth in straight-line fashion. A pair of reaction supports for engagement with the tooth during the debonding operation extend in an occlusal-gingival direction and have a length less than the occlusal-gingival height of the bracket so that the instrument can be rocked to ensure that the pulling sections are in firm contact with the bracket during the time that the bracket is debonded from the tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1991
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: James D. Cleary, Robert P. Eckert
  • Patent number: 5040975
    Abstract: An improved method is proposed for releasing brackets from bonded joints whereby also ceramic brackets can be removed. Herein, the layer of bonding agent is subjected to pulse-shaped heat input by transfer of heat from an instrument to the bracket, with a safety device allowing only a suitable amount of heat for the respective type of bracket to be transferred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Assignee: Dentaurum J. P. Winkelstroeter KG
    Inventors: Karl-Heiner Ettwein, Friedrich-Wilhelm Rohlcke, Heinz Bauerle, Karl-Heinz Reichelt, Bernhard Bazner
  • Patent number: 5039302
    Abstract: An instrument for opening and closing a dental bracket where the bracket has a cover for an archwire slot. The instrument contains projections rotating about the archwire, a key fitting behind the cover and causes the cover to telescope into the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1991
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark D. Keys
  • Patent number: 5035612
    Abstract: A debonding tip for electrothermal debonding device is disclosed. This debonding tip fits around the mesio distal sides and into the saddle slot of a dental bracket. The debonding tip causes rapid heating of the dental bracket and weakens the adhesive bond used to bond brackets to teeth. With the increased viscosity, the bracket is able to be rotated around and pulled off the tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1991
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Martin, Richard L. McMillan
  • Patent number: 5030087
    Abstract: A device for supplying individual ligature wires inserted as a pack of wires in a casing of the device has an operating arm. A pack of ligature wires is inserted into a recess provided in the casing. Pressure is exerted onto the pack of wires by a push rod. In each case the lowermost ligature wire in the pack is pressed into a recess formed in the bottom of the casing. Then the wire from this readiness position is advanced into a transfer position by a driving pawl mounted in a slide. The movement is carried out by pressing the operating arm, the free end of which projects into a slot of the slide and, on pressing the operating arm, advances the slide and therefore the ligature wire into the transfer position. In the transfer position, the end portions of the ligature wire can be grasped by a tool, e.g. a twister and removed from the casing to be placed into the area of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Inventors: Peter Reinhard, Ulrich Hubers
  • Patent number: 5005730
    Abstract: An orthodontic dispensing device for dispensing orthodontic appliances formed in an elastomeric strip of material. The device comprises a housing having a discharge opening and a guide bar adjacent thereto. A drive reel is provided for moving the strip around the guide bar is provided so as to present the orthodontic appliance for dispensing thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1991
    Assignee: Ormco Corporation
    Inventors: Floyd W. Pickrell, Jr., James F. Reher, Terry L. Sterrett
  • Patent number: 4975051
    Abstract: An orthodontic instrument is described having a generally elongated handle of large diameter and non-circular cross-section, having a serrated surface, having generally thin end of circular cross-section, having a rounded fluke at the thin end, and having an oppositely disposed fluke which faces toward the large diameter end of the handle. The rounded fluke defines a relatively short and wide aperture, while the opposite fluke defines a relatively long and narrow aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1990
    Assignee: Ordontics, Inc.
    Inventors: George A. Kargas, Steve E. A. Kargas
  • Patent number: 4964800
    Abstract: A method for precisely fitting dental wire to brackets on a patient's teeth includes the initial step of measuring the width of the teeth to which the dental wire will be affixed. The width of the teeth are plotted along a straight baseline on a base block, with the desired spacing between the teeth. The dentist must then determine the amount and direction of biasing force necessary to reposition the misaligned teeth to an aligned position. The dental wire is then bent into the appropriate shape using the plotted measurements on the base block to determine the appropriate spacing between the bends and loops in the dental wire. Finally, the dental wire is attached to the brackets on the patient's teeth. The apparatus utilized by the dentist in performing the method of the invention includes a base block as described above, with a straight baseline and a lower edge parallel to the baseline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1990
    Inventor: Jackson J. Good
  • Patent number: 4952141
    Abstract: An orthodontic bracket with an arch wire slot into which a high visibility marker has been inserted to facilitate alignment of the slot without the need for cumbersome jigs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Inventor: Arthur L. Wool
  • Patent number: 4921423
    Abstract: Device for applying elastic ligatures to an orthodontic bracket, which includes jaw elements spreadable for stretching an elastic ligature and for dispensing the ligature directly onto an orthodontic bracket in an orthodontic system so as to attach an archwire to a bracket. The device may be in the form of a gun which can be used first to load a ligature from a dispenser and then to unload the ligature around and onto a bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Assignee: TP Orthodontics, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter C. Kesling
  • Patent number: 4919615
    Abstract: A disposable cap for use by dentists for facilitating the cementation process of orthodontic banding. The cap includes a two-piece construction employing an adhesive base portion with a peel-off cover. The base element contains the surface adhesive only in a central area where the orthodontic band should make contact with the cap. The cap further includes a pair of tabs that extend from opposite sides which are not coated with adhesive to facilitate use by a practitioner wearing rubber gloves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1990
    Inventor: Theodore P. Croll
  • Patent number: 4913653
    Abstract: An axis indicator contains a long rectangular tube placed within the saddle of a dental bracket. The indicator contains a projection which is parallel to the archwire slot in the dental bracket and can be aligned parallel to the occlusal plane of the patient. Thus, use of the axis indicator insures proper placement of the dental bracket on the teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Diane K. Bolliger, Howard Graham
  • Patent number: 4907965
    Abstract: A heating element is inserted into the archwire slot of the tooth in order to allow the adhesive surface of a dental bracket to become loose. Force is exerted by a pull wire, controlled by a force limiting spring, until the bracket is removed. No harm comes to the patient or the tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1990
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick E. Martin
  • Patent number: 4904183
    Abstract: Debonding of cemented orthodontic brackets from teeth by application of a quick twisting force to fracture the adhesive bond. A torquing tool has slotted ends making a close slip fit over mesial and distal side surfaces of the bracket, and has a flattened center section providing a good tactile sense of applied force. The method and tool are especially useful with brackets made of brittle ceramic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1990
    Assignee: Unitek Corporation
    Inventors: Clarence W. Hannan, Wilford A. Snead, Jirina V. Pospisil, Robert P. Eckert
  • Patent number: 4875855
    Abstract: An orthodontic instrument for tightening a loop in a dental ligature about an anchor affixed to a tooth, to tie an archwire to the anchor, comprises a shaft having at one end a nose for bracing the tool against the wires and bracket; a movable ligature carriage on the shaft; and means on the carriage to hold a dental ligature to the carriage with a loop in the ligature projecting around and beyond the nose of the shaft. The ligature carriage is movable along the shaft to draw the ligature loop towards the abutment at the nose of the shaft and tighten the loop before twisting the ligature 180.degree., to seat the archwire in the anchor on the tooth, and then spinning the shaft to twist the wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1989
    Inventor: David Beckett
  • Patent number: 4850864
    Abstract: A dental apparatus for measuring the height and width of a dental surface and for placement of a bracket at an exact position with respect to the dental surface. A first pair of opposing jaws are movable for measuring the long axis of the tooth. A second pair of opposing jaws are provided for measuring the mesio-distal width of the tooth. A pair of arms are confrontingly biased and can be spread apart to grasp opposing sides of the bracket for retaining the bracket prior to placement and for subsequent release of the bracket after placement. The instrument can be included within a servo mechanism for automatic control of the placement of the bracket at a calculated position. By integrating the system with a computer, the computer can provide an image of the tooth whereby the bracket placement can be predicted on the computer and then through the servo mechanism the instrument can be instructed for proper bracket placement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Inventor: Michael K. Diamond
  • Patent number: 4834654
    Abstract: A dental prosthesis applicator having an elongated flat handle and a flexible adhesive strip for retaining a dental prosthesis is provided. The handle includes along one end thereof an opaque element which is suitable for covering a substantial portion of the dental prosthesis held by the adhesive strip when the strip is flexed 180 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Inventor: William J. Nussbaum
  • Patent number: 4822277
    Abstract: An orthodontic apparatus is disclosed comprising a divider like device with three arms. The outer arms operate in normal fashion while the central arm is coupled to the adjusting wheel so that its relative position with respect to the outer arm is constant. The central arm has a bracket retaining reverse tweezer arrangement for holding and positioning orthodontic brackets on teeth. In use the outer arms are located on either side of the tooth and the central arm locates the bracket in the correct position for fixing to the tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Inventor: Vincent J. Nevell
  • Patent number: 4768950
    Abstract: A head (9) projecting from the end of a rod body (1') or from the apex of a flat trifurcated quadrant body (1) has an offset fixed prong (10) projecting from its end which is crossed by a movable prong (22) carried by a rocker (20) mounted on the head and tiltable to alter the spacing between the prongs. The tip portions (13 and 25) of the prongs have notches (14 and 26) facing away from each other to hold a ligature ring (37) in stretched condition for application to the wings (44 and 45) of an orthodontic tooth bracket (39). The tip portions of the prongs are canted relative to the prong shanks to be disposed in parallel planes and a line passing through the notches is at an angle to one edge of the body. The notch (26) in the movable prong (22) is deeper than the notch (14) in the stationary prong (10) and the portion of the shallower notch (14) adjacent to the tip of the prong forms the prong tip as a probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1988
    Assignee: Unitek Corporation
    Inventors: Maclay M. Armstrong, Steven A. Houser
  • Patent number: 4762491
    Abstract: A hand-operated dental measuring instrument used particularly by orthodontists, dentists, and technicians for rapidly indicating and/or monitoring the incisor tooth labial inclination, which is the inclination of the incisor crown to occlusal plane, of a patient's natural teeth or the plaster cast reproductions of a patient's mouth. The procedure can be carried out before, during, and after orthodontic treatment. A dial indicator is fitted with a custom designed indicator arm tip and a dial face, which comprises the active portion of components which are mounted on a rigid injection molded base, which is the passive portion. When the base is brought into contact with the biting surfaces of a patient's natural teeth or reproductions of the teeth, known as dental casts, the indicator arm tip is adjusted to contact the anterior surface of an incisor tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1988
    Inventor: Wayne A. Bolton
  • Patent number: 4725228
    Abstract: A tooth crown marking device is comprised of markers at each end. The marker at one end is for marking a specified vertical landmark on the face of a tooth crown. The marker at the other end is for marking the horizontal center of a tooth crown. At that end, there is a pair of locating members adjustably mounted on either side of the horizontal marking arm in such a manner that the marking arm is maintained equidistant from the locating members. Pointers at the end of each locating member are adjusted to span the height of the crown. The horizontal center of a tooth crown is then marked by the marking arm which may be movably mounted on a support column along which the two locating members are mounted or mounted to the support column by a swivel arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1988
    Inventor: Lawrence F. Andrews
  • Patent number: 4668186
    Abstract: Apparatus and an associated method for effecting dispensing of elastic bands. An elongated handle member cooperates with a slide member which is secured for relative longitudinal sliding movement with respect to the handle. A magazine of the elastic bands is secured to the handle and is adapted to generally forwardly discharge the elastic bands. A pusher member is pivotally mounted on a slide member and is adapted to insert a blade behind the forwardmost elastic band after which forward movement of the slide serves to urge the elastic band away from the remaining elastic bands and to cause it to be expanded radially over the uniquely configurated head portion of the magazine. In a preferred embodiment a cam and cam follower combination cause the pusher member to rotate through its cycle of operation. The first biasing element tends to urge the pusher member into elastic band engaging position and second biasing means tends to urge the elastic bands forwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1987
    Assignee: The Bally Orthodontics Group
    Inventors: Alex Bally, Charles Kraeuter
  • Patent number: 4656860
    Abstract: In dental treatment for fitting a wire piece onto the teeth and/or jaw, a patient is subjected to repeated bending and in some cases twisting of the wire and some arrangement for completing the treatment, with whose help the bending and twisting process takes place automatically by machinery. Accordingly, next the data about the shape of the teeth and/or jaw is ascertained and put into an electronic computer, where this data is converted into control data. The wire piece will then be put into a bending machine with separately controlled stepping drives for advancing the wire, twisting and bending, whose drive through the command of the computer will automatically be controlled. The bending machine comprises essentially an advancing means, a torsion work piece of two grippers relatively rotatable with each other and a bending work piece with a moving bending edge substantially perpendicular to the wire axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1987
    Inventors: Wolfgang Orthuber, Helge Fischer-Brandies
  • Patent number: 4626208
    Abstract: A positioning jig for an edgewise bracket having a lingually disposed vertical slot or opening to position the bracket on a tooth when bonding the bracket to the tooth. The jig is disposable and mounted on the bracket to be handled as a unit during the bonding procedure and thereafter removable from the bracket once the bonding material has cured. Indicia is provided on the jig and the bracket to identify the tooth on which the bracket is to be mounted and the spacing of the archwire slot from the occlusal or incisal edge of the tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1986
    Assignee: TP Orthodontics, Inc.
    Inventor: Arthur B. Hall
  • Patent number: 4597398
    Abstract: An instrument for promoting oral hygiene particularly with patients having orthodontial appliances. An elongate handle includes a short hollow post at the distal end thereof disposed generally transverse to the handle. Flossing material is threaded through and out the post. In operation, the post is disposed by means of the handle between the orthodontial band and adjacent the spacing between teeth which are desired to be cleaned. The floss protruding out the post is then forced between the spacing to effect flossing thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1986
    Inventor: Grace M. M. Chu
  • Patent number: 4523908
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device, preferably of disposable type, for application to orthodontic brackets for retaining an orthodontic harmonic wire, either said brackets are of the type welded to an orthodontic band, or of the type supported on a plate for direct fastening. The device serves the purpose of facilitating the positioning of said orthodontic brackets on teeth, at a predetermined distance from the incisal edge thereof, and protecting the bracket from the entrance of the fastening cement, such a bracket having the slot and hooks for the binding of the orthodontic wire. The device comprises a shell part forming a housing for the slot element of the bracket, and a positioning part made to predetermined size and suitable to bear on the incisal edge of the tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1985
    Inventors: Giovanni Drisaldi, Eugenio Fontana, Virgilio Manetti, Franco Segu, Sandro Segu, Bruno Segu
  • Patent number: 4512739
    Abstract: An orthodontic instrument designed for use by patients. An elongate rod has a greater-than-180 degree bend formed in its medial portion so that the opposite ends of the rod are disposed in coplanar, transversely spaced apart relation to one another at the part of the instrument that is opposite its medial portion. The bend is slightly greater than 180 degrees so that a first, or upper arm is obliquely disposed relative to the second, or lower arm of the instrument. The distal end of the first arm is bent upwardly about 45 degrees from the horizontal and the respective distal ends of the rod are provided with annular grooves to receive opposite ends of rubber bands of the type commonly used in orthodontics. The device is held in a vertical or horizontal plane when in use, and its flat profile enables the rubber bands to be applied and removed to and from hooks when the device is held in parallel or perpendicular relation to the surface of the tooth with which the respective hooks are associated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1985
    Inventor: Steven J. Kaniadakis
  • Patent number: 4501554
    Abstract: A method for transferring brackets for the teeth from a prepared carrier tray system to the teeth of the patient using an improved two tray system. The brackets are fitted over the teeth of the patient with the intention of using these brackets as a base for attaching other orthodontic equipment. The first tray is of a flexible nature which can be made to retain its original shape after placing brackets on the teeth in a predetermined ideal position. The second tray is a more rigid tray which is inserted over the first tray. The second tray stabilizes the seating of the brackets during seating or drying of the cement securing the brackets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1985
    Inventor: John H. Hickham
  • Patent number: 4494931
    Abstract: A method applying orthodontic brackets that employ a bracket pad. The pad has a pad portion conforming to the surface of the tooth and has two laterally spaced indexing tabs integrally connected to the pad portion for bending over the tooth. An orthodontic bracket is mounted on the pad and the pad is positioned on a model of the patient's tooth so as to align the bracket as prescribed by the orthodontists. The index tabs are bent over the tooth, the pad is then burnished, and the tab ends are welded together to memorize the shape of the tooth. The pad is bonded to the patient's tooth and the index tabs are removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1985
    Inventor: Alexander J. Wildman
  • Patent number: 4487580
    Abstract: A spring loaded holder that includes a pair of rigid bodies that are laterally movable, which bodies define adjacent end surfaces of arcuate convex shape that may removably and frictionally grip concave end edges of gingival occlusal wings that are disposed outwardly from the base of an orthodontic bracket. When the bracket is so gripped it may be moved to a position where the surface of the base most remote from the holder may be bonded to a tooth. To prevent inadvertent rotation of the orthodontic bracket when so gripped relative to the holder, at least one of the pair of bodies includes an elongate protuberance that engage an anchor wire receiving groove in the surface of the bracket most distant from the base. The bodies if desired may be formed as an integral part of the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1984
    Inventor: William V. Ridgeway
  • Patent number: 4478576
    Abstract: Placement devices for positioning orthodontic attachments, such as, brackets, on the lingual and facial side of teeth are described. A tooth engagement plate or other member, which engages the facial side of a tooth for lingual placement or the lingual side for facial placement, is mounted for pivotal movement at least about a horizontal transverse axis. An orthodontic bracket holder is mounted to a handle for both horizontal and vertical movement to permit placement of an orthodontic bracket on the opposite side of a tooth to that engaged by the plate. In operation, for lingual placement, the tooth engagement plate is positioned in engagement with the facial side of the tooth, the bracket is located in its desired position adjacent the lingual side of the tooth by up and down movement of the handle and vertical movement of the bracket holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1984
    Assignee: Romada Holdings Ltd.
    Inventors: Rolf Maijer, James W. Starck
  • Patent number: 4474555
    Abstract: A dental instrument and method for positioning a lingual orthodontic bracket is disclosed. The instrument comprises a housing on which is positioned an arm that includes means for releasably holding the orthodontic bracket. Level indicating means are used for displaying the extend of inclination of the arm with respect to a predetermined plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1984
    Inventor: Michael K. Diamond
  • Patent number: 4472137
    Abstract: An orthodontic instrument is provided for attaching elastic retainer rings or bands to the brackets attached to a patient's teeth, so as to secure the arch-wire member to the brackets to form the braces. The instrument includes an elongated elastic loading core having a slidable ejector housing mounted for reciprocal movement thereon. The elastic loading core includes a rear guide-stem portion, an intermediate band-support portion, and an ejector-head member. Each band is selectively positioned on the ejector head of the loading core, so as to be forced over the cleat member of the bracket by forward movement of the ejector housing, which is provided with a dispenser head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1984
    Assignee: Richard Guy
    Inventor: Joseph I. Barone
  • Patent number: 4465461
    Abstract: The invention relates to a dental-orthodontic device or instrument comprising an essentially straight handle and a working head which is particularly suited for the precise placement of adhesive brackets on tooth surfaces. Between its handle and its working head the instrument is approximately U-shaped, consequently, when the device is used, the handle is outside the oral cavity of the patient. When positioning the brackets on the teeth, the corners of the mouth and the cheeks of the patient, stabilized by a "lip-retractor", lie in the U-shaped portion of the instrument. In addition, the working head is disposed in the extension of the central axis of the handle. The instrument may also be constructed in such a way that is resembles a pair of tweezers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1984
    Inventor: Winfried Schutz
  • Patent number: 4455138
    Abstract: A dental brace bracket bonding and debracketing tool which includes a heating device such as a soldering iron, having a heating element tip on one end and an elongated retainer extending from the heating device adjacent the heating element tip and biased outwardly from the tip, the heating element tip and the retainer designed to engage a central slot and flange arms, respectively, of a dental brace bracket in order to bond and debracket the bracket to and from a tooth, respectively. A method of debracketing dental brace brackets from teeth which includes engaging a bracket at at least two points with the heating element tip of a soldering iron or other heating device and a cooperating retainer extending outwardly from the heating device adjacent the heating element tip; applying heat to the bracket in order to alter the bonding material which secures the bracket to the teeth; and removing the bracket from the teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1984
    Inventor: John J. Sheridan
  • Patent number: 4455137
    Abstract: A dental instrument and method for positioning a lingual orthodontic bracket is disclosed. The instrument comprises a housing on which is positioned a first arm that includes means for releasably holding the orthodontic bracket. A second arm, which cooperates with the first arm, also cooperates with the housing in such a manner that the spacing between the buccal surface of the tooth and the base of the slot in the bracket that is used for the support thereof may be rapidly determined. Level indicating means are used for displaying the extent of inclination of the first arm with respect to a predetermined plane. Means are also provided for angularly orienting the slot by which the bracket is supported with respect to a predetermined plane. Also described is the combination and cooperation of a novel lingual orthodontic bracket and a novel orthodontic instrument for use with the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1984
    Inventor: Michael K. Diamond
  • Patent number: 4439147
    Abstract: An elongated plastic handle having an integrally formed biting panel secured at one end with upper and lower stops, the biting panel having a thickness of at least 1 millimeter and a length in excess of the thickness of the incisor teeth, such that the biting panel can be inserted between the upper and lower incisor teeth and pulled outwardly to engage the upper and lower stops and thereby guide the teeth into an accurate construction bite for the fitting of an orthodontic appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1984
    Inventors: Thomas S. Magill, Deborah A. Keys
  • Patent number: 4424029
    Abstract: A lingual placement device for positioning orthodontic attachments, such as, brackets, on the lingual side of teeth is described. The device includes a handle which is pivoted to a handle extension to permit access to both anterior and posterior teeth in the mouth of a patient. A tooth engagement plate, which engages the front side of a tooth, is pivoted about a horizontal transverse axis. An orthodontic bracket holder is mounted to the handle extension for both horizontal and vertical movement to permit placement of an orthodontic bracket on the lingual side of a tooth. In operation, the tooth engagement plate is positioned in engagement with the front side of the tooth, the bracket is located in its desired position adjacent the lingual side of the tooth by up and down movement of the handle and vertical movement of the bracket holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1984
    Assignee: Baxter Travenol Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Rolf Maijer, James U. Starck
  • Patent number: 4422849
    Abstract: A dental instrument and method for positioning a lingual orthodontic bracket is disclosed. The instrument comprises a housing on which is positioned an arm that includes means for releasably holding the orthodontic bracket. Level indicating means are used for displaying the extend of inclination of the arm with respect to a predetermined plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1983
    Inventor: Michael K. Diamond
  • Patent number: 4408988
    Abstract: An orthodontic appliance designed specifically for use by a dentist or dental assistant in placing the cut ends of a ligature wire under the arch wire employed in the formation of a tooth corrective arrangement commonly known as "braces". The appliance comprises a finger mounted tool formed of metal plastic or any other suitable material and is adapted to be fitted over a finger or thumb of the user and is provided with a notched-out area and serrations to assist in guiding the wire ends under the arch wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1983
    Inventor: Laurie M. Kaplan
  • Patent number: 4360341
    Abstract: The invention comprehends the use of a fixture which fits over a tooth on which a bracket is to be affixed, this fixture having an internal cavity which essentially matches the shape and contour of a portion of the tooth, such as the lingual surface and incisal edge, the remaining portion of the fixture extending downwardly in spaced juxtaposition with respect to the labial surface. This labial space is slightly greater than the height of a standard bracket. The juxtaposed surface of the fixture is preferably provided with a smoothly contoured irregularity adapted to mate with a plastic or the like bracket-orienting module having a complementary surface portion, the opposite portion of this module being contoured to nest in or over the labial portion of a bracket. This contoured module portion may include a projection which slidably fits the bracket slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1982
    Inventor: Eugene L. Dellinger
  • Patent number: 4330271
    Abstract: A patient-usable orthodontic device for carrying, dispensing and installing intraoral tension-applying devices of the type including a pair of spaced endless loops which are intended for catching onto spaced hooks secured to tooth bands or the like in a patient's mouth. The device includes a molded elastomer portion having a body, and a plurality of tension-applying devices severably joined to the body. Formed in the body is a projecting finger, the outer end of which carries a rigid catch designed to aid in the installation of a tension-applying device which has been severed from the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1982
    Assignee: Modcom, Inc.
    Inventor: Roland M. Anderson
  • Patent number: 4284405
    Abstract: An orthodontic method and appliance for treating malocclusion comprising the steps of forming a model of the patient's teeth in the form of a dental arch with the replicas of the teeth in idealized locations, establishing on the labial and buccal surfaces of the replicas locations which conjointly define an idealized dental arch configuration, providing on each selected surface at the established location an orienting embossment, and forming onto the crown and surface, including such embossment, in intimate conforming engagement, of each selected replica a plate-like fixture which has an exterior provided with a locating boss corresponding to the shape of the embossment and a mounting surface surrounding the boss which corresponds to the replica surface. A bracket is provided having a socket which intimately fits over the boss thereby to be oriented with respect to the fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1981
    Inventor: Eugene L. Dellinger