Abstract: An orthodontic device adapted for lightwire or rectangular or square arch wire treatment having a bracket which is bonded to a patient's tooth, a face for hiding the bracket, and a slot defined by the bracket and face for receiving lightwire or rectangular or square arch wire.

Abstract: A lingual orthodontic appliance system for edgewise orthodontic therapy incorporating twin type brackets with single bracket interbracket width. Brackets for anterior teeth incorporate three tie wings in T-shaped orientation and brackets for bicuspids have two pairs of twin tie wings. Molar tube brackets retain the terminal extremities of the archwire and provide hooks for closing loops, tie-back loops, etc. In each case the archwire slot opens toward the occlusal permitting simple and efficient insertion and positioning of the archwire within the various brackets of the appliance system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an orthodontic appliance to treat irregularities of teeth by attaching an arch wire holder to a plurality of teeth and then connecting one or more orthodontic wires to the arch wire holders. The bracket constituting an arch wire holder is provided with an arch wire fixing slot formed with a specified radius of curvature approximately conforming to the diameter of the arch wire. The curvature radius of the arch wire fixing slot is determined by the purpose of application, namely, it depends on whether it attaches onto the outside (buccal side) surface or the inside (lingual side) surface of the teeth, and for which teeth it is employed. This arch wire holder is especially effective when the bracket is attached to the inside of the teeth for orthodontic purposes, for it then allows the application of corrective forces on the teeth without being easily visible in the user's mouth.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance for correcting teeth in a patient's mouth, has a bracket having a slot or groove and adapted to be secured to a tooth of the patient by means of an adhesive, a correcting wire placed in the slot or groove of the bracket, a magnet body having at least one magnet element, and a holder detachably attached to the bracket for holding the magnet body.

Abstract: This invention relates to orthodontic shields, orthotic devices, and musician embouchure aids and the method of producing and using same, and specifically relates to the use of medical silicone to produce a shield which may be used in conjunction with orthodontic aids and appliances, and to produce an orthotic device which may be used to lessen and relieve temporomandibular joint syndrome.

Abstract: An orthodontic clip or cap removably snap mountable on an edgewise bracket for retaining an archwire in the archwire slot of the bracket and having means for enhancing rotational tipping and/or torque control.

Abstract: A plurality of brackets are fixedly mounted to various specific ones of a patient's teeth by adhesive or the like. Each bracket is provided with a slot for receiving an elongated arch wire in such a manner that a corrective force will be exerted against the patient's teeth through the brackets. Further, each bracket is provided with grooves for receiving ridges on auxiliary members to exert additional corrective forces to the teeth. A spring-type clamp or bail is used to hold a cap over the slot and to, in combination with the cap, hold the arch wire to within the slot as well as hold the auxiliaries in place on the bracket.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket for use with an archwire to orthodontically treat a patient by imparting corrective forces to a tooth. The bracket includes a base portion for attachment to the tooth, mesial and distal tie wings extending from the base portion, each of which includes gingival and occlusal tips defining therebetween a buccolabial opening archwire slot. The archwire slots are in mutual alignment and define a reference line for orienting the bracket in parallel relation to the occlusal plane and the tie wings are oriented such that they are obliquely angled to the reference line. The gingival tips have surfaces that are in parallel alignment with the reference line and substantially equidistant therefrom, and the outer borders of the tie wings form a trapezoidal configuration as the tie wings are of unequal size.

Abstract: A combination single/twin edgewise orthodontic bracket incorporating twin tie wings to promote twin ligating capability and over-rotation capability, and also incorporating an intermediate section of single bracket width that defines a precision archwire slot for receiving an edgewise archwire of rectangular cross sectional configuration to promote orthodontic treatment with the edgewise orthodontic technique. Relief grooves between the upper and lower tie wings extend outwardly from the ends of the precision archwire slot and are relieved in both width and depth as they traverse each tie wing mesially and distally to provide for efficient over-rotation control. The relief grooves cooperate with the central bracket section to permit the fullest expression of the advantages of interbracket width.

Abstract: A dental appliance whose labial surface has the contour, shape and color of a complete tooth thus adapting the appliance to camouflage orthodontic hardware. This dental appliance is adapted to be detachably secured to commonly used orthodontic hardware by any one of several securing means including a resilient tongue, pins which are received by mating recesses, and frictional retention of a portion of the orthodontic hardware within cavities on the lingual side of the cosmetic orthodontic appliance. The body of the dental appliance is formed from a material having sufficient mechanical strength to withstand mounting and demounting by a patient as desired. The pins received by the mating recesses may be adjustable pins for adjusting the distance and the angle between the cosmetic orthodontic device and the orthodontic hardware. The cosmetic orthodontic device may also be adapted to resemble a plurality of teeth and/or a plurality of teeth and gingiva.

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.

Abstract: A plastic shield for preventing irritation to the inner tissue of the cheeks and lips of a patient when a labial orthodontic appliance is in place, and which prevents irritation to the tongue of a patient when a lingual appliance is in place. The shield of the appliance covering the orthodontic attachments to provide a smooth outer surface.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance which converts from a buccal tube to a bracket upon the removal of a wire insert which is partly positioned within the longitudinal slot of a bracket body and attached to the surface of the bracket.

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.

Abstract: The orthodontic appliance includes the usual band fitted around the tooth, a pair of T-shaped brackets with an aligned groove for placing the arch wire; a ligating element having a flat base and a button on top is placed on the brackets to hold the arch wire; the ligating element is fastened to the brackets by means of wires welded to the bottom of the ligating element; an elastic band can be fastened to the button as well as to the button on a ligating element analogously tied to another tooth.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket assembly is adapted for use with an arch wire in straightening a tooth having a crown long axis preferrably disposed at a particular angle with respect to an occlusal plane. The bracket assembly includes a base for fixing the assembly to the tooth and at least one tie wing having a fixed relationship with the base. The tie wing has a facial surface defined by a mesial edge, a distal edge, a gingival edge and an occlusal edge. At least one of the gingival edge and the occlusal edge are disposed at the particular angle with respect to at least one of the mesial edge and the distal edge of the tie wing, so that the facial surface of the tie wing has a generally rhomboidal configuration. This facilitates alignment of the assembly with respect to the occlusal plane and the crown long axis of the tooth.

Abstract: A direct-bonded fixed lingual orthodontic appliance system for the mandibular arch is provided which comprises a plurality of metal or plastic attachments which are designed to be cemented directly to the lingual surfaces of the mandibular teeth, and an arch wire intercoupling the attachments extending aroumd the lingual side of the teeth. The surface of the base of each of the attachments contacting the corresponding tooth is particularly configured so as to have intimate contact with the tooth. The attachments are shaped to minimize trauma, and to provide for an arch wire configuration which does not require in-and-out bends, as the arch wire is inserted into the attachments. The attachments are also constructed to incorporate built-in angulation corrective properties for the corresponding teeth.

Abstract: A direct-bonded fixed lingual orthodontic appliance is provided which comprises a plurality of metal or plastic brackets and tubes, which are designed to be cemented directly to the lingual surfaces of the teeth of the maxillary arch, and an arch wire extending around the lingual side of the arch intercoupling the brackets and tubes. The brackets are made with smooth angles and low profile to prevent irritation to the tongue, and to assure that the action of the tongue will not be impeded in any way. The base of each bracket is shaped to adapt it to the normal lingual surface of the corresponding tooth so as to provide good retention. An edgewise transverse slot is provided in each bracket with the proper bucco-lingual depth, mesio-distal tips and occlusal root torques to provide an appliance which accepts a smooth curved arch wire with the only in-and-out bend requirement being between the bicuspids and first molars.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance, such as a buccal tube, an edgewise bracket or an edgewise bracket having rotating pads thereon, is molded either from a ceramic material or metal. When a ceramic material is used, the color of the appliance may be coordinated with that of a tooth. The appliance has a domed outwardly facing surface which is entirely curved in both the length and width directions and which is free of angular edge surfaces. The appliance may be adapted either for bonding directly to a tooth surface or for welding to a tooth and circling band. When the appliance is bonded directly to the tooth surface, a bonding material is employed. When bonded directly to the tooth, the appliance has an aperture formed with an undercut portion therein at the point of bonding which forms the bonding material contained within the aperture thereby causing the bonding material and appliance to be mechanically interlocked.

Abstract: A plastic orthodontic bracket has an insert in the arch wire opening thereof which is of a material harder than the plastic material from which the bracket is fabricated. Preferably, the insert or liner is a metal material. The bracket with the insert or liner may be made by molding the plastic material around the liner material or by molding the plastic bracket and later inserting a previously formed liner or insert. Alternatively, the bracket may be made by means of extrusion of a plastic material and/or the liner material, the resultant elongated structure being then cut up into sections to form the individual brackets.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket for straightening teeth has a plastic base member for cementing to a tooth with a bracket portion extending outwardly thereof with a slot thereacross. The slot is substantially wholly contained in an elongated metal insert lengthwise thereof molded immovably into said plastic. The slot is rectangular in cross section for receiving a similarly shaped arch wire for controlling the position of the tooth anteroposteriorly, laterally and longitudinally on its long axis.

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.

Abstract: An orthodontic wire support identification member for attachment to an orthodontic wire support having an attachment base incorporating a body in which at least one wire accomodating channel is provided, in which said identification member is releasably attached to the body for removal after the wire support is mounted on a tooth so that the member facilitates identification of different types of wire supporting brackets, the identification member being constructed to cover the channel when in position on said body.

Abstract: The bracket comprises a base which has an upwardly exposed portion and is free from resistance spot-weldable projections at its lower edges. Two anchoring means are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of said base and rise therefrom on opposite sides of said central portion. Said anchoring means define a longitudinal groove. In the appliance, a mounting strap is connected to the underside of said base by a soldered joint under said anchoring means and by at least one spot weld.

Abstract: Modular orthodontic bracket structure including a pair of releasably interengageable bracket members. One of these members, which forms an outer member, has a relatively high degree of elastic stiffness. This outer member includes ligating posts which define a socket for snap-receiving the other, or inner, member. The inner member has a lower degree of elastic stiffness, and includes a slot for receiving an arch wire. The slot is shaped to define the particular positional orientation of an arch wire received therein so as to effect the transmission of a prescribed force from the wire to the outer bracket member, and then to a tooth.

Abstract: Ceramic orthodontic brackets are disclosed. The brackets are fabricated from high alumina ceramic materials and, in preferred embodiments, have holes or grooves on the back or rear surfaces thereof to improve adhesion to the teeth. Light wire brackets are also disclosed which is substantially wider than prior art light wire brackets, but which comprise means defining a substantially point contact for an arch wire.

Abstract: This invention is that of a combination light wire--rectangular wire orthodontic appliance system which provides the practitioner with a means for employing both treatment methods without the necessity of changing brackets during the treatment. A standard bracket is provided which is adapted to receive an archwire in an archwire receiving channel opening onto the gingival surface of the bracket. The archwire is secured to the bracket by means of a lock pin positioned in the lock pin--insert receiving slot of the bracket. This combination provides a light wire appliance.The bracket is also adapted to receive a detachably mountable insert in the lock pin--insert receiving slot. The insert has a rectangular archwire slot open on its buccal or labial surface which is adapted to receive a rectangular archwire. This combination is a rectangular wire appliance.

Abstract: A composition and method for affixing a dental appliance to the teeth characterized by effecting a layer of catalyst that will effect polymerization of a bonding resin on the surface of the teeth to which the dental appliance is to be affixed, after the surface has been cleaned and dried so as to effect a good bond; effecting a layer of the catalyst on the base of at least a portion of the dental appliance that is to be bonded to the teeth after the base has been cleaned and dried so as to effect a good bond; positioning the base of the portion of the dental appliance adjacent the teeth after resin has been applied intermediate the two layers of catalyst on the base and on the surface of the tooth. After a predetermined cure time, the remainder of the dental appliance is affixed in place. The bonding resin is selected from the group consisting of epoxy, per se or capped with hydrolysis-resistant moiety; urethane; cyano-acrylate; methacrylate; vinyl ester; and acrylate.

Abstract: The element is adapted to be fitted as an annular band around a tooth and to be secured to a dental appliance to hold the same in position. It includes a strip metal element having two end portions, which are adapted to overlap in the annular band, a first slide-snap fastener part, which is carried by one of the end portions and includes a tunnel member defining a tunnel passage extending longitudinally of the strip metal element, and a detent spring secured to the tunnel member and extending longitudinally in the passage, a second slide-snap fastener which is carried by the other of the end portions and includes a plurality of barblike oblique detent teeth spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the strip metal element and movable relative to the first fastener part in a closing direction into the tunnel passage.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket comprises a bracket member having a base and an arch wire receiving opening in a surface of the bracket; and a mounting layer secured to the base of the bracket member and adapted to be mounted to a tooth or the like. At least one of the bracket member and mounting layer is made of resilient material.