Abstract: An orthodontic appliance such as a bracket or buccal tube has a latch for retaining an archwire in an archwire slot. The latch releases the archwire from the archwire slot whenever the archwire exerts a force on the appliance that exceeds a certain minimum value. The latch comprises at least one clip having certain features that significantly reduce strain during opening movements of the clip, so that the likelihood of fracture of the clip during use is significantly reduced.

Abstract: Interactive, computer based orthodontist treatment planning, appliance design and appliance manufacturing is described. A scanner is described which acquires images of the dentition which are converted to three-dimensional frames of data. The data from the several frames are registered to each other to provide a complete three-dimensional virtual model of the dentition. Individual tooth objects are obtained from the virtual model. A computer-interactive software program provides for treatment planning, diagnosis and appliance from the virtual tooth models. A desired occlusion for the patient is obtained from the treatment planning software. The virtual model of the desired occlusion and the virtual model of the original dentition provide a base of information for custom manufacture of an orthodontic appliance.

Abstract: A kit that may be used to place a dental bracket and a medicament-releasing pellet in the mouth of a patient, and methods for using such kits. The pellet is designed to provide slow release of fluoride or another medicament over a desired period of time. The kit includes a medicament-releasing pellet, a dental bracket, and a placement device. The dental bracket comprises a base and a socket. The bracket may be installed by a dental practitioner and may remain attached to the patient's tooth for up to 20 years. The placement device aids the dental practitioner in placing the bracket on a patient's tooth.

Abstract: Manufacture of custom brackets in which a three-dimensional representation of the teeth is used to remove portions or the base to custom-bit the tooth to a predetermined tooth surface, and/or to remove portions of the bracket to create an archwire slot in order to provide a custom orientation and position of the archwire slot in the bracket. The ideal tooth surface for bracket placement and/or the ideal archwire orientation at that bracket may be determined in a computerized fashion by forming a three-dimensional representation of a ideal corrected position of the teeth, and then determining where the bracket and archwire would need to be placed on each of the misaligned teeth in order to achieve the ideal correction.

Abstract: The invention relates to uses of glasses and glass-ceramics in dental and orthodontic applications.

Abstract: An orthodontic brace includes a set of appliances that are connected to respective teeth of the patient. At least some of the appliances include a latch that is operable to release an archwire from the appliance whenever the force exerted by the archwire exceeds a certain value. This value is higher for appliances connected to certain teeth than the value associated with appliances connected to other teeth, in accordance with the particular malocclusion encountered. The brace is constructed to ensure that the goals of the treatment program are carried out in an efficient manner while reducing the likelihood of inadvertent release of the archwire during the course of treatment.

Abstract: A method for for comparing between an orthodontic element's actual position on the surface of a tooth and a proper position comprise monitoring the element, the tooth or both once the element and the tooth are proximal to one another by an image acquisition unit which transmits an image to a screen that displays the image and displaying information on the screen regarding proper position of the element in a manner allowing to compare between the actual and the proper position is disclosed. Further disclosed is a system and device for positioning of an orthodontic element or a marking device having a marking member for marking a position for subsequent placement of an orthodontic element on a surface of a tooth.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance for a molar tooth has a latch that is movable between an open position to admit or release an archwire into an archwire slot and a closed position to retain the archwire in the archwire slot. In one aspect of the invention, the appliance lacks tiewings and has a mesial archwire guide that is spaced from a distal archwire guide by a channel that extends in a generally occlusal-gingival direction across the appliance. In another aspect of the invention, the appliance includes a flange with at least one groove for retaining a wire segment or other item in place.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket 10 is a plastic bracket, having a base 11 directly or indirectly secured to the teeth, a bracket main body 12 furnished on the base 11 at its one side, an archwire slot 16 formed in groove shape along a mesiodistal direction with respect to the bracket main body 12 for receiving an archwire 14, and a liner 20 of U-shape in cross section provided along the archwire slot 16. This orthodontic bracket 10 is furnished with flared portions 22A, 22B at outsides of the liner 20, and the flared portions 22A, 22B are composed not to project from the surfaces 13A, 13B of the bracket main body 12.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance such as a bracket or buccal tube has an overall, low profile shape. The appliance includes a base having a thickness that is less in regions adjacent the archwire slot as compared to remaining regions. In certain embodiments, the base is provided with protrusions that extend into the archwire slot for controlling rotation of the associated tooth. The resulting low profile of the appliance enhances its aesthetic appearance and helps to avoid impingement of the appliance and the attached archwire on adjacent soft tissue in the oral cavity.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket and positioning system for providing a compact and wingless orthodontic bracket. The orthodontic bracket and positioning system includes a base, a bracket member attached to the base, a vertical passage and a horizontal passage within the bracket, and a front slot within the bracket member for receiving an archwire. At least one ligature member extends through the vertical passage and about the archwire for securing the archwire within the front slot. The vertical passage is substantially traverse to the front slot for allowing the ligature member to extend about the archwire substantially traverse to the archwire. A gauge member is utilized to properly orient the orthodontic bracket and positioning system with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tooth.

Abstract: A method of modifying a polymeric material which comprises the steps of activation-treatment and a hydrophilic polymer-treatment, or comprises the steps of activation-treatment, a hydrophilic polymer-treatment, and monomer grafting in this order, or comprises the step of a solvent-treatment followed by these steps. Thus, the polymeric material, e.g., polyolefin, is improved in hydrophilicity, adhesion, etc. without lowering the practical strength thereof. The polymeric material thus improved in adhesion and other properties can be used in many applications where water absorption and adhesion are required, such as an absorption material, e.g., a wiping/cleansing material, a water retention material, a material for microorganism culture media, a separator for batteries (or cells), a synthetic paper, a filter medium, a textile product for clothing, a medical/sanitary/cosmetic supply, and reinforcing fibers for composite materials.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance anchored to the bone of the patient's mouth, the appliance having a wire guide for use with orthodontic tension bands to alleviate the use of other teeth as anchors. The device and method utilize a thin plate anchor body having at least one aperture, a bone fastener receivable through the anchor body aperture, and a tension band and/or wire guide channel affixed to the anchor plate body.

Abstract: A uni-twin orthodontic bracket defining a facial surface has a bracket base defining a central bracket section and mesial and distal tie-wing sections and defines a active precision edgewise slot having mesial and distal ends and having parallel slot side surfaces and a slot bottom surface and adapted to receive an edgewise archwire in force transmitting relation therein. A mounting surface is defined by the bracket base and is oriented at a desired torque angle with respect to the facial surface and the parallel slot side surfaces. The mounting surface is adapted to be fixed in relation to the facial surface of a patient's tooth and positions the parallel slot side surfaces at a desired torque angle. The mesial and distal bracket sections define mesial and distal tie-wings and define archwire relief areas establishing clearance with an edgewise archwire.

Abstract: A dental article is formed by a polymer material obtained by the polymerization of at least a cycloolefin. A process for the surface modification of a dental article formed by a polymer material obtained by the polymerization of at least a cycloolefin, comprises applying a graft polymerization initiator over the surface of the dental article, supplying a reactive monomer onto the coated surface of the article, and then subjecting the coat to graft photopolymerization.

Abstract: Disclosed is an orthodontic article that includes a fluoropolymer and that exhibits at least 0.001% transmittance at 546 nm when measured according to the Transmittance Test Procedure.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket comprising a pair of tie wings, an archwire containing slot disposed between the tie wings, a pair of gingival stabilizing notches formed in one of the tie wings, an incisal stabilizing slot formed in the other tie wing, an orthodontic clip comprising an interactive section with a gingival wing secured to one side edge thereof and an incisal wing secured to the other side thereof, a medial slit formed in interactive section, a pair of supplemental slits formed between the interactive section and the gingival wing and the incisal wing, respectively, portions of the gingival wing disposed in the gingival stabilizing notches, and a portion of the incisal wing disposed in the incisal stabilizing slot.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket having an opening for receiving a wire, but without a base or other part to create a lever arm when the bracket is angled relative to a tooth surface. The bracket can be embedded into and encapsulated by an adhesive that is bonded to the tooth to create a low profile attachment. A clip is provided for holding the bracket in position and occluding the opening while the adhesive is applied. And an indirect method of attaching the brackets to teeth is provided wherein the brackets can be attached to the lingual side of the teeth in a low profile arrangement.

Abstract: The invention relates to uses of glasses and glass-ceramics in dental and orthodontic applications.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket for providing traction to an impacted tooth, the bracket having a base portion adapted to be fixed to the exposed tooth surface, and a plurality of attachment points adapted to be attached to one or more traction ligatures (e.g., elastic modules), which in turn are adapted to be attached to an arch wire in order to provide traction forces to the tooth.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance, particularly a bracket or a buccal tube, consists, in full or in part, of a plastic material which exhibits a water absorption capacity and in which is deposited a water-soluble, especially an antibacterial additive that restrains the formation of plaque.

Abstract: An appliance used in orthodontic treatment includes a retaining groove that is located directly adjacent a base of the appliance. The retaining groove is useful for keeping a wire segment or other item in place and in contact with a body of the appliance so that the item does not detach from the appliance during the course of treatment. The retaining groove is particularly useful for keeping tieback loops and other items having a thread-like configuration in a captive, compact and snug relationship with the appliance.

Abstract: Components of a dental brace including arch wires and brackets are coated with a hard, wear resistant material that has a low coefficient of friction. The aesthetically pleasing coating encapsulates the substrate material preventing the release of toxins from the substrate material that would otherwise occur due to wear, galling or corrosion. The coating includes a first layer of a metal which is preferably Titanium, Zirconium or Hafnium, a second layer that is preferably a Nitride of the metal used in the first layer and a third layer that is preferably a Nitride of the metal used in the first layer and has approximately two metal atoms for every Nitrogen atom. The coating is preferably applied using a physical vapor deposition source such as a cathodic arc source with a controlled gas atmosphere.

Abstract: Blocks of material are prepared in a variety of shapes and sizes to be used in the fabrication of models for dental restorations. The material comprises a partially sintered ceramic material. The blocks are used to manufacture molds using CAD/CAM methods and equipment. The molds are useful in the manufacture of dental restorations using ceramics, metals, alloys, or powders thereof, and composite materials. The models milled from the blanks may be used to manufacture a variety of dental restorations including, but not limited to, crowns, bridges, space maintainers, tooth replacement appliances, orthodontic retainers, dentures, posts, jackets, inlays, onlays, facings, veneers, facets, implants, abutments, splints, partial crowns, teeth, cylinders, pins, and connectors.

Abstract: An improved orthodontic bracket including a horizontally opening archwire slot for a main aligning archwire for allowing crown tipping, limiting root uprighting, and controlling torquing, and a relatively small horizontal uprighting slot, tunnel or lumen extending substantially mesiodistally for receiving an additional small wire for uprighting teeth and eliminating the need to use individual uprighting springs in the final stage of patient treatment.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance including at least one orthodontic component comprising a thermoplastic polymer. In some embodiments the thermoplastic polymer is a rigid backbone polymer including at least one of a compatibilizing side roup or a solubilizing side group. The thermoplastic polymer may be heat processed to form the orthodontic component.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance comprises a base, a main body equipped on one side of the base, an archwire slot furnished to the main body, a convertible cap closing the archwire slot along the length direction, and stepwise portions provided at ends of the archwire slot for receiving ends of the convertible cap. The convertible cap is fixedly soldered with a silver soldering material containing Ag 90% or more.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket (20) is taught configured in such a manner that an archwire (48) may be snapped into place retaining the bracket labially on a patients tooth. The bracket has a base plate (22) with a pair of inwardly facing upstanding integral angular legs (46) formed within the base plate transverse to its mesial-distal axis. The legs project the full width of the base plate flush with its sides and are spaced apart essentially the narrowest width of a conventional archwire. The top angular legs have a gap (50) therebetween to allow the archwire to enter. Together with the base plate and the inside surface of the legs, a cavity (52) is formed, dimensioned to receive and retain the archwire. The cavity bottom (56) is parallel with the labial-buccal surface (24) of the base plate and either the legs or the cavity include one or more indentations to assure a proper snap-in effect.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance that includes a polycrystalline translucent aluminum oxide ceramic material having an average grain size of no greater than 1.0 micron and a Contrast Ratio value of less than about 0.7.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance comprising a main body for orthodontic treatment and a bonding base connected to the main body and capable of adhering to the teeth, wherein the main body and the bonding base each comprise calcium phosphate crystallizing glass. The calcium phosphate crystallizing glass preferably comprises CaO 10 to 60 wt %, P2O5 25 to 85 wt %, Al2O3 5 to 25 wt % and Li2O 0.01 to 5 wt %, and has Vickers hardness Hv based on JIS Z2244 of 4.5 GPa or lower, and bending strength based on JIS R1601 of 100 MPa or higher.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket and positioning system for providing a compact and wingless orthodontic bracket. The orthodontic bracket and positioning system includes a base, a bracket member attached to the base, a vertical passage and a horizontal passage within the bracket, and a front slot within the bracket member for receiving an archwire. At least one ligature member extends through the vertical passage and about the archwire for securing the archwire within the front slot. The vertical passage is substantially traverse to the front slot for allowing the ligature member to extend about the archwire substantially traverse to the archwire. A gauge member is utilized to properly orient the orthodontic bracket and positioning system with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tooth.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket assembly comprising an orthodontic bracket and a powered actuator mounted to the bracket. The actuator can be used to provide relative movement between a tooth (or set of teeth) and another object, such as an archwire or another tooth (or set of teeth). Preferably, the actuator is a micro electromechanical system (MEMS) having a size that will not significantly interfere with the comfort of the patient.

Abstract: An improved dental appliance system, and methods for using and fabricating the improved appliance, including a polymeric overlay or shell having a teeth-receiving cavity formed therein. The dental appliance having the necessary stiffness or strength to firmly secure the appliance on the teeth and provide controlled forces required for repositioning the teeth, until such time as removal of the appliance is desired. The appliance may be configured for use with a removal mechanism. The removal mechanism provides for selective release of the appliance from the teeth as the removal mechanism undergoes a state change stimulated by an environmental stimulus or environmental switch.

Abstract: An improved orthodontic bracket including a horizontally opening archwire slot for a main aligning archwire for allowing crown tipping, limiting root uprighting, and controlling torquing, and a relatively small horizontal uprighting slot, tunnel or lumen extending substantially mesiodistally for receiving an additional small wire for uprighting teeth and eliminating the need to use individual uprighting springs in the final stage of patient treatment.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket is provided with a base shaped to correspond to the profile of the specific tooth to which it is to be attached. The shape of the base facilitates the visual placement of the bracket on the tooth of a patient by visually signaling to the practitioner the positioning of the bracket with its base centered on the facial side of the tooth. This invention facilitates the positioning of the archwire support of the bracket at a position on a tooth that may be offset from the facial axis or from the center of the face of the tooth by manufacture of the bracket with the support offset from the center of the tooth-shaped base. Preferably, the appliance base is a scaled reduction of the profile of the tooth, viewed from its facial side. The archwire support includes tie wings that have parallel sides and are fixed to the base with their tips defining between them the archwire slot that defines a reference line.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance that includes a polycrystalline translucent aluminum oxide ceramic material having an average grain size of no greater than 1.0 micron and a Contrast Ratio value of less than about 0.7.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket system for providing a compact and wingless orthodontic bracket. The orthodontic bracket system includes a base, a bracket member attached to the base, a vertical passage within the bracket, and a front slot within the bracket member for receiving an archwire. At least one ligature member extends through the vertical passage and about the archwire for securing the archwire within the front slot. The vertical passage is substantially traverse to the front slot for allowing the ligature member to extend about the archwire substantially traverse to the archwire.

Abstract: An orthodontic system for particular use with Latin/Hispanic patients for correcting maloccluded teeth to produce a normalized preferred alignment using a set of upper and lower brackets having a base portion and a bracket body constructed to receive and secure an archwire. The brackets are constructed using specific parameters including torque angle, angulation, and offset individualized for each tooth and further constructed with a base having a rear surface for attachment to the labial or buccal surface of the crown of individual teeth.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket system for providing a compact and wingless orthodontic bracket. The orthodontic bracket system includes a base, a bracket member attached to the base, a vertical passage within the bracket, and a front slot within the bracket member for receiving an archwire. At least one ligature member extends through the vertical passage and about the archwire for securing the archwire within the front slot. The vertical passage is substantially traverse to the front slot for allowing the ligature member to extend about the archwire substantially traverse to the archwire.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket 10 is a plastic bracket, having a base 11 directly or indirectly secured to the teeth, a bracket main body 12 furnished on the base 11 at its one side, an archwire slot 16 formed in groove shape along a mesiodistal direction with respect to the bracket main body 12 for receiving an archwire 14, and a liner 20 of U-shape in cross section provided along the archwire slot 16. This orthodontic bracket 10 is furnished with flared portions 22A, 22B at outsides of the liner 20, and the flared portions 22A, 22B are composed not to project from the surfaces 13A, 13B of the bracket main body 12.

Abstract: A removable orthodontic implant brackets for straightening teeth, wherein the implant is implanted into the palate roof of the mouth, includes a patient removable palate anchor connector as well as patient removable tooth connectors which attach the ends of palatal wires to tabs which are adhesively bonded to a tooth. Due to the geometries of the connectors, the connectors have low insertion and removal forces, positive locking of connected sections, and resist rotation in all planes. During removal, a captive actuator stud is simply pulled up or pressed down to deploy or retract the dual locking studs which operate in a plane orthogonal to the direction of movement.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket assembly comprising an orthodontic bracket and a powered actuator mounted to the bracket. The actuator can be used to provide relative movement between a tooth (or set of teeth) and another object, such as an archwire or another tooth (or set of teeth). Preferably, the actuator is a micro electromechanical system (MEMS) having a size that will not significantly interfere with the comfort of the patient.

Abstract: In an apparatus for precisely locating an orthodontic bracket at a predetermined position on a surface of a tooth, orthodontic brackets for holding orthodontic wires can be easily and precisely located at and adhered to a predetermined position on a surface of a tooth, not only at an initial time but also even when the used orthodontic brackets are separated from the surface of the tooth in the course of the orthodontic treatment. The apparatus has a suspension body, a ring, and a molding spacer. The suspension body is disposed extending in parallel with the tooth from an apex toward a dental root of the tooth with a predetermined gap. The ring is inserted in the groove and hooked around the hook after the holding member has been fittedly inserted in the fitting recess, to thereby tightly assemble the suspension body and the orthodontic bracket together. The molding spacer is disposed between the suspension body and the tooth.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket has tiewings with cavities for receiving an attachment, such as a hook or a ligating latch. Optionally, the bracket is made in two or more sections or bodies that preferably have cross-sectional configurations similar to each other when viewed in directions perpendicular to the archwire slot. When the bodies are assembled to each other, tiewing portions of each section are located adjacent each other to present a single tiewing.

Abstract: A bracket for orthodontic use includes a base having a face adapted to be mounted to an inside surface of a tooth; and a stem having a first end connected to the base, the stem including a spur connected to a second end of the stem such that when the base is mounted to the inside surface of the tooth, the spur is located rearwardly of the face and oriented in the rearward direction. A method for prevention of tongue thrust swallowing includes providing a bracket having a spur, mounting the bracket on a rear surface of a tooth that is substantially opposing the tongue, and orienting the spur in a direction substantially opposing the tongue to discourage tongue thrust during swallowing.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an orthodontic twin bracket, and in particular an orthodontic twin bracket which includes protrusions on the floor and side walls of the archwire slot in order to reduce friction. In a preferred embodiment, a bracket design is provided which incorporates one or more of the features of reduced friction, improved alignment accuracy and, ease of identification, multiple ligation options, small size and structural integrity.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance anchored to the bone of the patient's mouth, the appliance having a wire guide for use with orthodontic tension bands to alleviate the use of other teeth as anchors. The device and method utilize a thin plate anchor body having at least one aperture, a bone fastener receivable through the anchor body aperture, and a tension band and/or wire guide channel affixed to the anchor plate body.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance may easily be recognized by a sort and a tooth mark, and trace to confirm the history of material and the production process. The appliance has a production lot number indicated at the part thereof, and further, the sort and the tooth mark indicated at an easily recognizable place thereof.

Abstract: An improved dental appliance system, and methods for using and fabricating the improved appliance, including a polymeric overlay or shell having a teeth-receiving cavity formed therein. The dental appliance having the necessary stiffness or strength to firmly secure the appliance on the teeth and provide controlled forces required for repositioning the teeth, until such time as removal of the appliance is desired. The appliance may be configured for use with a removal mechanism. The removal mechanism provides for selective release of the appliance from the teeth as the removal mechanism undergoes a state change stimulated by an environmental stimulus or environmental switch.

Abstract: A convertible buccal tube which includes a base and a body extending from the base. The body includes an elongated first archwire slot and a cover plate extending across and enclosing a buccal side of the first archwire slot. The cover plate is integrally formed with the body. and includes perforated longitudinal connections which form two lines of weaknesses adjacent to the side walls of the archwire slot. The cover plate can be removed to convert the buccal tube to an edgewise bracket.