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.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance has a bracket portion with an archwire slot formed therein. The archwire slot extends in the mesial-distal direction of the appliance and is dimensioned to receive an archwire. The orthodontic appliance has at least one pair of tie-wings. Each tie-wing projects outwardly from the bracket portion on an opposite side of the archwire slot with respect to the other tie-wing. One pair of opposing shoulders are located on the mesial end of the bracket portion, and another pair of opposing shoulders are located on the distal end of the bracket portion. Each shoulder is located on an opposite side of the archwire slot relative to the other shoulder of the pair. Each shoulder is adapted to support a ligature thereon, and is dimensioned and located with respect to the archwire slot, so that the ligature is spaced above an archwire received therein. The orthodontic appliance is therefore permitted to move relative to the archwire during orthodontic treatment.

Abstract: A buccal tube used in orthodontic therapy is convertible to a bracket during later stages of treatment. The buccal tube includes two tabs initially extending toward each other from opposite sides of an arch wire slot. A prying tool placed in a slot of the buccal tube moves both of the tabs apart and bends the tabs toward recessed positions in order to open the slot and convert the buccal tube to a bracket.

Abstract: An improved orthodontic bracket (44) has a slot (46) therein for receiving an archwire. The slot (46) has oppositely facing sidewalls (48 and 50) and a base (52). The base (52) has a protrusion (54) thereon thus forming a continuously curving surface including the sidewalls (48 and 50), the base (52) and the protrusion (54). An archwire placed in the slot (46) will rest upon the protrusion (54) rather than the base (52) or the sidewalls (48 and 50). Therefore, the archwire may be placed at a uniform depth regardless of the shape of the wire and stress is reduced in the slot (46).

Abstract: An elongated strip of pliable resilient plastic for covering a patient's orthodontic brackets and wire reduces chafing and injury to the interior of the patient's mouth from sharp edges. The cover strip is attached to the wires between the orthodontic brackets by thin plastic wire locks on the rear surface of the strip and having horizontal wire engaging slits.

Abstract: A dental appliance formed of a bracket and an arch. The bracket is adapted to be detachably secured to a patient's tooth. The bracket is formed from a material which is substantially inert to water, which has a low coefficient of friction, and which has deformation properties which enable the bracket to absorb and equalize minor displacement of the tooth without adversely affecting the original shape of the arch. The arch cooperates with the bracket when the bracket is detachably secured to the tooth of the patient. The arch includes wire or ribbon, and a relatively thin coating over the wire or ribbon. The coating is substantially tooth-colored and has a low coefficient of friction.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket made of a partially crystallized glass material and method for making same. The orthodontic bracket has a thin compressive outer crystalline layer.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance has a base portion having formed on one side thereof a tooth-abutting surface and a bracket portion defining an archwire slot therein. Two tie-wings project outwardly from the bracket portion and extend along one side of the archwire slot. Two hooked tie-wings extend along the other side of the archwire slot and project outwardly therefrom. Each hooked tie-wing defines on an interior side thereof a hook-shaped surface. The hook-shaped surfaces are provided for mounting auxiliary force transmitting members thereto.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an orthodontic bracket assembly having a trapezoidal configuration for ease of positioning and aligning the bracket on the tooth. The bracket assembly comprises a pair of tie wings, each having non-parallel mesial and distal edges and further having an occlusal edge substantially parallel to the occlusal plane and to the sight line of the archwire slot. The edges of the tie wings form sight lines that intersect at a focal point located at the tip of the root tooth to assist in positioning the bracket. The edges of the tie wings also are substantially parallel to the tooth edges to assist in aligning and positioning the bracket on the tooth. Further, a V groove is provided along the longitudinal axis of the bracket and forms a sight line that also intersects the focal point to facilitate alignment of the bracket during mounting.

Abstract: A design and manufacturing process uses flat sheets with outline shapes cut into the metal to manufacture orthodontic parts in laminate form. These sheets are aligned and stacked together, tack welded and brazed together in a flat form or may be bent together and then brazed. The process may be used to produce either commonly used conventional orthodontic brackets or very complicated shapes required for difficult applications.

Abstract: A prosthetic implant attachment system for mounting a dental prosthesis on a root implant including a base member having a lower end sized to seat on the upper end of an implant cylinder and an upper end of outer diameter substantially equal to the average outer diameters of various teeth, a securing device for securing the base member on the root implant, and various straight, angled or variable angled prosthetic heads for securing to the prosthesis. The upper end of the base member and the lower end of the prosthetic head have interengageable and indexable locking formations for preventing rotation between the parts which can be engaged in any of a number of possible relatively rotated fixed, indexed positions. A releasable securing device secures the prosthetic head to the base member. The prosthesis can be mounted on the prosthetic head by cementation, screw fixation, or other techniques.

Abstract: A nonporous ceramic bracket for bonding to the external face of a tooth is made of compressed zirconium oxide particles which are partially stabilized by a transition metal oxide. The bracket has a color and translucency substantially corresponding to the tooth to which it is bonded.

Abstract: An abutment for orthodontic anchorage is mountable on an osseointegrated dental implant fixture in the same manner as components used to support prosthodontic restorations. This abutment is adjustable around the axis of the implant fixture, and it supports a mount for holding an orthodontic anchor fixed to a buccal or a lingual side of the abutment. The mount is adjustable around an axis running between the buccal and lingual surfaces.

Abstract: A single crystal orthodontic bracket is disclosed which is provided with an outer protective layer of a polycrystalline material so as to provide fracture toughness of the orthodontic bracket.

Abstract: A method for cushioning dental appliance in the mouth using a visible light cured polymeric material which can also be used in a method for intraoral medicament delivery in the mouth is provided. When used with an orthodontic bracket, for example, the light cured polymeric material is dispensed on the orthodontic bracket after the bracket is in place and the material is light cured on the bracket. When used in a method of intraoral delivery of a medicament, a medicament is added to the polymeric material and the polymeric material is applied in the same manner as described for cushioning an orthodontic bracket.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket or similar orthodontic appliance is made of a polycrystalline ceramic having a translucency which minimizes visibility of the appliance when mounted on a tooth. The ceramic is formed by pressing a powder material, such as high purity aluminum oxide, and sintering to yield a single phase appliance having substantially zero porosity and an average grain size preferably in the range of 10 to 30 microns. The substantially color-free ceramic appliance has desirable strength and other mechanical properties combined with a translucency which permits the natural color of the tooth to diffusely show through in a fashion tending to make the appliance blend with and disappear against the tooth.

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.

Abstract: Ceramic orthodontic brackets are bonded to teeth with dental adhesive. Each bracket has a silica-containing layer on the tooth facing base of the bracket. A silanation layer is also applied to the base. The silanation layer is deposited from a solution containing a first silane coupling agent reactive with organic resin in the adhesive and a second silane coupling agent having a non-reactive orgainc group. Collectively the silanes occupy all of the silanation sites on the silica-containing substrate. By controlling the ratio of reactive and non-reactive silane coupling agents, the bond strength between the substrate and the adhesive can be controlled. A set of ceramic orthodontic brackets can have uniform force of removal by varying the porportions of silane coupling agents on the brackets.

Abstract: A ceramic orthodontic apparatus for attachment to a tooth has a base portion with a tooth abutting surface. The tooth abutting surface is shaped to fit generally the morphology of a tooth and defines a plurality of spaced, radially contoured indentations for receiving adhesive material for attaching the apparatus to a tooth.

Abstract: A sapphire orthodontic bracket with enhanced tolerance to fabrication, installation and use is fabricated such that the "r" planes of the sapphire are at substantially equal angles to the longitudinal axis of the arch wire groove of the bracket.

Abstract: A triwing orthodontic bracket for mandibular teeth, and having a single wide occlusal tie wing of enhanced structural strength, and a pair of spaced-apart gingival tie wings which enable rotational tooth movement and simplified ligature installation.

Abstract: A sintered-metal convertible buccal tube for orthodontic use, and having a body with an integrally formed cover plate closing an outer side of an arch-wire slot. Lines of weakness are defined along opposite side edges of the cover plate so the plate can be sheared away from the body to open the slot at a later treatment phase.

Abstract: An adjustable bracket assembly for use with an arch wire includes a base member, an attachment member, and means for movably associating the base member with the attachment member, whereby the attachment member is slidably received within the base member, whereby a variable sized arch wire receiving channel may be formed.

Abstract: A ceramic orthodontic bracket having an unobtrusive color, is obtained by sintering a molded body of a powdery mixture composed of 2-15 mole % of yttrium oxide, 5-20 mole % of titanium dioxide and the balance of zirconia.

Abstract: A plastic shield removably attached to an orthodontic appliance comprising a pliable C-shaped strip having projecting legs which flex outwardly over the appliance when the strip is pressed digitally thereagainst. The legs carry one or more longitudinally extending ridges which cam over the appliance and are thereafter biased against the brackets or the ligatures of the appliance in the manner of a flexural clamp or detent.

Abstract: A manufacture for orthodontic bracket application and removal, employing an orthodontic bracket adhesive containing a non-toxic, inorganic filler which is insoluble in mouth fluids and has a Mohs hardness less than about 4.5, together with an abrasive for removal of the adhesive. The abrasive is a non-toxic, inorganic material having a Mohs hardness greater than that of the adhesive filler but less than about 5.

Abstract: A crystalline orthodontic bracket with enhanced tolerance to fabrication, installation and use is composed of zirconia, yttria, magnesia or strontium titanate.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket having a horizontal archwire slot and wire-engaging surfaces for use in any treatment technique and coacting with an archwire and force generating means to produce tooth movement through crown tipping and root uprighting actions and for defining predetermined tip values. The bracket includes pivot edges for permitting pivotal movement between the bracket and the archwire, and a stop for limiting over-root-uprighting. It may also have a stop for limiting over-crown-tipping.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved bracket for use in fixed dental appliances for the orthodontic movement of teeth. An orthodontic bracket in accordance with the invention comprises a fixed member for attachment to the labial surface of the tooth and a member which is freely rotatable about a stub axle formed in the fixed member, the rotatable member being provided on its labial surface with a first channel in which archwire may be seated, means being provided to lock the rotatable and fixed members together at a predetermined angular position. Such a bracket allows free tipping of the teeth in the early stages of treatment and allows torque to be applie for fine control of the root apices in the latter stages of treatment.

Abstract: An edgewise bracket with a Sved shaped archwire slot and stop means for coating with the bracket and an archwire for limiting crown tipping or root uprighting movements so as to achieve predetermined uprighting or tip values. The archwire slot includes edges for permitting pivotal tipping or uprighting movement between the bracket and the archwire and surfaces inclined in excess of any desired tipping or uprighting movement. The stop means may be in the form of pins mounted on a base for the bracket, a clip snap fitting over the bracket and having stop tabs or lugs for engaging the archwire, or elastic ligatures having enlargements that engage the archwire and induce the bracket to remain in a predetermined position relative to the archwire.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket and palatal bar system for lingual placement in the maxillary dental arch. The bracket provides a generally vertical socket to receive a pin on the adjacent end of the palatal bar by upward movement of the bar within the mouth. The bar has an antirotation link which seats in a mating bracket slot, and the bracket includes a separate rectangular slot to receive an edgewise arch wire.

Abstract: An improved orthodontic apparatus is provided having one or more brackets adapted for mounting on the surface of a tooth. The brackets have a wire receiving slot formed therein with non-parrallel slot surfaces. A tapered wire having non-parallel oppositely disposed wire surfaces is also provided. When the wire is positioned in the wire receiving slot and placed under tension, a selected force vector is effected against the tooth. The wire surfaces and the wire receiving slot surfaces may be configured so as to selectively wedge the wire in the slot or provide slidability, as desired. A series of inserts may further be provided for selectively altering the force vectors effected against the tooth. A method and system for utilizing the aforesaid brackets and tapered wire are thereby provided.

Abstract: An orthodontic device has the form of a bracket with wings which are disposed on a base plate and which are constructed in the form of separate shaped parts and welded onto the base plate, the base plate itself forming a separately preformed component. Preferably, the separately preformed base plate is constructed in the form of an adhesive support or adhesive base, and for this purpose is constructed with undercut recesses on the underside of the base plate.

Abstract: A combination edgewise bracket for selective use in crown tipping root uprighting or torquing, which includes a pair of labiobuccally opening archwire slots one of which when coacting with an archwire and there being selective forces applied between the archwire and bracket will allow crown tipping and root uprighting movements and the other of which when coacting with a rectangular archwire may provide both torquing and mesio-distal axial control. The other slot may function to cause or stabilize tooth movement in three dimensions.

Abstract: The adhesive strength of alumina brackets to acrylic adhesive cements is enhanced by forming an essentially silica coating on the bonding surface of the bracket by the steps of coating said surface with an organosilicon compound such as a silane and then pyrolyzing the organosilicon coating to volatilize the organic components thereof to thereby leave an essentially silica coating.

Abstract: A convertible-buccal-tube orthodontic bracket of compact design, and having an auxiliary-appliance hook which is gingivally inclined to prevent occlusal interference.

Abstract: A pre-adjusted orthodontic bracket assembly is provided. The assembly has one or two tie wings and a base pad. The tie wings define an archwire slot for alignment with the occlusal plane of a patient's tooth. The sides of the tie wings are additional references for alignment with the tooth and are designed for alignment with the long axis of the tooth. The tips of the tie wings are rounded and substantially semicircular. The bracket assembly is made by a machining process. A metal strip is provided and a longitudinal slot corresponding to the archwire slot is machined into the strip. Cuts transverse to the slot are machined to define tie wings having angular corners. The angular tie wing tips are rounded using a die assembly to form a metal strip having a number of tie wings with rounded tips. One tie wing or a pair of adjacent tie wings are sheared from the metal strip and attached to a base pad to form an orthodontic bracket assembly.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket of the edgewise type including a single tie wing having a labially facing archwire slot and a scoopout or pocket along the archwire slot axis formed so that the archwire slot is interrupted centrally of the tie wing so as to reduce the friction between the archwire and the bracket along the longitudinal axis of the archwire. The tie wing may optionally include one or more notches at the edges of the tie wing tips wherein the notches are sized to receive an elastomeric ligature.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket for receiving at least one arch wire may comprise: a base portion adapted for attachment to the outer surface of a tooth and first and second wing portions propecting outwardly from the base portion. Disposed between the two wing portions and opening away from the base portion is a channel for receiving an arch wire. At least one of the channel walls is stepped so as to form two slots of differing widths.

Abstract: Orthodontic brackets are made from ion exchange strengthened glass. In a preferred embodiment, the glass is a lithium alumino silicate srengthened with sodium ions.

Abstract: An aesthetically pleasing orthodontic appliance which is formed by casting a molten precious metal alloy, a major portion of which is gold and a minor portion of which is platinum, such appliance having a contoured, tooth-engaging surface with at least one irregularity therein to permit a dental adhesive to form a mechanical bond with the appliance, the irregularity being a recess which extends into the interior of the appliance to reduce the weight thereof, and a "lost wax" type of process for forming such a precious metal alloy orthodontic appliance using an organic orthodontic appliance as a form, the contoured, tooth-engaging rear surface of such organic orthodontic appliance being treated to form at least one irregularity therein corresponding to the irregularity that is desired in the precious metal alloy orthodontic appliance.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket with self-ligating features is described. A cover plate is rotatably attached to the bracket base. Turning of the cover plate to the open position provides access to an archwire slot. After archwire placement, returning of the cover plate to its closed position achieves various degrees of play and seating depending on archwire size and cover plate configuration. The over plate promotes cleanliness and provides cosmetic advantages.

Abstract: A manufacture for orthodontic bracket application and removal, employing an orthodontic bracket adhesive containing a non-toxic, inorganic filler which is insoluble in mouth fluids and has a Mohs hardness less than about 4.5, together with an abrasive for removal of the adhesive. The abrasive is a non-toxic, inorganic material having a Mohs hardness greater than that of the adhesive filler but less than about 5.

Abstract: An elastomeric device for use with an orthodontic appliance of the type wherein an archwire is inserted in the archwire slot formed in a bracket, attachable to a patient's tooth, which has hook-shaped projections formed therein. The elastomeric device includes a unit having a closed loop portion which is stretchable over the projections for holding the archwire to the bottom of the slot, and a cap portion integrally molded with the loop portion for covering the bracket. The cap portion protects the oral cavity of the patient against irritation from the rough surfaces of the bracket, keeps food particles from becoming lodged in the crevices of the bracket, and enhances the appearance of the overall appliance by hiding the bracket from view. The elastomeric device may be in the form of a single unit or in the form of an integrally molded chain-like arrangement of such units.

Abstract: A wedge-shaped orthodontic appliance is described for affixation to the crown of the tooth of a patient. The appliance contains receiving slots in its thicker end for holding an archwire. A tapered end is provided to direct food bolus away from the archwire support area.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance comprising: an orthodontic channel bracket having two channels therein at right angles to each other in adjacent sides of the bracket; an orthodontic tube bracket providing the static components of a spring latch or locking mechanism; a supplemental tube bracket providing the movable components of a spring latch or locking mechanism, and removable and replacable molar tube components of an orthodontic appliance; and an orthodontic arch wire movable spring latch component mechanism.

Abstract: A Begg bracket for controlling the tipping and/or uprighting movements of a tooth on which the bracket is mounted which includes mesial and/or distal archwire stops at the mesial and/or distal sides of the archwire slot to limit the mesial and/or distal tipping and/or uprighting of a tooth to predetermined amounts where mesial or distal tipping force is applied to the crown of the tooth by archwires and/or elastic auxiliaries to principally move the crown, and mesial or distal uprighting forces are applied to a tooth to principally move the root of the tooth.

Abstract: There is disclosed an orthodontic bracket including a base member for attaching to a tooth and a body member extending from the base member. The body member includes walls that define an archwire groove. The walls are made of single crystal alumina. Preferably, the entire bracket is made of single crystal alumina, and most preferably, single crystal alpha-alumina or sapphire.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket having a transverse slot for receiving a conventional orthodontic arch wire, and which is constructed so that a resilient tie ligature used to retain the arch wire in place in the slot is supported on the bracket in a doubled-over configuration. This permits the arch wire to be more firmly and positively held in the transverse slot of the bracket, and it permits a reduction in size of the bracket because it eliminates the need for the gingival portion of the peripheral groove around the bracket which is used in the prior art brackets to retain the ligature.

Abstract: The adhesion of crystalline alumina to adhesives is enhanced by coating the surface of the alumina that is to be in contact with the adhesive, with a very thin coating of a siliceous material such as sputter coated silica.