Abstract: A base for an orthodontic attachment such as a bracket for incorporating torque or rotation in the bracket, which includes a body of wedge shape that may be suitably oriented on and attached to the backside of an orthodontic attachment for selectively incorporating torque or rotation into the bracket. The base may be stamped from a strip of material having a varying thickness such that the base will have a wedge shaped cross section.

Abstract: Apparatus for holding and installing a plurality of orthodontic brackets on a patient's teeth includes an opaque housing having a plurality of spaced slots each adapted to receive a pliers, or tweezers, of the "reverse locking" type, where each pliers engages and supports a respective orthodontic bracket. Attached to the user engaging end, or handle, of each pliers is an opaque silicone cap which facilities gripping the pliers, maintains the pliers securely in position in the housing, and forms an airtight seal about each slot in the housing. Applied to each orthodontic bracket is a light-curable composite bonding material which is maintained in position within a respective slot in spaced relation from the housing. The bracket installer grasps a silicone cap in removing the pliers and orthodontic bracket combination from the housing and affixes the bracket to an intended tooth by means of the bonding material.

Abstract: Orthodontic appliances (brackets) having a pre-applied or factory applied adhesive thereon presenting a non-tacky surface are described. The brackets, which may be plastic, metal or ceramic, have a bonding base surface to which an appropriate adhesive composition is pre-applied. The adhesive, which is uncured and generally presents a tacky outer surface, is protected from deterioration or disturbance by the attachment or adherence of particles, which may form a layer, on the outer surface of the adhesive, thereby presenting a non-tacky surface. Also included are articles consisting of a container with a cover and an orthodontic bracket having pre-applied adhesive received in the container. The adhesive on the bracket in the container presents a non-tacky surface by virtue of a layer of particles secured to the otherwise tacky adhesive surface.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket is provided including a plastic bracket body and a metal reinforcement member partly embedded in the bracket body. The bracket body includes a slot extending substantially along a mesial-distal axis of the bracket body for receiving an arch wire. The reinforcement member includes a holding notch having a width that is smaller than that of the slot of the bracket body. The holding notch is positioned inside the slot and spaced-apart from the slot surfaces to form an arch wire holding mechanism for engaging the arch wire and to substantially avoid contact between the arch wire and the surfaces of the slot. The bracket body may further include removable markings on the lingual and/or labial surfaces to facilitate positioning of the bracket.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for curing an adhesive resin by use of light in which the resin is disposed between a bottom surface of an orthodontic bracket and a tooth surface, wherein a curing tip enhancer of the present invention directs the light onto the adhesive when the bracket is disposed within a portion of the curing tip enhancer. Preferably, the light is directed onto the adhesive resin in a direction substantially parallel to the tooth surface. A portion of the interior surface of the bore of the curing tip enhancer is disposed at an angle so that the light is reflected onto the resin. A light-reflective interior surface of the bore increases the effectiveness of the curing tip enhancer because more radiant energy is reflected onto the resin.

Abstract: A dental-care device is constructed from a planar base and a wire receiving part positioned on the top surface of the planar base. Slots extending straight horizontally are formed at the center of the wire receiving part, and wire is passed through these slots. The device is preferably manufactured by a metal powder injection molding method, and is composed of metal material which contains Ti as the base component, C in an amount of from about 0.03-0.5 wt % by weight of the metal material, O in an amount of from about 0.08-0.8 wt % by weight of the metal material, and N in an amount of from about 0.03-0.6 wt % by weight of the metal material. A large number of pores may be scattered at least in the vicinity of the surface of the metal material. This device can be easily manufactured, has a good surface wetness characteristic, and has functional portions, such as portions of low friction and portions of superior adhesiveness.

Abstract: A bracket container is provided for storing a plurality of orthodontic brackets having bases coated with a light curable adhesive. The container includes a housing and a tray slidably mounted in the housing. The tray includes an upper surface having a plurality of recesses, each for receiving one of the brackets. The tray is movable between a closed position in which the housing covers the recesses in the tray and an open position in which at least some of the recesses are not covered by the housing. The housing comprises substantially opaque material to limit exposure of the brackets to light when the tray is in the closed position. A method of bonding orthodontic brackets to a patient's teeth is also provided. In accordance with the method, a set of orthodontic brackets suitable for bonding on the patient's teeth is first selected. Then, a light curable cement is applied on a rear bonding surface of the base of each bracket to prepare the bracket for bonding at a predetermined later time.

Abstract: A bond card for mounting prepasted orthodontic appliances that includes a substantially rigid planar substrate and a flexible adhesive-releasing film attached to the substrate and having a plurality of unmounted or unattached portions serving as sites for the appliances that are capable of being lifted from the surface of the substrate to facilitate removal of the appliance for mounting on a tooth.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance such as a bracket has bonding structure that provides a greater bond strength to the tooth in regions beneath an occlusal edge portion of the base in comparison to regions beneath at least one of a mesial edge portion, distal edge portion and occlusal edge portion of the base. The weaker bond strengths beneath the mesial edge portion, the distal edge portion and/or the gingival edge portion facilitate removal of the appliance by the orthodontist when desired. The higher bond strength beneath the occlusal edge portion is sufficient to securely retain the appliance on the tooth and safely resist the forces normally encountered during orthodontic treatment.

Abstract: An orthodontic attachment, in particular a bracket, which is made of metal, consists of a foot section which is made of titanium or of a corrosion-resistant alloy consisting substantially of titanium, for bonding to a tooth, and of a functional section, which is made of stainless steel and which is mounted on the foot section.

Abstract: A bonding pad for an orthodontic attachment to be bonded to a tooth, including a foil or plate having a photoetched surface, and a layer of mesh material diffusion bonded to the photoetched surface of the foil, thereby greatly increasing the bonding strength of the attachment to which the bonding pad is secured.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket includes a base with a central opening, and a body with a passage aligned with the opening. A curing light assembly includes an outer end portion that is removably received in the passage for curing adhesive beneath the central section of the bracket body. Once the adhesive beneath the central section of the bracket body has cured to temporarily tack the bracket base to the patient's tooth, adhesive extruded from the peripheral edge of the bracket base can be readily removed without dislodging the bracket from its intended position.

Abstract: An orthodontic assembly including an orthodontic appliance and a region composed of a matrix material having a plurality of reinforcement structures distributed throughout, with some of the reinforcement structures being exposed on an exterior surface of the assembly, as well as an associated method of fabrication. In one embodiment, the entire orthodontic appliance is composed of the noted reinforcement structures and matrix material. In another embodiment, the noted region is actually a layer which is attached to a separately formed appliance, such as a bracket. Nonetheless, the reinforcement structures may be exposed in a variety of locations, such as on the base and/or arch slot. Moreover, this region may be formed by forming the appliance from the reinforcement structures and matrix material in a manner which produces skin on its exterior surface, and removing the skin from the desired areas to expose reinforcement structures partially contained within the matrix material.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for prepasting orthodontic appliances such as brackets with a light-cure adhesive and facilitating the mounting of the brackets in the mouth of a patient. The apparatus includes a kit having a storage box capable of storing a plurality of bond cards on which prepasted brackets are mounted in an organized fashion, a work box for facilitating the initial mounting of the brackets on the bond cards, a bond card cover for protecting the prepasted brackets against curing of the adhesive at the chairside of the patient, and a mouth shield for delaying the curing of the adhesive following initial placement of the prepasted brackets in the mouth of a patient.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket is provided including a plastic bracket body and a metal reinforcement member partly embedded in the bracket body. The bracket body includes a slot extending substantially along a mesial-distal axis of the bracket body for receiving an arch wire. The reinforcement member includes a holding notch having a width that is smaller than that of the slot of the bracket body. The holding notch is positioned inside the slot and spaced-apart from the slot surfaces to form an arch wire holding mechanism for engaging the arch wire and to substantially avoid contact between the arch wire and the surfaces of the slot.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to increase the adhesive strength of the polycarbonate bracket for correcting dentition.The bracket for correcting dentition comprises a polycarbonate bracket, an adhesive layer being applied to the bottom surface of the bracket and subjected to an irradiation of a microwave and a plastically deformable photocuring resin layer being applied to the adhesive layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an orthodontic component part made of a plastic, which consists of a thermoplastic or a thermoset plastic which is cured to a great extent and by means of which the polyaddition is terminated at least at body temperature.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a plastic orthodontic appliance having projecting structure extending outwardly from a bonding base. The projecting structure includes a broadened outer extremity and undercuts proximate the outer extremity which form mechanical bonds with a bonding adhesive. In one application, a plurality of appliances in the form of slotted brackets is provided for cooperating with an archwire to apply corrective forces to a patient's teeth on which the brackets are mounted. Another aspect of the invention concerns a method of making plastic orthodontic appliances suitable for mechanical bonding. The method includes molding a plastic orthodontic appliance having undeformed projecting structure and subsequently softening and compressing the outer extremity of the projecting structure to form undercuts. In a preferred embodiment, the projecting structure is a plurality of posts.

Abstract: An at least aesthetically integral orthodontic appliance which is formed from an orthodontic base and a separately formed orthodontic body, as well as a method for making the same. In one embodiment, a base and body are separately formed by metal injection molding, the upper surface of the base having a pair of preferably mesio-distally extending alignment rails formed thereon. The lower portion of the body is positioned between these rails and forced into engagement with the base. The resulting assembly is thereafter heat treated to form an at least aesthetically appearing and preferably structurally integral orthodontic appliance by an amorphous blending of the interface between the base and body.

Abstract: A dental care material comprising a titanium sintered body has no harmful effects on the human body and easily produces products with complicated shapes having a high level of strength. A mixture of titanium powder and an organic binder is injection molded and subjected to binder removal and sintering processes to form a bracket for orthodontic or dental implant materials. Pure titanium powder, with an average granule diameter of no more than 40 .mu.m, a carbon content by weight of no more than 0.3%, and an oxygen content by weight of no more than 0.6%, preferably is used to produce a titanium sintered body of combined carbon and oxygen content by weight of no more than 1.0%. Colored layers can be formed on the surface of the titanium sintered body using various methods as needed.

Abstract: A method for attaching an orthodontic bracket having a mounting surface to the surface of a tooth comprising: (A) placing, in the presence of the saliva, a cement, which is capable of setting in the presence of saliva, between the surface of the tooth and the mounting surface; and (B) attaching the bracket to the tooth by permitting the cement to bond, in the presence of saliva, to both the surface of the tooth and the mounting surface of the bracket, a preferred class of cement for use in the present invention being a glass ionomer cement, more preferably a light-curable glass ionomer cement.

Abstract: A polymerizable, storage-stable adhesive for adhesive precoated orthodontic appliances includes sufficient EBDA to impart to the adhesive a viscosity that will retain an orthodontic bracket in place on a vertical tooth surface during polymerization of the adhesive.

Abstract: A method for pretreating a plastic dental appliance having a surface to be bonded to a tooth comprising applying a pretreatment composition comprising i) a polymerizable component, ii) a solvent capable of at least partially solubilizing the plastic dental appliance, and iii) a photoinitiator system to the surface of the dental appliance. Components i) and ii) may be the same or different materials. The polymerizable component of the pretreatment composition is then polymerized by exposure to actinic radiation. The present invention also provides pretreated plastic dental appliances prepared by this method. Optionally, the plastic dental appliance may additionally be precoated with an orthodontic adhesive and packaged accordingly.

Abstract: A disposable orthodontic bracket pad. The bracket pad comprises a top and a bottom sheet, wherein the top sheet is made of an inexpensive liquid-impermeable material and has a plurality of openings defining bracket staging areas, and a bottom sheet made of an inexpensive material having one side coated with an adhesive material. The bracket staging areas are preferably arranged in the shape of an arch to mimic the arrangement of teeth and facilitate bracket identification. The bottom sheet is adhered to the top sheet via said adhesive materials, forming a bracket pad having adhesive bracket staging areas. The bracket pad is preferably less than 1/8 of an inch in thickness.

Abstract: Bond strengths of orthodontic appliances are enhanced by applying heat to heat softenable projections of a bonding base of the appliance, and then moving outer portions of the projections in lateral directions to present overhanging regions. The overhanging regions provide undercut areas that mechanically interlock with adhesive when the appliance is bonded to a tooth and the adhesive hardens. The method is useful for plastic appliances as well as other appliances that are made of materials exhibiting thermoplastic characteristics during at least one phase of their manufacture.

Abstract: Orthodontic appliances having improved bonding characteristics and methods of making such orthodontic appliances are disclosed. The appliances have a metal bonding base and tooth contact surface. A primary mechanical interlock retention surface is applied to the tooth contact surfaces. The primary retention surface may be 1) a mesh, 2) a layer of metallic or non-metallic particles, or 3) grooves, including undercuts, formed in the tooth contact surface. The appliances may also include a secondary mechanical bond strength enhancement treatment. Suitable secondary enhancement treatments include 1) surface toughening, 2) particles applied to the primary retention surface, and 3) a chemically activatable material, such as SiO.sub.2, deposited on the primary retention surface. Chemical activation may also be used to activate the chemically activatable material, such as silanation of SiO.sub.2.

Abstract: An orthodontic device comprises a ceramic tooth attachment comprising a base body having an in-line transmittance of visible light in the range of 5% to 60% through a thickness of 0.5 mm and the base body consisting of polycrystalline grains comprising a substance selected from the group of high purity zircon, high purity yttrium oxide, lead titanate zirconate and an aluminum oxide, and X-ray visible precipitations arranged on grain boundaries between the polycrystalline grains, the precipitations comprising ytterbium fluoride in a concentration range of 3 to 150 ppm.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket having mesial and distal sections is debonded from a tooth by pivoting the sections toward each other in respective arcs about a central reference axis extending in an occlusal-gingival direction. The mesial and distal sections are discrete and spaced apart from each other, or alternatively integrally joined by a relatively thin web that bends and optionally fractures upon debonding. A metallic archwire slot liner interconnects the mesial and distal sections and enhances sliding mechanics of the bracket. A pliers-like debonding tool includes jaws with stops for limiting the lingual depth of engagement of the jaws with the mesial and distal sides of the bracket, to facilitate pivoting of the mesial and distal sections during debonding.

Abstract: A self-locking orthodontic bracket includes a base for attachment to a tooth or tooth band. Transversely spaced tying lugs project from the base and include opposed extensions for orthodontic attachment purposes. The tying lugs present an anterior surface interrupted by an archwire slot. A closure mounted on the bracket includes a movable cover slidably engaging the anterior surface of the bracket. The cover spans the full width of the tying lugs and has a perpendicular width greater than the width of the archwire slot across the anterior surface. The closure is supported on the bracket by a pair of guides that slidably engage opposed side surfaces of the tying lugs for opening and closing the cover. The closure can also be designed to complement the archwire slot structure between the lugs, forming a complete tube encircling the archwire across the full width of the bracket when the cover is in its closed position.

Abstract: An improved orthodontic dental bracket with glue openings in the form of notches in the edges of the base plate or apertures in the interior of the base plate of the bracket. The openings can have outwardly diverging side walls. During application of the bracket the glue openings serve to direct dental adhesive to flow into the openings and induce the adhesive to form an enlarged head toward the outer surface of the bracket's base plate. Once the glue has cured, the column of glue and enlarged head provides a positive mechanical lock to further secure the dental bracket to the glue layer.

Abstract: A method and product for improved ceramic fiber reinforced and/or filled thermoplastic and/or thermosetting resin systems utilizes ceramic fiber material which is first etched and then silanated using an organo-functional silane. The etching of the ceramic fiber may be performed utilizing hydrofluoric acid, acidulated phosphate fluoride or the equivalent thereof. The term ceramic fibers is used broadly to include all types of fibers which are made from substantially pure or pure silica, various silicates, metal oxides and other fibers, such as carbon, which are coated or provided with a silica treatment on their surface.

Abstract: Antimicrobial etchant compositions exhibiting good stability and antimicrobial and tooth decalcification are disclosed. The claimed compositions, kits and methods comprise use of antimicrobially effective amounts of benzalkonium chloride, preferably between about 0.1% to about 4.0% together with from about 5% to about 55% phosphoric acid or other concentration of other suitable etchants. The claimed compositions and methods provide concomitant tooth etching and impartation of antimicrobial activity, simplifying the tooth restorative process.

Abstract: A dental bracket is made from an alloy of nickel, beryllium and chromium. The alloy may be that designated by the trademark REXILLIUM III. A groove is disposed in one surface of the bracket to receive an arch wire. An opposite surface of the bracket is roughened to receive an adhesive which has properties of adhering to the bracket and to a patient's tooth. The bracket is formed by heating the alloy to the molten state, pouring the molten alloy into a mold with a cavity in the shape of the bracket and allowing the bracket to cool in air to room temperature. As the bracket cools, the beryllium oxide formed during the heating of the alloy is formed into dendrites. The surface receiving the adhesive is washed with an acid to remove the material in the space between the dendrites and thereby roughen the surface for the reception of the adhesive. The dental bracket is advantageous in that it is made from a single integral piece of material and in that it has properties of preventing tarnishing when scratched.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket having mesial and distal sections is debonded from a tooth by pivoting the sections toward each other in respective arcs about a central reference axis extending in an occlusal-gingival direction. The mesial and distal sections are discrete and spaced apart from each other, or alternatively integrally joined by a relatively thin web that bends and optionally fractures upon debonding. A metallic archwire slot liner interconnects the mesial and distal sections and enhances sliding mechanics of the bracket. A pliers-like debonding tool includes jaws with stops for limiting the lingual depth of engagement of the laws with the mesial and distal sides of the bracket, to facilitate pivoting of the mesial and distal sections during debonding.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance includes a bracket having a front face provided with a rectangular recess for receiving an archwire and rear face for attachment to a tooth or backing plate with an intermediate segment defining a peripheral groove having a pair of base surfaces which are curved about a common axis for receiving supplemental or primary archwires; the body is provided with a rear segment including a through channel for receiving a retaining pin which has a head for cooperation with a notch formed in the front face; the recess of the front face is angled in two directions to increase the variability of the forces that can be applied to the subjacent tooth in practice.

Abstract: Rails (38) project from a mesial edge (40) and a distal edge (42) of a base (28) of an orthodontic appliance (30) forming a gap between the base (28) and a surface (32) of a tooth (34). At least one post (44) projects from the base (28) between the rails (38). The rails (38) and post (44) are dimensioned to substantially preclude post/tooth contact and reduce the likelihood of appliance detachment from a curved tooth surface. The posts (44) are formed to resist shear forces associated with mastication and to facilitate the smooth flow of bonding material about the posts (44) when the base (28) is pressed against a tooth surface (32) during bonding.

Abstract: A polymerizable, storage-stable adhesive for adhesive precoated orthodontic appliances includes sufficient EBDA to impart to the adhesive a viscosity that will retain an orthodontic bracket in place on a vertical tooth surface during polymerization of the adhesive.

Abstract: A dispensing system for dental appliances such as orthodontic brackets includes a plurality of containers releasably connected to a carrier strip. The carrier strip is received in channels of an organizer tray that hold the carrier strip in place as individual containers are detached from the carrier strip. Individual containers, each containing a dental appliance, are selected and removed from the organizer tray for placement in a patient setup tray that is then carried to the patient's chair.

Abstract: A packaged dental article includes a dental appliance that is precoated with an adhesive. The adhesive is in contact with a flexible film having a low adhesion surface. The film is secured to a container at a location spaced from the appliance so that the film tends to peel away from the adhesive when the appliance is removed from the container in order to inhibit separation of the adhesive from the appliance. The container has a sidewall with a recess that engages a carrier to hold the container, and the carrier is flexible to permit the container to be inserted into or released from the carrier when desired.

Abstract: This invention relates to an orthodontic bracket for retaining a wire arch for tooth correction, which bracket comprises a base part having single or double wings and are formed with an open-ended and open-topped transverse groove for receiving the wire arch, and also comprises a footpad secured to the base part and adapted to be adhesively joined to an adjacent tooth surface. A groove is formed in the base part and/or in the pad and extends on the underside thereof or particularly a tunnel is formed in said base part and/or pad, which groove or tunnel extends in the direction in which the wings are spaced apart and serves to anchor partial wire arches.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fixed lingual orthodontic appliance which, when installed on the patient, rests on the lingual surface of the teeth and the palatine and inferior alveolar mucous membranes, comprising a base and support element (1) destined to be rested on the oral mucous membrane, substantially horseshoe-conformed, a plurality of elastic connecting elements (2) made by the modelling of a steel wire or similar with predetermined elastic characteristics, fixed at an end to the base and support element (1), and at the other of its ends on a respective bracket (3), the bracket or brackets (3) being made in synthetic resin and in a number which is equal to that of the teeth to be treated, and being conformed in such a way as to exhibit a concave face (7) which will be cemented on the equally concave lingual surface of the tooth, the other, convex, face (8) exposed to the oral cavity being superficially perfectly smooth and having a convexity which is equal to the development of the corresponding surface

Abstract: A cutout or dimple is provided in an orthodontic bracket and is sized to receive a projection of a measuring instrument to facilitate positioning of the bracket on a tooth. Preferably, the cutout is a conical dimple sized to receive the tip of a Boone gauge or other measuring instrument.

Abstract: Orthodontic appliances having improved bonding characteristics and methods of making such orthodontic appliances are disclosed. The appliances to which the present invention is applicable have a metal bonding base and tooth contact surface. Primary mechanical interlock retention means or surface is applied to the tooth contact surfaces. The primary retention surface may be 1) a mesh, 2) a layer of metallic or non-metallic particles (such as spheres, rods, shards, etc.), or 3) grooves, including undercuts, formed in the tooth contact surface. The appliances preferably further comprise secondary mechanical bond strength enhancement means or treatment. Suitable secondary enhancement treatments include 1) surface roughening (e.g., ion bombardment or other etching processes), 2) particles on the order of 5-200.mu. flame spray coated on the primary retention surface, and 3) a chemically activatable material, such as SiO.sub.2 deposited on the primary retention surface.

Abstract: Plastic orthodontic brackets having an adherent acrylic adhesive primer layer on the bonding surface thereof are disclosed, as well as methods of making such brackets. Primed plastic orthodontic brackets which are shelf-stable and which obviate the need for the chairside primers commonly used by clinicians are contemplated. In a method of the present invention, a solvating mixture of solvents and acrylic monomers is applied to the bonding surface of a plastic bracket and allowed to attack (solvate) and diffuse into the plastic substrate. Thereafter the bracket is heated to volatilize the solvents and lower molecular weight monomers to thereby leave a coating or layer of acrylic material which is predominantly monomeric and is at least partially embedded in the plastic bracket. This coating acts as a primer for acrylic cements and enhances the bonding between the plastic orthodontic bracket and the tooth surface to which it is applied using acrylic adhesive cements which are themselves well known in the art.

Abstract: Adhesive component formulations containing (meth)acrylic acid esters, containing formamide groups, and optionally an initiator, which are used as an adhesive component for the treatment of collagen-containing materials.

Abstract: A method of bonding ceramic brackets to teeth using silane coupling where the bond strength can be controlled by the application of a layer of organic paint. The method comprises the application of a silane coupling agent to the base surface of a bracket and the application of an organic paint to the entirety or a portion of the silane coupling agent such that when an organic adhesive is applied to the base surface of the bracket, the organic paint partially shields the silane coupling and thereby lowers the bond strength. The organic paint can be applied in different configurations to the silane coupling agent on the base surface of the bracket such that bond strength is decreased only over select areas of the base surface.

Abstract: A method to aid in the identification and removal of orthodontic attachment adhesives characterized by incorporating a fluorescent agent in the adhesive and inspecting the oral cavity with ultraviolet light which excites the fluorescent agent by which the excess adhesive can be recognized and removed by a dental tool.

Abstract: The invention discloses a metal injected molded (MIM) orthodontic bracket that includes a plurality of raised posts buccolingually extending from a tooth abutting surface. Each post includes a root section having a base integrally formed with the tooth abutting surface and a apex section buccolingually extending from the root section. The apex section terminates a sharp, continuous parameter edge that was originally, smaller in all directions than the root section. However, in accordance with the invention, further cold working of such edges occurs whereby each edge is easily worked--at ambient temperatures--into a mushroom-shaped button having a worked edge larger in all directions than its associated root section.

Abstract: Dental cements and abrasives are provided which are polymerizable with visible light. Such adhesives. may be applied in thinner films than heretofore possible and demonstrate superior physical properties. Processes employing such materials are disclosed wherein the polymerizatioa of the adhesive is accomplished by transmmitting visible light through tooth or other structures to effect the sdhesion.

Abstract: By using titanium, titanium based alloys, or related metals or alloys, an orthodontic bracket can be manufactured which is lighter and stronger than any conventional type of bracket made of stainless steels, plastics and even ceramics. Ti based brackets have shown excellent corrosion resistance and possess good biocompatibility. Surface treatments including nitriding, diamond coating, pre-oxidation or shot-peening on the slot bottom surface of such brackets reduce the friction coefficient against the orthodontic archwire. Furthermore, the bonding strength may be enhanced by shot-peening, ion beam etching or reactive ion etching on the tooth contact surface of the base portion of the bracket.