Abstract: An orthodontic archwire includes an anterior region, bicuspids regions and posterior regions. The archwire exhibits substantially constant unloading force in at least one of the anterior region, bicuspids regions and posterior regions, having a variation of unloading force of less than 15 gf during unloading from about 2 mm to about 0.6 mm deflection. A set of orthodontic archwires can have the property that the anterior region of a first archwire has substantially the same clinical working force as the anterior region of a second archwire, the bicuspids regions of the first archwire has substantially the same clinical working force as the bicuspids regions of the second archwire, and the posterior regions of the first archwire has substantially the same clinical working force as the posterior regions of the second archwire.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance, includes a crimpable tubular shaped portion having at least three walls selected from the group consisting of a lingual wall, a buccal or labial wall, an occlusal wall and a gingival wall, the at least three walls defining and opening configured to receive an archwire therethrough in a mesial-distal direction. The appliance includes at least one wing joined to the tubular shaped portion, the at least one wing extending longitudinally in the mesial-distal direction. A slot is provided in the at least one wing open to an end of the wing in the mesial or distal direction and having a depth in the mesial distal direction and a height in a gingival-occlusal direction configured to receive a ligature wire or elastic.

Abstract: An archwire is comprised of an elongated wire of nickel/titanium alloy in a generally arcuate configuration and a pair of tubular metallic sleeves in spaced apart relationship at predetermined points along the length of the wire. The sleeves are crimped onto the wire, and an upstanding metallic post is bonded on each of the sleeves. The posts are seated in the crimped area of the archwire and are secured thereto by brazing. The crimp formation is then heat set.

Abstract: An orthodontic arch wire exhibiting relatively constant force over range of deflection of 0.8-1.8 mm and resiliently returnable to its initial position from flexure up to 90.degree. is formed from a braid of nickel/titanium alloy. In the process for making the arch wire, eight strands of the alloy are initially formed into a braid of circular cross section which is then deformed into a rectangular cross section. The deformed braid is wound about a fixture, is heated treated on the fixture and thereafter cut to produce a pair of arch wires from each coil about the fixture. The nickel/titanium alloy is one having a nominal composition of 55% nickel and 45% titanium.