Abstract: An orthodontic bracket is described and which includes a base member defining an archwire slot having an opening, and at least one projection extending outwardly from the base member; a ligating slide moveable between a first position which is clear of the archwire slot, and second position where the ligating slide projects over the opening of the archwire slot; and a biasing member borne by the ligating slide, and resiliently cooperating with the projection, and wherein the biasing member has a first portion which receives the projection when the ligating slide is in the first position, and a second portion which receives the projection when the ligating slide is in the second position.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling asymmetrical coasting of an endodontic reciprocating motor includes a controller operatively connected to the endodontic motor. The controller may include a processing unit that is configured to direct the rotation of the endodontic motor in the forward direction for a coast time and configured to direct the rotation of the endodontic motor in the reverse direction for a coast time. The forward coast time is separately calculated from the reverse coast time. A method for asymmetrically coasting a reciprocating endodontic motor includes rotating an endodontic motor in a forward direction and calculating a forward coast time for the forward direction and coasting the endodontic motor in the forward direction for the calculated forward coast time. After coasting the endodontic motor in the forward direction, the endodontic motor is rotated in a reverse direction. The reverse coast time is different than the forward coast time.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket for coupling an archwire with a tooth includes a bracket body configured to be mounted to the tooth and having an archwire slot adapted to receive the archwire therein. A rotatable closure member is movable relative to the bracket body between an opened position in which the archwire is insertable into the archwire slot, and at least one closed position in which the closure member retains the archwire in the archwire slot. The orthodontic bracket further includes a retention mechanism having a first element associated with the bracket body and a second element associated with the closure member, the first and second elements cooperating to rotatably secure the closure member to the bracket body and to provide at least one positive stop in the rotation of the closure member relative to the bracket body.

Abstract: A method of shaping a green body provides a shaped green body comprised of a plurality of sinterable particles and an organic binder. Such a method includes: (1) molding a mixture of sinterable particles and organic binder into the shape of an initial green body or intermediate, wherein the sinterable particles include at least one of metal particles or ceramic particles; and (2) shaping the green body intermediate with at least one of a stream of energy or a stream of matter, wherein the shaping yields a green body having a desired shape. The shaped green body can be sintered in order to provide a hardened body having substantially the shape of the shaped green body.

Abstract: In an endodontic procedure, after the working of a root canal by instruments to remove material and shape the walls of the canal, irrigant is supplied via a microcannula. A vacuum is applied via a tube which is inserted partway down the root canal. The irrigant is supplied in a manner sufficient to ensure delivery to a side vent of the microcannula. The vacuum at the end of tube draws the irrigant and debris up from the apex of the root canal into the tube. The side vent may have a plurality of more round holes, a diagonal slit, or a U shaped slit, or any other shape. The vent opening should not extend more than approximately 0.75 mm from the closed spherical tip of the microcannula, it must be burr free and the opening must be smaller than the internal diameter of the microcannula.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket is described and which includes a base member defining an archwire slot having an opening, and at least one projection extending outwardly from the base member; a ligating slide moveable between a first position which is clear of the archwire slot, and second position where the ligating slide projects over the opening of the archwire slot; and a biasing member borne by the ligating slide, and resiliently cooperating with the projection, and wherein the biasing member has a first portion which receives the projection when the ligating slide is in the first position, and a second portion which receives the projection when the ligating slide is in the second position.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket for coupling an archwire with a tooth includes a bracket body that has an archwire slot adapted to receive the archwire. A movable member is engaged with the bracket body and is movable between an opened position and a closed position. The bracket body and movable member are made from a transparent or translucent ceramic for improved aesthetics. The bracket body may include one or more stop surfaces that limit movement of the moveable member in the gingival direction. The bracket body may include a support surface that is positioned lingually of a labial edge of the archwire slot. The moveable member may include a bracket-engaging portion having a first surface confronting the bracket body and a slot-covering portion having a second surface confronting the archwire slot, the first and second surfaces being offset from one another.

Abstract: Various features are provided for a custom orthodontic appliance manufacturing or designing system. These include features for inputting of data of patient anatomy and practitioner decisions, features for interactively or automatically manipulating data to arrive at applicant characteristics, and features for affecting design or manufacture of the appliance.

Abstract: A self-ligating orthodontic bracket for captivating an archwire with a tooth. The bracket includes a bracket body mountable to a tooth and a self-ligating mechanism having an archwire slot and a ligating slide. The ligating slide is movable between an open position in which an archwire is insertable into the archwire slot and a closed position in which the archwire is retained in the archwire slot. The bracket body may be formed from a non-metallic material, such as a polymer, a filled polymer composite, or a ceramic, and the self-ligating mechanism may be formed from a metal. The bracket may include a resilient engagement member with a detent positioned to engage an aperture or throughhole extending through the ligating slide when the ligating slide is in the closed position.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an orthodontic appliance includes plating a first pattern of a material on a substrate to define a layer. Repeating plating of the first material one or more times forms an additional pattern. A layered structure is built up and forms a portion of the orthodontic appliance. A pattern of a second material different from a first material may be plated on the substrate or on a pattern of the first material. The material may be a sacrificial material that may be later removed. The orthodontic appliance may be an archwire or a self-ligating orthodontic bracket having one or more layered structures formed by plating patterns of the material. Plating may include plating patterns of materials so as to form a movable member in place relative to a bracket body.

Abstract: A foot pedal for a medical device for placement on a working surface of a medical operatory includes a housing defining a reference plane; a cord having a first end coupled to the housing and a second end configured to be coupled to the medical device; and an actuator coupled to the housing and configured to be actuated by a user to provide a control function to the medical device, wherein the housing includes a self-leveling mechanism for urging the placement of the foot pedal on the working surface in an upright orientation. The self-leveling mechanism may include an engagement tab extending from the housing and configured to be the first aspect of the foot pedal to contact the working surface. The self-leveling mechanism may additionally or alternatively include a cord guide configured to pitch or cant the housing in a preferential direction.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket is described and which includes a base member defining an archwire slot having an opening, and at least one projection extending outwardly from the base member; a ligating slide moveable between a first position which is clear of the archwire slot, and second position where the ligating slide projects over the opening of the archwire slot; and a biasing member borne by the ligating slide, and resiliently cooperating with the projection, and wherein the biasing member has a first portion which receives the projection when the ligating slide is in the first position, and a second portion which receives the projection when the ligating slide is in the second position.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket for coupling an archwire with a tooth. The orthodontic bracket including a ceramic injection molded (CIM) bracket body including an archwire slot that is configured to receive the archwire therein. The CIM bracket body including a polycrystalline ceramic. A coating of alumina or silicon dioxide is in continuous and direct contact with at least the surfaces of the archwire slot. The orthodontic bracket is characterized by unexpectedly high torque strength. The ceramic injection molded (CIM) bracket body may include a polycrystalline ceramic having a grain size distribution characterized by an average grain size in the range of larger than 3.4 ?m to about 6 ?m such that the orthodontic bracket is also characterized by unexpectedly high fracture toughness. A method of making the orthodontic bracket includes injection molding a bracket using a ceramic powder, sintering the molded bracket, and coating the ceramic injection molded bracket.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an orthodontic appliance may include molding a plurality of green bodies in plurality of molds and coupling the green bodies so as to form an intermediate green body. The orthodontic appliance may be an orthodontic bracket body. The plurality of green bodies may be molded so as to be devoid of any undercut formations. Coupling the plurality of green bodies may form the intermediate green body to include at least one undercut formation. An orthodontic bracket may include an undercut formation not capable of being formed in a single shot molding process and not formed through post-formation processes. The undercut formation may include a guiding track and/or a retaining recess configured to receive a portion of the ligating member. The ligating member may include a flexible ligating portion that overlies the archwire slot and a relatively rigid main body portion.

Abstract: A method by which an orthodontic appliance is automatically designed and manufactured from digital lower jaw and tooth shape data of a patient provides for the scanning of the mouth of a patient to produce a three-dimensional digitized model of the shapes of the patient's teeth and their positions in the patient's mouth. The appliance is automatically designed according to the final design, which also can be interactively modified and approved by the orthodontist, with the computer recalculating the effects on the treatment as a result of the doctor's changes. Brackets are fabricated as an integrated set, either by cutting slots therein or by building the brackets in layers. Three-dimensional custom jigs are automatically made to exactly position the brackets on a patient's teeth.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket for coupling an archwire with a tooth includes a bracket body, a hinge pin, and a latch. The bracket body includes a first surface configured to be mounted to the tooth and an archwire slot in a second surface. The hinge pin includes a first shaft portion coupled with the bracket body. The latch is coupled to the bracket body by a second shaft portion of the hinge pin. The latch is movable between an opened position and a closed position. A cross-sectional profile of the first shaft portion and/or the second shaft portion of the hinge pin is configured to elastically deform to impart a spring bias to the latch that opposes movement of the latch relative to the bracket body.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods to plan, display and evaluate orthodontic treatment plans. A plurality of teeth 40, 42 in a representation on a computer display may be moved simultaneously in accordance with a mathematically defined pattern. Software tools available to generate the treatment path may include adjusting the smile teeth, moving teeth along a curve 62 fit to points 66, 68 in the mandible, individually moving a tooth, cross sectioning 74, 76 to check for interference and simulations of occlusal points 112, highlighting teeth 48 that have moved from their original position, making notations 94, 96 on the teeth, and generating and saving animation 152 sequences of before and after treatment tooth positions.

Abstract: A method of shaping a green body provides a shaped green body comprised of a plurality of sinterable particles and an organic binder. Such a method includes: (1) molding a mixture of sinterable particles and organic binder into the shape of an initial green body or intermediate, wherein the sinterable particles include at least one of metal particles or ceramic particles; and (2) shaping the green body intermediate with at least one of a stream of energy or a stream of matter, wherein the shaping yields a green body having a desired shape. The shaped green body can be sintered in order to provide a hardened body having substantially the shape of the shaped green body.

Abstract: We describe herein biocompatible single crystal Cu-based shape memory alloys (SMAs). In particular, we show biocompatibility based on MEM elution cell cytotoxicity, ISO intramuscular implant, and hemo-compatibility tests producing negative cytotoxic results. This biocompatibility may be attributed to the formation of a durable oxide surface layer analogous to the titanium oxide layer that inhibits body fluid reaction to titanium nickel alloys, and/or the non-existence of crystal domain boundaries may inhibit corrosive chemical attack. Methods for controlling the formation of the protective aluminum oxide layer are also described, as are devices including such biocompatible single crystal copper-based SMAs.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a locking orthodontic bracket that contains a mechanism that rotationally locks an orthodontic archwire fully or partially within the bracket archwire slot. The orthodontic bracket has a body containing a slot to receive an orthodontic archwire, wings for tying ligature wires, a base that is attachable to an orthodontic band or directly to a tooth surface and a central recess in the front surface of the body that contains the rotating clip device. The rotating clip device is rotated to enclose an orthodontic archwire within the slot.