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: An orthodontic bracket for coupling an archwire with a tooth includes a bracket body having an archwire slot adapted to receive the archwire therein and a movable member engaged with the bracket body and movable between an opened position and a closed position. A securing mechanism is configured to secure the movable member in at least the closed position and includes a projecting portion and a receiving portion. The projecting portion may include a generally elongate pin capable of flexing relative to a central axis thereof to secure the movable member in at least the closed position. An orthodontic assembly includes an orthodontic bracket and an alignment device for positioning the bracket on the tooth.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket having a bracket body configured to be mounted to a tooth includes an archwire slot having a base surface defining a base plane and a slide engagement track defining a translation plane. The translation plane is angled with respect to the base plane. A ligating slide is engaged with the slide engagement track of the bracket body and movable along the slide engagement track and parallel to the translation plae between an opened position, in which an archwire is insertable into the archwire slot, and a closed position, in which the archwire is retained within the archwire slot. The translation plane is angled with respect to the base plane so as to prevent the ligating slide from contacting the gingiva surrounding the tooth when the ligating slide is moved to the opened position.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket has an archwire slot adapted to receive an archwire therein and comprises a core and an overmolded polymeric cover that covers the core. The polymer of the overmolded polymeric cover is cross-linked. The thickness and the cross-linked density of the cover are sufficient to limit chemicals found in an oral environment from passing through the cover during treatment. In an embodiment, the core comprises a polycarbonate and the cover comprises a polyurethane. A method of making an orthodontic bracket comprises providing a core and overmolding a polymeric cover over at least a portion of the core and cross-linking the polymer of the polymeric cover. In another embodiment, a method of molding an orthodontic bracket comprises injecting a first polymer into a mold cavity to form a polymeric core and injecting a second polymer into the mold cavity to form an overmolded polymeric cover over the core.

Abstract: An implant, system and method for use in replacement of a tooth. The implant can include a first threaded portion, a connecting member opposite the first threaded portion for attaching to a replacement tooth, a driver head positioned between the threaded portion and the connecting member, and a transmucosal collar disposed between the driver head and the first threaded portion.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket having a bracket body configured to be mounted to a tooth includes an archwire slot having a base surface defining a base plane and a slide engagement track defining a translation plane. The translation plane is angled with respect to the base plane. A ligating slide is engaged with the slide engagement track of the bracket body and movable along the slide engagement track and parallel to the translation plae between an opened position, in which an archwire is insertable into the archwire slot, and a closed position, in which the archwire is retained within the archwire slot. The translation plane is angled with respect to the base plane so as to prevent the ligating slide from contacting the gingiva surrounding the tooth when the ligating slide is moved to the opened position.

Abstract: A green metal body includes metal particles and a binder in the shape of an orthodontic bracket and/or base plate. The green metal body is fabricated by being laser-cut with a laser to shape the green metal body into the shape of an orthodontic bracket and/or to carve recesses and/or undercuts into the bonding surface of the bracket. The green metal body is sintered to shrink its volume into a denser and less porous sintered metal body configured to be an orthodontic bracket. The resultant sintered orthodontic bracket includes recesses and/or undercuts in the bonding surface to provide a mechanical aspect when bonded to a tooth.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket includes a bracket body having an archwire slot configured to receive the archwire and a base surface that at least in part defines the archwire slot. A movable member is engaged with the bracket body and movable between an opened position and a closed position. A resilient member is configured to engage the movable member to impose a force that biases the movable member toward the base surface of the archwire slot. A method of moving a tooth includes inserting the archwire into the archwire slot, closing the movable member to capture the archwire within the archwire slot, and imposing a force on the movable member that biases the movable member toward the base surface of the archwire slot.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket comprises a bracket body and a ligating member. The ligating member retains an archwire in an archwire slot and includes archwire control structure including projecting portions spaced apart in a mesial-distal direction with a recessed area therebetween. The recessed area and the projecting portions overlie the archwire slot. The recessed area may include a flat or a curved surface in a mesial-distal direction. The recessed area and projecting portions may define a radius of curvature that is less than the radius of curvature of the archwire seated in the slot. The archwire contacts one or both the projecting portions resulting in a larger moment arm and better rotational control of the bracket with the force applied by the archwire.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing a dental instrument having a desired machined configuration, without twisting the instrument. A blank of superelastic material is brought to an annealed state comprising a phase structure including a rhombohedral phase alone or in combination with austenite and/or martensite, or a combination of martensite and austenite. In this annealed state, a portion of the annealed material is removed at low temperature, for example less than about 100° C., and advantageously at ambient temperature, to form a final machined configuration for the instrument. The instrument is then heat treated and rapidly quenched to a superelastic condition.

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: The present invention provides for an orthodontic auxiliary device (2) that attaches to a fixture device (32) (such as a temporary implant, a bonding pad, an archwire, or other) for the alignment of a patient's teeth. In one embodiment, the auxiliary device (2) includes a swivel device (12) connecting a tension device (3) to an attachment portion (8), where the attachment portion (8) connects the auxiliary device (2) to the fixture device (32). The swivel device (12) allows at least partial rotation of the attachment portion (8) about a central axis of the tension device (3).

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket for coupling an archwire with a tooth includes a bracket body having an archwire slot for receiving the archwire and a movable member engaged with the bracket body and movable between opened and closed positions. The movable member includes a leading edge having a non-uniform pushing element configured to guide the archwire into the archwire slot as the movable member is closed. An associated method includes providing a movable member for an orthodontic bracket and providing a non-uniform pushing element on a leading edge thereof. The pushing element may include a chamfer formed along the leading edge of the movable member.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket for coupling an archwire with a tooth. The orthodontic bracket comprising a ceramic injection molded (CIM) bracket body including an archwire slot that is configured to receive the archwire therein. The CIM bracket body comprising 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 comprise 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 comprises injection molding a bracket using a ceramic powder, sintering the molded bracket, and coating the ceramic injection molded bracket.

Abstract: Low profile self-ligating orthodontic brackets and methods of using such orthodontic brackets. The bracket includes a bracket body, a latching member, and a hinge pin pivotally coupling a hinged end of the latching member with the bracket body. The hinge pin, which is made of a resilient material, is configured to flex so that a portion of the latching member can be engaged with a recess defined in the bracket body to couple the non-hinged end of the latching member with the bracket body.

Abstract: A cap (14) for an orthodontic implant (12) generally comprises a body (16) and a receiving member (20) coupled to the body. The body includes an opening (32) and a cavity (18) configured to receive a portion of the orthodontic implant (12), with the opening (32) being non-circular. The receiving member (20) is configured to retain a portion of an orthodontic component so that when the orthodontic implant (12) is received in the cavity of the body, forces may be transmitted between the orthodontic component and the orthodontic implant (12) via the cap (14).

Abstract: An anterior open-bite splint (10) provides an intrusion force to posterior teeth to aid in correcting anterior open-bites. Splint (10) includes bite plats (12, 14) and attachment devices (20).

Abstract: The present invention embodies an apparatus and method to drive an orthodontic implant while minimizing the risk of damaging the implant. More specifically, a dual option driver (10) is adapted to drive an orthodontic implant (42) using both the base (38) and the top (36) of the head portion of the implant. When engaged with the base (38) of the implant head (36), the driver (10) has a friction fit with the implant due to a retaining clip (48) which mates with the top of the implant head (36). The primary force for driving is transferred to the screw through the base. This protects the neck (40) of the implant head from high torque forces. In addition, the retaining clip (48) allows a clinician to pick up the implant (42) using only one hand so that the clinician never has to touch the implant. Once installed, the driver (10) can adjust the implant (42) by engaging the top of its head portion (36).

Abstract: An orthodontic retraction arch (10) includes an arch section (12) and two distal spring sections (14). Distal ends of spring sections (14) have eyelets (16) for ligation to orthodontic implants (18). An orthodontic retraction spring (20) has first and second spring segments (22, 24) and structures to engage an archwire (a crimpable archwire slot 28) and an orthodontic implant 18 (an eyelet 26). Retraction arch (10) and retraction spring (20) may also include recumbant loops (15, 23).

Abstract: An orthodontic apparatus includes an orthodontic bracket and an orthodontic member removably coupled thereto. The orthodontic member includes an engaging member configured to engage a tie wing of the bracket in non-contact relation with the archwire such that the member exerts no active forces on the archwire. A bumper extends from the engaging member so as to cover a side of the bracket and thereby prevent or reduce contact between the bracket and opposing teeth. The orthodontic member may include a support pad and/or nubs for limiting movement of the member relative to the bracket. The orthodontic member may also include decorative elements for aesthetic purposes.