Abstract: The present application discloses a vibration application method including a stage for contacting a contact portion with at least one tooth, and a stage for causing the contact portion to vibrate so as to impart displacement of 0.04 ?m or more to the contact portion. The difference between the maximum value and minimum value of a vibrational load during the time the contact portion is vibrating may be 3 gf to 10 gf. The stage for contacting the contact portion with the at least one tooth may include a stage for contacting the contact portion with an orthodontic appliance attached to the at least one tooth.

Abstract: The orthodontic appliance is metal injection molded as a unitary bracket, and is a made of a Stellite cobalt chromium alloy composition formulated to be substantially nickel-free, containing less than 1% nickel, in order to alleviate nickel allergic reactions experienced by a small fraction of the population to nickel. While nickel improved hardness of the bracket, the elements of chromium and molybdenum in the proposed alloy for the bracket also contribute to hardness of the alloy. The orthodontic bracket comprises a unitary metal injection molded body including a bonding base adapted to adhere to a tooth surface, and an archwire slot adapted for receiving an archwire. The preferred composition consists essentially of 59-69% by weight cobalt, 26-30% by weight chromium, 4-8% by weight molybdenum, and 2% or less by weight trace elements. The bonding base has a bottom base pattern in the form of a plurality of rectangular or square pockets that are approximately 0.005 to 0.015 inch in size.