Abstract: A self-ligating orthodontic bracket comprising a body and a locking shutter. A mesio-gingival reference plane is defined tangent to a lingual-most point of the archwire slot. The body further includes an occlusal-gingival opening that intersects the reference plane. The locking shutter includes a lingual end located in the opening at a closed lingual location when the locking shutter is in a closed position, and at an open lingual location when the locking shutter is in an open position. The locking shutter further includes a labial end located at a closed labial location when the locking shutter is in the closed position and at an open labial location when the locking shutter is in the open position. A first occlusal-gingival distance from the closed lingual location to the open lingual location is at least about 70% of a second occlusal-gingival distance from the closed labial location to the side surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for applying localized vibration directly to particular teeth with the upper and lower jaws. A headgear using an inner bow comprising at least two arms that inserts into the upper first molars and an elastic-type headgear strap attaches to the back of the neck and to the outside, or outer bow also having at least two arms. The inner bow and outer bow are coupled together generally in the center (or alternatively with at least one lateral extension that is off-centered) by an external extension. The external extension may further have a protrusion, that inserts into a corresponding orifice within a vibrating orthodontic device.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket for attaching an archwire to a tooth including a body including a bonding base for attachment to the tooth, the body having an occlusal-gingivally extending opening, a lingual vertical slot, a pair of laterally spaced gingival tie wings and a pair of laterally spaced occlusal tie wings, the gingival and occlusal tie wings projecting from a labial surface of the body. An archwire slot is provided extending mesiodistally across the body and between the gingival and occlusal tie wings at opposed medial and distal sides of the body to accommodate the archwire. A locking shutter including at least one resilient arm member at one end and a retaining portion at another end is provided such that the locking shutter moveable between an open position in which placement and removal of the archwire is facilitated and a closed position in which placement and removal of the archwire is inhibited.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket that having a clip angulated toward the lingual direction in a diagonal orientation for active seating of archwires. The bracket having a lingual vertical slot, a pair of gingival tie wings and a pair of occlusal tie wings. An archwire slot extending mesiodistally across the body. A locking shutter with a pair of resilient arms connected by a guide bar and moveable between an open position allowing placement of the archwire and a closed position inhibiting removal of the archwire. A pair of tracks on each of the outer lateral surfaces of the body, extending from the occlusal tie wings and into the gingival tie wings. The tracks dimensioned to receive the resilient arms therein. The tracks extend in a substantially occlusal-gingival direction, angled lingually by an angle ? with respect to a plane parallel to a vertical that is perpendicular to the occlusal plane.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket including a body including a bonding base for attachment to the tooth, a lingual vertical slot, a pair of laterally spaced gingival tie wings and a pair of laterally spaced occlusal tie wings, the gingival and occlusal tie wings projecting from a labial surface of the body; an archwire slot extending mesio-distally across the body and between the gingival and occlusal tie wings at opposed medial and distal sides of the body to accommodate an archwire; a locking shutter including at pair of resilient arm members and a lingual guide bar between the resilient arm members, the locking shutter moveable between an open position in which placement and removal of the archwire is facilitated and a closed position in which placement and removal of the archwire is inhibited; first and second tracks formed on each of first and second outer lateral surfaces of the body, extending from the gingival tie wings across the archwire slot and into the occlusal tie wings; the first and second tracks sized a

Abstract: A plurality of self-ligating orthodontic brackets for use in orthodontic treatment comprising at least one first bracket, at least one second bracket, and at least one third bracket. Each of the first, second and third brackets include a first, second and third locking shutter, respectively, for applying a force onto an archwire to effect orthodontic treatment. The first locking shutter applies a first force, the second second locking shutter applies a second force and the third locking shutter applies a third force such that the first, second and third forces differ from each other.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket including a body including a bonding base for attachment to the tooth, a lingual vertical slot, a pair of laterally spaced gingival tie wings and a pair of laterally spaced occlusal tie wings, the gingival and occlusal tie wings projecting from a labial surface of the body; an archwire slot extending mesio-distally across the body and between the gingival and occlusal tie wings at opposed medial and distal sides of the body to accommodate an archwire; a locking shutter including at pair of resilient arm members and a lingual guide bar between the resilient arm members, the locking shutter moveable between an open position in which placement and removal of the archwire is facilitated and a closed position in which placement and removal of the archwire is inhibited; first and second tracks formed on each of first and second outer lateral surfaces of the body, extending from the gingival tie wings across the archwire slot and into the occlusal tie wings; the first and second tracks sized a

Abstract: In one embodiment, a pre-engaging orthodontic bracket includes a body having a lingual surface for attachment to a tooth, a pair of laterally spaced gingival tie wings and a pair of laterally spaced occlusal tie wings. The gingival and occlusal tie wings project from a labial surface of the body. An archwire slot extends mesiodistally across the body and between the gingival and occlusal tie wings at opposed mesial and distal sides of the body to accommodate an archwire. A pivot pin extends between a pair of the tie wings at opposed mesial and distal sides of the body. A shutter is moveable relative to the body between an open position in which placement and removal of an archwire into the archwire slot is facilitated and a closed position in which placement and removal of an archwire into the archwire slot is inhibited.

Abstract: A mandibular advancer assembly comprising an advancer (e.g., a spring advancer, such as a Herbst appliance) having an upper end and a lower end, and a lower implant secured to the lower end of the advancer and adapted to be secured to the mandible of the patient. Preferably, the lower implant comprises a bone-engaging member (e.g., a bone screw) and a securing member for coupling the lower end of the advancer to the bone-engaging member. For example, the bone-engaging member can include a threaded orifice, and the securing member can include a threaded element engaged with the threaded orifice. If desired, the advancer assembly can further include an upper implant secured to the upper end of the advancer and adapted to be secured to the maxilla of the patient.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a pre-engaging orthodontic bracket includes a body having a lingual surface for attachment to a tooth, a pair of laterally spaced gingival tie wings and a pair of laterally spaced occlusal tie wings. The gingival and occlusal tie wings project from a labial surface of the body. An archwire slot extends mesiodistally across the body and between the gingival and occlusal tie wings at opposed mesial and distal sides of the body to accommodate an archwire. A pivot pin extends between a pair of the tie wings at opposed mesial and distal sides of the body. A shutter is moveable relative to the body between an open position in which placement and removal of an archwire into the archwire slot is facilitated and a closed position in which placement and removal of an archwire into the archwire slot is inhibited.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a pre-engaging orthodontic bracket includes a body having a lingual surface for attachment to a tooth, a pair of laterally spaced gingival tie wings and a pair of laterally spaced occlusal tie wings. The gingival and occlusal tie wings project from a labial surface of the body. An archwire slot extends mesiodistally across the body and between the gingival and occlusal tie wings at opposed mesial and distal sides of the body to accommodate an archwire. A pivot pin extends between a pair of the tie wings at opposed mesial and distal sides of the body. A shutter is moveable relative to the body between an open position in which placement and removal of an archwire into the archwire slot is facilitated and a closed position in which placement and removal of an archwire into the archwire slot is inhibited.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket having a body (e.g., made of a ceramic material) including a lingual surface for attachment to a tooth and defining an archwire slot, and a clip movable between an open position permitting access to the archwire slot and a closed position inhibiting access to the archwire slot. In one aspect, the clip has a material thickness that is non-uniform. In another aspect, the clip comprises at least two different materials. In yet another aspect, the bracket includes an insert coupled to the body and at least partially defining the archwire slot, and a recess formed in the archwire slot (e.g., to limit movement of a free end of a labial portion of the clip). In still another aspect, the bracket includes a gingival-occlusal insert coupled to the body and at least partially defining a gingival-occlusal opening, and at least a portion of the clip is positioned in the gingival-occlusal opening.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket assembly comprising an orthodontic bracket and a powered actuator mounted to the bracket. The actuator can be used to provide relative movement between a tooth (or set of teeth) and another object, such as an archwire or another tooth (or set of teeth). Preferably, the actuator is a micro electromechanical system (MEMS) having a size that will not significantly interfere with the comfort of the patient.

Abstract: The invention is directed to orthodontic devices that provide anterior guidance to teeth situated opposite thereto so as to inhibit excessive or uncontrollable grinding and clenching of teeth. The claimed invention is also directed to methods of opening the bite with anterior guidance.