Abstract: An orthodontic assembly including an orthodontic appliance and a region composed of a matrix material having a plurality of reinforcement structures distributed throughout, with some of the reinforcement structures being exposed on an exterior surface of the assembly, as well as an associated method of fabrication. In one embodiment, the entire orthodontic appliance is composed of the noted reinforcement structures and matrix material. In another embodiment, the noted region is actually a layer which is attached to a separately formed appliance, such as a bracket. Nonetheless, the reinforcement structures may be exposed in a variety of locations, such as on the base and/or arch slot. Moreover, this region may be formed by forming the appliance from the reinforcement structures and matrix material in a manner which produces skin on its exterior surface, and removing the skin from the desired areas to expose reinforcement structures partially contained within the matrix material.

Abstract: An at least aesthetically integral orthodontic appliance which is formed from an orthodontic base and a separately formed orthodontic body, as well as a method for making the same. In one embodiment, a base and body are separately formed by metal injection molding, the upper surface of the base having a pair of preferably mesio-distally extending alignment rails formed thereon. The lower portion of the body is positioned between these rails and forced into engagement with the base. The resulting assembly is thereafter heat treated to form an at least aesthetically appearing and preferably structurally integral orthodontic appliance by an amorphous blending of the interface between the base and body.

Abstract: An improved edgewise orthodontic bracket is disclosed. In one embodiment, a bracket (10) comprises a single pair of opposing T-shaped tie wings (12, 14) which define an archwire slot (18) therebetween. Notches (20) are provided on each of the mesial and distal sides of the center leg (28) of each T-shaped tie wing (12, 14) for selectively receiving a ligating device. The notches (20) are defined in the gingival/occlusal edges of the tie wings (12, 14) and comprise sloped portions (24) that extend labially towards the archwire slot (18). Convex sidewall portions (42) and convex floor portions (44) are provided in the archwire slot (18) adjacent to the notches (20). An auxiliary slot (70) may be centrally disposed under the center legs (28) of the opposing T-shaped tie wings (12, 14). Alternatively, twin auxiliary slots (80) may be disposed under the convex archwire slot floor portions (44).

Abstract: An improved orthodontic assembly and method is disclosed. The orthodontic assembly includes opposing complementary bite blocks separately mountable utilizing separate mounting assemblies. Preferably, the mounting assembly for at least one of the upper or lower bite blocks of each upper/lower set allows for selective antero-posterior positioning. Each bite block preferably comprises a preformed portion and a formable layer that can be adapted to an occlusal surface for flush mounting thereupon.

Abstract: Rails (38) project from a mesial edge (40) and a distal edge (42) of a base (28) of an orthodontic appliance (30) forming a gap between the base (28) and a surface (32) of a tooth (34). At least one post (44) projects from the base (28) between the rails (38). The rails (38) and post (44) are dimensioned to substantially preclude post/tooth contact and reduce the likelihood of appliance detachment from a curved tooth surface. The posts (44) are formed to resist shear forces associated with mastication and to facilitate the smooth flow of bonding material about the posts (44) when the base (28) is pressed against a tooth surface (32) during bonding.

Abstract: An orthodontic headgear assembly which incorporates at least one magnetic release mechanism. In one embodiment, the headgear assembly generally includes an inner bow, an outer bow interconnected with the inner bow, a mechanism for generating and applying a force to the ends of the outer bow which is thus transferred to the patient's teeth, and a magnetic release mechanism which is positioned between each end of the outer bow and the force generating mechanism. When a given magnetic release mechanism is subjected to a force of a predetermined magnitude, the mechanism disconnects adjacent portions of the headgear assembly to reduce the potential for the adverse effects on the patient due to snapback of the outer and/or inner bow when at least a portion of the force is removed from the headgear assembly.

Abstract: An edgewise bracket (10) is provided with notches (34, 36, 38 and 40) in wing tips (24, 25, 26 and 27), respectively. The notches (24, 25, 26 and 27) are generally concave and have a mesiodistal width slightly greater or slightly less than the thickness of an archwire retaining device (32) depending on whether the device (32) is a metallic wire or an elastomeric ligature. The archwire retaining device (32) is inserted into the notches (34, 36, 38, and 40) to retain an archwire (30) within a slot (28) which has a depth greater than a thickness of the archwire (30). The device (32) has selectively reduced undesired frictional contact with the archwire (30), and, therefore, frictional interference between the device (32) and the archwire (30), and the archwire (30) and the bracket (10) is reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: Rails (38) project from a mesial edge (40) and a distal edge (42) of a base (28) of an orthodontic appliance (30) forming a gap between the base (28) and a surface (32) of a tooth (34). At least one post (44) projects from the base (28) between the rails (38). The rails (38) and post (44) are dimensioned to substantially preclude post/tooth contact and reduce the likelihood of appliance detachment from a curved tooth surface. The posts (44) are formed to resist shear forces associated with mastication and to facilitate the smooth flow of bonding material about the posts (44) when the base (28) is pressed against a tooth surface (32) during bonding.

Abstract: An improved orthodontic bracket (44) has a slot (46) therein for receiving an archwire. The slot (46) has oppositely facing sidewalls (48 and 50) and a base (52). The base (52) has a protrusion (54) thereon thus forming a continuously curving surface including the sidewalls (48 and 50), the base (52) and the protrusion (54). An archwire placed in the slot (46) will rest upon the protrusion (54) rather than the base (52) or the sidewalls (48 and 50). Therefore, the archwire may be placed at a uniform depth regardless of the shape of the wire and stress is reduced in the slot (46).

Abstract: A pre-adjusted orthodontic bracket assembly is provided. The assembly has one or two tie wings and a base pad. The tie wings define an archwire slot for alignment with the occlusal plane of a patient's tooth. The sides of the tie wings are additional references for alignment with the tooth and are designed for alignment with the long axis of the tooth. The tips of the tie wings are rounded and substantially semicircular. The bracket assembly is made by a machining process. A metal strip is provided and a longitudinal slot corresponding to the archwire slot is machined into the strip. Cuts transverse to the slot are machined to define tie wings having angular corners. The angular tie wing tips are rounded using a die assembly to form a metal strip having a number of tie wings with rounded tips. One tie wing or a pair of adjacent tie wings are sheared from the metal strip and attached to a base pad to form an orthodontic bracket assembly.