Abstract: An orthodontic elastomeric appliance with a polymer coating that becomes slippery when wetted, and a method of making the appliance which comprises the steps of forming an appliance of elastomeric material and coating the appliance with a polymer film capable of making the appliance slippery when wetted.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance for correcting minor incisor irregularities and/or retaining incisors in orthodontically corrected positions, which includes a labial plate engaging the labial surfaces of the incisors, a lingual bar or plate engaging the lingual incisal surfaces, and shape memory wire interconnecting the ends of the labial plate with the lingual bar and resiliently urging the plate and bar toward each other so that when the appliance is mounted on the teeth of a patient, it will actively and continuously grip the incisors for tooth control and to prevent dislodgement.

Abstract: A wire for orthodontically treating patients in the application of corrective forces to teeth made of a titanium-aluminum-vanadium alloy providing a substantially constant significantly lower force than stainless steel wire.

Abstract: An orthodontic band having a patterned surface formed with a pattern of indentations for securing the band to a tooth to enhance retention, wherein the patterned surface is formed by a metal displacement operation.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance includes brackets, an arch wire and a hook for receiving an elastic member. The hook is movable from a first position when the elastic is not positioned about the hook to a second position when the elastic member is positioned about the hook. In one embodiment, the orthodontic appliance includes a clamp pivotable about the arch wire, a tube connected to the clamp and to the hook, and a second wire connected to the tube and to at least one of the brackets. In another embodiment, magnets are secured to the arch wire. One of the magnets can pivot about the arch wire and includes a hook attached thereto. In another embodiment, an orthodontic appliance includes brackets, an arch wire, a clamp secured to the arch wire, a hook and a wire. The wire is secured to the clamp and the hook. The hook is movable in response to a force applied by an elastic member. In another embodiment, an orthodontic appliance includes brackets, an arch wire, a hook and a wire segment.

Abstract: A buccal tube for an archwire wherein the tube includes a lumen having a control portion at the mesial end and a relieved portion toward and at the distal end which reduces the force required for mesial withdrawal of the archwire after the archwire has been bent, and may also permit distal crown tipping of the tooth on which the tube is mounted.

Abstract: The telescoping mandibular advancing device is an orthodontic appliance used to promote the forward displacement of the lower jaw. The appliance comprises a pair of telescoping devices that attach on one end to the maxillary arch via a modified ball and socket device and on the other end to the mandibular arch via a modified ball and socket device. The modified ball and socket attachments are specifically designed to simplify installation and adjustment of the appliance. The device is also designed to minimize patient discomfort.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance used to finalize or perfect the relationships between the teeth of a patient following the removal of fixed appliances or, in minor cases, instead of fixed appliances, which includes a resilient body having ideally related sockets to accept portions of the upper and lower teeth, a wire anchored in the body of the appliance arranged to engage the labial and/or buccal surfaces of some or all of the upper teeth, and embrasure engaging devices to enhance proper placement and retention of the appliance.

Abstract: An improved orthodontic device defining an anchor for an elastic, ligature or spring along an archwire or a stop on a wire member, which includes a crimpable hook or stop having a tubular body with inner wire-engaging surfaces coated with an abrasive material to produce an anti-sliding and anti-rotating engagement with the wire when crimped down upon the wire.

Abstract: A method to aid in the identification and removal of orthodontic attachment adhesives characterized by incorporating a fluorescent agent in the adhesive and inspecting the oral cavity with ultraviolet light which excites the fluorescent agent by which the excess adhesive can be recognized and removed by a dental tool.

Abstract: An improved relatively flexible bonding pad or base for an orthodontic ceramic bracket to facilitate debonding the bracket from a tooth and a method of debonding wherein the base or pad is secured to the bracket and the combination bracket and base or pad is bonded to a surface of a tooth. The base or pad is of a relatively flexible material and is formed so that it can be engaged by a pliers for the application of a compressive or buckling force to cause the base or pad to buckle or distort and break the bond to the tooth without the application of any force to the bracket that might cause fracturing of the bracket. The base or pad is provided with one or more holes to enhance the bond between the bracket/pad and the tooth. Following the attachment of the flexible base or pad to a bracket and adhesively bonding the bracket and pad to the tooth, the method of debonding includes application of a compressive edge-to-edge force to the pad that would cause buckling and breaking of the bond with the tooth.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket having a horizontal archwire slot and wire-engaging surfaces for use in any treatment technique and coacting with an archwire and force generating means to produce tooth movement through crown tipping and root uprighting actions and for defining predetermined tip values. The bracket includes pivot edges for permitting pivotal movement between the bracket and the archwire, and a stop for limiting over-root-uprighting. It may also have a stop for limiting over-crown-tipping.

Abstract: A relatively flexible bonding pad or base for an orthodontic bracket to facilitate debonding the bracket from a tooth and a method of debonding wherein the base or pad is secured to the bracket and the base or pad is bonded to a surface of a tooth. The base or pad is of a relatively flexible material and is formed so that it can be engaged by a pliers for the application of a compressive or buckling force to cause the base or pad to buckle or distort and break the bond to the tooth without the application of any force to the bracket which would cause fracturing of the bracket. The method would include the adhesive attachment of a plastic base or pad to a bracket prior to adhesively bonding the bracket to the tooth, and thereafter debonding by applying a force to the pad that would cause buckling and breaking of the bond with the tooth.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance of the type normally referred to as a retainer for retention of teeth moved during a period of orthodontic treatment, wherein the retainer is made of acrylic sections or plates interconnected by resilient wire where at least one posterior lingual section is flexible relative to the anterior section to aid in the fabrication and placement of the appliance.

Abstract: A molar tube appliance including a molar or buccal tube for mounting on a molar and for receiving a lip bumper or a face bow, wherein the tube has a flared opening with the larger end of the opening being at the mesial end. The opening is structured to enhance insertion of the lip bumper or face bow by the patient particularly where the molar is adversely rotated.

Abstract: An orthodontic auxiliary applicance for intruding and torquing upper anterior teeth, which includes the use of an auxiliary archwire gingival to the main archwire and slidably retained by buccal tubes, together with a unique connecting auxiliary extending between the main archwire and the auxiliary archwire or between the brackets on the anterior teeth and the auxiliary archwire, which connecting auxiliary includes an anchoring portion, an intermediate coiled portion, and a hook.

Abstract: An optically clear custom tooth positioning and retaining appliance made in a flask or mold device having mold members from an elastomeric or resilient thermoplastic material with the capability of having optically clear transparentness. After the appliance has been trimmed and/or buff polished subsequent to molding thereof which causes the appliance to have a frosty or translucent appearance, the exterior surfaces of the appliance has been subjected to a source of concentrated heat to cause surface melting which produces transparentness, cooling the appliance before, during and after heating as needed to preserve its integrity, and optionally utilizing the mold members from the flask or reproductions thereof in the archways of the appliance during heating thereof.