Abstract: An individual root torquing auxiliary for use with an edgewise bracket having a vertical slot which includes a torquing arm received in the vertical slot and a tail for engagement in the archwire slot of one or more adjacent brackets, wherein the axis of torquing is centered substantially along the main archwire.

Abstract: A tooth positioner having rotational control elements for providing better rotational control to the teeth engaged by the elements wherein the elements are in the form of U-shaped members fitting over adjacent edges of teeth and where the U-shaped elements may be interconnected by a strand of non-stretchable material.

Abstract: A multi-strand electrical cable having electrically conductive strands of different cross-sections, i.e. cross-sectional areas, arranged in ascending order of strand cross-section from the center toward the outer circumference of the cable and sized in accordance with an irrational and preferably golden ratio progression in such a way that larger strands are located outwardly toward the cable circumference relative to smaller strans and stabilize the smaller strands against resonant vibration in a manner such as to reduce cable resonance produced by fluctuating current flow through the cable.

Abstract: Device for applying elastic ligatures to an orthodontic bracket, which includes jaw elements spreadable for stretching an elastic ligature and for dispensing the ligature directly onto an orthodontic bracket in an orthodontic system so as to attach an archwire to a bracket. The device may be in the form of a gun which can be used first to load a ligature from a dispenser and then to unload the ligature around and onto a bracket.

Abstract: A dental impression tray of substantially rigid material having impression material retention means for enhancing the retention of the impression material to the tray during the removal of the tray/impression material from the mouth after taking of an impression and for facilitating the removal and cleaning of the impression material from the tray after the impression has been recorded wherein the retaining means includes one or more elastomeric members stretched between anchoring points and positioned to be enveloped by the impression material loaded into the tray.

Abstract: A ligature dispenser for elastic ligatures used in orthodontic treatment of patients, and particularly for attaching an archwire to orthodontic brackets. The dispenser includes a hand-holdable curvate or flat body or supporting member on which are mounted a plurality of ligatures in standing up or laying down positions. The ligatures are releasably held on the supporting member by means of a suitable adhesive and/or by friction. A cover may be provided to enclose the supporting member and ligatures during shipping, storing and use.

Abstract: An elastic orthodontic appliance for use with an edgewise-type bracket having an archwire slot with tipping and uprighting surfaces. The elastic appliance functions as a ligature to provide the usual function of retaining an archwire in the archwire slot of the bracket and additionally functions as a force transmitting device to provide supplementary tipping or uprighting forces between the bracket and the archwire. The appliance includes a ring portion having a transverse web or cross member and in some embodiments enlargements that are forced between the archwire and either the tipping or uprighting surfaces or the lateral sides of the bracket and sized to be compressed so that a force is generated between the archwire and the bracket.

Abstract: An improved torquing appliance for use with any orthodontic treatment technique to apply either palatal or labial root torquing forces to any one or more teeth. The auxiliary is in the form of an arcuate wire of highly resilient material such that it will not take a permanent set in the normal range of activation but will tend to return to its passive state, and which includes a generally rectangular in cross section shape with one side shaped to partially receive in recessed relation a main archwire.

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: An edgewise bracket with a Sved shaped archwire slot and stop means for coating with the bracket and an archwire for limiting crown tipping or root uprighting movements so as to achieve predetermined uprighting or tip values. The archwire slot includes edges for permitting pivotal tipping or uprighting movement between the bracket and the archwire and surfaces inclined in excess of any desired tipping or uprighting movement. The stop means may be in the form of pins mounted on a base for the bracket, a clip snap fitting over the bracket and having stop tabs or lugs for engaging the archwire, or elastic ligatures having enlargements that engage the archwire and induce the bracket to remain in a predetermined position relative to the archwire.

Abstract: An uprighting spring for use with an edgewise and/or ribbon arch type bracket wherein the spring includes, a coil or force-generating portion adapted to be disposed on the labial surface of the bracket, a tail to be anchored in a vertical opening or slot of the bracket or to a tie wing of an edgewise bracket, and means connected to the coil portion and adaptable to extend substantially along the archwire and be connected to the archwire when activating the spring.

Abstract: A combination edgewise bracket for selective use in crown tipping root uprighting or torquing, which includes a pair of labiobuccally opening archwire slots one of which when coacting with an archwire and there being selective forces applied between the archwire and bracket will allow crown tipping and root uprighting movements and the other of which when coacting with a rectangular archwire may provide both torquing and mesio-distal axial control. The other slot may function to cause or stabilize tooth movement in three dimensions.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket of the edgewise type including a single tie wing having a labially facing archwire slot and a scoopout or pocket along the archwire slot axis formed so that the archwire slot is interrupted centrally of the tie wing so as to reduce the friction between the archwire and the bracket along the longitudinal axis of the archwire. The tie wing may optionally include one or more notches at the edges of the tie wing tips wherein the notches are sized to receive an elastomeric ligature.

Abstract: A convertible buccal tube assembly for selectively receiving archwire in non-torquing or torquing modes, which includes a buccal tube portion having a round archwire opening therethrough capable of receiving round or non-round archwire and a torquing flap with a rectangular or other non-round opening selectively positionable between non-working and working positions and movable into the working position with the rectangular opening aligning with the round opening of the buccal tube portion to convert the assembly for receiving a rectangular archwire in a torquing mode.

Abstract: A method of making an optically clear custom tooth positioning and retaining appliance 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, which method includes subjecting the exterior surfaces of the appliance 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.

Abstract: An improved torquing appliance for use with any orthodontic treatment technique to apply either palatal or labial root torquing forces to any one or more teeth. The auxiliary is in the form of an arcuate wire of highly resilient material such that it will not deform when activated and will tend to return to its passive state, and which includes at least a portion that can be easily secured to a bracket against relative rotation therewith.

Abstract: A positioning jig for an edgewise bracket having a lingually disposed vertical slot or opening to position the bracket on a tooth when bonding the bracket to the tooth. The jig is disposable and mounted on the bracket to be handled as a unit during the bonding procedure and thereafter removable from the bracket once the bonding material has cured. Indicia is provided on the jig and the bracket to identify the tooth on which the bracket is to be mounted and the spacing of the archwire slot from the occlusal or incisal edge of the tooth.