Abstract: An orthodontic plier with opposed jaw portions that can be moved toward one another in a substantially straight-line motion to pry a removable cap off a convertible buccal tube without exerting a twisting force on the tooth and without an exposed tip that can slip and damage soft mouth tissue is disclosed. One jaw portion has a pointed tip that can be inserted into one end of the buccal tube and the other jaw portion has a flat surface for bracing the other end of the buccal tube and a notch therein for receiving the pointed tip of the other jaw portion.

Abstract: Apparatus provides for measuring weld resistance of each of a group of weld sites that are subject to variation with respect to weld resistance. The apparatus includes circuitry for inducing a flow of alternating current in a weld site. The magnitude of the induced alternating current is substantially constant; in particular, the percentage variation in its magnitude is substantially less than the percentage variation in resistance to which the weld sites are subject. The apparatus further includes voltage responsive circuitry for producing a signal representative of the magnitude of the resistance of the weld site.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket containing a thin metallic coating on the bracket base; the coating being applied onto the bracket base by thermally spraying a molten metallic powder.

Abstract: A palladium alloy suitable for use with both high and low thermal expansion dental porcelains without causing discoloration of the porcelains. The alloy consists essentially of 70-90% palladium, 1-8% silver, 0-5% gold, 5-16% copper, 1-8% gallium, 0.01-0.8% silicon and 0.001-0.5% grain refiners.

Abstract: A direct current pulse welder including circuitry for controlling the amount of electric energy delivered to the weld site. By means of feedback techniques the output impedance of the welder is adjusted and changed by utilizing a voltage feedback signal and a current feedback signal to match the impedance of the weld site. Matching the impedance of the welder to the impedance of the weld site enables the welder to deliver the correct amount of power desired to each weld regardless of variations in actual impedance of the weld sites that occur in actual production situations.

Abstract: An orthodontic direct bond appliance has a body with a base. The base includes a rim extending from its periphery at an angle between about 90.degree. and 170.degree. so as to define a recess for receipt of bonding material. The rim shears off any excess flash.

Abstract: A pad eliminatable by heat prior to casting has a patterned surface and a non-porous backing. The pad is sized and shaped into at least part of the appliance and the patterned surface is conformed to the desired bonding surface contour. The patterned surface yields irregularities in the cast bonding surface which increases bondability.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance which converts from a buccal tube to a bracket upon the removal of a wire insert which is partly positioned within the longitudinal slot of a bracket body and attached to the surface of the bracket.

Abstract: A pad eliminatable by heat prior to casting has a patterned surface and a non-porous backing. The pad is sized and shaped into at least part of the appliance and the patterned surface is conformed to the desired bonding surface contour. The patterned surface yields irregularities in the cast bonding surface which increases bondability.

Abstract: An orthodontal palatal arch wire is provided for directional control over a pair of brackets; each bracket being mounted on an opposing molar in a patient's mouth. A resiliently flexible wire with a device intermediate its length for producing corrective forces has a torquing band transversely mounted thereon. The torquing band is securable by an elastic device to a receiving unit mounted on the lingual side of each bracket, so as to bear both forward and laterally against the receiving unit for transmitting correctional forces therebetween. A bracket is provided having a receiving unit with planar surfaces capable of bearing flushly against a torquing band having planar forward and lateral bearing surfaces.

Abstract: A semi-precious alloy for use in a dental restoration which does not discolor porcelain and remains ductile after firing of a porcelain jacket thereon. The alloy is 80-90% palladium, 5-15% indium, 1-5% gallium, 0.1-0.5% aluminum, 0.1-0.5% silicon, and 0.01-1.0% of at least one element from ruthenium and osmium.

Abstract: A welding power supply that includes a combination of series and shunt regulating circuits controlled by a single controller, in the charging circuit for a welding energy storage capacitor.The series circuit, which includes a series thyristor, regulates the supply of charging energy to the capacitor from a full wave rectified power source. The series circuit also phases forward to replenish charge lost by leakage by controlling the thyristor firing angle as a function of the difference between the capacitor charge and a pre-selected value.The shunt regulating circuit utilizes a shunt thyristor coupled to the output of the power source to divert energy delivery away from the energy storage capacitor when a preselected charge level on the capacitor is reached. The shunt regulating circuit shorts out the unneeded balance of the charging cycle thereby eliminating capacitor voltage overshoot during the charging process.

Abstract: A method and material for making dental restorations by using a porcelain-covered body of a non-precious metal alloy. The alloy preferably includes about 58-68% nickel, 18-23% chromium, 6-10% molybdenum, up to 5% of at least one rare-earth element, up to 4% columbium plus tantalum, up to 2% iron, and lesser quantities of carbon, aluminum, titanium, silicon and manganese. The alloy is resistant to corrosion by mouth fluids, is easy to finish and polish, and is closely matched to the thermal-expansion properties of commercially available dental porcelains. The alloy does not contaminate alloy-melting crucibles, exhibits excellent bonding characteristics to dental porcelains, is easy to melt and cast, and has sufficient ductility to enable margin burnishing of dental-restoration castings of the alloy.

Abstract: A gold alloy for use in a dental restoration which does not cause discoloration and greening of dental porcelain after being cast and having a porcelain jacket fired thereon. The gold alloy also produces extremely clean castings. The alloy is 30-50% gold, 30-50% palladium, 5-30% silver, 0.01-5% of at least one element from silicon, boron, germanium and mixtures thereof and 0.01-1.0% of ruthenium. Other elements are included for strength.