Abstract: A dental aligner apparatus is comprised of a bar, a rotatable end member, a slidable end member, and a spring member. The bar includes a first end member and a second end member. The rotatable end member is disposed at a first end of the bar and coupled to the first end member. The slidable end member is disposed at a second end of the bar and coupled to the second end member. The spring member is disposed between the rotatable end member and the slidable end member and coupled to the first and second end members.

Abstract: A dental aligner apparatus is comprised of a bar, a rotatable end member, a slidable end member, and a spring member. The bar includes a first end member and a second end member. The rotatable end member is disposed at a first end of the bar and coupled to the first end member. The slidable end member is disposed at a second end of the bar and coupled to the second end member. The spring member is disposed between the rotatable end member and the slidable end member and coupled to the first and second end members.

Abstract: A dental aligner apparatus is comprised of a bar, a rotatable end member, a slidable end member, and a spring member. The bar includes a first end member and a second end member. The rotatable end member is disposed at a first end of the bar and coupled to the first end member. The slidable end member is disposed at a second end of the bar and coupled to the second end member. The spring member is disposed between the rotatable end member and the slidable end member and coupled to the first and second end members.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparatus for removing enamel from a person's tooth includes a blade portion and a handle portion. The blade portion includes an abrasive surface adapted to remove enamel from the tooth in response to reciprocating movement of the abrasive surface against the enamel of the tooth. The handle portion is coupled to the blade portion, has a substantially solid cross-section, and is adapted to be inserted into a corresponding opening in a driver mechanism that is adapted to drive reciprocating movement of the blade portion to provide the reciprocating movement of the abrasive surface.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparatus for removing enamel from a person's tooth includes a blade portion and an arch portion coupled to the blade portion. The blade portion includes an abrasive surface having a repeating pattern of recesses, and the abrasive surface is adapted to remove enamel from the tooth in response to reciprocating movement of the abrasive surface against the enamel.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparatus for removing enamel from a person's tooth includes a blade portion and a handle portion. The blade portion includes an abrasive surface adapted to remove enamel from the tooth in response to reciprocating movement of the abrasive surface against the enamel. The handle portion is coupled to the blade portion and includes first and second regions, the first region is proximal and the second region is distal to the blade portion. The first region includes a substantially solid cross-section with a substantially circular perimeter. The second region includes a substantially solid cross-section with at least a substantially semi-circular perimeter, the solid cross-section defining a notched region. The apparatus is adapted to be inserted via a pressure fit into a corresponding opening in a driver mechanism adapted to drive reciprocating movement of the blade portion and the abrasive surface.

Abstract: A handheld apparatus for adjusting orthodontic wire includes first and second handle portions and a jaw portion. The first handle portion pivotably couples to the second handle portion such that the first and second handle portions are capable of pivoting with respect to each other at a pivot axis. The jaw portion extends from the first and second handle portions. The jaw portion includes: a first prong extending from the first handle portion; and second and third prongs extending from the second handle portion. The second and third prongs each include: a respective inner surface that partially defines a slot between the second and third prongs; and first and second outer surfaces joined together by a transition region.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparatus for removing enamel from a person's tooth includes a blade portion and a handle portion. The blade portion includes an abrasive surface adapted to remove enamel from the tooth in response to reciprocating movement of the abrasive surface against the enamel of the tooth. The handle portion is coupled to the blade portion, has a substantially solid cross-section, and is adapted to be inserted into a corresponding opening in a driver mechanism that is adapted to drive reciprocating movement of the blade portion to provide the reciprocating movement of the abrasive surface.

Abstract: A handheld apparatus for adjusting orthodontic wire includes first and second handle portions and a jaw portion. The first handle portion pivotably couples to the second handle portion such that the first and second handle portions are capable of pivoting with respect to each other at a pivot axis. The jaw portion extends from the first and second handle portions. The jaw portion includes: a first prong extending from the first handle portion; and second and third prongs extending from the second handle portion. The second and third prongs each include: a respective inner surface that partially defines a slot between the second and third prongs; and first and second outer surfaces joined together by a transition region.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparatus for removing enamel from a person's tooth includes a blade portion and a handle portion. The blade portion includes an abrasive surface adapted to remove enamel from the tooth in response to reciprocating movement of the abrasive surface against the enamel of the tooth. The handle portion is coupled to the blade portion, has a substantially solid cross-section, and is adapted to be inserted into a corresponding opening in a driver mechanism that is adapted to drive reciprocating movement of the blade portion to provide the reciprocating movement of the abrasive surface.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparatus for removing enamel from a person's tooth includes a blade portion and a handle portion. The blade portion includes an abrasive surface adapted to remove enamel from the tooth in response to reciprocating movement of the abrasive surface against the enamel. The handle portion is coupled to the blade portion and includes first and second regions, the first region is proximal and the second region is distal to the blade portion. The first region includes a substantially solid cross-section with a substantially circular perimeter. The second region includes a substantially solid cross-section with at least a substantially semi-circular perimeter, the solid cross-section defining a notched region. The apparatus is adapted to be inserted via a pressure fit into a corresponding opening in a driver mechanism adapted to drive reciprocating movement of the blade portion and the abrasive surface.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method of forming an orthodontic appliance includes forming an arch configured to custom fit a plurality of teeth. The method may further include coupling a plurality of wire receptors to at least two of: a first surface of the arch corresponding to the lingual surfaces of the plurality of teeth; a second surface of the arch corresponding to the labial surfaces of the plurality of teeth; and a third surface of the arch corresponding to the occusal surfaces of the plurality of teeth. Selected portions of the composite arch may be separated. A first pair of the plurality of wire receptors may be coupled together using a first orthodontic wire. A second pair of the plurality of wire receptors may be coupled together using a second orthodontic wire.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparatus for removing enamel from a person's tooth includes a blade portion and a handle portion. The blade portion includes an abrasive surface adapted to remove enamel from the tooth in response to reciprocating movement of the abrasive surface against the enamel. The handle portion is coupled to the blade portion and includes first and second regions, the first region is proximal and the second region is distal to the blade portion. The first region includes a substantially solid cross-section with a substantially circular perimeter. The second region includes a substantially solid cross-section with at least a substantially semi-circular perimeter, the solid cross-section defining a notched region. The apparatus is adapted to be inserted via a pressure fit into a corresponding opening in a driver mechanism adapted to drive reciprocating movement of the blade portion and the abrasive surface.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparatus for removing enamel from a person's tooth includes a blade portion and a handle portion. The blade portion includes an abrasive surface adapted to remove enamel from the tooth in response to reciprocating movement of the abrasive surface against the enamel. The handle portion is coupled to the blade portion and includes first and second regions, the first region is proximal and the second region is distal to the blade portion. The first region includes a substantially solid cross-section with a substantially circular perimeter. The second region includes a substantially solid cross-section with at least a substantially semi-circular perimeter, the solid cross-section defining a notched region. The apparatus is adapted to be inserted via a pressure fit into a corresponding opening in a driver mechanism adapted to drive reciprocating movement of the blade portion and the abrasive surface.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparatus for removing enamel from a person's tooth includes a blade portion and a handle portion. The blade portion includes an abrasive surface adapted to remove enamel from the tooth in response to reciprocating movement of the abrasive surface against the enamel of the tooth. The handle portion is coupled to the blade portion, has a substantially solid cross-section, and is adapted to be inserted into a corresponding opening in a driver mechanism that is adapted to drive reciprocating movement of the blade portion to provide the reciprocating movement of the abrasive surface.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparatus for removing enamel from a person's tooth includes a blade portion and a handle portion. The blade portion includes an abrasive surface adapted to remove enamel from the tooth in response to reciprocating movement of the abrasive surface against the enamel of the tooth. The handle portion is coupled to the blade portion, has a substantially solid cross-section, and is adapted to be inserted into a corresponding opening in a driver mechanism that is adapted to drive reciprocating movement of the blade portion to provide the reciprocating movement of the abrasive surface.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a self-ligating lingual orthodontic bracket includes a base, flanges extending from the base to define a slot, and a clip. The clip applies a force to an object to secure the wire within the slot in a self-ligating manner. The clip is adapted to be urged vertically toward the occlusal plane from a closed position to an open position to expose the slot to receive the wire, the clip being biased against the second flange when the clip is in the open position due to the applied force. The clip is adapted to be urged vertically away from the occlusal plane from the open position to the closed position to secure the wire within the slot, the clip being biased against the wire when the clip is in the closed position and the wire is secured within the slot due to the applied force.