Abstract: An orthodontic retainer system including retainer modules that are applied to adjacent teeth in a patient's mouth. The retainer modules may be provided in the form of mutually attracted members, such as magnets, that are temporary coupled on opposites sides of a delivery member for positioning and bonding to an adjacent pair of teeth. In one exemplary embodiment, the retainer modules have rounded and/or chamfered edges and sloped and curved lingual surfaces, and may include a magnet that is received and sealed within an enclosure or cover that has the same shape or profile as the magnet and is made of a wear-resistant biocompatible material.

Abstract: An orthodontic retainer system includes retainer modules that are applied to adjacent teeth in a patient's mouth, and a method and apparatus for delivering the system. The retainer modules may be provided in the form of mutually attracted members, such as magnets, that are temporarily coupled on opposites sides of a delivery member for positioning and bonding to an adjacent pair of teeth. The delivery member may include pusher elements that contact the retainer modules for exerting a force against the modules to press same firmly against the teeth in order to enhance bonding between the modules and the teeth.

Abstract: An orthodontic retainer system including retainer modules that are applied to adjacent teeth in a patient's mouth, and a method and apparatus for delivering the system. The retainer modules may be provided in the form of mutually attracted members, such as magnets, that are temporary coupled on opposites sides of a delivery member for positioning and bonding to an adjacent pair of teeth. In one exemplary embodiment, the retainer modules have rounded and/or chamfered edges and sloped and curved lingual surfaces, and may include a magnet that is received and sealed within an enclosure or cover that has the same shape or profile as the magnet and is made of a wear-resistant biocompatible material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering an orthodontic retainer system wherein pairs of magnets are applied to adjacent teeth in a patient's mouth. The retainer system may include a pair of dental modules, in the form of mutually attracted members, that are temporary retained on a delivery member and positioned on a patient's teeth. In one exemplary embodiment, the dental modules have rounded and/or chamfered edges and a sloped lingual surface. In one exemplary embodiment, the delivery member is substantially L-shaped. Advantageously, the substantially L-shape of the delivery member allows an orthodontist to enter only a small portion of the patient's oral cavity to position the dental modules on a patient's teeth. Further, the substantially L-shape of the delivery member eases the orthodontist's delivery of the dental modules into a patient's mouth by substantially eliminating the need for the orthodontist to manipulate or otherwise move the patient's lips, tongue, and/or cheeks.

Abstract: An orthodontic retainer system including retainer modules that are applied to adjacent teeth in a patient's mouth, and a method and apparatus for delivering the system. The retainer modules may be provided in the form of mutually attracted members, such as magnets, that are temporary coupled on opposites sides of a delivery member for positioning and bonding to an adjacent pair of teeth. In one exemplary embodiment, the retainer modules have rounded and/or chamfered edges and sloped and curved lingual surfaces, and may include a magnet that is received and sealed within an enclosure or cover that has the same shape or profile as the magnet and is made of a wear-resistant biocompatible material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering an orthodontic retainer system wherein pairs of magnets are applied to adjacent teeth in a patient's mouth. The retainer system may include a pair of dental modules, in the form of mutually attracted members, that are temporary retained on a delivery member and positioned on a patient's teeth. In one exemplary embodiment, the dental modules have rounded and/or chamfered edges and a sloped lingual surface. In one exemplary embodiment, the delivery member is substantially L-shaped. Advantageously, the substantially L-shape of the delivery member allows an orthodontist to enter only a small portion of the patient's oral cavity to position the dental modules on a patient's teeth. Further, the substantially L-shape of the delivery member eases the orthodontist's delivery of the dental modules into a patient's mouth by substantially eliminating the need for the orthodontist to manipulate or otherwise move the patient's lips, tongue, and/or cheeks.

Abstract: The invention comprehends the use of a bracket having a non-conforming base portion, mountable to a tooth in a preestablished position and angular orientation through the formation of an associated contoured shim, and a head portion symmetrically opposite to the base portion, the head portion having a slot therein adapted and oriented to receive a conventional dental arch wire. A fixture is formed to fit over a tooth replica on which a bracket and shim is affixed, this fixture having an internal cavity which matches the shape and contour of the tooth, such as lingual surface, incisal edge and the labial surface, and includes the head portion of the bracket so as to align the conforming surface of the contoured shim with the same anatomical tooth surface as the labial or lingual surface matched by the fixture. The contoured shim formed to surround the non-conforming surface of the base of the bracket completes the matching of the appropriate labial or lingual surface of the tooth.

Abstract: The invention comprehends the use of a fixture which fits over a tooth on which a bracket is to be affixed, this fixture having an internal cavity which matches the shape and contour of a portion of the tooth, such as lingual surface, incisal edge and a portion of the labial surface. A second portion of the labial or lingual side of the fixture is fixedly secured to the head portion of the bracket in such a manner as to align the surface of the base in the same anatomical plane or tooth surface as the labial or lingual surface. The fixture may be rigid and of a material which can be changed to a non-rigid state upon application of a state-changing medium thereto. A second fixture or appliance essentially like the fixture may be non-rigid or flexible and conformable over the fixture in such a manner as to be easily removed therefrom and from the bracket. Removal from the bracket is performed after the fixture with the bracket mounted therein is assembled to a tooth and the bracket is bonded thereto.

Abstract: The invention comprehends the use of a fixture which fits over a tooth on which a bracket is to be affixed, this fixture having an internal cavity which matches the shape and contour of a portion of the tooth, such as the lingual surface, incisal edge and a portion of the labial surface. A second portion of the labial or lingual side of the fixture is fixedly secured to the head portion of the bracket in such a manner as to align the surface of the base in the same anatomical plane or tooth surface as the labial or lingual surface. The fixture is relatively rigid and is further of a material which can be changed to a non-rigid state upon application of a state-changing medium thereto. Such a material may be biodegradable such that upon being subjected to moisture, it tends to dissolve or become flexible: it can then be easily removed from the bracket. Removal from the bracket is performed after the fixture with the bracket mounted therein is assembled to a tooth and the bracket is bonded thereto.

Abstract: This invention relates to an orthodontic appliance for exerting a corrective magnetic force on live teeth in a patient's mouth. The appliance includes two separate rigid caps having internal shapes conforming to the crown portions of juxtaposed teeth in the maxilla and mandible, respectively. The caps are adapted to be removably frictionally secured to such teeth. Two permanent magnets carried by the two caps, respectively, have facing poles which are in registry when the mouth is normally closed and further exert a magnetic force in a direction substantially normal to the occlusal plane. The poles are of extended area such that at least portions thereof remain in juxtaposed registry and the magnetic force maintains substantially in the same direction for normal relative jaw movement.

Abstract: The invention comprehends the use of a fixture which fits over a tooth on which a bracket is to be affixed, this fixture having an internal cavity which essentially matches the shape and contour of a portion of the tooth, such as the lingual surface and incisal edge, the remaining portion of the fixture extending downwardly in spaced juxtaposition with respect to the labial surface. This labial space is slightly greater than the height of a standard bracket. The juxtaposed surface of the fixture is preferably provided with a smoothly contoured irregularity adapted to mate with a plastic or the like bracket-orienting module having a complementary surface portion, the opposite portion of this module being contoured to nest in or over the labial portion of a bracket. This contoured module portion may include a projection which slidably fits the bracket slot.

Abstract: An orthodontic method and appliance for treating malocclusion comprising the steps of forming a model of the patient's teeth in the form of a dental arch with the replicas of the teeth in idealized locations, establishing on the labial and buccal surfaces of the replicas locations which conjointly define an idealized dental arch configuration, providing on each selected surface at the established location an orienting embossment, and forming onto the crown and surface, including such embossment, in intimate conforming engagement, of each selected replica a plate-like fixture which has an exterior provided with a locating boss corresponding to the shape of the embossment and a mounting surface surrounding the boss which corresponds to the replica surface. A bracket is provided having a socket which intimately fits over the boss thereby to be oriented with respect to the fixture.

Abstract: An orthodontic method for treating malocclusion comprising the steps of forming a model of the patient's teeth in the form of a dental arch with the replicas of the teeth in idealized locations, establishing on the labial and buccal surfaces of the replicas locations which conjointly define an idealized dental arch configuration, forming rigid caps of hardenable, plastic material over the crowns of the replicas, affixing to the cap for each replica a bracket orientation module in registry with said established location and utilizing the caps with the respective bracket orientation modules to locate brackets on the corresponding teeth in the patient's mouth in locations corresponding to said established locations.Bracket orientation modules are provided which are usable to locate precisely brackets on the teeth at the outset of treatment and also to replace any lost or damaged brackets anytime during treatment.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing an orthodontic band shaped to an individual tooth is disclosed wherein a tooth replica is encircled by the band and optionally an annular conducting member surrounds the band. The band is shaped to the tooth by rapidly changing a magnetic field within the band and annular member to induce a current flow which cooperates with the magnetic field to force the band radially inwardly into close conformity with the replica. The replica and annular member are then separated from the band and the band is applied to the original tooth.

Abstract: An idealized set of occluded models, both maxillae and mandible, containing castings of the patient's teeth is made with slotted brackets affixed thereto. The slots are oriented conjointly to define a single plane and a predetermined arch curvature which corresponds to the idealized dental arch. These brackets are placed on the patient's teeth in the same position as on the model, have affixed thereto during treatment one or more arch wires of prefabricated shape such that upon completion of the treatment the bracket slots will define a single plane and the aforesaid predetermined arch curvature which corresponds to the shape of the idealized dental arch. Once this slot pattern is achieved, the clinician knows that the treatment is completed.