Abstract: A hand instrument that is useful for releasing an archwire from an orthodontic appliance includes a shaft and a head. In certain embodiments, the head is pivotally connected to the shaft for movement of the head relative to the shaft to any one of a plurality of orientations. In other embodiments, the head includes a cam section for bearing against the appliance, and the cam section is made of a non-metallic material.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance such as a bracket or buccal tube has a latch for retaining an archwire in an archwire slot. The latch releases the archwire from the archwire slot whenever the archwire exerts a force in a generally buccolabial direction on the appliance that exceeds a certain minimum value. The minimum value is less than about one-half of the force required in the same direction to debond the appliance from the tooth, and thus reduces the likelihood that the appliance will unintentionally debond from the tooth during the course of orthodontic treatment.