Abstract: A self-ligating bracket with flexible ligating slide includes an archwire slot, a first anterior portion at a first side of the slot, and a second anterior portion at a second side of the slot, the second anterior portion including a primary anterior surface. The bracket includes a first guide and a second guide, with each of the guides extending anteriorly from the primary anterior surface. The slide is movably enclosed between the primary anterior surface, the first guide, and the second guide. At least one of the primary anterior surface, first guide, and second guide includes a curvature in an occlusal-gingival direction. The curvature includes a radius and a center, with the center located to one side of a plane that bisects the slot longitudinally. The plane is perpendicular to a slot bottom wall; and the one side of the plane is the side that includes the second anterior portion.

Abstract: An archwire assembly comprises an archwire with a crimpable sleeve adapted to slidably move along the archwire so as to be positioned between two adjacent brackets of orthodontic braces. The archwire assembly further includes a stop applied to the archwire and adapted to limit the movement of the sleeve along the archwire. The stop may include removable stops where the sleeve is movable along the archwire between the stops. The removable stops may be movable along the archwire with the application of a sufficient force. The stop may also include a friction-creating substance applied to either the sleeve or the archwire such that it takes a sufficient force to move the sleeve along the archwire. The stop may also include a partially crimped sleeve applied to the archwire such that it takes a sufficient force to move the sleeve along the archwire.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket for coupling an archwire with a tooth includes a bracket body that has an archwire slot adapted to receive the archwire. A movable member is engaged with the bracket body and is movable between an opened position and a closed position. The bracket body and the movable member may be made from a transparent or translucent polycrystalline ceramic for improved aesthetics. The polycrystalline ceramic has a grain size distribution characterized by an average grain size in the range of larger than 3.4 ?m to about 6 ?m. The polycrystalline ceramic may have a fracture toughness of at least 4.0 MPa·m1/2. The grain size distribution may not be characterized as a lognormal distribution and may be a multimodal distribution. The polycrystalline ceramic may comprise aluminum oxide or alumina. The grain size distribution may be characterized by having up to about 50% of the grains being less than about 3 ?m in size.

Abstract: A self-ligating orthodontic bracket for captivating an archwire with a tooth. The bracket includes a bracket body mountable to a tooth and a self-ligating mechanism having an archwire slot and a ligating slide. The ligating slide is movable between an open position in which an archwire is insertable into the archwire slot and a closed position in which the archwire is retained in the archwire slot. The bracket body may be formed from a non-metallic material, such as a polymer, a filled polymer composite, or a ceramic, and the self-ligating mechanism may be formed from a metal. The bracket may include a resilient engagement member with a detent positioned to engage an aperture or throughhole extending through the ligating slide when the ligating slide is in the closed position.

Abstract: An instrument for debonding an orthodontic bracket from a tooth surface includes first and second plier portions coupled for relative pivotal movement. A lever arm pivotally movable relative to the first and second plier portions has a tooth engaging member on a first end. The tooth engaging member may be positioned on the lever arm for movement between a jaw of the plier portions and the tooth surface when a second end of the lever arm is pivotally manipulated in a direction toward a handle of the plier portions. At least part of at least one plier portion may be flexible relative to the lever arm such that the lever arm moves the tooth engaging member relative to a jaw of the plier portions after the bracket engaging portions are engaged with the orthodontic bracket and the handles and lever arm pivotally manipulated toward one another.

Abstract: A self-ligating orthodontic bracket for captivating an archwire with a tooth. The bracket includes a bracket body mountable to a tooth and a self-ligating mechanism having an archwire slot and a ligating slide. The ligating slide is movable between an open position in which an archwire is insertable into the archwire slot and a closed position in which the archwire is retained in the archwire slot. The bracket body may be formed from a non-metallic material, such as a polymer, a filled polymer composite, or a ceramic, and the self-ligating mechanism may be formed from a metal. The bracket may include a resilient engagement member with a detent positioned to engage an aperture or throughhole extending through the ligating slide when the ligating slide is in the closed position.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket for coupling an archwire with a tooth includes a bracket body having an archwire slot adapted to receive the archwire therein and a movable member engaged with the bracket body and movable between an opened position and a closed position. A securing mechanism is configured to secure the movable member in at least the closed position and includes a projecting portion and a receiving portion. The projecting portion may include a generally elongate pin capable of flexing relative to a central axis thereof to secure the movable member in at least the closed position. An orthodontic assembly includes an orthodontic bracket and an alignment device for positioning the bracket on the tooth.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket comprises a bracket body and a ligating member. The ligating member retains an archwire in an archwire slot and includes archwire control structure including projecting portions spaced apart in a mesial-distal direction with a recessed area therebetween. The recessed area and the projecting portions overlie the archwire slot. The recessed area may include a flat or a curved surface in a mesial-distal direction. The recessed area and projecting portions may define a radius of curvature that is less than the radius of curvature of the archwire seated in the slot. The archwire contacts one or both the projecting portions resulting in a larger moment arm and better rotational control of the bracket with the force applied by the archwire.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket for coupling an archwire with a tooth includes a bracket body having an archwire slot for receiving the archwire and a movable member engaged with the bracket body and movable between opened and closed positions. The movable member includes a leading edge having a non-uniform pushing element configured to guide the archwire into the archwire slot as the movable member is closed. An associated method includes providing a movable member for an orthodontic bracket and providing a non-uniform pushing element on a leading edge thereof. The pushing element may include a chamfer formed along the leading edge of the movable member.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket for coupling an archwire with a tooth. The orthodontic bracket comprising a ceramic injection molded (CIM) bracket body including an archwire slot that is configured to receive the archwire therein. The CIM bracket body comprising a polycrystalline ceramic. A coating of alumina or silicon dioxide is in continuous and direct contact with at least the surfaces of the archwire slot. The orthodontic bracket is characterized by unexpectedly high torque strength. The ceramic injection molded (CIM) bracket body may comprise a polycrystalline ceramic having a grain size distribution characterized by an average grain size in the range of larger than 3.4 ?m to about 6 ?m such that the orthodontic bracket is also characterized by unexpectedly high fracture toughness. A method of making the orthodontic bracket comprises injection molding a bracket using a ceramic powder, sintering the molded bracket, and coating the ceramic injection molded bracket.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket for coupling an archwire with a tooth includes a bracket body that has an archwire slot adapted to receive the archwire. A movable member is engaged with the bracket body and is movable between an opened position and a closed position. The bracket body and movable member are made from a transparent or translucent ceramic for improved aesthetics. The bracket body may include one or more stop surfaces that limit movement of the moveable member in the gingival direction. The bracket body may include a support surface that is positioned lingually of a labial edge of the archwire slot. The moveable member may include a bracket-engaging portion having a first surface confronting the bracket body and a slot-covering portion having a second surface confronting the archwire slot, the first and second surfaces being offset from one another.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket for coupling an archwire with a tooth includes a bracket body that has an archwire slot adapted to receive the archwire. A movable member is engaged with the bracket body and is movable between an opened position and a closed position. The bracket body is made from a transparent or translucent polycrystalline ceramic for improved aesthetics. The movable member may comprise the polycrystalline ceramic. The polycrystalline ceramic has a grain size distribution characterized by an average grain size in the range of larger than 3.4 ?m to about 6 ?m. The polycrystalline ceramic may have a fracture toughness of at least 4.0 MPa·m1/2. The grain size distribution may not be characterized as a lognormal distribution and may be a multimodal distribution. The polycrystalline ceramic may comprise aluminum oxide or alumina. The grain size distribution may be characterized by having up to about 50% of the grains being less than about 3 ?m in size.

Abstract: An instrument for debonding an orthodontic bracket from a tooth surface includes first and second plier portions coupled for relative pivotal movement. A lever arm pivotally movable relative to the first and second plier portions has a tooth engaging member on a first end. In one embodiment, the tooth engaging member is positioned on the lever arm for movement between a jaw of the plier portions and the tooth surface when a second end of the lever arm is pivotally manipulated in a direction toward a handle of the plier portions. In another embodiment, at least part of at least one plier portion is flexible relative to the lever arm such that the lever arm moves the tooth engaging member relative to a jaw of the plier portions after the bracket engaging portions are engaged with the orthodontic bracket and the handles and lever arm pivotally manipulated toward one another.

Abstract: An instrument for debonding an orthodontic bracket from a tooth surface includes first and second plier portions coupled for relative pivotal movement. A lever arm pivotally movable relative to the first and second plier portions has a tooth engaging member on a first end. In one embodiment, the tooth engaging member is positioned on the lever arm for movement between a jaw of the plier portions and the tooth surface when a second end of the lever arm is pivotally manipulated in a direction toward a handle of the plier portions. In another embodiment, at least part of at least one plier portion is flexible relative to the lever arm such that the lever arm moves the tooth engaging member relative to a jaw of the plier portions after the bracket engaging portions are engaged with the orthodontic bracket and the handles and lever arm pivotally manipulated toward one another.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket for coupling an archwire with a tooth includes a bracket body having an archwire slot adapted to receive the archwire therein and a movable member engaged with the bracket body and movable between an opened position and a closed position. A securing mechanism is configured to secure the movable member in at least the closed position and includes a projecting portion and a receiving portion. The projecting portion may include a generally elongate pin capable of flexing relative to a central axis thereof to secure the movable member in at least the closed position. An orthodontic assembly includes an orthodontic bracket and an alignment device for positioning the bracket on the tooth.

Abstract: A self-ligating orthodontic bracket for captivating an archwire with a tooth. The bracket includes a bracket body mountable to a tooth and a self-ligating mechanism having an archwire slot and a ligating slide. The ligating slide is movable between an open position in which an archwire is insertable into the archwire slot and a closed position in which the archwire is retained in the archwire slot. The bracket body may be formed from a non-metallic material, such as a polymer, a filled polymer composite, or a ceramic, and the self-ligating mechanism may be formed from a metal. The bracket may include a resilient engagement member with a detent positioned to engage an aperture or throughhole extending through the ligating slide when the ligating slide is in the closed position.

Abstract: A self-ligating orthodontic bracket for captivating an archwire with a tooth. The bracket includes a bracket body mountable to a tooth and a self-ligating mechanism having an archwire slot and a ligating slide. The ligating slide is movable between an open position in which an archwire is insertable into the archwire slot and a closed position in which the archwire is retained in the archwire slot. The bracket body may be formed from a non-metallic material, such as a polymer, a filled polymer composite, or a ceramic, and the self-ligating mechanism may be formed from a metal. The bracket may include a resilient engagement member with a detent positioned to engage an aperture extending through the ligating slide when the ligating slide is in the closed position.

Abstract: A self-ligating orthodontic bracket for captivating an archwire with a tooth. The bracket includes a bracket body mountable to a tooth and a self-ligating mechanism having an archwire slot and a ligating slide. The ligating slide is movable between an open position in which an archwire is insertable into the archwire slot and a closed position in which the archwire is retained in the archwire slot. The bracket body may be formed from a non-metallic material, such as a polymer, a filled polymer composite, or a ceramic, and the self-ligating mechanism may be formed from a metal. The bracket may include a resilient engagement member with a detent positioned to engage an aperture or throughhole extending through the ligating slide when the ligating slide is in the closed position.

Abstract: A self-ligating orthodontic bracket for captivating an archwire with a tooth. The bracket includes a bracket body mountable to a tooth and a self-ligating mechanism having an archwire slot and a ligating slide. The ligating slide is movable between an open position in which an archwire is insertable into the archwire slot and a closed position in which the archwire is retained in the archwire slot. The bracket body may be formed from a non-metallic material, such as a polymer, a filled polymer composite, or a ceramic, and the self-ligating mechanism may be formed from a metal. The bracket may include a resilient engagement member with a detent positioned to engage an aperture or throughhole extending through the ligating slide when the ligating slide is in the closed position.

Abstract: An archwire assembly comprises an archwire with a crimpable sleeve adapted to slidably move along the archwire so as to be positioned between two adjacent brackets of orthodontic braces. The archwire assembly further includes a stop applied to the archwire and adapted to limit the movement of the sleeve along the archwire. The stop may include removable stops where the sleeve is movable along the archwire between the stops. The removable stops may be movable along the archwire with the application of a sufficient force. The stop may also include a friction-creating substance applied to either the sleeve or the archwire such that it takes a sufficient force to move the sleeve along the archwire. The stop may also include a partially crimped sleeve applied to the archwire such that it takes a sufficient force to move the sleeve along the archwire.