Abstract: An instrument for debonding an orthodontic bracket from a surface of a tooth includes first and second plier portions coupled for pivotal movement relative to one another. Each plier portion has a respective handle and a jaw with a respective bracket engaging portion. The instrument further includes a lever arm that is pivotally movable relative to the first and second plier portions and having a tooth engaging member on a first end. In one embodiment, the tooth engaging member is positioned on the lever arm such that it is moved between a jaw and the tooth surface when the bracket engaging portions are engaged with the orthodontic bracket and a second end of the lever arm is pivotally manipulated in a direction toward a handle of the plier portions.

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 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: 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.

Abstract: A stranded wire having improved fatigue characteristics and made of a shape memory and/or superelastic material, such as Ni/Ti or alloys thereof. Further, the stranded wire may be coiled along the entire length of the wire or only a portion thereof to form one or more coil springs. The stranded and optionally coiled wire is heat treated to set the wire in the twisted configuration.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket comprises a bracket body, a base on the bracket body, and mechanical bonding structure on the base. An adhesive is applied to and mechanically bonded with the mechanical bonding structure to secure the bracket body and the base to a tooth. A portion of the base has a bond strength with the adhesive which is reduced relative to the bond strength between the remainder of the base and the adhesive. A debonding method includes applying a debonding force to the bracket at a first area of reduced adhesion between the bracket and the tooth, and removing the bracket from 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 extending through the ligating slide when the ligating slide is in the closed position.

Abstract: An orthodontic device for retraction or extension of teeth. The orthodontic device utilizes a spring and concentric sliding members to apply a biasing force to a patient's teeth in a manner that translates the teeth without rotation or tipping either tooth to which it is attached. A removable activation structure is adapted to hold the sliding members in a locked condition which maintains the device at a fixed length prior to fixation of the device to the teeth. When the activation structure is removed to provide a released condition, a corrective force is applied to the teeth for accomplishing an orthodontic treatment.

Abstract: An orthodontic device for retraction or extension of teeth. The orthodontic device utilizes a spring and concentric sliding members to apply a biasing force to a patient's teeth in a manner that translates the teeth without rotation or tipping either tooth to which it is attached. A removable activation structure is adapted to hold the sliding members in a locked condition which maintains the device at a fixed length prior to fixation of the device to the teeth. When the activation structure is removed to provide a released condition, a corrective force is applied to the teeth for accomplishing an orthodontic treatment.

Abstract: An orthodontic expansion device which may be used for expanding the palate of a patient or for other orthodontic treatments. The expansion device is a compact design which essentially uses tubular-shaped screw actuating structure and rod-shaped screw actuating structure for connecting first and second legs which are respectively attached to a patient's teeth. When at least one of the screw actuating structures is rotated, expansion of the legs may be effected during the treatment of a patient. The legs may be connected rigidly to the screw actuating structure or may form part of the screw actuating structure.

Abstract: Endodontic instruments, including files, reamers, and broaches, wherein the working shaft portion has flexibility/stiffness properties and hardness properties that may vary along its length. These variations in physical properties can be accomplished by utilization of specific materials having a prescribed amorphous phase content, by application of specific coatings or surface treatments, or by selective or differential heat treatment.

Abstract: A self-ligating orthodontic bracket comprised of a ligating member containing a coil spring segment for extending the ligating member over an archwire or retainer wire and over one or more tie wings to secure the archwire or retainer wire in the bottom of a slot in the bracket. The ligating member containing the coil spring may have ends that are engaged in opposing mesially-distally extending bores in one side of the bracket body, with the ligating member being engaged with one or more tie wings on an opposite side of the bracket body. Alternatively, the ligating member may form a closed loop with the ligating member engaged under both occlusally-projecting and gingivally-projecting tie wings or engaged under one or more tie wings on one side of the bracket body and passing through a mesially-distally extending bore on the opposite side of the bracket body.

Abstract: Dental and orthodontic articles comprising alloys of a material selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr, Si, Mo, Co, Nb and Be. The alloys may further include at least one secondary alloying element selected from the group consisting of Ta, Cr, Al, V, Pd, Hf and Fe. The alloys preferably comprise a primary constituent in the range of about 30-85% by weight of the alloy, a secondary alloying component in the range of about 0.5-10% by weight, and the alloy has a modulus of elasticity in the range of about 5 million to 15 million psi.

Abstract: Debonding tools and methods especially useful for removing ceramic brackets adhesively bonded to the teeth of a patient. In general, the tool and methods involve applying a tensile force to one side of the bracket while avoiding point loading which may cause the bracket to break. The tensile force may be applied by grasping the bracket with a tool having two jaws and pivoting the tool and the bracket about an axis generally lying in an occlusal-gingival plane of the tooth. At least the portions of the jaws that engage the bracket are formed from a material having a substantially reduced hardness relative to the brittle material of the bracket. Other embodiments of the tool engage a recess, such as one disposed beneath a tie wing, and pry the bracket away from the tooth.

Abstract: Dental and orthodontic articles comprising alloys of a material selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr, Si, Mo, Co, Nb and Be. The alloys may further include at least one secondary alloying element selected from the group consisting of Ta, Cr, Al, V, Pd, Hf and Fe. The alloys preferably comprise a primary constituent in the range of about 30-85 % by weight of the alloy, a secondary alloying component in the range of about 0.5-10% by weight, and the alloy has a modulus of elasticity in the range of about 5 million to 15 million psi.

Abstract: A self-ligating orthodontic bracket comprised of a ligating member containing a coil spring segment for extending the ligating member over an archwire or retainer wire and over one or more tie wings to secure the archwire or retainer wire in the bottom of a slot in the bracket. The ligating member containing the coil spring may have ends that are engaged in opposing mesially-distally extending bores in one side of the bracket body, with the ligating member being engaged with one or more tie wings on an opposite side of the bracket body. Alternatively, the ligating member may form a closed loop with the ligating member engaged under both occlusally-projecting and gingivally-projecting tie wings or engaged under one or more tie wings on one side of the bracket body and passing through a mesially-distally extending bore on the opposite side of the bracket body.

Abstract: A method of forming a superelastic endodontic file by grinding a superelastic wire to form a file blank, and rotating a first end of the blank while preventing rotation of a second end of the blank is disclosed. The file blank is maintained in the austenite phase until twisted to form a stress induced martensite which is plastically deformed by the twisting. A heat treatment step may be performed prior to twisting, during twisting or after twisting of the preform. The method disclosed allows for increased flexibility in the design of files including the production of a rhomboid superelastic file.

Abstract: An orthodontic expansion device which may be used for expanding the palate of a patient or for other orthodontic treatments. The expansion device is a compact design which essentially uses tubular-shaped screw actuating structure and rod-shaped screw actuating structure for connecting first and second legs which are respectively attached to a patient's teeth. When at least one of the screw actuating structures is rotated, expansion of the legs may be effected during the treatment of a patient. The legs may be connected rigidly to the screw actuating structure or may form part of the screw actuating structure.

Abstract: Dental and orthodontic articles comprising alloys of a material selected from the group consisting of T, Zr, Si, Mo, Co, Nb and Be. The alloys may further include at least one secondary alloying element selected from the group consisting of Ta, Cr, Al, V, Pd, Hf and Fe. The alloys preferably comprise a primary constituent in the range of about 30-85% by weight of the alloy, a secondary alloying component in the range of about 0.5-10% by weight, and the alloy has a modulus of elasticity in the range of about 5 million to 15 million psi.