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: A superelastic endodontic instrument, such as a file, is formed by grinding a superelastic wire to form a file preform or blank, and rotating a first end of the blank while preventing rotation of a second end of the blank. The file blank is maintained in the austenite phase at least 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 file blank may be heated by electrical heating methods or by submerging the blank in a heated liquid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for performing bone distraction and/or tooth movement, and more particularly to a widening or contracting device which is capable of effecting bone distraction in more than one plane of space simultaneously. In its broadest aspects, the present invention is a device that can be used for bone distraction or osteogenesis, as well as tooth movement, which includes an expandible (or contractible) member for affixation in the oral cavity of a patient. The device is adapted to provide distraction of a selected craniofacial bone, such as the mandible, or movement of teeth, simultaneously in more than one plane of space. The expandible (or contractible) member includes a mechanism for expanding (or contracting) the expandible (or contractible) member to achieve the desired distraction of the selected bone or movement of selected teeth.

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: 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: Plastic orthodontic appliances having improved bonding characteristics are described. The appliances have a polymeric base with projecting structure extending outwardly therefrom and an applied coating of a chemically activatable material. The projecting structure includes a broadened outer extremity and undercuts proximate the outer extremity which form mechanical bonds with a bonding adhesive. The chemically activatable material applied to the projecting structure increases the chemical bond between the structure and the bonding adhesive and thereby enhances the overall bonding characteristics of the appliance. Another aspect of the invention concerns a method of enhancing the bond strength of plastic orthodontic appliances. The method includes applying a chemically activatable material layer by sputtering, plasma deposition, or other deposition process, to a plastic orthodontic appliance having projecting structure.

Abstract: An insert for reinforcing a nonmetallic orthodontic appliance is provided including a metal core member having a ceramic outer surface. In one preferred form, a ceramic coated metallic insert having a tooth enamel color is disposed within the archwire slot of a plastic bracket to form an aesthetically pleasing, reinforced plastic orthodontic bracket.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a temporary implant for use as an anchor in the mouth, as well as to a method of attaching the temporary implant to the maxillary or mandibular bone. The temporary implant includes an implant adapted to be temporarily affixed in a buccal, labial, lingual or palatal bone surface of the maxillary jawbone, or buccal, labial or lingual bone surface of the mandibular jawbone. In one embodiment, the implant includes a longitudinal threaded cylindrical bore for releasably attaching various orthodontic appliances to the implant.

Abstract: Luminescent orthodontic appliances, such as brackets, archwires, bands and the like, having a luminescent pigment or mixture of luminescent pigments are described. In a preferred form, the luminescent pigment is a phosphorescent pigment comprising zinc sulfide doped with copper. The pigment gives the appliance a natural appearance in daylight and causes it to emit a greenish-white light in the dark after having been energized by an excitation light source. If desired, the luminescent orthodontic appliance may be made with a fluorescent pigment or a combination of fluorescent and phosphorescent pigments. If a fluorescent pigment is used, the bracket will exhibit a luminescence in daylight; whereas if a mixture of fluorescent and phosphorescent pigments are used, the appliance will luminesce in the dark after having been exposed to a light source, in addition to exhibiting a luminescence in the daylight.

Abstract: Orthodontic archwires and methods of making such archwires. The archwire includes a shape memory alloy having a preset shape for exerting forces on teeth during orthodontic treatment. The alloy, which preferably is comprised of at least three elements (e.g., Ni, Ti and Cu), has a transformation temperature (A.sub.f) greater than about 25.degree. C., whereby the orthodontic archwire produces forces at normal mouth temperature which are greater than the forces produced at normal room temperature. The orthodontic archwire also preferably has a variable modulus of elasticity.

Abstract: Corrosion resistant instruments such as those used in medicine and dentistry are efficiently made from raw materials that are difficult to machine. Round bar stock is rolled or otherwise deformed to have flat sides and rounded edges. The parts of the instrument are cut from the flattened bar, by combinations of transverse and longitudinal cuts, so that the rounded edges of the bar define the shape of convexly curved finish surfaces of the instrument. Expensive machining steps are eliminated. An orthodontic pliers is particularly disclosed, made according to the method, by making one or more Z-shaped cuts that preserve the rounded sides to define the outer surfaces of a handle and opposing jaw on each of two plier parts, pivotally joined together.

Abstract: Orthodontic appliances having improved bonding characteristics and methods of making such orthodontic appliances are disclosed. The appliances have a metal bonding base and tooth contact surface. A primary mechanical interlock retention surface is applied to the tooth contact surfaces. The primary retention surface may be 1) a mesh, 2) a layer of metallic or non-metallic particles, or 3) grooves, including undercuts, formed in the tooth contact surface. The appliances may also include a secondary mechanical bond strength enhancement treatment. Suitable secondary enhancement treatments include 1) surface toughening, 2) particles applied to the primary retention surface, and 3) a chemically activatable material, such as SiO.sub.2, deposited on the primary retention surface. Chemical activation may also be used to activate the chemically activatable material, such as silanation of SiO.sub.2.

Abstract: Coil springs for use in orthodontic appliances which are made from wire of a beta-phase titanium alloy wound into a plurality of turns forming a coil having an outside diameter in the range of about 0.040 inches (1.016 mm) to about 0.075 inches (1.905 mm). These coil springs may be designed for use in tension as well as compression for a number of orthodontic applications.

Abstract: Plier-type cutters for cutting metal objects having a pair of plier halves which are each of one piece construction and made of a hardenable stainless steel. Each plier half has a cutting edge hardened to a cutting hardness suitable for cutting the metal object, such as an orthodontic metal appliance, without fracturing during normal use. Each plier half has at least one fracture sensitive portion, excluding its cutting edge, which would be susceptible to fracturing during normal use if hardened to the cutting hardness. Each fracture sensitive portion has a working hardness which is sufficiently lower than the cutting hardness to substantially limit, if not eliminate, the likelihood of fracture during normal use.

Abstract: Method and device for fracturing the interface between dental structures that have been secured together, and for adhesive removal and cleaning of the teeth. The device comprises an ultrasonic tool for providing hi-directional movement of a preferred amplitude and frequency. The tool is applied against one of the dental structures at an acute angle with respect to a plane in which the interface between the dental structures lies. Alternatively, the dental tool is applied against the adhesive on the tooth surface for removal thereof. In another alternative, the dental tool is utilized with a liquid layer to provide cavitation of the liquid, thereby cleaning and polishing the enamel surface.

Abstract: A method of joining orthodontic appliances or dental appliances by brazing with an alloy material containing at least about 50% by weight silver and at least about 20% by weight gold.

Abstract: Transpalatal orthodontic appliances are disclosed which utilize a shape-memory or superelastic alloy member as the force-supplying member of the device. Suitable alloys include the nickel-titanium (NiTi) alloys, the titanium-molybdenum alloys (TMA), and any other alloy composition which possesses superelastic or shape-memory characteristics. The alloy composition may preferably have a working rang of at least about 30% and a modulus of elasticity not exceeding about 15.times.10.sup.6 psi.

Abstract: Orthodontic appliances having improved bonding characteristics and methods of making such orthodontic appliances are disclosed. The appliances to which the present invention is applicable have a metal bonding base and tooth contact surface. Primary mechanical interlock retention means or surface is applied to the tooth contact surfaces. The primary retention surface may be 1) a mesh, 2) a layer of metallic or non-metallic particles (such as spheres, rods, shards, etc.), or 3) grooves, including undercuts, formed in the tooth contact surface. The appliances preferably further comprise secondary mechanical bond strength enhancement means or treatment. Suitable secondary enhancement treatments include 1) surface roughening (e.g., ion bombardment or other etching processes), 2) particles on the order of 5-200.mu. flame spray coated on the primary retention surface, and 3) a chemically activatable material, such as SiO.sub.2 deposited on the primary retention surface.

Abstract: An orthodontic rapid palatal expansion (RPE) device is disclosed which includes dual body members and four guide rods for increased stability and an increased range of palatal expansion. A jack screw threadably engages each body member and, upon rotation, generates an expansive force which is applied to the palate via the guide rods. A jack screw actuating head with multiple actuating apertures provides the means for rotating the jack screw, and a locking mechanism is included for the dual purposes of (1) preventing unwanted negative rotation or unwinding of the jack screw and (2) providing sensible indications of the positive rotation of the jack screw. Each guide rod is attached to a tooth by means of an attachment sleeve which allows for removal and replacement of the RPE device without removing molar bands secured to the teeth.