Abstract: An orthodontic bracket of the type intended for cementing directly to a previously etched surface of the tooth enamel has on the lingual face thereof that contacts the tooth enamel surface a thin porous layer of sintered metal powder which is arranged to have a porosity such that it has keying characteristics close to that of the etched enamel and thereby facilitates the cementing adhesion of the bracket to the tooth. A particularly suitable metal powder consists of particles of the same alloy as the bracket metal and of size in the range about 10 to about 150 micons (-100 mesh), preferably from about 10 to about 50 microns (-300 mesh) applied in a thickness of about 0.05 to 0.2 mm, by means of a sintering operation that fuses the particles to the lingual face and to one another.

Abstract: The invention provides a new orthodontic bracket consisting of a bracket body having a mesio-distal extending arch wire receiving slot that opens to the labial surface. A latch member of "comma" transverse cross-section is accommodated in a recess in the body, being pivoted thereto by two spaced pivot pins passing through the latch member body portion, while the latch member tail portion moves between a closed position in which it closes the arch wire slot to retain an arch wire therein, and an open position in which the arch wire can be inserted in and removed from the slot. A load spring for applying corrective forces to the arch wire is accommodated within the body to the lingual side of the slot and is a thin bowed sheet spring convex toward the latch so that it urges the arch wire toward the latch lingual surface, the gingival part of which is inclined lingually for cooperation with the arch wire in controlling the movements of the bracket on the arch wire.

Abstract: The invention provides a new orthodontic device for use with the arch wire that is employed in an orthodontic procedure to connect together the orthodontic brackets attached to the teeth. The device comprises a core member having an axial bore to permit it to be threaded onto the wire, the external face of the core member being frustro-conical. The core member is pressed axially into a cylindrical sleeve having a tapered inner face complementary to the core frustro-conical outer face, and the core has a longitudinal slit in its circumference extending from the outer face to the bore so that as it is forced into the sleeve it can clamp tightly onto the wire. The device preferably is used with special pliers having ends which are slotted to fit over the wire and recessed to embrace the device, so that as the pliers ends are closed together the core is forced into the sleeve. The device can be used per se as an end stop, e.g. to stop relative axial movements between the wire and a bracket.

Abstract: A new orthodontic bracket comprises a bracket body with a mesial-distal slot for the reception of an arch wire and a resilient retainer member for retaining the arch wire in the slot, the retainer member being movable on the bracket body in the occlusal-gingival directions between a slot-closed position and a slot-open position. When in the slot-closed position the end of the part of the retainer member which closes the slot extends into a mesial-distal extending retainer slot in the gingival wall of the arch wire slot so that movement of the retainer member end in the labial direction is limited by its engagement with the lingual wall of the retainer slot. The wall that is engaged by the retainer member end preferably in narrower than the bracket body and may comprise a small piece of the spring material used for the retainer member welded to the bracket body. The engaging faces of the retainer member and the retainer slot may be inclined to retain the retainer member in the slot-closed position.

Abstract: The invention provides an orthodontic arch wire of particular cross-section for use with an orthodontic bracket as disclosed in my earlier patent Ser. No. 3,772,787. This bracket has a mesial-distal extending slot to receive the arch wire, the labial face of which is closed by a sliding U-shaped spring retainer member, one end of which protrudes into the slot to engage the arch wire labial face. The wire cross-section has straight parallel occlusal and gingival sides with the occlusal longer than the gingival. The lingual side is also straight and at right angles to the occlusal and gingival sides. The labial side that is contacted by the retainer member is outwardly convex curved about a radius within the cross-section, the preferred ratio of occlusal side length to radius being from 1:0.4 to 1:0.76.

Abstract: A new orthodontic bracket comprises a bracket body (20) with a mesial-distal slot (42) for the reception of an arch wire (46 or 80) and a resilient retainer member (48) for retaining the arch wire in the slot, the retainer member being movable on the bracket body in the occlusal-gingival directions between s slot-closed position (e.g. FIG. 5) and a slot-open position (e.g. FIG. 4). The part (50) of the retainer member which closes the slot has its free end extending into the slot, so that movement of the retainer member out of the slot-closed position takes place against its resilience as the opposed embracing retainer parts are moved apart. Moreover, any force urging the arch wire out of the slot and contacting it with the retainer urges the retainer to the slot-closed position. In the slot-open position the retainer member can be "parked" on a mesial-distal extending parking land (70) on the bracket body.