Abstract: A package for an adhesive precoated dental appliance such as an orthodontic bracket includes a container having a well and a flange, and a cover that extends over an opening of the well. A pressure sensitive adhesive releasably connects the cover to the flange along a first region, and a hermetic seal extends between the cover and the flange along a second region that is located between the first region and the opening of the well. The hermetic seal cooperates with the pressure sensitive adhesive to provide a reliable, easily openable package. The hermetic seal also prevents volatile components of adhesive on the dental appliance from contacting the pressure sensitive adhesive and thereby decreases loss of the volatile components from within the package in order to extend the expected shelf life of the adhesive precoated appliance.

Abstract: Bond strengths of orthodontic appliances are enhanced by applying heat to heat softenable projections of a bonding base of the appliance, and then moving outer portions of the projections in lateral directions to present overhanging regions. The overhanging regions provide undercut areas that mechanically interlock with adhesive when the appliance is bonded to a tooth and the adhesive hardens. The method is useful for plastic appliances as well as other appliances that are made of materials exhibiting thermoplastic characteristics during at least one phase of their manufacture.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance such as a bracket is made of a polymeric material with reinforcing fiber structure embedded in the polymeric material. The reinforcing fiber structure includes relatively long filaments that extend about the perimeter of the bracket including the periphery of an archwire slot. In one embodiment, a method for making the bracket includes the steps of placing a tubular fiber preform in a mold assembly in an orientation aligned with a mesial-distal axis of the resultant bracket, and then closing the mold assembly in directions toward a central axis of the preform.

Abstract: A dispensing system for dental appliances such as orthodontic brackets includes a plurality of containers releasably connected to a carrier strip. The carrier strip is received in channels of an organizer tray that hold the carrier strip in place as individual containers are detached from the carrier strip. Individual containers, each containing a dental appliance, are selected and removed from the organizer tray for placement in a patient setup tray that is then carried to the patient's chair.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance such as a bracket is made of a polymeric material with reinforcing fiber structure embedded in the polymeric material. The reinforcing fiber structure includes relatively long filaments that extend about the perimeter of the bracket including the periphery of an archwire slot. In one embodiment, a method for making the bracket includes the steps of placing a tubular fiber preform in a mold assembly in an orientation aligned with a mesial-distal axis of the resultant bracket, and then closing the mold assembly in directions toward a central axis of the preform.

Abstract: An instrument for debonding orthodontic brackets from teeth has a pair of arms with pulling sections adapted to engage the bracket behind occlusal and gingival tie wings. The arms are connected to a lever, and movement of the lever enables the arms to simultaneously exert a pulling force on both of the wings along substantially their entire mesial-distal width in order to lift the bracket from the tooth in straight-line fashion. A pair of reaction supports for engagement with the tooth during the debonding operation extend in an occlusal-gingival direction and have a length less than the occlusal-gingival height of the bracket so that the instrument can be rocked to ensure that the pulling sections are in firm contact with the bracket during the time that the bracket is debonded from the tooth.

Abstract: A unitary, molded elastomeric wedge for rotating a tooth about its long axis during orthodontic treatment has a base which functions as a wedge portion, as well as two ligature loops connected to the base. In use, the loops cross over each other and function to ligate the archwire to the bracket while retaining the base in place. The wedge may be installed without removing the archwire from the bracket.

Abstract: A preformed, elastomeric orthodontic ligature includes a molded protrusion or bumper portion integrally connected to an occlusal region of a ring portion of the ligature. When the ligature is connected to a bracket, the bumper portion extends over occlusal surfaces of the bracket including an occlusal tie wing in order to prevent direct contact of the bracket with an opposing tooth. In preferred embodiments, the bumper portion is connected to the ring portion by a thin web which is configured to enable the ring portion to firmly seat under the tie wing and also enables the bumper portion to conform to the occlusal surfaces of the bracket such that the ring portion does not normally stretch and disengage the tie wings during mastication.

Abstract: An adjustable orthodontic debonding instrument has jaws that may be opened to place jaw tips over mesial and distal sides of the bracket, and then closed to enhance the grip of the jaws on the bracket sides. An actuator is moveable along the length of a handle of the instrument, and cooperates with a lever arm fixed to the moveable jaw to facilitate precise movement of the latter and enhance the grip of the jaws on the bracket when the jaws are closed. A slight, quick pivotal movement of the instrument handle by the user presents a torsional force to the bracket base which is particularly advantageous when debonding ceramic orthodontic brackets.

Abstract: A unitary dispenser for elastomeric orthodontic devices such as ligatures and teeth separators has a circular carrier band that carries a series of the devices. A central, flat web is connected to the inner periphery of the band and extends across the middle of the dispenser to provide a centrally disposed gripping section. The web is preferably thinner than the carrier band and thus facilitates one-handed manipulation of the dispenser without visual observation. In use, the dispenser is rotated about a central axis when the web is gripped between a thumb and forefinger in order to bring each of the O-rings into a convenient position for detachment from the carrier band.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket and palatal bar system for lingual placement in the maxillary dental arch. The bracket provides a generally vertical socket to receive a pin on the adjacent end of the palatal bar by upward movement of the bar within the mouth. The bar has an antirotation link which seats in a mating bracket slot, and the bracket includes a separate rectangular slot to receive an edgewise arch wire.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance which converts from a buccal tube to a bracket upon the removal of a wire insert which is partly positioned within the longitudinal slot of a bracket body and attached to the surface of the bracket.

Abstract: A gas filter container for housing a filter capable of filtering gases containing toxic components. The container includes a flexible end wall adapted to be positioned against the body of the user and is secured by means of a series of straps, two of which are adapted to be attached to a harness structure, such as a parachute harness, worn by the user, in a readily separable fashion so that disconnection of the harness will simultaneously free the two straps connected to the gas filter container. The flexible end wall includes inwardly-directed projections to space the wall from the filter inlet when the wall is deflected and thereby maintain a communication path to the filter inlet.

Abstract: An orthodontal palatal arch wire is provided for directional control over a pair of brackets; each bracket being mounted on an opposing molar in a patient's mouth. A resiliently flexible wire with a device intermediate its length for producing corrective forces has a torquing band transversely mounted thereon. The torquing band is securable by an elastic device to a receiving unit mounted on the lingual side of each bracket, so as to bear both forward and laterally against the receiving unit for transmitting correctional forces therebetween. A bracket is provided having a receiving unit with planar surfaces capable of bearing flushly against a torquing band having planar forward and lateral bearing surfaces.

Abstract: An oxygen supply system for human inhalation of oxygen at a constant oxygen flow rate is provided including an oxygen cylinder having a pressure regulator to provide a source of pressure regulated oxygen which is passed through a fluid restrictor nozzle having a metering orifice to provide a constant volume oxygen flow to an oxygen inhalation mask through a first oxygen hose connected to the cylinder and a second mask hose connected to the inhalation mask. An oxygen flow shut-off valve is provided in a normally open position to allow oxygen flow normally from the cylinder through the hoses and through an inhalation valve in the mask to the user. A fluid pressure responsive diaphragm is provided in association with the oxygen flow shut-off valve to shut-off oxygen flow to the mask when oxygen pressure buildup in the mask hose exceeds a predetermined amount, such buildup occurring when user exhalation closes the mask inhalation valve.