Abstract: Disclosed is an orthodontic article that includes a fluoropolymer and that exhibits at least 0.001% transmittance at 546 nm when measured according to the Transmittance Test Procedure.

Abstract: A method of indirect bonding used in orthodontic treatment includes the steps of placing a first component of an adhesive on base structure of an orthodontic appliance and a second component of the adhesive on portions of a patient's tooth. The appliance is connected to a transfer tray, and the transfer tray is placed over the tooth such that the first component and the second component contact each other and react to provide a bond for securing the appliance to the tooth. The bond has sufficient strength within two minutes and preferably within 1.5 minutes of the time that the first component contacts the second component to enable removal of the tray from the tooth without significantly changing the position of the appliance on the tooth.

Abstract: A method for pretreating a plastic dental appliance having a surface to be bonded to a tooth comprising applying a pretreatment composition comprising i) a polymerizable component, ii) a solvent capable of at least partially solubilizing the plastic dental appliance, and iii) a photoinitiator system to the surface of the dental appliance. Components i) and ii) may be the same or different materials. The polymerizable component of the pretreatment composition is then polymerized by exposure to actinic radiation. The present invention also provides pretreated plastic dental appliances prepared by this method. Optionally, the plastic dental appliance may additionally be precoated with an orthodontic adhesive and packaged accordingly.

Abstract: An orthodontic arch wire comprises a wire having the same dimensions as previously used orthodontic arch wires. The wire is coated with an opaque coating of a composite material having a thickness of no more than 35 microns, and preferably less than 12 microns. The composite material comprises a resin binder loaded with filler particles for strengthening the coating and making it approximately tooth colored. The composite coating is sufficiently adherent to the arch wire for bending from a straight wire to a curved arch wire installed in a patient's mouth while retaining the aesthetic coating, and to prevent stripping as the arch wire moves through the arch wire slot in an orthodontic bracket.

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 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 orthodontic bracket has been designed which can be made of ceramic material. The bracket can be used for correcting Class II and Class III malocclusions without the use of a Kobiashi tie, ball hook, or power hook, which had previously been used to make such corrections. This invention, on the other hand, employs an integral hook design, which makes use of the same mechanics, but without requiring any brazing or welding of the hook to the body of the bracket.

Abstract: Ceramic orthodontic brackets are bonded to teeth with dental adhesive. Each bracket has a silica-containing layer on the tooth facing base of the bracket. A silanation layer is also applied to the base. The silanation layer is deposited from a solution containing a first silane coupling agent reactive with organic resin in the adhesive and a second silane coupling agent having a non-reactive orgainc group. Collectively the silanes occupy all of the silanation sites on the silica-containing substrate. By controlling the ratio of reactive and non-reactive silane coupling agents, the bond strength between the substrate and the adhesive can be controlled. A set of ceramic orthodontic brackets can have uniform force of removal by varying the porportions of silane coupling agents on the brackets.