Abstract: The invention is directed to orthodontic devices that provide anterior guidance to teeth situated opposite thereto so as to inhibit excessive or uncontrollable grinding and clenching of teeth. The claimed invention is also directed to methods of opening the bite with anterior guidance.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a pre-engaging orthodontic bracket includes a body having a lingual surface for attachment to a tooth, a pair of laterally spaced gingival tie wings and a pair of laterally spaced occlusal tie wings. The gingival and occlusal tie wings project from a labial surface of the body. An archwire slot extends mesiodistally across the body and between the gingival and occlusal tie wings at opposed mesial and distal sides of the body to accommodate an archwire. A pivot pin extends between a pair of the tie wings at opposed mesial and distal sides of the body. A shutter is moveable relative to the body between an open position in which placement and removal of an archwire into the archwire slot is facilitated and a closed position in which placement and removal of an archwire into the archwire slot is inhibited.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket has a locking member, one side of which is formed as a base side portion located on a base side and extending along the base, and the other side of which is formed as a counter base side portion having substantially the same width as the length of an arch wire slot 5 and extending on an upper side of the slot. The locking member is formed of an elastic member in which a notched portion is provided substantially in a center of the base side portion. Further, a bracket body has a closing stop groove formed at an open edge portion of the arch wire slot so as to stop a tip of the locking member in a slot closed position as well as an open stop concavity formed at an edge portion thereof located away from the stop groove so as to stop the tip of the locking member in a slot open position. A rib is formed in a longitudinally central portion of the stop groove in such a manner as to project so as to bury the stop groove in correspondence with the notched portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides several tools that can be used in connection with orthodontic treatment using orthodontic brackets. One of the tools has a first member that engages a notch of a self-ligating orthodontic bracket. The tool also has a second member engaged with the first member and adapted to engage a free end of a locking member in order to disengage the locking member when the first and second members are squeezed toward each other. Another tool has a pair of notches that are adapted to engage an archwire on both sides of a tooth in order to seat an archwire in an archwire slot. In one embodiment, there is provided an instrument having a first end and a second end. The first end has a guiding member having two spaced-apart arms. Each of the arms defines a notch formed thereon capable of engaging an archwire whereby the guiding member can engage an archwire on both sides of a tooth to guide the archwire into an archwire slot of an orthodontic bracket.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a pre-engaging orthodontic bracket includes a body having a lingual surface for attachment to a tooth, a pair of laterally spaced gingival tie wings and a pair of laterally spaced occlusal tie wings. The gingival and occlusal tie wings project from a labial surface of the body. An archwire slot extends mesiodistally across the body and between the gingival and occlusal tie wings at opposed mesial and distal sides of the body to accommodate an archwire. A pivot pin extends between a pair of the tie wings at opposed mesial and distal sides of the body. A shutter is moveable relative to the body between an open position in which placement and removal of an archwire into the archwire slot is facilitated and a closed position in which placement and removal of an archwire into the archwire slot is inhibited.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a pre-engaging orthodontic bracket includes a body having a lingual surface for attachment to a tooth, a pair of laterally spaced gingival tie wings and a pair of laterally spaced occlusal tie wings. The gingival and occlusal tie wings project from a labial surface of the body. An archwire slot extends mesiodistally across the body and between the gingival and occlusal tie wings at opposed mesial and distal sides of the body to accomodate an archwire. A shutter is moveable between an open position in which placement and removal of an archwire is facilitated, and a closed position in which placement and removal of an archwire is inhibited.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a pre-engaging orthodontic bracket includes a body having a lingual surface for attachment to a tooth, a pair of laterally spaced gingival tie wings and a pair of laterally spaced occlusal tie wings. The gingival and occlusal tie wings project from a labial surface of the body. An archwire slot extends mesiodistally across the body and between the gingival and occlusal tie wings at opposed mesial and distal sides of the body to accommodate an archwire. A pivot pin extends between a pair of the tie wings at opposed mesial and distal sides of the body. A shutter is moveable relative to the body between an open position in which placement and removal of an archwire into the archwire slot is facilitated and a closed position in which placement and removal of an archwire into the archwire slot is inhibited.

Abstract: A pre-engaging orthodontic bracket for attaching an archwire to a tooth includes a body having a lingual surface for attachment to the tooth, a pair of laterally spaced gingival tie wings and a pair of laterally spaced occlusal tie wings. The gingival and occlusal tie wings project from a labial surface of the body. The gingival and occlusal tie wings are separated by an interwing region of the body. An archwire slot extends mesiodistally across the body between the gingival and occlusal tie wings to accommodate and archwire. A locking shutter is pivotally mounted about at least one pivot pin on the body between an open position in which placement and removal of an archwire in the archwire slot is facilitated and a closed position in which placement of the archwire in the archwire slot is inhibited. Alternative embodiments of a pre-engaging orthodontic brackets are also disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a pre-engaging orthodontic bracket includes a body having a lingual surface for attachment to a tooth, a pair of laterally spaced gingival tie wings and a pair of laterally spaced occlusal tie wings. The gingival and occlusal tie wings project from a labial surface of the body. An archwire slot extends mesiodistally across the body and between the gingival and occlusal tie wings at opposed mesial and distal sides of the body to accommodate an archwire. A pivot pin extends between a pair of the tie wings at opposed mesial and distal sides of the body. A shutter is moveable relative to the body between an open position in which placement and removal of an archwire into the archwire slot is facilitated and a closed position in which placement and removal of an archwire into the archwire slot is inhibited.

Abstract: A twin edgewise orthodontic bracket having an engagement mechanism for retaining an archwire, comprising a base having a pair of tie wing sets with an archwire slot and a slidable locking shutter or clip which in closed position retains the archwire in the archwire slot without the need for an elastic ligature and in open position allows placement and removal of the archwire.