Abstract: An orthodontic article and method of making the orthodontic article, where the orthodontic article includes a fine-grain ceramic bracket and a metal liner secured in an archwire slot of the bracket with a brazing alloy comprising silver, copper, and at least about 1.5% by weight titanium.

Abstract: An orthodontic article and method of making the orthodontic article, where the orthodontic article includes a fine-grain ceramic bracket and a metal liner secured in an archwire slot of the bracket with a brazing alloy comprising silver, copper, and at least about 1.5% by weight titanium.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance such as a bracket or buccal tube has an overall, low profile shape. The appliance includes a base having a thickness that is less in regions adjacent the archwire slot as compared to remaining regions. In certain embodiments, the base is provided with protrusions that extend into the archwire slot for controlling rotation of the associated tooth. The resulting low profile of the appliance enhances its aesthetic appearance and helps to avoid impingement of the appliance and the attached archwire on adjacent soft tissue in the oral cavity.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance that is adapted for bonding directly to the enamel surface of a patient's tooth has structure for enhancing placement of the appliance on the tooth surface. The structure facilitates gripping the appliance by a hand instrument so that the appliance does not unduly shift or rock during a bonding procedure. In certain aspects of the invention, the placement enhancement structure comprises one or more protrusions located along sides of the appliance, and optionally some of the protrusions are located within a recess that extends along an occlusal or gingival side of the appliance.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance that is adapted for bonding directly to the enamel surface of a patient's tooth has structure for enhancing placement of the appliance on the tooth surface. The structure facilitates gripping the appliance by a hand instrument so that the appliance does not unduly shift or rock during a bonding procedure. In certain aspects of the invention, the placement enhancement structure comprises one or more protrusions located along sides of the appliance, and optionally some of the protrusions are located within a recess that extends along an occlusal or gingival side of the appliance.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance such as a bracket or buccal tube has an overall, low profile shape. The appliance includes a base having a thickness that is less in regions adjacent the archwire slot as compared to remaining regions. In certain embodiments, the base is provided with protrusions that extend into the archwire slot for controlling rotation of the associated tooth. The resulting low profile of the appliance enhances its aesthetic appearance and helps to avoid impingement of the appliance and the attached archwire on adjacent soft tissue in the oral cavity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an agent for modulating excitatory synaptic transmission which contains a compound having &agr;7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor activation property as an active ingredient, and the production of such an agent. It further relates to a pharmaceutical composition which contains such a compound together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient, and a method for modulating excitatory synaptic transmission which comprises administering such a composition. There is also provided a method for screening an agent for modulating excitatory synaptic transmission which comprises using &agr;7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor activation property as an index. The present invention is useful for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of cerebral diseases, including dementia, amnesia, manic-depressive psychosis, schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease and psychosomatic disease.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket assembly includes a bracket and latch coupled to the bracket. The latch is movable between a slot-open position to enable removal or insertion of an archwire in an archwire slot of the bracket, and a slot-closed position to retain the archwire in the archwire slot. The latch includes a first portion that is received in a passage that extends in a generally occlusal-gingival direction through a body of the bracket, and a second portion that is received lingually of at least one bracket tiewing when the latch is in the slot-closed position.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance such as a bracket or buccal tube has a latch for retaining an archwire in an archwire slot. The latch releases the archwire from the archwire slot whenever the archwire exerts a force in a generally buccolabial direction on the appliance that exceeds a certain minimum value. The minimum value is less than about one-half of the force required in the same direction to debond the appliance from the tooth, and thus reduces the likelihood that the appliance will unintentionally debond from the tooth during the course of orthodontic treatment.

Abstract: This application relates to the use of aminopiperazine derivatives for the treatment of schizophrenia, depression, and other neurological conditions.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance such as a bracket or buccal tube is made of a stainless steel alloy that includes chromium, nickel and precipitates of titanium. The alloy imparts a relatively high strength to the appliance and is resistant to corrosion. Optionally, the appliance has structural sections that are smaller than corresponding sections of comparable appliances when made of conventional stainless steel alloys used in orthodontic appliances. As a consequence, the appliance is more aesthetic when mounted on a tooth of a patient undergoing treatment.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket includes an archwire slot with mesial and distal end sections that present archwire relief areas. The bracket also includes a latch movable between a slot-open position in order to enable insertion or removal of an archwire, and a slot-closed position in order to retain an archwire in the archwire slot. The bracket includes at least one flange that extends along at least a portion of the mesial and distal archwire end sections and over a portion of the latch in order to provide enhanced rotational control over the underlying tooth without undue deformation of the latch.

Abstract: A syringe assembly for applying a bonding agent to an inner surface of an orthodontic band includes a syringe and a hollow dispensing tip. The dispensing tip is detachably coupled to the syringe and is discarded after each patient, so that the risk of cross-contamination is substantially reduced. The dispensing tip provides a convenient extension of the syringe and facilitates application of the bonding agent in a continuous ribbon directly onto an inner surface of the orthodontic band without the use of an auxiliary hand instrument such as a spatula or the like.

Abstract: An orthodontic archwire with a certain cross-sectional construction has a stiffness that is less than conventional archwires having identical overall dimensions. The archwire has four corner edge portions that provide control over torquing movements and uprighting movements of the associated teeth as may be needed during the course of orthodontic treatment. The archwire is particularly useful during the early stages of orthodontic treatment when an archwire of reduced stiffness is desired and yet control over torquing and uprighting movements of the associated teeth is sought. Optionally, the archwire includes an aesthetic coating with certain characteristics that enable the majority of the coating to remain intact and provide an improved overall appearance even if certain regions of the coating are damaged and removed.

Abstract: An orthodontic assembly includes one or more orthodontic appliances that are releasably received in a carrier. The carrier has arms with outer end sections that are spaced apart from each other to present a channel therebetween. The outer end sections of the arms are received in recesses of each appliance in order to support the appliance in suspended relation. The carrier is particularly useful for holding appliances during a manufacturing operation or during transport of the appliances from manufacturing operation to another. The carrier is also useful for supporting appliances in a package for shipment to the end user, especially when the appliances are precoated with a layer of adhesive.

Abstract: A self-ligating orthodontic bracket has a latch that is movable from a slot-open position to a first closed position or a second closed position. In the first closed position of the latch, the latch engages an archwire with sufficient force to provide active orthodontic therapy. In the second closed position, the effective labial-lingual dimension of the archwire slot is somewhat greater than the overall labial-lingual dimension of the archwire such that the bracket provides passive orthodontic therapy.

Abstract: An orthodontic assembly includes one or more orthodontic brackets that are releasably received in a tubular carrier. The carrier has arms with outer end sections that are spaced apart from each other to present a channel therebetween. The outer end sections of the arms are received in occlusal and gingival recesses of each bracket in order to support the bracket in suspended relation. The carrier is particularly useful for holding brackets during a manufacturing operation or during transport of the brackets from manufacturing operation to another. The carrier is also useful for supporting brackets in a package for shipment to the end user, especially when the brackets are precoated with a layer of adhesive.

Abstract: Orthodontic brackets made of a light-transmissive material such as plastic or ceramic have a removable, water-based colorant to facilitate identification of the bracket and alignment of the bracket on the patient's tooth. The colorant is received in a ligature channel of the bracket and is visible through adjacent tiewings of the bracket. The colorant is protected by the overlying tiewings from inadvertent damage or removal as might otherwise occur during initial handling and placement of the bracket.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new use of macrolide compounds of the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein each symbol is as defined in the specification, for preventing or treating cerebral ischemic disease, such as, brain damage caused by ischemia, such as cerebral infarction. So, they are useful when the following diseases or injury occur. That is, head injury, hemorrhage in brain such as subarachnoid hemorrhage or intracerebral hemorrhage, cerebral thrombosis, cerebral embolism, cardiac arrest, stroke, transient ischemic attacks (TIA), hypertensive encephalopathy and so on.