Abstract: Orthodontic appliances formed of a titanium alloy which substantially avoids toxic or allergic reactions in patients containing a .beta.-stabilizing element including at least 12 wt % molybdenum to produce a stable .beta.-monophase at body temperature are disclosed. The yield strength of the titanium alloy is within the range 1150 to 1450 MPa. The tensile strength of the titanium alloy is within the range 1350 to 1950 MPa. The elongation of the titanium alloy is within the range 10 to 14%. The titanium alloy may also contain about 5 wt % zirconium as another .beta.-stabilizing element. It may also contain about 3 wt % aluminum to improve age hardenability by strengthening the .alpha.-phase.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket is provided including a plastic bracket body and a metal reinforcement member partly embedded in the bracket body. The bracket body includes a slot extending substantially along a mesial-distal axis of the bracket body for receiving an arch wire. The reinforcement member includes a holding notch having a width that is smaller than that of the slot of the bracket body. The holding notch is positioned inside the slot and spaced-apart from the slot surfaces to form an arch wire holding mechanism for engaging the arch wire and to substantially avoid contact between the arch wire and the surfaces of the slot. The bracket body may further include removable markings on the lingual and/or labial surfaces to facilitate positioning of the bracket.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket is provided including a plastic bracket body and a metal reinforcement member partly embedded in the bracket body. The bracket body includes a slot extending substantially along a mesial-distal axis of the bracket body for receiving an arch wire. The reinforcement member includes a holding notch having a width that is smaller than that of the slot of the bracket body. The holding notch is positioned inside the slot and spaced-apart from the slot surfaces to form an arch wire holding mechanism for engaging the arch wire and to substantially avoid contact between the arch wire and the surfaces of the slot.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket is provided including a plastic bracket body and a metal reinforcement member partly embedded in the bracket body. The bracket body includes a slot extending substantially along a mesial-distal axis of the bracket body for receiving an arch wire. The reinforcement member includes a holding notch having a width that is smaller than that of the slot of the bracket body. The holding notch is positioned inside the slot and spaced-apart from the slot surfaces to form an arch wire holding mechanism for engaging the arch wire and to substantially avoid contact between the arch wire and the surfaces of the slot.

Abstract: An orthodontic arch wire is provided for applying corrective forces to a patient's dental arch. The orthodontic arch wire is an arch shaped wire capable of exerting forces on the dental arch that gradually vary in magnitude along the wire.