Abstract: An orthodontic appliance, such as a plate, has means defining at least one opening therein, and an elongated wire-type member is provided having at least one end which is removably insertable in the opening of the first member. The elongated member has engaging means at an end thereof which resiliently deforms to lockingly and non-rotatably engage an inner surface portion of the opening which has means for releasably engaging the engaging means of the elongated member.

Abstract: An orthodontic arch wire adapted to be received within the channel of an orthodontic bracket includes a plurality of flexible metallic strands wound into a tightly wound elongated coil normally having an array of successively abutting and generally parallel turns. The coiled wire is made from a material sufficiently flexible to permit bending of the arch wire by selectively and at least partially separating adjacent turns thereof. According to a preferred embodiment, the wires are wound interleaved with one another so that adjacent turns are formed by different strands. A plurality of wires may be associated together to from a composite strand, and this composite strand may be used to form the elongated coil.

Abstract: An orthodontic elastic appliance for use with an orthodontic bracket means which defines a channel, or for use directly on teeth, comprises a plurality of closed loops of elastic material interconnected by elastic connecting means coupled between adjacent closed loops. The closed loops are provided with engaging means on a surface thereof, the engaging means being dimensioned and shaped such that when a loop is stretched and is at least partially engaged with a bracket and/or a tooth, the engaging means abuttingly engages at least a portion of an engaging and retaining surface of a bracket, or at least a portion of the tooth, to substantially prevent the engaged elastic loop from shifting its position relative to the bracket means or tooth on which it is mounted.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance, such as a plate, has means defining at least one opening therein, the opening having a resilient and deformable inner surface portion, and an elongated wire-type member having at least one end which is removably insertable in the opening of the first member. The elongated member has an engaging means for resiliently deforming the inner surface portion of the opening for lockingly and non-rotatably engaging the elongated member in the opening. When the plate is of a relatively hard material, a sleeve of resilient, deformable material is used to define the opening for receiving the elongated member.

Abstract: A buccal end tube with a pair of spaced apart arch wire positioning means, one positioning means defining at least one aperture and the other positioning means defining at least two apertures which are spaced apart in the buccal-lingual or occlusal-gingival direction, said apertures being adapted to receive spaced portions of an arch wire. The arch wire may be disposed in a predetermined orientation within a buccal-lingual or occlusal-gingival plane by positioning the arch wire in selected apertures of the spaced apart arch wire positioning means and is maintained in the selected orientation against the action of external forces applied both to the arch wire and to the buccal end tube device. The means defining the apertures preferably comprises a tab or divider means extending from and integral with a portion of the buccal end tube.

Abstract: A spring clip for use with an arch wire and an orthodontic bracket includes a collar portion generally in the shape of a loop which is engageable with the orthodontic bracket. The collar portion may be at least partially resilient, or may be deformable to be positively retained with the bracket. A retaining finger, preferably integral with the collar, extends at least partially across the bracket engaging loop defined by the collar. The finger is at least partially and resiliently movable in directions generally transverse to the plane defined by the loop and is arranged to apply forces toward the arch wire relative to the bracket to retain the arch wire relative to the bracket. The finger is placed in a biassing condition when the loop-shaped collar of the orthodontic appliance is engaged onto the bracket.

Abstract: A buccal end tube with a pair of spaced apart arch wire positioning means, one positioning means defining at least one aperture and the other positioning means defining at least two apertures which are spaced apart in the buccal-lingual direction, said apertures being adapted to receive spaced portions of an arch wire. The arch wire may be disposed in a predetermined orientation within a buccal-lingual plane by positioning the arch wire in selected apertures of the spaced apart arch wire positioning means and is maintained in the selected orientation against the action of external forces applied both to the arch wire and to the buccal end tube device. The means defining the apertures preferably comprises a tab or divider means extending between two spaced portions of the buccal end tube. A buccal end tube also comprises at least two hook members which are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the buccal end tube, the projecting portions of the hook members being directed toward each other.

Abstract: An orthodontic arch wire and a method of forming the same are disclosed, the method including the steps of coiling a single flexible metallic strand to form a tightly wound helix normally having an array of successively abutting and substantially parallel turns. The helix is made from a material sufficiently flexible to permit bending of the arch wire by selectively and at least partially separating adjacent turns of the helix. According to one presently preferred embodiment, the adjacent turns each lie in a respective plane extending substantially transversely to the longitudinal axis of the helix.

Abstract: An orthodontic elastic band appliance, for use with an orthodontic bracket which defines a channel, comprises a generally elongated elastic member having protuberances along the length thereof, the protuberances being in the form of, for example, spaced or adjacent nodules. Alternatively, the band may be in the form of an elongated strand with spaced, generally radially directed, cut-out portions along the length thereof so as to provide an orthodontic elastic band with alternately arranged larger and smaller dimension portions. The band may also comprise two strands twisted together and heat sealed together so as to form an overall elastic band of irregular outer circumference, or a single elastic strand having spaced twists set therein. The external dimensions of the elastic band, including the largest cross-sectional portions thereof, may be of any desired value, larger or smaller than the opening of the channel of the orthodontic bracket.

Abstract: Two spaced substantially parallel tabs are supported on a mounting portion which may be in the form of a welding flange connectable to a tooth band. According to the presently preferred embodiment, each of the tabs is provided with a plurality of apertures. At least the wire receiving ends of the apertures are tapered to facilitate location and entry of the arch wire into the respective apertures. By selectively passing the arch wire through preselected apertures, the wire can either be passively positioned in the buccal end tube device wherein it does not exert any forces on the tooth or, alternately, it can engage the device actively wherein rotating as well as tipping forces can be applied to the tooth on which the end tube device is mounted. An end tube device is also described wherein a buccal tube is mounted adjacently to the end tube device and is provided with a slot through which an arch wire can pass interiorly of the tube.

Abstract: An orthodontic elastic band appliance, for use with an orthodonitic bracket which defines a channel, comprises a generally elongated elastic member having protuberances along the length thereof, the protuberances being in the form of, for example, spaced or adjacent nodules. Alternatively, the band may be in the form of an elongated strand with spaced, generally radially directed, cut-out portions along the length thereof so as to provide an orthodontic elastic band with alternately arranged larger and smaller dimension portions. The band may also comprise two strands twisted together and heat sealed together so as to form an overall elastic band of irregular outer circumference, or a single elastic strand having spaced twists set therein. The external dimensions of the elastic band, including the largest cross-sectional portions thereof, may be of any desired value, larger or smaller than the opening of the channel of the orthodontic bracket.