Abstract: An edgewise orthodontic bracket for use in an edgewise or straight-wire technique having a standard horizontally opening rectangular archwire slot and a mesiodistally extending tunnel or lumen separate from and vertically angled to the archwire slot for receiving a relatively small flexible wire during the use of an undersize rectangular archwire in the archwire slot to apply a force to the bracket for capturing lost torque.

Abstract: An improved orthodontic bracket including a horizontally opening archwire slot for a main aligning archwire for allowing crown tipping, limiting root uprighting, and controlling torquing, and a relatively small horizontal uprighting slot, tunnel or lumen extending substantially mesiodistally for receiving an additional small wire for uprighting teeth and eliminating the need to use individual uprighting springs in the final stage of patient treatment.

Abstract: An improved orthodontic bracket including a horizontally opening archwire slot for a main aligning archwire for allowing crown tipping, limiting root uprighting, and controlling torquing, and a relatively small horizontal uprighting slot, tunnel or lumen extending substantially mesiodistally for receiving an additional small wire for uprighting teeth and eliminating the need to use individual uprighting springs in the final stage of patient treatment.

Abstract: A centrally rotating periodontal probe for measuring the depth of gingival pockets or sulci, including a handle having a handle-engaging end and a head end, wherein the head end includes a tubular shank rotatably shank rotatably supporting an axle having a substantially planar blunt end.

Abstract: A low friction orthodontic appliance in the form of a solid one-piece buccal tube or a convertible buccal tube, which includes a lumen having a close-fit control portion at one end for receiving torque forces from an archwire and a loose-fit relieved portion at the other end providing clearance between at least three sides of the archwire and the appliance to reduce sliding friction.

Abstract: A periodontal probe having blade-shaped head for use in measuring the depth of gingival pockets of a patient's teeth more comfortably and accurately.

Abstract: A base for an orthodontic attachment such as a bracket for incorporating torque or rotation in the bracket, which includes a body of wedge shape that may be suitably oriented on and attached to the backside of an orthodontic attachment for selectively incorporating torque or rotation into the bracket. The base may be stamped from a strip of material having a varying thickness such that the base will have a wedge shaped cross section.

Abstract: A buccal tube for an archwire wherein the tube includes a lumen having a control portion at the mesial end and a relieved portion toward and at the distal end which reduces the force required for mesial withdrawal of the archwire after the archwire has been bent, and may also permit distal crown tipping of the tooth on which the tube is mounted.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance used to finalize or perfect the relationships between the teeth of a patient following the removal of fixed appliances or, in minor cases, instead of fixed appliances, which includes a resilient body having ideally related sockets to accept portions of the upper and lower teeth, a wire anchored in the body of the appliance arranged to engage the labial and/or buccal surfaces of some or all of the upper teeth, and embrasure engaging devices to enhance proper placement and retention of the appliance.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket having a horizontal archwire slot and wire-engaging surfaces for use in any treatment technique and coacting with an archwire and force generating means to produce tooth movement through crown tipping and root uprighting actions and for defining predetermined tip values. The bracket includes pivot edges for permitting pivotal movement between the bracket and the archwire, and a stop for limiting over-root-uprighting. It may also have a stop for limiting over-crown-tipping.

Abstract: A relatively flexible bonding pad or base for an orthodontic bracket to facilitate debonding the bracket from a tooth and a method of debonding wherein the base or pad is secured to the bracket and the base or pad is bonded to a surface of a tooth. The base or pad is of a relatively flexible material and is formed so that it can be engaged by a pliers for the application of a compressive or buckling force to cause the base or pad to buckle or distort and break the bond to the tooth without the application of any force to the bracket which would cause fracturing of the bracket. The method would include the adhesive attachment of a plastic base or pad to a bracket prior to adhesively bonding the bracket to the tooth, and thereafter debonding by applying a force to the pad that would cause buckling and breaking of the bond with the tooth.

Abstract: Device for applying elastic ligatures to an orthodontic bracket, which includes jaw elements spreadable for stretching an elastic ligature and for dispensing the ligature directly onto an orthodontic bracket in an orthodontic system so as to attach an archwire to a bracket. The device may be in the form of a gun which can be used first to load a ligature from a dispenser and then to unload the ligature around and onto a bracket.

Abstract: A ligature dispenser for elastic ligatures used in orthodontic treatment of patients, and particularly for attaching an archwire to orthodontic brackets. The dispenser includes a hand-holdable curvate or flat body or supporting member on which are mounted a plurality of ligatures in standing up or laying down positions. The ligatures are releasably held on the supporting member by means of a suitable adhesive and/or by friction. A cover may be provided to enclose the supporting member and ligatures during shipping, storing and use.

Abstract: An elastic orthodontic appliance for use with an edgewise-type bracket having an archwire slot with tipping and uprighting surfaces. The elastic appliance functions as a ligature to provide the usual function of retaining an archwire in the archwire slot of the bracket and additionally functions as a force transmitting device to provide supplementary tipping or uprighting forces between the bracket and the archwire. The appliance includes a ring portion having a transverse web or cross member and in some embodiments enlargements that are forced between the archwire and either the tipping or uprighting surfaces or the lateral sides of the bracket and sized to be compressed so that a force is generated between the archwire and the bracket.

Abstract: An improved torquing appliance for use with any orthodontic treatment technique to apply either palatal or labial root torquing forces to any one or more teeth. The auxiliary is in the form of an arcuate wire of highly resilient material such that it will not take a permanent set in the normal range of activation but will tend to return to its passive state, and which includes a generally rectangular in cross section shape with one side shaped to partially receive in recessed relation a main archwire.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket having a horizontal archwire slot and wire-engaging surfaces for use in any treatment technique and coacting with an archwire and force generating means to produce tooth movement through crown tipping and root uprighting actions and for defining predetermined tip values. The bracket includes pivot edges for permitting pivotal movement between the bracket and the archwire, and a stop for limiting over-root-uprighting. It may also have a stop for limiting over-crown-tipping.

Abstract: An edgewise bracket with a Sved shaped archwire slot and stop means for coating with the bracket and an archwire for limiting crown tipping or root uprighting movements so as to achieve predetermined uprighting or tip values. The archwire slot includes edges for permitting pivotal tipping or uprighting movement between the bracket and the archwire and surfaces inclined in excess of any desired tipping or uprighting movement. The stop means may be in the form of pins mounted on a base for the bracket, a clip snap fitting over the bracket and having stop tabs or lugs for engaging the archwire, or elastic ligatures having enlargements that engage the archwire and induce the bracket to remain in a predetermined position relative to the archwire.