Abstract: Pads for bonding orthodontic brackets with adhesive to a patient's teeth and methods of making and using same. A dental appliance may include a porous superelastic metal structure as a portion of the pad, where the porous portion has a bonding surface that faces the tooth during bonding of the dental appliance to the tooth. The porous structure includes a solid volume and a pore volume. The pad may include a porous superelastic metal structure, such as porous NiTi.

Abstract: An single component light-curable orthodontic adhesive includes a curable resin monomer component; a quaternary curing initiator system; and filler. The orthodontic adhesive has a long working time (W) and short curing time (C). The adhesives are suitable as light-curing and may include a colorant. Suitable colorants include reversible, thermochromic dyes. The adhesive may also include a resin toughening component.

Abstract: An adjustable orthodontic bracket is described which includes a body member having an orthodontic archwire fixing member and a first faying surface; a bonding base member having a second faying surface and a tooth bonding surface; and a connecting member that includes a layer of a thermoplastic polymer, and which connects the first faying surface of the body member to the second faying surface of the bonding base member. Methods of repositioning and manufacturing the adjustable orthodontic brackets are also described. A method is also provided for reducing a bond strength of an orthodontic appliance adhered to a tooth structure with a cured adhesive composition, which includes treating the orthodontic bracket with ultrasonic energy thereby reducing the bond strength more than about 20%. The cured adhesive composition includes an ultrasonic energy responsive filler, and under the ultrasonic energy stimulation, the cured adhesive composition softens thereby reducing the overall bonding strength.

Abstract: An single component light-curable orthodontic adhesive includes a curable resin monomer component; a quaternary curing initiator system; and filler. The orthodontic adhesive has a long working time (W) and short curing time (C). The adhesives are suitable as light-curing and may include a colorant. Suitable colorants include reversible, thermochromic dyes. The adhesive may also include a resin toughening component.

Abstract: An orthodontic adhesive includes a curable resin monomer component; a quaternary curing initiator system; and filler. Another orthodontic adhesive having a W/C ratio (working time to curing time ratio) of at least 10, 12, 14 or 20, includes a curable resin monomer component; a curing initiator system; and filler. The adhesives are suitable as light-curing and may include a colorant. Suitable colorants include reversible, thermochromic dyes. The adhesive may also include a resin toughening component.

Abstract: An orthodontic adhesive includes a curable resin monomer component; a quaternary curing initiator system; and filler. Another orthodontic adhesive having a W/C ratio (working time to curing time ratio) of at least 10, 12, 14 or 20, includes a curable resin monomer component; a curing initiator system; and filler. The adhesives are suitable as light-curing and may include a colorant. Suitable colorants include reversible, thermochromic dyes. The adhesive may also include a resin toughening component.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket has an archwire slot adapted to receive an archwire therein and comprises a core and an overmolded polymeric cover that covers the core. The polymer of the overmolded polymeric cover is cross-linked. The thickness and the cross-linked density of the cover are sufficient to limit chemicals found in an oral environment from passing through the cover during treatment. In an embodiment, the core comprises a polycarbonate and the cover comprises a polyurethane. A method of making an orthodontic bracket comprises providing a core and overmolding a polymeric cover over at least a portion of the core and cross-linking the polymer of the polymeric cover. In another embodiment, a method of molding an orthodontic bracket comprises injecting a first polymer into a mold cavity to form a polymeric core and injecting a second polymer into the mold cavity to form an overmolded polymeric cover over the core.

Abstract: An orthodontic adhesive includes a curable resin monomer component; a quaternary curing initiator system; and filler. Another orthodontic adhesive having a W/C ratio (working time to curing time ratio) of at least 10, 12, 14 or 20, includes a curable resin monomer component; a curing initiator system; and filler. The adhesives are suitable as light-curing and may include a colorant. Suitable colorants include reversible, thermochromic dyes. The adhesive may also include a resin toughening component.

Abstract: Orthodontic appliances (brackets) having a pre-applied or factory applied adhesive thereon presenting a non-tacky surface are described. The brackets, which may be plastic, metal or ceramic, have a bonding base surface to which an appropriate adhesive composition is pre-applied. The adhesive, which is uncured and generally presents a tacky outer surface, is protected from deterioration or disturbance by the attachment or adherence of particles, which may form a layer, on the outer surface of the adhesive, thereby presenting a non-tacky surface. Also included are articles consisting of a container with a cover and an orthodontic bracket having pre-applied adhesive received in the container. The adhesive on the bracket in the container presents a non-tacky surface by virtue of a layer of particles secured to the otherwise tacky adhesive surface.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to orthodontic adhesive formulations, both light curable in the visible wavelength range, and self-curing, for use in the adherence of orthodontic appliances to the surface of etched human teeth. These formulations exhibit a high degree of surface wetting, an available source of leachable fluoride, low polymerization shrinkage, high physical properties and adhesion, and in the light curable embodiment, a post-curing capability.

Abstract: Plastic orthodontic brackets having an adherent acrylic adhesive primer layer on the bonding surface thereof are disclosed, as well as methods of making such brackets. Primed plastic orthodontic brackets which are shelf-stable and which obviate the need for the chairside primers commonly used by clinicians are contemplated. In a method of the present invention, a solvating mixture of solvents and acrylic monomers is applied to the bonding surface of a plastic bracket and allowed to attack (solvate) and diffuse into the plastic substrate. Thereafter the bracket is heated to volatilize the solvents and lower molecular weight monomers to thereby leave a coating or layer of acrylic material which is predominantly monomeric and is at least partially embedded in the plastic bracket. This coating acts as a primer for acrylic cements and enhances the bonding between the plastic orthodontic bracket and the tooth surface to which it is applied using acrylic adhesive cements which are themselves well known in the art.

Abstract: Orthodontic appliances are disclosed which have a base portion with a chemically active bonding surface and a protective porous mesh affixed to the bonding surface to prevent contamination thereof. Fabric-type mesh materials are contemplated for use as the protective film. The protective film is preferably inert to the orthodontic adhesives utilized to affix the bracket to a tooth.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, it is provided an orthodontic bracket having a base portion for attachment to a tooth. The base portion is provided with a substantially monolayer of substantially uniform size particles. The particles are secured to the bonding base through the use of an adhesive.In another aspect, there is provided a method of making an orthodontic bracket having a bonding base for attachment to the surface of a tooth, comprising the steps of:(a) applying a curable adhesive layer to the bonding base;(b) applying a substantially monolayer of particles of substantially uniform size to the bonding base; and(c) curing the adhesive so as to bond the particles to the bonding surface.In yet another aspect there is provided an orthodontic bracket having a bonding base for attachment to the surface of a tooth. The bonding base having means for minimizing removal of enamel from the tooth during removal of the bonded bracket from the tooth.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance for attachment to a tooth having a ceramic engaging surface for attachment to the tooth. A single compliant layer having a plurality of openings is accrued to the engaging surface of the tooth. The appliance is attached to the surface of the tooth using a chemically active adhesive system.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket having a base portion for attachment to a tooth. The base portion is provided with a substantially monolayer of substantially uniform sized particles. The particles may have a size in the range of 5 to 200 micron.