Abstract: A prescription for an orthodontic brace is selected by providing data representing a number of teeth of the dental arch and by displaying images of the teeth in two or more different positions. Images of at least one tooth when in the first position and when in the second position are simultaneously displayed in superimposed fashion, and any difference in orientations of the displayed tooth images between the first position and the second position appears in contrast. As a consequence, the relative difference in positions can be readily observed. The invention is particularly useful for selecting a prescription of a brace from two or more prescriptions, and is also useful for observing the relative effect of a single prescription when used on certain teeth in comparison to the position of the same teeth during an earlier stage of treatment.

Abstract: A prescription for an orthodontic brace is selected by providing data representing a number of teeth of the dental arch and by displaying images of the teeth in two or more different positions. Images of at least one tooth when in the first position and when in the second position are simultaneously displayed in superimposed fashion, and any difference in orientations of the displayed tooth images between the first position and the second position appears in contrast. As a consequence, the relative difference in positions can be readily observed. The invention is particularly useful for selecting a prescription of a brace from two or more prescriptions, and is also useful for observing the relative effect of a single prescription when used on certain teeth in comparison to the position of the same teeth during an earlier stage of treatment.

Abstract: A prescription for an orthodontic brace is selected by providing data representing a number of teeth of the dental arch and by displaying images of the teeth in two or more different positions. Images of at least one tooth when in the first position and when in the second position are simultaneously displayed in superimposed fashion, and any difference in orientations of the displayed tooth images between the first position and the second position appears in contrast. As a consequence, the relative difference in positions can be readily observed. The invention is particularly useful for selecting a prescription of a brace from two or more prescriptions, and is also useful for observing the relative effect of a single prescription when used on certain teeth in comparison to the position of the same teeth during an earlier stage of treatment.

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 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: A prescription for an orthodontic brace is selected by providing data representing a number of teeth of the dental arch and by displaying images of the teeth in two or more different positions. Images of at least one tooth when in the first position and when in the second position are simultaneously displayed in superimposed fashion, and any difference in orientations of the displayed tooth images between the first position and the second position appears in contrast. As a consequence, the relative difference in positions can be readily observed. The invention is particularly useful for selecting a prescription of a brace from two or more prescriptions, and is also useful for observing the relative effect of a single prescription when used on certain teeth in comparison to the position of the same teeth during an earlier stage of treatment.

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 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: 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: 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: An orthodontic assembly that includes a band and an attachment has one or more spot welds to secure the band to the attachment. The spot welds are characterized by the lack of any outer surface weld deformation that is circular in shape, or that is visible to the naked eye when viewed at a distance of twenty-four inches. Apparatus for welding the attachment to the band includes a subframe that is swingable in an arc to follow the inner contour of the band in order to provide automated welding on mesial and distal sides of the attachment.

Abstract: An orthodontic assembly that includes a band and an attachment has one or more spot welds to secure the band to the attachment. The spot welds are characterized by the lack of any outer surface weld deformation that is circular in shape, or that is visible to the naked eye when viewed at a distance of twenty-four inches. Apparatus for welding the attachment to the band includes a subframe that is swingable in an arc to follow the inner contour of the band in order to provide automated welding on mesial and distal sides of the attachment.