Abstract: A novel orthodontic bracket system includes orthodontic appliances, such as brackets or buccal tubes, with a vertical instead of the conventional horizontal slot orientation. The occlusal-gingival slot orientation minimizes the risk of unintentional debonding of the bracket as a result of insertion and removal of the archwire. An archwire retention mechanism designed to guide, retain and/or seat the archwire. The archwire retention mechanism releases the archwire from the archwire slot whenever appropriate force is applied, or manipulation of physical properties of the material are altered by the operator.

Abstract: A novel orthodontic bracket system comprised of orthodontic appliances, such as brackets or buccal tubes, with a buccal-labial slot orientation. Brackets in the system include a base for bonding the appliance to a tooth and a body extending from the base. An arch wire slot extends across the body in a generally mesial-distal direction and opens in a generally buccal-labial direction. The body has a chamfer that widens the arch wire slot at its opening. A resilient retention device such as a spring is associated with the slot and has a terminal portion opposite the chamfer when in a resting position to permit both entry and removal of an arch wire from said slot. The arch wire retention device is designed to guide, retain and/or seat the arch wire in cooperation with the arch wire slot, and in cooperation with the chamfer permits entry or release of the arch wire from the arch wire slot as the arch wire is moved along the chamfer.

Abstract: A novel orthodontic bracket system comprised of orthodontic appliances, such as brackets or buccal tubes, with a vertical instead of conventional horizontal slot orientation. The occlusal-gingival slot orientation minimizes the risk of unintentional debonding of the bracket as a result of insertion and removal of the archwire. An archwire retention mechanism designed to guide, retain and/or seat the archwire. The archwire retention mechanism releases the archwire from the archwire slot whenever appropriate force is applied, or manipulation of physical properties of the material are altered by the operator.

Abstract: A novel orthodontic bracket system comprised of orthodontic appliances, such as brackets or buccal tubes, with a vertical instead of conventional horizontal slot orientation. The occlusal-gingival slot orientation minimizes the risk of unintentional debonding of the bracket as a result of insertion and removal of the archwire. An archwire retention mechanism designed to guide, retain and/or seat the archwire. The archwire retention mechanism releases the archwire from the archwire slot whenever appropriate force is applied, or manipulation of physical properties of the material are altered by the operator.

Abstract: A novel orthodontic bracket system comprised of orthodontic appliances, such as brackets or buccal tubes, with a vertical instead of conventional horizontal slot orientation. The occlusal-gingival slot orientation minimizes the risk of unintentional debonding of the bracket as a result of insertion and removal of the archwire. An archwire retention mechanism designed to guide, retain and/or seat the archwire. The archwire retention mechanism releases the archwire from the archwire slot whenever appropriate force is applied, or manipulation of physical properties of the material are altered by the operator.

Abstract: Orthodontic brackets or other dental attachments are provided with particulate material on the tooth engaging surface thereof to improve the bonding of bracket to a tooth surface.

Abstract: Bonding to calcified tissues, including human teeth, tooth dentine and bone, is achieved through the medium of crystal growth adhered to the tissue. The crystals preferably comprise gypsum crystals which are formed by contacting the tissue surface with a mildly acidic solution containing sulphate ions. An uncured liquid resin is applied to the crystal growth and is cured to achieve adhesion by micromechanical interlock with the crystal growth and by superficial penetration of the tissue surface.

Abstract: Bonding to calcified tissues, including human teeth, tooth dentine and bone, is achieved through the medium of crystal growth adhered to the tissue. The crystals preferably comprise gypsum crystals which are formed by contacting the tissue surface with a mildly acidic solution containing sulphate ions. An uncured liquid resin is applied to the crystal growth and is cured to achieve adhesion by micromechanical interlock with the crystal growth and by superficial penetration of the tissue surface.

Abstract: Placement devices for positioning orthodontic attachments, such as, brackets, on the lingual and facial side of teeth are described. A tooth engagement plate or other member, which engages the facial side of a tooth for lingual placement or the lingual side for facial placement, is mounted for pivotal movement at least about a horizontal transverse axis. An orthodontic bracket holder is mounted to a handle for both horizontal and vertical movement to permit placement of an orthodontic bracket on the opposite side of a tooth to that engaged by the plate. In operation, for lingual placement, the tooth engagement plate is positioned in engagement with the facial side of the tooth, the bracket is located in its desired position adjacent the lingual side of the tooth by up and down movement of the handle and vertical movement of the bracket holder.

Abstract: Orthodontic brackets or other dental attachments are provided with particulate material on the tooth engaging surface thereof to improve the bonding of bracket to a tooth surface.The particulate material consists of metal spheres joined to each other and to the tooth engaging surface at their points of contact therewith.

Abstract: A lingual placement device for positioning orthodontic attachments, such as, brackets, on the lingual side of teeth is described. The device includes a handle which is pivoted to a handle extension to permit access to both anterior and posterior teeth in the mouth of a patient. A tooth engagement plate, which engages the front side of a tooth, is pivoted about a horizontal transverse axis. An orthodontic bracket holder is mounted to the handle extension for both horizontal and vertical movement to permit placement of an orthodontic bracket on the lingual side of a tooth. In operation, the tooth engagement plate is positioned in engagement with the front side of the tooth, the bracket is located in its desired position adjacent the lingual side of the tooth by up and down movement of the handle and vertical movement of the bracket holder.

Abstract: Bonding to calcified tissues, including human teeth, tooth dentine and bone, is achieved through the medium of crystal growth adhered to the tissue. The crystals preferably comprise gypsum crystals which are formed by contacting the tissue surface with a mildly acidic solution containing sulphate ions.