Abstract: The present invention provides an improved self-ligating orthodontic bracket. According to one embodiment, the improved orthodontic bracket includes a mounting base for attachment to a tooth surface, an archwire slot formed upon the base and sized for receiving an orthodontic archwire, a channel formed upon the base and transversely oriented to the archwire slot, and a ligating slide member slideably retained within the channel and closeable over the archwire slot for retaining the orthodontic archwire therein, and wherein the ligating slide member includes at least one coplanar resilient retention mechanism for exerting retention forces coplanar with the ligating slide member for holding the ligating slide member in a closed position. In one embodiment, the improved orthodontic bracket comprises a bracket with a ligating slide member slideably retained within a dovetail shaped channel.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket system including a plurality of interchangeable ligation covers so as to allow the patient and practitioner to create a desired aesthetic look. The inventive orthodontic bracket system includes a bracket base, at least one arch wire slot formed in the bracket base adapted to receive an arch wire therein, a first interchangeable ligation cover that when releasably assembled to the bracket base can be selectively moved relative to the bracket base between an open non-ligating position relative to the arch wire slot and a closed, ligating position relative to the arch wire slot, and a second interchangeable ligation cover of a different color and/or formed of a different material relative to the first cover. The interchangeable ligation covers can be removed and replaced with another cover of a different color and/or different material to create a different aesthetic appearance.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket system includes a bracket and a clip. During closing, an arm of the clip rides down against an inclined rear surface of a first tie wing and a portion of the clip bends resiliently, exerting a force that locks a locking edge portion of the clip in a recess beneath second tie wings. During opening, the arm rides up against the inclined rear surface of the first tie wing as the locking edge portion of the clip is removed from the recess beneath the second tie wings. The clip is then moved to an open position to permit placement and removal of the archwire and held in that position.

Abstract: A bracket for orthodontic use has a base plate, a tie wing and an arch wire fitting slot. More specifically, a pair of tie wings having a pair of long and short wing pieces, i.e., a long piece and a short piece, are erected on the rectangular base plate and spaced apart, and the arch wire fitting slot is formed by the spaced apart portion. A pair of wing pieces of the tie wing are provided to project in the vertical direction with distal ends directed downward, and constituted the wing pieces include a long piece and a short piece. A recessed guide groove is provided in a vicinity of an end of the long piece.

Abstract: The present invention provides designs for a self-ligating orthodontic bracket. According to one embodiment, the self-ligating orthodontic bracket includes a mounting base for attachment to a tooth surface, an archwire slot formed upon the base and sized for receiving an orthodontic archwire, a rotary ligating cover selectively rotatable between an open position permitting access to the archwire slot and a closed position covering the archwire slot, and one or more locking features for holding the rotary ligating cover in a closed position. In one embodiment, the bracket includes one or more locking tabs on the rotary ligating cover aligned in coplanar relation to the rotary ligating cover and cooperatively mating with cutout portions in the base. In one embodiment, the bracket includes at least one resilient retention mechanism adjacent to the one or more locking tabs and aligned in coplanar relation to the rotary ligating cover.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket is described and which includes a bracket body having an arch wire slot formed therein; and a movable gate which slideably cooperates with the bracket body, and is moveable between a first, open position, to a second, closed position, and wherein the gate is designed so as to minimize the frictional engagement of the arch wire by the gate as the gate is moved from the first open position to the second closed position.

Abstract: Orthodontic brackets include a bracket base, at least one arch wire slot formed in the base adapted to receive and arch wire therein, and means for selectively narrowing the width of at least a portion of the arch wire slot so as to allow for engagement of an undersized arch wire having a width less than the slot width. The means for selectively narrowing the width of the arch wire slot may comprise one or more spaced apart cuts disposed in at least one side wall defining the arch wire slot so as to define a bendable portion of the sidewall.

Abstract: Disclosed herein relates to an orthodontic appliance, in particular to an orthodontic appliance connected to a tooth and coacting with an archwire. The orthodontic appliance has at least one archwire slot extending through mesiodistally. At least one sub-slot opening to the archwire slot is provided in the sidewalls of the archwire slot. The above-mentioned configurations facilitate the movement of the tooth mesiodistally. With different archwires and different ligation manners, the position of the archwire in the archwire slot can be controlled, thus it is easy to tip teeth mesiodistally and to upright the teeth mesiodistally with small force. The orthodontic appliance has simple structure, and with which it is not necessary to employ extraoral force and mini-implant to strengthen the anchorage.

Abstract: A system for revising a set of teeth including a bracket for revising a set of teeth and a bracket positioning jig is provided. The bracket positioning jig includes a cap at the lower portion of which a groove contacting tooth is formed, and which has a throughhole to lengthy direction on the upper portion of a cap body, and a connector one side of which has a fixed protrusion which is detachably inserted into and fixed to the throughhole of the cap, and the other side of which is bent toward the lower end of the body and has a coupler which is combined on a slot of an orthodontics treatment bracket for revising a set of teeth. An individual prescription value which is the most appropriate for an individual patient is given to the bracket positioning jig on a computer program to thus manufacture a desired jig, so that a non-prescription bracket as well as a bracket having a given prescription value can be used.

Abstract: An orthodontic device, wherein a wire is held on a slot by a simple structure but a complicated structure. The orthodontic device comprises a bracket (10) having the slot (30) formed by arm parts (12, 13) facing each other in the vertical direction and an inner part (20) having a socket (24) for holding the wire (40). The orthodontic device is characterized in that the opening (32) of the slot is closed by inserting the inner part (20) into the slot (30) so that the inner part can be held by the arm parts (12, 13).

Abstract: An instrument is provided, comprising a handle and at least one working end. In a first embodiment, the working end comprised a first leg and a second leg, the second leg for disengaging a spring clip. In a second embodiment, the working end comprises a first leg and a second leg for grasping a connector plate of an orthodontic bracket, and a depth limiter attached to the first leg for preventing inadvertent grasping of an orthodontic bracket base plate.

Abstract: An adjustable orthodontic apparatus is provided and the apparatus comprises: at least one base plate comprises opposing sides, a first side is a tooth engaging side and a second side comprises a plurality of vertical and horizontal columns of protrusions and plurality of vertical and horizontal channels created by the columns of protrusions; at least one connecting plate having opposing sides, a rear side comprises a plurality of vertical and horizontal columns of protrusions and plurality of vertical and horizontal channels created by the columns of protrusions, the protrusion designed to travel vertically and horizontally within the channel during an adjustment stage, a front side having a cavity for receiving a wire; and a securing device for locking the connecting plate to a desired position onto the base plate.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket is provided, and the orthodontic bracket comprises: a bracket housing having at least two opposing sides, a rear side which is a tooth engaging side and a front side having a cavity for receiving at least one wire; and a cover plate pivotally attached to the front side of the bracket housing, and the cover plate is designed to be moveable from an open to a closed position to secure and hold the wire within said cavity of the front side of the bracket housing.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket system is provided, the system comprising a base plate having a rear side and a front side, the rear side designed to engage a patient's tooth, the base plate front side comprising a channel for receiving an archwire; a cover plate for closing the opening of the channel and securing the archwire within the channel of the base plate; and a locking device designed to engage the cover plate during a closed position.

Abstract: Then invention relates to an orthodontic bracket comprised of a base (2) for the fastening on a tooth and a bent yoke (3a) that can swivel between an open position, in which between the base (2) and a free end of the yoke (3a) is space for the inserting of a wire (4), and a closed position in which the yoke (3a) embraces an inserted wire (4), that is then held between said yoke and the base. Pursuant to the invention it is provided that on the base (2) is fastened a holding tongue (5) for the twisting-resistant holding of a wire (4) embraced by the yoke (3a).

Abstract: To create an orthodontic device with a base having a base surface for fixing the device to a tooth, and a slot for receiving an archwire, which is defined by a bottom surface and two side surfaces arranged on either side of the bottom surface and aligned in substantially parallel spaced relation to each other, and which extends in a substantially straight line through the base in the longitudinal direction of the base on a side thereof facing away from the base surface, and with a cover element for at least partially covering the open side of the slot facing the bottom surface, which is convertible and is easier to handle during the conversion, and which offers the wearer an increased degree of security, it is proposed that the side surfaces of the slot have a positively locking guide, which is aligned substantially parallel in relation to the longitudinal direction of the slot, and in which the cover element is slidably and detachably held on the base.

Abstract: Disclosed is an orthodontic bracket which has excellent adhesion to a tooth surface and can be easily separated from the tooth surface after orthodontic treatment is finished. The base of the orthodontic bracket comprises an adhesion surface brought into dose contact with a tooth surface; a central projection located at a center portion of the adhesion surface; and a plurality of surrounding projections arranged at regular intervals around the central projection and made of a material which allows force of adhesion to the tooth surface of an adhesive to be greater at the surrounding projections than at the central projection.

Abstract: A ceramic orthodontic bracket has a centrally located clip for retaining an archwire in an archwire slot. The body of the bracket includes a mesial section, a distal section, and a bridge section, wherein the bridge section extends through, and retains, the clip. The bridge section also includes a recess adjacent to the bridge section that facilitates debonding of the bracket from a patient's tooth. Preferably there are gaps on one or both sides of the clip to allow space for debonding of the bracket by applying a mesial-distal compressive force on the bracket and fracturing the bracket along the recess. This configuration allows the overall mesial-distal width of the bracket to be reduced, thereby facilitating the bonding of brackets to narrow and/or maloccluded teeth. Another embodiment includes a stop member that is connected to the base of the bracket and retains the clip on the bridge section.

Abstract: An orthodontic assembly is adapted for attaching an archwire to a tooth. The assembly includes a body having a bracket and a base, wherein the bracket is adapted to be coupled to an archwire. The bracket and base are integrally formed as a single piece of material. An attachment portion is sized and shaped to be attached to a first region of the base, wherein the attachment portion includes an irregular contour adapted to couple to a bonding agent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mechanical device for use in orthodontics. The inventive device essentially comprises a base (2) which is cemented onto a tooth (1) and a cap or closure element (3) which is mounted on the base (2). According to the invention, the device has the following functional characteristics: an orthodontic wire insertion groove which is provided on the cap or closure element instead of at the base of the bracket as is usual; the adjustment of the wire by means of a pull mechanism which is provided on the cap or closure element; a self-closing system for the wire; an aesthetic, functional design with minimum friction on soft tissues (lips); customisation of the torque and the tip, such that suitable values can be applied according to the requirements of each case and treatment phase; and minimisation of the time required to adjust arcs in the mouth.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket for coupling an archwire with a tooth includes a bracket body having an archwire slot adapted to receive the archwire therein and a movable member engaged with the bracket body and movable between an opened position and a closed position. A securing mechanism is configured to secure the movable member in at least the closed position and includes a projecting portion and a receiving portion. The projecting portion may include a generally elongate pin capable of flexing relative to a central axis thereof to secure the movable member in at least the closed position. An orthodontic assembly includes an orthodontic bracket and an alignment device for positioning the bracket on the tooth.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket has a clip which is curved substantially in U-shape as covering at least one part of an opposite side to a base in an arch wire slot. Catching end portions which are provided at an upper end part of the clip may be caught to enable to creep under a cover portion supported by the bracket main body. The clip is formed at the upper end part thereof with a concave portion as a recess portion which enables to catch a clip release tool for releasing the clip.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for connecting orthodontic wire or arch to orthodontic brackets, said orthodontic brackets providing two pairs of tie wing elements, spaced each other by at least a space, and a slot, for housing said orthodontic wire or arch, said device providing a covering element having such a shape and dimensions to couple externally with said bracket, with at least two of the tie wings of said two pairs of tie wings elements, and being provided with at least a pin that, when coupled with said orthodontic bracket, enters within said at least a space preventing sliding of device along the axis parallel to the orthodontic wire or arch.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket includes a base, an archwire slot extending through the base, and archwire slot extensions extending substantially in the mesiodistal direction from opposite sides of the base.

Abstract: Two-piece self-ligating orthodontic brackets including a bracket base, at least one arch wire slot formed in the bracket base adapted to receive an arch wire therein, and a ligation cover that is hingedly attachable to the bracket base. The bracket further includes means for resisting lateral movement of an occlusal front portion of the ligation cover so as to guide the occlusal front portion of the cover as the cover is closed over the bracket base. For example, the bracket base may include a pair of spaced apart guides which extend from the base in a labial-buccal direction so as to define a receiving cavity between the guides. The cover includes a corresponding occlusal front nose portion which is configured to be received within the receiving cavity when the cover is closed.

Abstract: A self-ligating orthodontic bracket for captivating an archwire with a tooth. The bracket includes a bracket body mountable to a tooth and a self-ligating mechanism having an archwire slot and a ligating slide. The ligating slide is movable between an open position in which an archwire is insertable into the archwire slot and a closed position in which the archwire is retained in the archwire slot. The bracket body may be formed from a non-metallic material, such as a polymer, a filled polymer composite, or a ceramic, and the self-ligating mechanism may be formed from a metal. The bracket may include a resilient engagement member with a detent positioned to engage an aperture extending through the ligating slide when the ligating slide is in the closed position.

Abstract: A self-ligating orthodontic bracket for captivating an archwire with a tooth. The bracket includes a bracket body mountable to a tooth and a self-ligating mechanism having an archwire slot and a ligating slide. The ligating slide is movable between an open position in which an archwire is insertable into the archwire slot and a closed position in which the archwire is retained in the archwire slot. The bracket body may be formed from a non-metallic material, such as a polymer, a filled polymer composite, or a ceramic, and the self-ligating mechanism may be formed from a metal. The bracket may include a resilient engagement member with a detent positioned to engage an aperture or throughhole extending through the ligating slide when the ligating slide is in the closed position.

Abstract: A triple wing orthodontic bracket, bracket cover, and method of use is disclosed. The bracket has a slot liner for reducing friction between an archwire and the bracket, wherein the liner is flared at its ends. The bracket cover has: a rod-shaped hinge for rotating in recesses between a bracket base, and bracket wings on one of a gingival and occlusal bracket side, a slot cover, and a cross member for rotating the slot cover between covering a bracket archwire slot, and uncovering the slot, wherein the rotation pivots the hinge in the recesses. The hinge and recesses frictionally engage one another, wherein in a first position, the hinge attaches and detaches from the bracket, and after pivoting the hinge to another position in the recesses, the hinge is secured therein. Interaction between the hinge and the recesses may cause the slot cover to move to cover the slot.

Abstract: Orthodontic correction device includes a locking device for an arch in the form of a bracket in which is provided for a groove aimed at co-operating with the arch. The groove includes a blocking device for the arch in the form of at least one pin extending at least partly above the groove at the level of the opening of the said groove. The opening is shaped so as to allow, during the insertion of the arch into the groove, passing around the pin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bracket for fixing to the interior or exterior face of a tooth, the bracket having a base, which lies against the tooth and in which a slot is configured to receive a wire bow. The slot runs essentially perpendicularly in the oral cavity, thus retaining the wire bow, which exerts forces and torques in an essentially horizontal direction, in an optimum position in the slot. The overall form of the inventive brackets is significantly rounder than brackets in prior art and the brackets are thus much more comfortable for the patient to wear. The invention also relates to a method, according to which the form of the brackets is individually adapted to each tooth of a patient, in order to optimize the displacement of the dental bow into its ideal position and the fixing of the brackets to the tooth.

Abstract: An orthodontic brace includes a set of orthodontic brackets for a dental arch that comprises at least one central incisor bracket, one lateral incisor bracket, and one cuspid bracket. Each bracket of the set lacks occlusal tiewings. Without occlusal tiewings, interferences with opposing teeth are substantially reduced and patient comfort, hygiene, and bracket aesthetics are enhanced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improvement to an orthodontic appliance comprising of a bracket (10), which further includes a base portion (12), a body section (24) extending from the base portion (12), and wherein said improved orthodontic appliance comprises of a plurality of edges (14, 16, 18, 20) and a set of tie wings (22a, 22b), and wherein said orthodontic appliance also includes an archwire slot (26) and a vertical slot (27) and wherein a plurality of channels (36) is provided therein on the bottom surface of the orthodontic appliance and wherein a mesial tie wing undercut (32) and a distal tie wing undercut (34) are provided respectively to form a continuous undercut channels with an incisal and a gingival tie wing undercuts (40, 38).

Abstract: An arch wire assembly for use in light force orthodontic treatment techniques which includes the ability to provide a torquing force to selected teeth. The arch wire assembly includes an arch wire comprising first and second cylindrical arch wire bodies extending between a first end and a second end. The arch wire bodies are disposed in adjacent contact one with another. The arch wire assembly further includes clamping or other fixing structures for fixing the first and second arch wire bodies relative to one another so as to allow the first and second cylindrical arch wire bodies to act as a single arch wire having a non circular cross-sections. This allows for application of torquing corrective forces against an arch wire slot of an orthodontic bracket during an orthodontic treatment in much the same way as a rectangular arch wire but with lower arch wire stiffness. This allows for light force orthodontic treatment.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance includes a latch that comprises at least one clip for retaining an archwire in an archwire slot of the appliance. The clip includes a first section, a second section opposed to the first section and a third section that interconnects the first section and the second section. The third section is adjacent the base and includes an outer edge having a convex shape in contact with a wall portion of the base. The convex shape facilitates opening the clip during insertion of an archwire into the archwire slot of the appliance.

Abstract: An orthodontic implant comprised of one or two bony attachments, and, if there are two, one is smaller and affixed to the opposite end of the emerging portion, while the other utilizes a screw placed through an aperture. The smaller affixed portion is a tapered tac with the opposite emerging portion receiving an “O” ring removable cap onto which an adjustable rod can be contoured as needed after the implant has been affixed to bone.

Abstract: A medical device, particularly an orthodontic element, that includes a surface having a polymeric film disposed thereon (e.g., a liner disposed in an archwire slot of an orthodontic bracket), wherein the film comprises a fluorinated polymer and a treated surface having an adhesive thereon.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket system including a plurality of interchangeable ligation covers so as to allow the patient and practitioner to create a desired aesthetic look. The inventive orthodontic bracket system includes a bracket base, at least one arch wire slot formed in the bracket base adapted to receive an arch wire therein, a first interchangeable ligation cover that when releasably assembled to the bracket base can be selectively moved relative to the bracket base between an open non-ligating position relative to the arch wire slot and a closed, ligating position relative to the arch wire slot, and a second interchangeable ligation cover of a different color and/or formed of a different material relative to the first cover. The interchangeable ligation covers can be removed and replaced with another cover of a different color and/or different material to create a different aesthetic appearance.

Abstract: There is disclosed an orthodontic bracket comprising a body member having a gingival opening mesio-distally extending slot formed therein. The slot is sized and shaped to receive an archwire. The body member also comprising a vertical leg between the slot and a labial or facial surface of the body member. The vertical leg defines a portion of the slot. The body member also comprises a shoulder attached to the vertical leg adjacent the opening and extending into the slot. A method of using a orthodontic bracket is also disclosed.

Abstract: Self-ligating orthodontic bracket which comprises a support body (6) intended to be fixed onto a tooth and provided with a slot (9) for receiving an arch wire (5) capable of imparting a corrective action to the tooth and retaining means (10) able to interfere with the wire (5) so as to lock it inside the slot (9) The retaining means (10) are formed by a pair of lugs (10?) made as one piece with the support body (6) and having a retaining portion (11) which delimits the slot (9) at the top and interferes with the wire (5). The said lugs (10?) are provided with two opposite faces which delimit an opening (21) of a channel (20) for access to the slot (9).

Abstract: The self-ligating bracket with base; base support; occlusal and gingival wall with ligature wing from support; slot separating the walls, passage extending through support in gingival-to-occlusal direction; and resilient clip with mutually connected labial and lingual legs; lingual leg received and arranged for displacement in passage in gingival-to-occlusal direction, between closed and open position of clip; in closed position, labial leg extends into cutout in gingival or occlusal wall, with stop for labial leg; in open position, tip of labial leg positioned above the occlusal or gingival wall, labial leg of clip provided with wing extending in distal and/or medial direction; in closed position of clip, one wing is positioned above slot, lingual extension of labial leg of clip is positioned in cutout, with extension narrower than width of labial leg; extension of labial leg of clip contacts the closed position, with the labial stop even when slot is empty.

Abstract: Low profile self-ligating orthodontic brackets and methods of using such orthodontic brackets. The bracket includes a bracket body, a latching member, and a hinge pin pivotally coupling a hinged end of the latching member with the bracket body. The hinge pin, which is made of a resilient material, is configured to flex so that a portion of the latching member can be engaged with a recess defined in the bracket body to couple the non-hinged end of the latching member with the bracket body.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket having a bracket body configured to be mounted to a tooth includes an archwire slot having a base surface defining a base plane and a slide engagement track defining a translation plane. The translation plane is angled with respect to the base plane. A ligating slide is engaged with the slide engagement track of the bracket body and movable along the slide engagement track and parallel to the translation plane between an opened position, in which an archwire is insertable into the archwire slot, and a closed position, in which the archwire is retained within the archwire slot. The translation plane is angled with respect to the base plane so as to prevent the ligating slide from contacting the gingiva surrounding the tooth when the ligating slide is moved to the opened position.

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: A latch device comprises a base suitable for attachment to a substrate, a cover, an elongate strap hinge that connects the base and cover, a hinge guide structure and/or a camming structure, and a locking mechanism. The cover is selectively movable about the strap hinge relative to the base between an open position and a closed position. The hinge guide structure includes a curved surface proximal to the elongate strap hinge that assists in distributing forces throughout a significant portion of the entire length of the strap hinge as the cover is moved relative to the base. A camming structure may be included that has a camming surface that biases the cover toward the open position. The latch device is useful in a variety of areas, including tie downs for sail boats, campers, tarps, suit cases, back packs, and other sporting goods.

Abstract: Orthodontic brackets are manufactured from at least one type of crystalline polymer that enhances the physical properties of the brackets. In one aspect, orthodontic brackets according to the invention may comprise at least one type of polyaryletherketone or crystalline polyamide. Fibers, fillers, flow additives and other components may be added as desired. One or more amorphous polymers may be blended with the crystalline polymer. Crystalline polymers are especially well-suited for the manufacture of self-ligating orthodontic brackets that include a bracket base and ligation cover so as to provide sufficient strength for the bracket base and ligation cover while also providing sufficient flexibility for the hinge element to bend or flex.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket system includes a plurality of orthodontic brackets, each bracket sized and configured to be placed on a particular tooth of a patient during an orthodontic treatment procedure. Each bracket includes at least two arch wire slots that lie in different planes. The arch wire slots are positioned relative to the bracket base so that when the patient's teeth have become properly aligned as a result of the orthodontic procedure, the corresponding arch wire slots of all the brackets will be substantially aligned.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket comprises a bracket base, an arch wire slot configured to receive an arch wire, a ligation cover, an elongate film hinge that interconnects the bracket base and ligation cover, and a cam structure. The ligation cover is selectively rotatable about the film hinge relative to the bracket base between an open, non-ligating position and closed, ligating position relative to the arch wire slot. The cam structure includes a curved surface proximal to the elongate film hinge that assists in distributing forces throughout the entire length of the film hinge as the cover is rotated relative to the bracket base. The cam structure also includes a camming surface that biases the ligation cover toward the open, non-ligating position. The ligation cover covers at least a portion of the slot when in the closed, ligating position.

Abstract: Self ligating orthodontic brackets include a bracket base and a ligation cover which interacts with the base in order to provide ligation of at least one arch wire associated with the base. The ligation cover is hingedly attached to the bracket base by a hinge (e.g., a film hinge, an elastomeric material, a mechanical hinge, and the like). The ligation cover comprises a metal for improved strength and durability of the bracket during use. The bracket base advantageously comprises a plastic or ceramic material for ease of formation and for reducing expense.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket or convertible buccal tube for use with arch wires has the usual mesial distal extending slot having one side open to receive the wire. The open side is closed by a shutter pivoting on a pivot pin, or coaxial pins, about a mesial distal axis, the shutter being latched in slot closed position to retain the arch wire in the slot. The device includes an attitude controlling spring member consisting of an integral extension of the part of the shutter member that closes the slot, the extension being thinner and therefore of greater flexibility than the relatively rigid shutter member. The extension can be progressively thinner that the shutter member from its junction therewith to a free end that engages the arch wire in the slot. In slot closed position a portion of the integral extension is positively engaged with a surface of the device body so as to preload the spring.

Abstract: Self-ligating orthodontic brackets which are at least partially formed of materials exhibiting shape memory each of which includes a base from which extends two spaced and opposing pairs of tie wings each pair of which define an archwire guide slot therebetween. Each of the opposing tie wings include portions which are normally spaced to retain an archwire within the archwire guide slot but at least a portion of one of each pair of opposing tie wings is yieldable relative to the other to permit insertion and/or removal of the archwire relative to the archwire guide slot. Portions of the brackets may be coated to reduce friction between the archwire guide slot and the archwire and to promote aesthetics and overall bracket appearance.