Abstract: An orthodontic bracket has tiewings with cavities for receiving an attachment, such as a hook or a ligating latch. Optionally, the bracket is made in two or more sections or bodies that preferably have cross-sectional configurations similar to each other when viewed in directions perpendicular to the archwire slot. When the bodies are assembled to each other, tiewing portions of each section are located adjacent each other to present a single tiewing.

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 orthodontic brackets may include one or more of the following improved features: (1) a film hinge about which a ligation cover may rotate; (2) a bearing spring or other flexible feature associated with the ligation cover to provide active ligation; (3) a ligation cover that has sufficient flexibility and resilience to facilitate locking and unlocking relative to the base; (4) a spring or spring-like feature that provides resistance to rotation of the ligation cover relative to the base; (5) a bracket base and ligation cover formed from different types of plastic materials; (6) two or more initially open arch wire slots that can be ligated by a single ligation cover; or (7) a safety locking feature that holds the ligation cover more tightly to the bracket in response to increased arch wire pressure.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket has a front side part, a bump portion, an inner side part which are formed on a ceiling face of a guide portion in such a manner that the front side part, the bump portion, the inner side part are formed in order in a guiding direction to which a clip is guided by the guide portion. The orthodontic bracket further has a sliding-rotation supporter provided at the lower end of the clip. When the sliding-rotation supporter slides on the ceiling face and gets over the bump portion from the front side part to reach the inner side part of the ceiling face, the clip can press the archwire down toward the bottom of the archwire slot.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket assembly comprising an orthodontic bracket and a powered actuator mounted to the bracket. The actuator can be used to provide relative movement between a tooth (or set of teeth) and another object, such as an archwire or another tooth (or set of teeth). Preferably, the actuator is a micro electromechanical system (MEMS) having a size that will not significantly interfere with the comfort of the patient.

Abstract: A new structure is provided for orthodontic devices comprising a bracket or a convertible buccal tube, both of which have a body with a mesial-distal extending arch wire receiving slot therein. Both have a slot closure member, also referred to as a jamming shutter, pivotally mounted by the body for movement between slot open and closed positions and consisting of a pivot portion including an arm portion with a mesially-distally extending slot closure portion at its end. The slot closure portion has a part that closes the slot and mesially-distally extending parts that in the slot closed position engage an adjacent body surface with an interference jamming fit sufficient to retain the slot closure member in slot closed position. Any movement of the slot closure member to and from the slot closed position involves flexing of these engaged parts away from the device body against the elasticity of the material, removing the need for latches or retaining springs.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket has a base on which a covering is attached in an articulated manner, while the covering covers a slot for an arch wire. The covering and the base are connected to one another in an articulated manner. Spring elements are provided for holding the arch wire.

Abstract: An orthodontic component structured to be mounted within a patients mouth in interconnection relation to spaced apart conventional or customized orthodontic appliances so as to exert a predetermined and pre-directed force on the interconnected orthodontic appliances as well as the teeth to which such appliances are attached. The orthodontic component of the present invention includes a module formed of a elastomeric material having sufficient elastic characteristics to exert the aforementioned force when stretched or expanded into interconnecting relation with the spaced apart appliances. The module comprises a unitary or a one piece construction having an elongated, normally linear configuration and terminating at oppositely disposed ends.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a pre-engaging orthodontic bracket includes a body having a lingual surface for attachment to a tooth, a pair of laterally spaced gingival tie wings and a pair of laterally spaced occlusal tie wings. The gingival and occlusal tie wings project from a labial surface of the body. An archwire slot extends mesiodistally across the body and between the gingival and occlusal tie wings at opposed mesial and distal sides of the body to accommodate an archwire. A pivot pin extends between a pair of the tie wings at opposed mesial and distal sides of the body. A shutter is moveable relative to the body between an open position in which placement and removal of an archwire into the archwire slot is facilitated and a closed position in which placement and removal of an archwire into the archwire slot is inhibited.

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 orthodontic brackets may include one or more of the following improved features: (1) a film hinge about which a ligation cover may rotate; (2) a bearing spring or other flexible feature associated with the ligation cover to provide active ligation; (3) a ligation cover that has sufficient flexibility and resilience to facilitate locking and unlocking relative to the base; (4) a spring or spring-like feature that provides resistance to rotation of the ligation cover relative to the base; (5) a bracket base and ligation cover formed from different types of plastic materials; (6) two or more initially open arch wire slots that can be ligated by a single ligation cover; or (7) a safety locking feature that holds the ligation cover more tightly to the bracket in response to increased arch wire pressure.

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 orthodontic brackets may include one or more of the following improved features: (1) a film hinge about which a ligation cover may rotate; (2) a bearing spring or other flexible feature associated with the ligation cover to provide active ligation; (3) a ligation cover that has sufficient flexibility and resilience to facilitate locking and unlocking relative to the base; (4) a spring or spring-like feature that provides resistance to rotation of the ligation cover relative to the base; (5) a bracket base and ligation cover formed from different types of plastic materials; (6) two or more initially open arch wire slots that can be ligated by a single ligation cover; or (7) a safety locking feature that holds the ligation cover more tightly to the bracket in response to increased arch wire pressure.

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 orthodontic brackets may include one or more of the following improved features: (1) a film hinge about which a ligation cover may rotate; (2) a bearing spring or other flexible feature associated with the ligation cover to provide active ligation; (3) a ligation cover that has sufficient flexibility and resilience to facilitate locking and unlocking relative to the base; (4) a spring or spring-like feature that provides resistance to rotation of the ligation cover relative to the base; (5) a bracket base and ligation cover formed from different types of plastic materials; (6) two or more initially open arch wire slots that can be ligated by a single ligation cover; or (7) a safety locking feature that holds the ligation cover more tightly to the bracket in response to increased arch wire pressure.

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 orthodontic brackets may include one or more of the following improved features: (1) a film hinge about which a ligation cover may rotate; (2) a bearing spring or other flexible feature associated with the ligation cover to provide active ligation; (3) a ligation cover that has sufficient flexibility and resilience to facilitate locking and unlocking relative to the base; (4) a spring or spring-like feature that provides resistance to rotation of the ligation cover relative to the base; (5) a bracket base and ligation cover formed from different types of plastic materials; (6) two or more initially open arch wire slots that can be ligated by a single ligation cover; or (7) a safety locking feature that holds the ligation cover more tightly to the bracket in response to increased arch wire pressure.

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 orthodontic brackets may include one or more of the following improved features: (1) a film hinge about which a ligation cover may rotate; (2) a bearing spring or other flexible feature associated with the ligation cover to provide active ligation; (3) a ligation cover that has sufficient flexibility and resilience to facilitate locking and unlocking relative to the base; (4) a spring or spring-like feature that provides resistance to rotation of the ligation cover relative to the base; (5) a bracket base and ligation cover formed from different types of plastic materials; (6) two or more initially open arch wire slots that can be ligated by a single ligation cover; or (7) a safety locking feature that holds the ligation cover more tightly to the bracket in response to increased arch wire pressure.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket has a locking member, one side of which is formed as a base side portion located on a base side and extending along the base, and the other side of which is formed as a counter base side portion having substantially the same width as the length of an arch wire slot 5 and extending on an upper side of the slot. The locking member is formed of an elastic member in which a notched portion is provided substantially in a center of the base side portion. Further, a bracket body has a closing stop groove formed at an open edge portion of the arch wire slot so as to stop a tip of the locking member in a slot closed position as well as an open stop concavity formed at an edge portion thereof located away from the stop groove so as to stop the tip of the locking member in a slot open position. A rib is formed in a longitudinally central portion of the stop groove in such a manner as to project so as to bury the stop groove in correspondence with the notched portion.

Abstract: A new structure is provided for orthodontic devices comprising a bracket or a convertible buccal tube, both of which have a body with a mesial-distal extending arch wire receiving slot therein. Both have a slot closure member, also referred to as a jamming shutter, pivotally mounted by the body for movement between slot open and closed positions and consisting of a pivot portion including an arm portion with a mesially-distally extending slot closure portion at its end. The slot closure portion has a part that closes the slot and mesially-distally extending parts that in the slot closed position engage an adjacent body surface with an interference jamming fit sufficient to retain the slot closure member in slot closed position. Any movement of the slot closure member to and from the slot closed position involves flexing of these engaged parts away from the device body against the elasticity of the material, removing the need for latches or retaining springs.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket defining a wire guide therethrough is described. The bracket includes first and second planar surfaces in the wire guide. The first planar surface is disposed at a predetermined angle from the second planar surface so that the first and second planar surfaces act as stops to limit tipping of the bracket when either planar surface abuts a wire disposed through the wire guide. In this manner the bracket incorporates stops to prevent the over-correction of a tooth during an orthodontic procedure.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket has a base with a slot configured to receive an archwire. A cover is hingedly fastened to the base and is operable between an open and closed position. The cover covers at least a portion of the slot on the base when in the closed position. A spring element extends between the base and the cover.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket assembly includes a bracket and latch coupled to the bracket. The latch is movable between a slot-open position to enable removal or insertion of an archwire in an archwire slot of the bracket, and a slot-closed position to retain the archwire in the archwire slot. The latch includes a first portion that is received in a passage that extends in a generally occlusal-gingival direction through a body of the bracket, and a second portion that is received lingually of at least one bracket tiewing when the latch is in the slot-closed position.

Abstract: A handheld dental tool has a removable silicone tip. The tool includes a handheld shaft having at least one working end. The working end preferably includes a shoulder defined on the working end of the shaft and a spade member extending from the shoulder. The spade member has a longitudinal axis along a length of the spade member that has a generally uniform aspect ratio perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of between 2:1 and 4:1. A tip member comprised of a resilient silicone material that is removably mounted on the spade member. The tip member has a longitudinal axis along a length of the silicone tip and a cavity defined in a rear end of the silicone tip along the longitudinal axis. The cavity is adapted to receive the length of the spade member. The ratio of the length of the silicone tip member to the length of the spade member is greater than 1:1 and less than 2:1. Preferably, the surface of the spade member is smooth and the tip member slides on to and off of the spade member.

Abstract: An elastomeric orthodontic ligature for engagement with a tooth-mounted orthodontic appliance such as a bracket having conventional tie wings. In one application, the ligature is engaged behind and between upper and lower tie wings of the bracket, and extends over the bracket surface to hold an archwire in a slot of the bracket. The ligature differs from known elastic ligatures of flat torus shape in that it is arched or curved to simplify and speed initial engagement behind one of the bracket tie wings.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a pre-engaging orthodontic bracket includes a body having a lingual surface for attachment to a tooth, a pair of laterally spaced gingival tie wings and a pair of laterally spaced occlusal tie wings. The gingival and occlusal tie wings project from a labial surface of the body. An archwire slot extends mesiodistally across the body and between the gingival and occlusal tie wings at opposed mesial and distal sides of the body to accommodate an archwire. A pivot pin extends between a pair of the tie wings at opposed mesial and distal sides of the body. A shutter is moveable relative to the body between an open position in which placement and removal of an archwire into the archwire slot is facilitated and a closed position in which placement and removal of an archwire into the archwire slot is inhibited.

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: A self-locking orthodontic bracket comprises a body (1) and a base (2) contoured to fit a tooth surface. The body (1) has an arch wire slot (3) extending horizontally across the labial/buccal surface, a pair of tie wings (4A and 4B) projecting vertically on either side of the arch wire slot (3), a retainer member (6) having a transverse part and two perpendicular horizontal extensions at the end (6A and 6B) attached to the sides of one of the tie wings (4A) and a slidable cover (5) retained and guided in the recess created between the retainer member (6) and the surface of the tie wing (4A). The slidable cover (5) can be moved vertically towards the tip of the tie wing (4A) to open the arch wire slot (3) and it can be moved in the opposite direction to close the arch wire slot (3). Different embodiments of the slidable cover (5) and the retainer member (6) are disclosed herein.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket is capable of smoothly performing an orthodontic operation without the need of any troublesome fastening operation, and securely fixes an orthodontic wire in slots by pressing the wire with a suitable magnitude of elastic force. The bracket includes a bracket body and a pressing spring. The bracket body has mounts provided on a base with a predetermined spacing therebetween in a facing fashion and also provided in the middle with slots. The bases of the mounts are formed with axial holes. Further, the pressing spring includes a pressing portion, which is provided at a central portion of the wire and has a length bridging the slots, and which is bent at both ends thereof in the same direction to bridge the slots. A pair to upright portions is formed at tip ends of the pressing portion to rise upright along outer sides of the slots. A pair of axial support portions is formed at tip ends of the upright portions to extend through the axial holes.

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 device includes a wire member and a fixing member. The wire member consists of on arch wire fixed through concatenation with a tooth and an engaging part fixed at positions corresponding to the points of fixation of the arch wire. The fixing member 2 fixed on the tooth is provided with a mounting groove for mounting the engaging part.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a pre-engaging orthodontic bracket includes a body having a lingual surface for attachment to a tooth, a pair of laterally spaced gingival tie wings and a pair of laterally spaced occlusal tie wings. The gingival and occlusal tie wings project from a labial surface of the body. An archwire slot extends mesiodistally across the body and between the gingival and occlusal tie wings at opposed mesial and distal sides of the body to accomodate an archwire. A shutter is moveable between an open position in which placement and removal of an archwire is facilitated, and a closed position in which placement and removal of an archwire is inhibited.

Abstract: An insert for generic or custom preadjusted edgewise brackets. The device is formed of metallic material or synthetic material, or resilient elastomeric material. The device will capture and retain the orthodontic archwire into the archwire slot of the orthodontic edgewise bracket. The device includes a region aligned with the archwire slot in the edgewise bracket to position, but not frictionally interfere with the archwire, because it does not put pressure on the archwire, but creates a tunnel for the archwire to easily slide through. The crescent shaped horizontal anchors defined on the device cooperate with the underside of the tiewings on the edgewise bracket to maintain the device in position. The crescent shape provides room for other ancillary devices to be placed on the bracket and secured behind the tiewings when the device is in place.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance including: bracket (101) having a substantially flat base (102) for engaging a tooth, and a securing member (103); and facia (110) able to engage with the securing member (103) to form part of the bracket (101); wherein the combination of the facia (110) and the securing member (103) forms a slot within the bracket (101), able to receive a pin (114) and secure the pin in position.

Abstract: A dental tube and post combination is disclosed, wherein the dental tube and post have, respectively, a mating projection and indentation so that when the mating portions are fitted together, it is unlikely that the tube and post will be inadvertently separated from one another. However, the combined tube and post combination of the present invention can be readily separated by a dental technician using conventional dental tools. Moreover, each of the tube and post portions of the present invention can be used with conventional posts and tubes without compatibility concerns.

Abstract: A ligating band is formed so as to have a pre-stress compression along its inner periphery and a pre-stress tension along its outer periphery at a free state, wherein all the material of the band is at a substantially equal tension when the band is subject to full circumferential expansion. In a free state, the inner periphery can buckle, at least partially filling an inner perimeter defined by the inner periphery with a plurality of material folds.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket having an archwire slot includes a arc-shaped leaf spring capable of exerting a lateral force onto an archwire inserted into the archwire slot. The leaf spring is secured to a structure of said bracket at positions spaced along the slot. The bracket may have a slider plate to close the slot to avoid ligatures. In another embodiment the structure comprises an undercut holding the archwire in a position defined by the pressure exerted by the leaf spring. A bent slider may be interposed between said leaf spring and the archwire.

Abstract: A low-profile orthodontic assembly comprising a bracket having a base surface and a top surface, the base surface for mounting to a tooth; at least two pairs of spaced-apart wings, the pairs in mutual faced-apart arrangement, extending upward from the bracket, each wing terminated by a distal end spaced-above the top surface; the distal ends of each the pair of wings joined together by a cross-member to form a passageway thereunder, above the bracket top surface and between the pair of wings; each the pair of wings positioned on opposite sides of a slot formed in the bracket to receive therein an archwire passing along the bracket; and, a cap for assembly with the bracket to cover a portion of the slot including a pair of springy, flexible tongues extending from opposite ends thereof for insertion down into the passageways to spring upward against the cross-members and retain the cap over the archwire with minimal contact therebetween.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a pre-engaging orthodontic bracket includes a body having a lingual surface for attachment to a tooth, a pair of laterally spaced gingival tie wings and a pair of laterally spaced occlusal tie wings. The gingival and occlusal tie wings project from a labial surface of the body. An archwire slot extends mesiodistally across the body and between the gingival and occlusal tie wings at opposed mesial and distal sides of the body to accommodate an archwire. A pivot pin extends between a pair of the tie wings at opposed mesial and distal sides of the body. A shutter is moveable relative to the body between an open position in which placement and removal of an archwire into the archwire slot is facilitated and a closed position in which placement and removal of an archwire into the archwire slot is inhibited.

Abstract: A pre-engaging orthodontic bracket for attaching an archwire to a tooth includes a body having a lingual surface for attachment to the tooth, a pair of laterally spaced gingival tie wings and a pair of laterally spaced occlusal tie wings. The gingival and occlusal tie wings project from a labial surface of the body. The gingival and occlusal tie wings are separated by an interwing region of the body. An archwire slot extends mesiodistally across the body between the gingival and occlusal tie wings to accommodate and archwire. A locking shutter is pivotally mounted about at least one pivot pin on the body between an open position in which placement and removal of an archwire in the archwire slot is facilitated and a closed position in which placement of the archwire in the archwire slot is inhibited. Alternative embodiments of a pre-engaging orthodontic brackets are also disclosed.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket comprises a spring ligating member comprising a thin flat metal strip that embraces the bracket body and is moved thereon between slot closed and open positions. At least the free end part of the spring member labial arm portion that closes the slot is of smaller width in the mesial distal direction than the arch wire slot gingival surface which is provided with a recess of smaller mesial distal width so that it is closed at its mesial and distal ends. The free end part of the labial arm portion extends into the recess to protect the spring member against excessive movement in the labial direction, while the arch wire slot gingival surfaces at the closed mesial and distal ends of the recess are engagable by an arch wire in the slot for application of maximum torque moment from the arch wire to the bracket.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket having an archwire slot and including a pressure spring capable of exerting a lateral force onto an archwire inserted into the archwire slot, said force pressing the archwire into abutment to a lateral slot wall thereby reducing the clearance of the archwire within the slot.

Abstract: A lingual orthodontic bracket includes a body (12) having a three-sided archwire slot (14, 414), and a hinged closure member (22, 422) pivotally and pivotable across the archwire slot and into a closed position in the closure member slot. The closure member includes a cam shaped central portion (28, 428A, 428B) extending across the archwire to retain it in the archwire slot under shear. The cam portion is convexly shaped to seat the archwire in the slot during closure. A bumper or rotation member (340, 440) can be used to bias the archwire against the closure member. The closure member (422) is formed with two sides that enclose the sides of the bracket and locking ears (425A, 425B) that engage the bracket body. The bracket includes two oppositely directed wings (418, 426) for receiving a ligature or O-ring.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a pre-engaging orthodontic bracket includes a body having a lingual surface for attachment to a tooth, a pair of laterally spaced gingival tie wings and a pair of laterally spaced occlusal tie wings. The gingival and occlusal tie wings project from a labial surface of the body. An archwire slot extends mesiodistally across the body and between the gingival and occlusal tie wings at opposed mesial and distal sides of the body to accommodate an archwire. A pivot pin extends between a pair of the tie wings at opposed mesial and distal sides of the body. A shutter is moveable relative to the body between an open position in which placement and removal of an archwire into the archwire slot is facilitated and a closed position in which placement and removal of an archwire into the archwire slot is inhibited.

Abstract: A low profile self-ligating orthodontic bracket having a base plate which may be adhesively attached to the lingual or labial surface of a tooth, and which includes a transverse slot extending across the front surface of the base plate for receiving an arch wire, and which includes a cover plate extending over the slot and resiliently self-biased against the front surface of the base to force the arch wire down into the slot. The cover plate may be turned outwardly by the orthodontist to permit the arch wire to be inserted into the slot or removed from the slot, and when the cover plate is released, it moves with force against the front surface of the base to trap the arch wire in the slot.

Abstract: An improved orthodontic ligature for securing an arch wire to an orthodontic bracket has a stretchable ring member and an outwardly-extending grip extension integrally connected to the ring member. The ligature may be gripped at the grip extension using a pinching or clamping tool, facilitating installation of the ligature. An improved method of installing the ligature is also provided whereby the ring member is stretched to clear over tie wings of the bracket by pulling on the grip extension.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance includes a pin and a bracket. The pin has first and second portions joined by a bight. The first portion of the pin includes a pair of tie wings. The bracket includes a base with a pair of arms extending therefrom terminating in tie wings. A platform is positioned on the base between the arms. A first slot separates the tie wings. A second slot extends generally perpendicularly to the first slot through both arms and the platform. In use, the base of the bracket is attached to a tooth, an archwire is positioned in the first slot and the second portion of the pin is inserted through the second slot, such that the tie wings are adjacent the first slot. A ligature tie is then positioned about the tie wings to hold the archwire in place. In an alternative embodiment, an extension on the pin is bent about a portion of the bracket to secure the bracket to the archwire. The ligature tie is eliminated.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket comprises a bracket body with a mesial distal extending arch wire slot and a ligating latch spring member having the form of a thin flat metal strip. The spring member comprises along its length, in the order stated, an anchor portion anchored in the bracket body, a flexing portion in which the majority of the flexing takes place, a ligating portion that closes the slot mouth and engages any arch wire therein, and a latching portion by which the spring member is latched to the bracket body. The spring member may comprise a biasing portion between the flexing and ligating portions at the slot occlusal surface, or between the ligating and latching portions at the slot gingival surface, this biasing portion being convex toward the slot lingual wall and protruding into the slot to press the arch wire into the respective slot wall junction for more precise control.

Abstract: A lingual orthodontic bracket includes a body having a three-sided archwire slot, a closure member slot, and a hinged closure member pivotally and pivotable across the archwire slot and into a closed position in the closure member slot. The closure member includes a cam shaped portion extending across the archwire to retain it in the archwire slot under shear. The cam portion is convexly shaped to force the archwire to seat in the slot as the closure member is rotated toward the closed position, and has a neutral to over-center or negative camming action upon closure to retain the closure member in the closed position. The closure member includes a protrusion that wedges into the closure member slot in the closed position, The bracket includes two oppositely directed wings formed respectively on the body and the closure member for receiving a ligature or O-ring.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket comprises a bracket body with a mesial distal extending arch wire slot and a two-armed ligating latch spring member mounted thereon. The two arms comprise a ligating inner portion and a latching outer portion joined by a connecting portion and the spring member is movable between an unlatched slot open position and a latched slot closed position in which the slot is closed by the ligating portion and the spring member is latched to the bracket body by the latching portion. The bracket body may be made as two mirror image parts between which the spring member is mounted, the two body parts thereafter being fastened together. Each body part may carry a cylindrical mesial distal extending pivot post, the spring member being mounted on the posts for pivoting movement relative to the bracket body, the posts and spring member being frictionally engaged as it moves between slot open and closed positions for frictional damping of the pivoting movement.

Abstract: A self ligating orthodontic bracket comprising a U-shaped ligating spring member movable between slot open and closed positions on the bracket body is adapted for reception of an additional external ligating member, such as an elastomeric hoop or loop, by providing the spring member in its occlusal portion at least adjacent its junction with the lingual portion with a mesial distal extending spring slot in which the additional ligature is received and securely retained, the slot opening at least partly lingually and being convex in the labial gingival direction; preferably the slot opens both occlusally and lingually. Preferably also the gingival surface of the bracket body is provided with a mesial distal extending gingivally-opening body slot, convex in the occlusal direction, for reception and retention of an external additional ligating wire or elastomeric hoop engaged in the spring slot.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket and ligature are provided in which the bracket, in the preferred embodiment, includes a cylindrical post, spaced from a bracket base to extend horizontally parallel thereto, and having an archwire slot therein. A spring material ligature band, naturally coiled and secured to a plastic installation strip, is pulled around the post of the bracket until a hooked trailing terminal end of the band catches on the bracket, pulling it loose from the strip, and allowing it to snap around the post to hold and confine the archwire in the slot. Different width ligatures seat to different positions on the post to allow the wire to be held to selected tightnesses in the slot by selection of the ligature.

Abstract: A bracket having a movable closing spring fixedly but releasably attached thereto, wherein the closing spring is movable between two positions. The closing spring is retained in the opened and closed position due to the inherent spring force and can be put on and off the base member of the bracket.

Abstract: A reinforced elastomeric non-hoop ligature comprises a thin flat body of the elastomeric material having incorporated therein a thin flat rigid insert of gingival-occlusal dimension greater than the corresponding dimension of the arch-wire receiving slot of the orthodontic bracket with which it is employed. The ligature body has holes or slots through which ligature retaining projections of the bracket body protrude, and when mounted on the bracket the rigid member straddles the bracket slot mouth. A reinforced hoop ligature comprises a torus of the elastomeric material with two diametrically opposed rigid inserts of gingival-occlusal dimension sufficient to straddle the bracket slot.

Abstract: A ceramic device providing an environment for the promotion and formation of new bone. The ceramic device is made of a sinter of calcium phosphate compound, containing a plurality of perfect spherical pores whose diameter ranges from 10-450 .mu.m to provide a suitable environment for the formation of new bone. A plurality of micro pores is included whose diameter ranges from 0.01-0.5 .mu.m which surrounds the perfect spherical pores to interconnect the perfect spherical pores with an outer surface of the ceramic device with the micro pores interconnecting with each other.