Abstract: The bracket (11) comprises a body (21) having a ligaturing surface (21a) on which ligature by a wire is performed. A slot portion (22) for threading an arch wire (12) serving as a first wire extending over a plurality of teeth is provided on the ligaturing surface (21a) of the body (21). Wing portions (23) extending from the slot portion (22) in the direction generally perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the slot portion (22) are provided. A ligature wire (26) serving as a second wire used in ligaturing the arch wire (12) is hitched round the wing portions (23). And guide portions (24) for guiding the ligature wire (26 ) to extend across the slot portion (22) are formed.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an orthodontic appliance having a bracket that can be readily adjusted after the orthodontic appliance is attached to a tooth. In one example embodiment, an adjustable orthodontic appliance includes a base, a bracket, and a spring-loaded locking mechanism attached to the bracket. In this example embodiment, the spring-loaded locking mechanism has a locked state where the spring-loaded locking mechanism engages with the base such that the position of the bracket is locked in place with respect to the position of the base. The spring-loaded locking mechanism also has an unlocked state where the spring-loaded locking mechanism disengages from the base such that the position of the bracket is adjustable with respect to the position of the base.

Abstract: A bonding tray for indirect bonding of orthodontic appliances includes a body adapted to fit over at least a portion of the dental arch. One or more orthodontic appliances are releasably connected to the body, and a photocurable adhesive material extends across the base or bonding pad of each appliance for bonding the appliance to a tooth. An outer surface of the body includes at least one receptacle for removably receiving a source of light in order to facilitate curing the photocurable adhesive material.

Abstract: The present invention provides multi-layer adhesives and methods that are useful for bonding orthodontic appliances to a tooth structure. The multi-layer adhesives can be precoated on an orthodontic appliance, or alternatively, they can be provided on an adhesive delivery system for transfer to an orthodontic appliance. The multi-layer adhesives and methods preferably provide a useful balance of properties for bonding orthodontic appliances to the tooth structure.

Abstract: A packaged, pre-pasted orthodontic bracket includes a container having an open well therein and a top surface surrounding the well. A cover film with a central hole is disposed over the top opening of the well and secured to the top surface of the container with a layer of adhesive. An orthodontic bracket mounted in the central hole of the cover film has a base, a central portion extending from the base, at least two opposed tie wings extending from the central portion of the bracket, and a layer of light-curable adhesive disposed on the base of the bracket. The bracket is mounted in the central hole of the cover film such that the cover film contacts the central portion of the bracket and supports the bracket with the adhesive layer and base inside the well and the tie wings outside the well.

Abstract: The present invention provides multi-layer adhesives and methods that are useful for bonding orthodontic appliances to a tooth structure. The multi-layer adhesives can be precoated on an orthodontic appliance, or alternatively, they can be provided on an adhesive delivery system for transfer to an orthodontic appliance. The multi-layer adhesives and methods preferably provide a useful balance of properties for bonding orthodontic appliances to the tooth structure.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance such as a bracket or buccal tube has a latch for retaining an archwire in an archwire slot. The appliance also includes built-torque in order to reduce the need for the practitioner to manually bend the archwire by twisting the archwire about its longitudinal axis during the course of treatment. The latch comprises at least one clip having certain features that significantly reduce strain during opening movements of the clip. As a result, the fatigue life of the clip is enhanced.

Abstract: The present invention provides dental articles, kits, and methods including a compressible material. The compressible material optionally includes a hardenable dental composition (e.g., an adhesive or primer) that can be useful for bonding the dental article (e.g., an orthodontic appliance) to a tooth structure. Removal of excess hardenable and/or hardened dental composition, if desired, can be facilitated for embodiments in which the hardenable dental composition is an unfilled or lightly filled composition.

Abstract: An orthodontic device includes a bracket that has a bracket pad with a first side that is intermittently etched. The bracket pad is malleable so that it can be configured to conform to a tooth. The bracket pad is composed of a single layer of material and is configured to be directly secured to the tooth on the first side A method of fitting an etched, malleable orthodontic device is also provided, and includes the steps of forming a mold of a patient's tooth, applying an etched, malleable bracket pad to the mold, and shaping the etched, malleable bracket pad to fit the mold, thereby forming a custom-fit bracket pad.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance for attachment to a tooth with adhesive is provided that resists debonding due to impact. The appliance is provided with a compliant interface between the adhesive and the point of impact. An appliance may be provided with an orthodontic bracket suspended from a mechanical bonding base that is to be secured with adhesive to a tooth. The suspension provides compliant movement between the appliance and the mechanical bond. The movement is preferably resilient or elastic movement, but may be plastic. The movement resists fracture of the adhesive by more slowly decelerating an impacting mass, reducing forces on the adhesive. A pad attached at its outer periphery to a mesh which leaves the inner central portion of the pad free may provide the compliance, so the pad exhibits flex, suspending the bracket to move with impacting masses, absorbing energy and reducing forces transmitted to the adhesive.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket is provided. The bracket comprises a rear wall coming to rest on a buccal or lingual tooth surface; and at least two guide surfaces running at right angles to one another, for guiding an archwire with a rectangular cross section, wherein the at least two guide surfaces are arranged distanced to the rear wall, and at least one passage remains between the rear wall and the two guide surfaces, wherein relative to a first guide surface, a first gingival web runs below and at least one second occlusal web runs above the first guide surface, and wherein a second passage is left free between the first web and the rear wall, and a first passage is left free between the second web and the rear wall.

Abstract: This invention provides an adjustable orthodontic bracket. The adjustable orthodontic bracket includes an orthodontic arch wire slot/tube and fixing part, an adjustable part, and a tooth surface fixing part. The orthodontic arch wire slot and fixing part is used to fix one or several orthodontic arch wire(s). The adjustable part is fixed under the orthodontic arch wire slot/tube and fixing part and provides a structure allowing the orthodontic arch wire slot/tube and fixing part to be turned around and fixed, and thereby the orthodontic arch wire slot/tube and fixing part is able to generate a stress to teeth for orthodontic treatment through turning itself around to pull and drag the orthodontic arch wire(s). The tooth surface fixing part is used to fix the adjustable part on tooth surface.

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: A method of adhering composite of ceramic particles to a surface of an orthodontic bracket that has a base portion for attachment to a tooth is provided. The particles are comprised of products of reaction of molten aluminum hydroxide, hydroxyapatate (calcium phosphate hydroxide), and alumina in an inert atmosphere. Average particle size of aluminum powder and hydroxyapatate powder is 30 micrometer. Mixture of nanometer and micrometer alumina is used. Aluminum hydroxide powder and other materials which are provided in dry powder form is dispersed in a high viscosity mineral oil. Molten aluminum hydroxide at 300° C. holds the other particles in place and reacts with hydroxyapatate to produce complex of aluminum phosphate and calcium hydroxide. Programmed heat treatment produce an orthodontic bracket having an opaque base portion for attachment to a tooth that shows bond strength of 180 kg/cm2 though the maximum temperature of heat treatment is lower than 1,000° C.

Abstract: An improved edgewise orthodontic bracket is disclosed. In one embodiment, a bracket comprises a single pair of opposing T-shaped tie wings which define an archwire slot therebetween. Notches are provided on each of the mesial and distal sides of the center leg of each T-shaped tie wing for selectively receiving a ligating device. The notches are defined in the gingival/occlusal edges of the tie wings and comprise sloped portions that extend labially towards the archwire slot. Convex sidewall portions and convex floor portions are provided in the archwire slot adjacent to the notches. The body of the bracket is interconnected to a base that includes a continuous series of characters that serve as texturing to facilitate bonding of the bracket with a tooth. A discontinuous perimeter rail may be used at the edge of the base. A method for forming a bracket is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of identifying an orthodontic adhesive on a tooth structure, the method including selectively staining a surface including the orthodontic adhesive or the tooth structure. Methods of bonding and debonding an orthodontic appliance to and from a tooth structure are also provided.

Abstract: Articles including an orthodontic bracket having a base for bonding the bracket to a tooth are disclosed. A first part of an at least two-part adhesive is on the base of the bracket and a release substrate is in contact with the adhesive.

Abstract: A quantity of a photocurable composition, such as an orthodontic adhesive containing a photoinitiator, is placed between the base of an orthodontic appliance and a replica of a patient's tooth structure. The replica is made using a material that transmits actinic radiation. As the appliance is pressed into firm contact with the replica tooth structure, an outer surface of the photocurable composition assumes the configuration of the underlying portion of the replica tooth structure. Actinic radiation is then directed to the photocurable composition, and at least part of the actinic radiation is directed through the replica tooth model in order to harden the photocurable composition. The hardened composition provides a contoured bonding surface having a shape that matches corresponding regions of the patient's tooth structure. Methods are also disclosed for making an orthodontic indirect bonding transfer apparatus for use with appliances having a contoured bonding surface.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for applying orthodontic brackets to teeth. The apparatus includes a bracket container having a bracket housing defined therein and a bracket placer positioned relative to the bracket housing to receive a bracket from the bracket container. The bracket housing is configured to house a plurality of brackets. Furthermore, the bracket container includes biased means for biasing brackets in the bracket housing forwardly toward the bracket placer.

Abstract: Visually simulated tooth braces include individual visual tooth brace indicia to simulate real functional braces commonly worn by children and adults alike to adjust human teeth. The visually simulated tooth braces allow for children to temporarily wear braces as many of their classmates, friends, and siblings do.

Abstract: An insert is removably received in a channel of an orthodontic appliance. The insert substantially prevents sections of the appliance from moving toward each other a distance that would otherwise be sufficient for debonding the appliance from the associated tooth. The insert may be used with the appliance alone, or in combination with the appliance and a positioning tray. The insert may also be advantageously employed during manufacture, shipping, patient set-up or other handling, and may also be used in the course of treatment. Additionally, the insert may be provided with structure for serving as a positioning jig.

Abstract: A bilayer base for attaching appliances selected from the group consisting of a component of a dental appliance, an orthodontic appliance, or an orthopedic appliance to a bony part of the human body wherein the appliance part to be attached to the bony part of the body may be made of metal, ceramic, or plastic. The base permits the appliance to be ready for mounting and includes a cured layer of polymer resin mounted on the appliance and an uncured layer of substantially the same polymer resin over the cured layer which when cured becomes integral with the cured layer in attaching the appliance to a bony part of the body.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket design is disclosed together with the associated method of attachment to a tooth wherein the bracket contains an integral light source such as a solid state emitter. The bracket is placed on a tooth using a tool that also provides electrical power to the bracket to cause the integral light emitter to produce radiation of an appropriate wavelength to cure the adhesive used to attach the bracket to a tooth. The electrically powered bracket system overcomes many of the variabilities associated with the current clinical present practice of bonding orthodontic brackets to teeth to provide faster, stronger, and more consistent bonding.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a dental bracket and associated kit used to attach a medicament-releasing pellet on a tooth. The kit is designed to provide slow release of fluoride or other medicament over a desired period of time. The medicament release kit includes a medicament-releasing pellet and a dental bracket. The bracket comprises a base and a socket configured to receive and retain the pellet at least partially therein. The device may be installed by a dental practitioner and remain attached to a patient's tooth for a few months or up to 20 years. The medicament-releasing pellet, designed to slowly release small quantities of fluoride or another medicament, may be replaced, for example, every 6 months to 2 years. Replacement of the medicament-releasing pellet may be performed at home or at a dentist's office.

Abstract: Interactive, computer based orthodontist treatment planning, appliance design and appliance manufacturing is described. A scanner is described which acquires images of the dentition which are converted to three-dimensional frames of data. The data from the several frames are registered to each other to provide a complete three-dimensional virtual model of the dentition. Individual tooth objects are obtained from the virtual model. A computer-interactive software program provides for treatment planning, diagnosis and appliance from the virtual tooth models. A desired occlusion for the patient is obtained from the treatment planning software. The virtual model of the desired occlusion and the virtual model of the original dentition provide a base of information for custom manufacture of an orthodontic appliance.

Abstract: The invention relates to uses of glasses and glass-ceramics in dental and orthodontic applications.

Abstract: Orthodontic adhesives and packaged articles including an orthodontic appliance having a base for bonding the appliance to a tooth are disclosed. In the packaged articles, an adhesive is on the base of the appliance, and a container at least partially surrounds the orthodontic appliance having adhesive on the base thereof.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket containing a flexible element incorporated between its base and bracket to permit installation on each tooth where needed is described. With the base firmly anchored on a tooth and a semi rigid archwire ligated to the bracket, flexible compliance between each tooth and its correcting force is obtained assuring comfort during the orthodontic procedure.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance such as a bracket or buccal tube has an overall, low profile shape. The appliance includes a base having a thickness that is less in regions adjacent the archwire slot as compared to remaining regions. In certain embodiments, the base is provided with protrusions that extend into the archwire slot for controlling rotation of the associated tooth. The resulting low profile of the appliance enhances its aesthetic appearance and helps to avoid impingement of the appliance and the attached archwire on adjacent soft tissue in the oral cavity.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance that is adapted for bonding directly to the enamel surface of a patient's tooth has structure for enhancing placement of the appliance on the tooth surface. The structure facilitates gripping the appliance by a hand instrument so that the appliance does not unduly shift or rock during a bonding procedure. In certain aspects of the invention, the placement enhancement structure comprises one or more protrusions located along sides of the appliance, and optionally some of the protrusions are located within a recess that extends along an occlusal or gingival side of the appliance.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a continuous series of alpha-numeric characters (such as letters or numerals) or symbols (such as company logos) that are formed in a manner such that the symbols or characters on the base of the bracket serve as texturing to facilitate bonding of the bracket with the tooth when the base of the bracket is attached to the tooth using an adhesive. In a separate aspect of the invention, a perimeter rail, and more preferably, a discontinuous perimeter rail may be used at the edge of the base. A method for forming a bracket is also provided.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket enabling to securely maintain positive pressure of an archwire effecting to the bottom of an archwire slot even if doing the rotational control more than a determined amount. The orthodontic bracket has a base, a main body furnished on the base, an archwire slot formed in the main body, a guiding part crossing with the slot, and a band-like clip guided in the guiding part. A clip is curved in U-shape as covering at least one part of a reverse base side in the archwire slot, and a locking portion furnished at one end side in the length direction of the clip creeps under a cover portion supported by the main body. The locking claw formed in the locking portion and a covering claw formed in the cover portion get over and engage each other.

Abstract: A bondable orthodontic appliance such as a molar tube bondable to a tooth by use of a light-cure adhesive for bond sites at the posterior of the mouth wherein the bonding pad of the appliance includes a light-cure adhesive bonding face.

Abstract: A quantity of a photocurable composition, such as an orthodontic adhesive containing a photoinitiator, is placed between the base of an orthodontic appliance and a replica of a patient's tooth structure. The replica is made using a material that transmits actinic radiation. As the appliance is pressed into firm contact with the replica tooth structure, an outer surface of the photocurable composition assumes the configuration of the underlying portion of the replica tooth structure. Actinic radiation is then directed to the photocurable composition, and at least part of the actinic radiation is directed through the replica tooth model in order to harden the photocurable composition. The hardened composition provides a contoured bonding surface having a shape that matches corresponding regions of the patient's tooth structure. Methods are also disclosed for making an orthodontic indirect bonding transfer apparatus for use with appliances having a contoured bonding surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is an orthodontic article that includes a fluoropolymer and that exhibits at least 0.001% transmittance at 546 nm when measured according to the Transmittance Test Procedure.

Abstract: A light-curable methacrylate based epoxy resin bonding pad molded to a ceramic orthodontic appliance, wherein the epoxy resin is made of bisphenol glycidyl methacrylate, tetra-hydrofurfuryl methacrylate, titanium dioxide, and camphor quinone, and the invisible light transmittance through the appliance and the pad is on the order of five percent plus or minus two percent.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance for attachment to a tooth with adhesive is provided that resists debonding due to impact. The appliance is provided with a compliant interface between the adhesive and the point of impact. An appliance may be provided with an orthodontic bracket suspended from a mechanical bonding base that is to be secured with adhesive to a tooth. The suspension provides compliant movement between the appliance and the mechanical bond. The movement is preferably resilient or elastic movement, but may be plastic. The movement resists fracture of the adhesive by more slowly decelerating an impacting mass, reducing forces on the adhesive. A pad attached at its outer periphery to a mesh which leaves the inner central portion of the pad free may provide the compliance, so the pad exhibits flex, suspending the bracket to move with impacting masses, absorbing energy and reducing forces transmitted to the adhesive.

Abstract: The invention relates to uses of glasses and glass-ceramics in dental and orthodontic applications.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance such as a bracket or buccal tube has an overall, low profile shape. The appliance includes a base having a thickness that is less in regions adjacent the archwire slot as compared to remaining regions. In certain embodiments, the base is provided with protrusions that extend into the archwire slot for controlling rotation of the associated tooth. The resulting low profile of the appliance enhances its aesthetic appearance and helps to avoid impingement of the appliance and the attached archwire on adjacent soft tissue in the oral cavity.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance that is adapted for bonding directly to the enamel surface of a patient's tooth has structure for enhancing placement of the appliance on the tooth surface. The structure facilitates gripping the appliance by a hand instrument so that the appliance does not unduly shift or rock during a bonding procedure. In certain aspects of the invention, the placement enhancement structure comprises one or more protrusions located along sides of the appliance, and optionally some of the protrusions are located within a recess that extends along an occlusal or gingival side of the appliance.

Abstract: A bondable orthodontic appliance such as a molar tube bondable to a tooth by use of a light-cure adhesive for bond sites at the posterior of the mouth wherein the bonding pad of the appliance includes a light-cure adhesive bonding face.

Abstract: A bilayer base for attaching appliances selected from the group consisting of a component of a dental appliance, an orthodontic appliance, or an orthopedic appliance to a bony part of the human body wherein the appliance part to be attached to the bony part of the body may be made of metal, ceramic, or plastic. The base permits the appliance to be ready for mounting and includes a cured layer of polymer resin mounted on the appliance and an uncured layer of substantially the same polymer resin over the cured layer which when cured becomes integral with the cured layer in attaching the appliance to a bony part of the body.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance includes a base with an outer surface, as well as at least one passageway extending through the base. An element is received in each passageway and is made of a material that transmits actinic radiation. The element serves as a window to facilitate the curing of light-curable orthodontic adhesive beneath the appliance base, while simultaneously preventing movement of the adhesive through the passageway. Optionally, one or more optical fibers are provided to facilitate curing of the adhesive.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance of the bracket or tube type for bondable mounting on a tooth including an appliance body having a buccal/labial archwire receiving side and a lingual side and a polymer resin bonding base molded to the lingual side such that at least part of the body is embedded in the base, and wherein the base may include openings for receiving an auxiliary or a secondary archwire.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a continuous series of alpha-numeric characters (such as letters or numerals) or symbols (such as company logos) that are formed in a manner such that the symbols or characters on the base of the bracket serve as texturing to facilitate bonding of the bracket with the tooth when the base of the bracket is attached to the tooth using an adhesive. In a separate aspect of the invention, a perimeter rail, and more preferably, a discontinuous perimeter rail may be used at the edge of the base. A method for forming a bracket is also provided.

Abstract: Orthodontic appliances such as orthodontic brackets are provided with bases that are shaped to correspond to the profiles of the specific teeth to which they are to be attached. The shapes of the bases facilitate the visual placement of the appliances on the teeth of patients by visually signaling to the practitioner the positioning of the appliance with the base thereof centered on the facial side of the tooth. This invention further facilitates the positioning of an archwire support of the appliance at a position on a tooth that is offset from the facial axis or from the center of the face of the tooth by manufacture of the appliance with the support offset from the center of the tooth-shaped pad. Preferably, the appliance base is a scaled reduction of the profile of the tooth, viewed from its facial side.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance including a bracket having a substantially flat base (15) for engaging a tooth and a securing member (23) having a terminal aspect, and a pin (1) having an appendage (5) having an active surface (3) wherein the base and the securing member form a channel adapted to receive the pin to secure the pin in a position to form a slot between the terminal aspect of the securing member and the active surface of the appendage of the pin, said pin having longitudinal movement within the channel, wherein said movement enable the dimensions of the slot formed between the terminal aspect of the securing member and the active surface (32) of the appendage of the pin to be variable.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance of the bracket or tube type for bondable mounting on a tooth including an appliance body having a buccal/labial archwire receiving side and a lingual side and a polymer resin bonding base molded to the lingual side such that at least part of the body is embedded in the base, and wherein the base may include openings for receiving an auxiliary or a secondary archwire.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance comprising a main body for orthodontic treatment and a bonding base connected to the main body and capable of adhering to the teeth, wherein the main body and the bonding base each comprise calcium phosphate crystallizing glass. The calcium phosphate crystallizing glass preferably comprises CaO 10 to 60 wt %, P2O5 25 to 85 wt %, Al2O3 5 to 25 wt % and Li2O 0.01 to 5 wt %, and has Vickers hardness Hv based on JIS Z2244 of 4.5 GPa or lower, and bending strength based on JIS R1601 of 100 MPa or higher.

Abstract: Orthodontic adhesives and packaged articles including an orthodontic appliance having a base for bonding the appliance to a tooth are disclosed. In the packaged articles, an adhesive is on the base of the appliance, and a container at least partially surrounds the orthodontic appliance having adhesive on the base thereof.