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: The present invention provides an orthodontic bracket having a bonding surface that has excellent adhesiveness to a tooth surface due to undercuts having been formed by plastic deformation. A bracket 1 that is bonded to a tooth surface using an adhesive for orthodontic treatment is made from a plastic, specifically a polycarbonate or a polyamide. A bonding surface 4 of the bracket 1 is constituted from recessed parts 4a and protruding parts 4b. A projecting member 6 having a-tip part thereof formed into an approximately V-shaped pointed shape is pushed into an outside edge part of each protruding part 4b, whereby the protruding part 4b is pushed outward via a groove 4c. Side walls of each protruding part 4b thus spread out toward the recessed parts 4a, whereby undercuts 5 are formed in the bonding surface 4.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket is provided with a base shaped to correspond to the profile of the specific tooth to which it is to be attached. The shape of the base facilitates the visual placement of the bracket on the tooth of a patient by visually signaling to the practitioner the positioning of the bracket with its base centered on the facial side of the tooth. This invention facilitates the positioning of the archwire support of the bracket at a position on a tooth that may be offset from the facial axis or from the center of the face of the tooth by manufacture of the bracket with the support offset from the center of the tooth-shaped base. Preferably, the appliance base is a scaled reduction of the profile of the tooth, viewed from its facial side. The archwire support includes tie wings that have parallel sides and are fixed to the base with their tips defining between them the archwire slot that defines a reference line.

Abstract: A set of customized orthodontic brackets are provided with slots that are arranged substantially parallel to the tooth surface. The archwire, in an as-manufactured condition, has a portion of substantial arcuate extent, which is canted relative to the occlusal plane. The brackets are designed on a computer as a combination of three-dimensional virtual objects comprising the virtual bracket bonding pad and a separate virtual bracket body retrieved from a library of virtual bracket bodies. The virtual brackets can be represented as a file containing digital shape data and exported to a rapid prototype fabrication device for fabrication of the bracket in wax or other material and casting the wax prototype in a suitable alloy. Other manufacturing techniques are also contemplated, including milling and laser sintering.

Abstract: An oral appliance device and method are provided for slowing the ingestion of food thereby triggering an increase in the feeling of satiety for a given amount of food. The appliance affixes to the maxillary teeth and mandibular teeth, and restricts the distance the wearer can open the mouth. The appliance includes upper and lower attachable portions which affix to the upper and lower teeth, and a flexible element that connects the upper and lower parts. The restricted opening distance can be adjusted, by either lengthening the flexible part of the appliance, or re-positioning the upper and lower affixable part(s). The appliance allows the patient to perform oral hygiene and speak normally. The appliance allows patients to chew food, but at a slower rate. The appliance decreases the amount of food a wearer can put into his/her mouth at any single time, increasing the amount of time it takes to eat.

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: The invention concerns metallic orthodontic attachments, accessories and auxiliaries, new or recycled, surface treated with a platinum metal ion coating. But every metallic piece coming into direct contact with saliva is concerned by the invention. The deposits concern the whole surface of the metal coming into direct contact with saliva at least and are vapour deposited under vacuum or preferably by electroplating on an adhesive undercoat of fine gold. Said metal coats provide aesthetic and mechanical improvement with respect to prior art and above all medical improvement, since apart their discreet whiteness, close to that of teeth, they are reputable more noble than gold and can be implanted by surgery; they form a barrier to the allergenic nickel, cobalt and chromium ions and to toxic silver, tin, copper, aluminium and particularly cadmium ions sometimes alloyed in solders.

Abstract: A pre-emergent tooth correction method and assembly for applying traction to a pre-emergent tooth to cause the tooth to erupt in a desired position. A bonding pad is surgically affixed to an outer surface of a pre-emergent tooth. A chain is attached at one end to the bonding pad and at a second end to a traction device. The bonding pad includes a stainless steel mesh comprising a non-allergenic metal.

Abstract: A bracket for orthodontic use includes a base having a face adapted to be mounted to an inside surface of a tooth; and a stem having a first end connected to the base, the stem including a spur connected to a second end of the stem such that when the base is mounted to the inside surface of the tooth, the spur is located rearwardly of the face and oriented in the rearward direction. A method for prevention of tongue thrust swallowing includes providing a bracket having a spur, mounting the bracket on a rear surface of a tooth that is substantially opposing the tongue, and orienting the spur in a direction substantially opposing the tongue to discourage tongue thrust during swallowing.

Abstract: Individual doses of dental adhesive are dispensed onto a flat conformable card and enclosed under a cover sealed to the card. The cover is peeled off at chairside and individual doses of the adhesive are picked up by a wiping action of a dental tool or of an object to be bonded, such as, for example, by wiping action of an orthodontic bracket base over the adhesive bearing surface of the card. The card deforms to conform to the curvature of the edge of the appliance or object to cleanly transfer all of the adhesive of a dose from the card to the appliance base.

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 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: An orthodontic appliance may easily be recognized by a sort and a tooth mark, and trace to confirm the history of material and the production process. The appliance has a production lot number indicated at the part thereof, and further, the sort and the tooth mark indicated at an easily recognizable place thereof.

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 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: 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: Debonding tools and methods especially useful for removing ceramic brackets adhesively bonded to the teeth of a patient. In general, the tool and methods involve applying a tensile force to one side of the bracket while avoiding point loading which may cause the bracket to break. The tensile force may be applied by grasping the bracket with a tool having two jaws and pivoting the tool and the bracket about an axis generally lying in an occlusal-gingival plane of the tooth. At least the portions of the jaws that engage the bracket are formed from a material having a substantially reduced hardness relative to the brittle material of the bracket. Other embodiments of the tool engage a recess, such as one disposed beneath a tie wing, and pry the bracket away from the tooth.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an orthodontic article, a method of making an orthodontic article and an apparatus for making the orthodontic article. The orthodontic article is made by laser welding the work piece, comprising a bracket body and a the pad, together. The article thus formed includes a laser-welded seal around the perimeter of the adjoining areas between the pad and the bracket body. In an exemplary embodiment the apparatus of the invention, makes a series of closely spaced spot welds. The spot welds, in an exemplary embodiment, are significantly overlapped that they form a seal around the entire perimeter of the work piece adjoining areas. The spot welds, in an exemplary embodiment, are significantly overlapped that they form a hermetic seal between the pad and the bracket body. In other exemplary embodiments, the process of manufacturing orthodontic articles is automated and controlled by a computer and computer software.

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: Individual doses of dental adhesive are dispensed onto a flat conformable card and enclosed under a cover sealed to the card. The cover is peeled off at chairside and individual doses of the adhesive are picked up by a wiping action of a dental tool or of an object to be bonded, such as, for example, by wiping action of an orthodontic bracket base over the adhesive bearing surface of the card. The card deforms to conform to the curvature of the edge of the appliance or object to cleanly transfer all of the adhesive of a dose from the card to the appliance base.

Abstract: Orthodontic bracket having a retention base for a respective tooth and identifying indicia in relation to the tooth for which the orthodontic aid is suitable. The indicia includes a sign provided on the back side of the retention base. The size of the indicia is at least 3 square millimeters. The indicia has substantially null depth with respect to the retention base, thus following the outer profile of the latter.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket for straightening a tooth, has a base member adapted for attachment to the tooth to be straightened, and has a pair of spaced-apart upstanding walls each of which is provided with a slot for receiving a brace arch wire. The upstanding walls have retainer means which are engageable with a retainer band to hold in place the arch wire. In one embodiment, one of the slots in one wall has a ridge or narrowed portion on its bottom surface, which portion is so located with respect to the side faces of the wall that it facilitates any required bending of the arch wire. The elastic arch wire that is associated with the bracket can be easily bent over the ridge or narrowed portion due to the increased height provided by the same, for the purpose of applying a rotating force to the tooth to which the bracket is attached.

Abstract: The orthodontic appliance is metal injection molded as a unitary bracket, and is a made of a Stellite cobalt chromium alloy composition formulated to be substantially nickel-free, containing less than 1% nickel, in order to alleviate nickel allergic reactions experienced by a small fraction of the population to nickel. While nickel improved hardness of the bracket, the elements of chromium and molybdenum in the proposed alloy for the bracket also contribute to hardness of the alloy. The orthodontic bracket comprises a unitary metal injection molded body including a bonding base adapted to adhere to a tooth surface, and an archwire slot adapted for receiving an archwire. The preferred composition consists essentially of 59-69% by weight cobalt, 26-30% by weight chromium, 4-8% by weight molybdenum, and 2% or less by weight trace elements. The bonding base has a bottom base pattern in the form of a plurality of rectangular or square pockets that are approximately 0.005 to 0.015 inch in size.

Abstract: Individual orthodontic bracket doses of bracket adhesive are dispensed onto a flat resilient card and enclosed under a vapor proof cover sealed to the card. The cover is peeled off at chairside and individual orthodontic brackets pick up the individual doses of adhesive by a wiping of the adhesive doses by the orthodontist as the brackets are mounted on a patient's teeth. The card deforms to conform to the curvature of the edge of the appliance to cleanly transfer all of the adhesive of a dose from the card to the appliance base. On dose of adhesive is preferably provided for each tooth of a patient receiving a full set of orthodontic appliances. The individual doses are preferably divided into a bead of a basic dose with two small fractional supplemental dose beads to provide the orthodontist with the option of increasing the amount of adhesive on a given appliance.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket having opposite nonparallel surfaces and further incorporating one or more gripping portions to provide stability in gripping and handling. The gripping portion or portions may be formed as various types of small notches or shelves in the bracket body and preferably enable gripping to take place on opposite parallel surfaces even though surrounding surfaces are nonparallel and may be convergent. Methods of installation and removal involve gripping the appliance with a tool having movable jaws with at least one jaw engaging a gripping portion.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a plastic orthodontic appliance having projections extending outwardly from a bonding base. The projections include broadened outer extremities and undercuts proximate the outer extremities which form mechanical bonds with a bonding adhesive. The projections have peened free ends that form the undercuts, preferably with minute fractures therein extending into the outer extremities of the projections. In one application, a plurality of appliances in the form of slotted brackets is provided for cooperating with an archwire to apply corrective forces to a patient's teeth on which the brackets are mounted. Another aspect of the invention concerns a method of making plastic orthodontic appliances suitable for mechanical bonding.

Abstract: A release substrate is releasably placed across a layer of adhesive that has been coated onto the base of an orthodontic appliance such as an orthodontic bracket. The release substrate enhances separation from the adhesive coated on the appliance such that the shape of the adhesive is essentially undisturbed and preferably substantially all of the adhesive remains on the base of the appliance when the substrate is detached from the adhesive. The release substrate is particularly suitable for use with adhesives that have a relatively low viscosity, adhesives that are more tacky and/or adhesives that have less cohesive strength than adhesives conventionally used with precoated orthodontic appliances.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance of the present invention has a combination of a bracket with a hook and a bracket without a hook.The bracket with a hook includes a metal body formed with a groove therein adapted for being engaged with an arch wire and provided with a hook thereon, the hook is integrally formed with the metal body; and a synthetic resin housing for accommodating the metal body therein such that inner surface of the groove is exposed and at least top portion of the hook projects from the synthetic resin housing. The bracket without a hook includes a metal body formed with a groove therein adapted for being engaged with an arch wire; and a synthetic resin housing for accommodating the metal body therein such that inner surface of the groove is exposed.

Abstract: A device and method for mandibular fixation are disclosed. The bondable bracket brace includes a cloth-like body having a first surface for attachment to a tooth surface and a plurality of attachment points on the cloth-like body. The cloth like body may be made of Kevlar.RTM., nylon, fine metal mesh, or combinations thereof The bondable bracket brace may also include lift points for removing the bondable bracket brace, and may also include fiber straps for securing the bondable bracket brace to a tooth surface. A method of mandibular fixation includes the steps of: (1) preparing a surface of the teeth, (2) applying a first adhesive layer to the prepared surface; (3) positioning a bondable bracket brace with a cloth-like body on the first adhesive layer, (4) curing the adhesive; and (5) securing an object to the bondable bracket brace with a linking member.

Abstract: An orthodontic assembly includes one or more orthodontic appliances that are releasably received in a carrier. The carrier has arms with outer end sections that are spaced apart from each other to present a channel therebetween. The outer end sections of the arms are received in recesses of each appliance in order to support the appliance in suspended relation. The carrier is particularly useful for holding appliances during a manufacturing operation or during transport of the appliances from manufacturing operation to another. The carrier is also useful for supporting appliances in a package for shipment to the end user, especially when the appliances are precoated with a layer of adhesive.

Abstract: A self-ligating orthodontic bracket assembly includes a bracket including an transverse archwire slot. A first anterior surface of the bracket to one side of the slot terminates at one side slot surface. It is free of any anterior projections that would otherwise obscure viewing of the archwire slot opening by one installing or adjusting the bracket. A second anterior surface terminates at the remaining side slot surface. A ligating slide is guided within a pair of guides having inwardly facing guide slots located to the second side of the archwire slot. The ligating slide is movable between a retracted position and a cantilevered position over the archwire slot. The ligating slide is differentially colored with respect to the bracket. Various detents, both integral to the ligating slide or external to it and recessed within the bracket, are used to hold the ligating slide in its desired position relative to the supporting bracket structure.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a plastic orthodontic appliance having projecting structure extending outwardly from a bonding base. The projecting structure includes a broadened outer extremity and undercuts proximate the outer extremity which form mechanical bonds with a bonding adhesive. In one application, a plurality of appliances in the form of slotted brackets is provided for cooperating with an archwire to apply corrective forces to a patient's teeth on which the brackets are mounted. Another aspect of the invention concerns a method of making plastic orthodontic appliances suitable for mechanical bonding. The method includes molding a plastic orthodontic appliance having undeformed projecting structure and subsequently softening and compressing the outer extremity of the projecting structure to form undercuts. In a preferred embodiment, the projecting structure is a plurality of posts.

Abstract: The orthodontic appliance is metal injection molded as a unitary bracket, and is a made of a Stellite cobalt chromium alloy composition formulated to be substantially nickel-free, containing less than 1% nickel, in order to alleviate nickel allergic reactions experienced by a small fraction of the population to nickel. While nickel improved hardness of the bracket, the elements of chromium and molybdenum in the proposed alloy for the bracket also contribute to hardness of the alloy. The orthodontic bracket comprises a unitary metal injection molded body including a bonding base adapted to adhere to a tooth surface, and an archwire slot adapted for receiving an archwire. The preferred composition consists essentially of 59-69% by weight cobalt, 26-30% by weight chromium, 4-8% by weight molybdenum, and 2% or less by weight trace elements. The bonding base has a bottom base pattern in the form of a plurality of rectangular or square pockets that are approximately 0.005 to 0.015 inch in size.

Abstract: A dental article having a lyophilic ionic cement component on at least one surface thereof. Also contemplated are methods of using a dental article having a lyophilic ionic cement component on at least one surface thereof, and methods of making such articles.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket apparatus for attachment to a tooth, consisting of a flexible attachment pad having dimensions that are commensurate with a designated area of the tooth to which the apparatus is to be secured. The apparatus has a pair of brackets permanently mounted on adjoining areas at one side of the pad in spaced relation to each other, such brackets being maintained in their attached positions and separated by an elongate, narrow hinge portion of the pad, which portion is free from direct attachment to the brackets. The narrow hinge portion of the ductile pad enables an initial easy, relative arcuate adjusting movement of the brackets to be effected with respect to each other, thereby to obtain a closer fit of the entire pad to the surface contours of the tooth which is to have the apparatus affixed to its surface.

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 bracket comprising a base plate having an edge configuration in which the mesial and distal edges are formed to extend in parallel to mesial and distal secants of the tooth crown. Those secants extend close to the mesial and distal edges of the tooth's crown when seen in front view between the mesial and distal junctions of the enamel, respectively, and the cement at the gingival edge of the tooth and the junction of the incisal edge or cusp and the mesial and distal edge, respectively, of the tooth's crown. Thereby, the positioning of the bracket in conformity with the anatomy of the tooth's crown is facilitated.

Abstract: Orthodontic appliances in accordance with the present invention are formed from amorphous alloys having a supercooling liquid region. The appliances have high corrosion resistance, high durability and high strength. The appliances are particularly useful when changes and adjustments in the orthodontic state become necessary in the course of orthodontic treatment. The present invention also provides improvements in the base surfaces of orthodontic appliances adapted to be bonded to tooth surfaces. The appliances can consequently be securely affixed to tooth surfaces.

Abstract: A double-sided mirror and irrigation instrument for intraoral application has an in-line finger operated valve for selectively controlling flow of air, water or a mixture of air and water through an annular supply passage for cleaning the mirror surfaces and objects in the oral cavity. An annular suction passage extends from the mirror assembly through an extension tube for draining liquids from the patient's mouth. The mirror assembly is illuminated by light transmitted through a quartz rod that is enclosed within a central supply conduit.

Abstract: Dental appliance to be worn in the mouth consisting of a meltable material, this appliance having a bonding surface to be bonded to a tooth region in a form-locking and substance-bonding manner, this surface possessing at least retention areas with recesses produced by melting the material by means of a laser beam, at least some of these recesses forming undercuts, wherein for achieving a high bonding strength the retention areas have next to the recesses a plurality of irregular elevations which are formed by the material melted during the formation of the recesses and of which at least some likewise form undercuts, wherein at least some of these elevations each have a volume equal to a fraction of the volume of the largest of these recesses.

Abstract: Orthodontic brackets having tubular passages are bonded to at least six teeth in an upper or lower human dental arch, including at least two teeth other than molars, and a superflexible archwire is extended through all of the passages. The orthodontic brackets are non-metallic thin veneer bodies having tubular passages for receiving the archwire. Custom veneer bodies are fabricated using information obtained from a model or a sectioned model of a patient's dental arch, or from digital mapping of the patient's tooth surfaces or the facsimile tooth surfaces in the model. The orientation of each tubular passage in each bracket depends upon the desired final position of each tooth, and upon the degree of torque, tip and angulation required for achieving such position. Contrary to the prior practice of making orthodontic brackets as small as possible, the veneer bodies have a large bonding surface area that covers much of a tooth facial surface and corresponds with the facial surface shape of the tooth.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to increase the adhesive strength of the polycarbonate bracket for correcting dentition.The bracket for correcting dentition comprises a polycarbonate bracket, an adhesive layer being applied to the bottom surface of the bracket and subjected to an irradiation of a microwave and a plastically deformable photocuring resin layer being applied to the adhesive layer.

Abstract: A dental bracket having a non-adhering, moldable base, wherein the moldable base is conformed to the surface of the tooth to which it is to be adhered. A very thin layer of dental adhesive interposed between the moldable base and the tooth (by coating of any or both of the tooth and moldable base--preferably the tooth) effects full adherence of the bracket to the tooth. The base material is fully cured by normal curing methods such as by UV or other wavelength light activation. Use of a non-tacky, bondable plastic membrane (or coating or use of a thin inert interposition material which is non-tacky and bondable) bonded to the base material (and which is conformed with the molding of the base material), facilitates application of a bracket with an applicator. A bracket applicator and package suitable for use with the dental bracket of the present invention is also described.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket apparatus for attachment to a tooth, consisting of a flexible attachment pad having dimensions that are commensurate with a designated area of the tooth to which the apparatus is to be secured. The apparatus has a pair of brackets permanently mounted on adjoining areas at one side of the pad in spaced relation to each other, such brackets being maintained in their attached positions and separated by an elongate, narrow hinge portion of the pad, which portion is free from direct attachment to the brackets. The narrow hinge portion of the ductile pad enables an initial easy, relative arcuate adjusting movement of the brackets to be effected with respect to each other, thereby to obtain a closer fit of the entire pad to the surface contours of the tooth which is to have the apparatus affixed to its surface.

Abstract: Coatings for hard tissue and surfaces of the oral environment are provided that reduce adhesion of bacteria and proteinaceous substances to these surfaces. Methods of reducing adhesion of these materials to such surfaces, and polymers for incorporation into such coatings are also provided.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a plastic orthodontic appliance having projecting structure extending outwardly from a bonding base. The projecting structure includes a broadened outer extremity and undercuts proximate the outer extremity which form mechanical bonds with a bonding adhesive. In one application, a plurality of appliances in the form of slotted brackets is provided for cooperating with an archwire to apply corrective forces to a patient's teeth on which the brackets are mounted. Another aspect of the invention concerns a method of making plastic orthodontic appliances suitable for mechanical bonding. The method includes molding a plastic orthodontic appliance having undeformed projecting structure and subsequently softening and compressing the outer extremity of the projecting structure to form undercuts. In a preferred embodiment, the projecting structure is a plurality of posts.

Abstract: Plastic orthodontic appliances having improved bonding characteristics are described. The appliances have a polymeric base with projecting structure extending outwardly therefrom and an applied coating of a chemically activatable material. The projecting structure includes a broadened outer extremity and undercuts proximate the outer extremity which form mechanical bonds with a bonding adhesive. The chemically activatable material applied to the projecting structure increases the chemical bond between the structure and the bonding adhesive and thereby enhances the overall bonding characteristics of the appliance. Another aspect of the invention concerns a method of enhancing the bond strength of plastic orthodontic appliances. The method includes applying a chemically activatable material layer by sputtering, plasma deposition, or other deposition process, to a plastic orthodontic appliance having projecting structure.

Abstract: An orthodontic assembly includes one or more orthodontic brackets that are releasably received in a tubular carrier. The carrier has arms with outer end sections that are spaced apart from each other to present a channel therebetween. The outer end sections of the arms are received in occlusal and gingival recesses of each bracket in order to support the bracket in suspended relation. The carrier is particularly useful for holding brackets during a manufacturing operation or during transport of the brackets from manufacturing operation to another. The carrier is also useful for supporting brackets in a package for shipment to the end user, especially when the brackets are precoated with a layer of adhesive.

Abstract: A device for tooth-position correction includes a bracket or buccal tube formed from a plastic material by the injection-molding process, having a pad with a concave underside for connection onto the front face of a tooth, and an upper face from which extends an integrally formed mounting and guide element for receiving an arch wire. The underside of the pad is provided with projections having undercuts formed by bars placed on the underside during the injection-molding process.

Abstract: A base for an orthodontic attachment such as a bracket for incorporating torque or rotation in the bracket, which includes a body of wedge shape that may be suitably oriented on and attached to the backside of an orthodontic attachment for selectively incorporating torque or rotation into the bracket. The base may be stamped from a strip of material having a varying thickness such that the base will have a wedge shaped cross section.